Bayou Stix Series: Bayou Stix Limited Edition Box Set (41 page)

Dade and Cruz follow him out giving me one last look. Jude and I are left in the center of the stage. I turn and he’s looking at me with a perplexed face.

“What are you going to do? From the sounds of it, you royally fucked up, dude.”

I laugh at my predicament. For the first time, I want to see what’s there with a woman and I have no idea how to fix the shit storm I created. “I have no fucking clue. Figure it out as I go, I guess?! Pointers would be great.”

He laughs. “Oh, no. That’s all on you. You broke it. You fix it.” He laughs again, holding his stomach. “My advice. Grovel. Oh, and do something about your face. You look like shit!” He winks.

Flipping him off as I turn to walk away, I mutter, “Thanks for your help, asshole.”

He’s laughing as I leave. I guess I need to formulate a plan, but first, let’s see how bad my face looks.

Blue

Ah, home sweet home. I’d forgotten what my apartment looked like. Everything is unpacked and I’m going through mail and messages on the machine. Ninety seven of them. Most are solicitors or other crap. I’m listening as I take stock of my small pantry and make a list of things to grab at the store. Suddenly, my back straightens and my ears snap to attention.

“Blue. It’s Brock. I know you’re probably still mad, but I’m hoping that little break cooled you down. ‘Comeon, Babe. I’m sorry you found out that way, but it didn’t mean anything and she was no one. I was weak and she tempted me. I miss you. Call me when you get home and I’ll come take you out to dinner. It meant nothing and I want you. Call me, Babe.”

My hands grip the counter with white knuckles. ‘That little break.’ This fucktard messed with my
career
because he couldn’t keep his dick in his pants and he hopes I’ve calmed down after my ‘
little break
.’ Oh, I have a break for him. Asshole. I want to break his damn face.

Walking over to the machine, I delete the message.

No Brock, I won’t be calling you. You, douche! Geez, Blue, you are a winner with your choice in men.

I grab my list and head out the door. Food and wine are what I need tonight.

My cart is full and I can’t wait to dive into this bottle of Dornfelder and petite sirloin when I get home. As I’m placing my items on the conveyer, I hear a cough behind me and then, “Hello, Blue. You’re back. I thought the last concert was tonight. I was going to call you tomorrow to see how the tour went. I pray everything went well. Good articles, by the way. The magazine is selling tons of copies from the feature and the website is getting about fifty thousand more hits a day.”

I raise my brows as I take in the white linen pants and the shirt opened too far down a hairy chest. “Hello, Anthony. Yes, it was fine. Glad the articles are doing well. I do aim to please.” I smirk at him, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. “I’m back because my business was done. I’ll be in the office later in the week.”

His lecherous gaze rakes over me and he replies with a wink. “I know my son will be happy you’re back. He’s missed you.”

The fake smile falls as I reply. “Your
son
and I are finished. Have a good night. I’ll see you on Wednesday.”

Swiping my card, I pay for my purchases and march out of the store without a backwards glance. Fucking prick. Sucks that he’s my boss.

Looks like I’ll be drinking the bottle tonight. Could my life be anymore fucking complicated right now?!

Jessie

T
he concert last night was epic. We rocked it and the fans were not disappointed. The party from the label was also great, though all I wanted to do was leave. Women were throwing themselves at me, but for once, I left alone and just went to bed. After talking to Jude and having Lexi chew me a new asshole, I decided to sleep on it and fly out to Los Angeles this morning. The flight was uneventful, but now that I’m here, waiting for my bag to come around, I’m trying to decide if this was such a good idea. I’m armed with Blue’s address, courtesy of Jude, and a threat to be castrated if I hurt Blue again, courtesy of Lexi. Who knew she was such a protector and damn she’s scary when she’s mad. Little firecracker!

Grabbing my bag off of the carousel, I head out to find a taxi.

Lord, please don’t let her slam the door in my face or punch me. Liam did enough damage.

An hour later, I’m at her building. It’s nice. Jude said she’s on the twelfth floor. Shit… here goes nothing. I still have no idea what I’m even going to say.

My hands start to sweat as I wait for the elevator. I feel someone next to me and look over. A pretty teenage girl, about fifteen is standing next to me. I smile as I wipe my hands on my jeans. As the elevator arrives, we let the crowd off and get on.

I am so nervous about my reception; I sigh and run my hands through my hair. The teenager speaks. “You’re Jessie Adams, right? Do you live here?”

I look at her. “Uh, yeah. I’m Jessie. But, no I don’t live here. I’m visiting.”

“What happened to your face?”

“Oh, I was a jerk and a friend decided to let me know what he thought about it.” I chuckle.

She looks at me incredulously. “Your
friend
did that to your face? You must have been a real jerk!”

“I was. I let my temper get away from me, and well, I was a jerk to someone who didn’t deserve it.” I shrug as I look at the numbers. I can’t help but remember the elevator ride with Blue that started this whole thing. I smile.

“To a woman? Is that the friend you’re here to see?”

“Yeah. I just hope it’s not too late.” I smile at her and my split lip pulls. I grimace.

She smiles back. “Well, just tell her you got beat up for her. That should earn you some brownie points. And you’re you and you’re here. So whatever it is, just stay on her. If she lets you in, then she’ll forgive you. If she doesn’t, don’t leave. Calm down. Act confident. Even if you’re not.”

“How old are you kid?”

Her back straightens and she levels me with a look. “I’m not a kid. I’m sixteen.”

Damn, do they teach girls how to look at a man to shrink his balls in the womb?! “Ok. Sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you. You just seem really smart. How do you know so much about women?”

She smirks. “I’m a female.” She cocks her hip, places her hands on them, and she raises her brow at me. “We’re born knowing this stuff. And I read a lot.”

I laugh. She’s delightful. Some boy is going to have his hands full with this one. We’re nearing the eleventh floor; I grab my bag and my stomach clenches. I take a deep breath. “Thank you.”

She smiles again and says, “No problem. Hey, can I have your autograph? I mean you do owe me, since I distracted you on the ride up.” She winks.

Laughing out loud, I smile again. “Sure thing. Do you have something to sign? I’m sorry, but I only have my bag.”

She opens her purse and hands me her iPhone. The case is a Bayou Stix case. Silver with our logo in black. She also hands me a pen with a wink. “You can sign this. I’m a huge fan of the band.”

I smirk, sign it and as the elevator dings for my stop, I hand it back. She looks down and a huge smile lights up her face. She winks and gives me a thumbs up. She waves with the phone and my words stare back at me.
“To a pretty sweet young woman who gives excellent advice. You are a star! Don’t be a heartbreaker. Jessie Adams”
I wink and blow her a kiss. She giggles as the doors close.

Time for my game face. I just wish it wasn’t black and blue…

Blue

The doorbell rings and I groan. Not only did I finish off the Dornfelder last night, I found some cherry vodka in the cabinet and had some of that as well. Today, my head hates me. I make my way to the living room through blurry eyes as it vibrates through my skull again. “Jesus, I’m coming. Lay off of the damn bell.”

Looking through the peephole, my heart stops.

What the fuck? Am I still drunk? Jessie Adams. That has to be him. No one else has that build and that gorgeous hair. Why is he here? Shit… do I open the door?

Suddenly, blue eyes are looking right at the peephole.

“Open the door, Blue. I know you’re in there. I heard you walk to the door.”

Well, shit! Laying my head against the door, I take a deep breath. Sure, I’ll open the door. He can speak, and then he can leave.

Be strong girl.

Opening the door, I just look at him, taking him in with my blurry gaze. I stop when I finally focus on his face. His left eye is black, his left eyebrow is split, there’s a huge bruise across his left cheek, and his lip is puffy and split. What the fuck? I shake my head to clear it, rub my eyes, and look again. Nope, his face still looks like someone used it as a punching bag.

He smirks at my expression and stands there with widespread legs and one hand shoved deeply in his pocket, revealing a portion of his tattooed “V”. The other hand is holding his bag.
Wait, why does he have a bag?!

I snap out of my shock and take my gaze off of his abs. “What the fuck happened to your face, Jessie?”

He shrugs, “Liam.”

My mouth falls open. I’m still just standing in the doorway in a pink tank top that shows my stomach and pink and red candy cane flannel lounge pants.

He looks past me. “Can I come in, Blue? Or, do I have to stay in the hall?”

I shake my head and stand up straight. “Wait. What the fuck do you mean ‘Liam’ happened to your face? Why did he beat the shit out of you?”

He sighs and says, “Look, I’ll tell you all about it, but can I come in? I don’t want to have this conversation in the hall.” Looking down the hall, I see several people peeking out of their doors and a woman in running clothes is staring at us from the end of the hall by the stairs.

Stepping back, I pull him in. He brushes against me as he walks and my nipples instantly tighten.

Stop it. Don’t go there again, Blue. Just hear what he has to say and make him leave.

He sets his bag down and turns to face me. I’m still at the door, so I shut it and lean against it. His eyes rake me from head to foot and I can
feel
his gaze on my body. He lingers on my breasts, which are standing at attention. I cross my arms over them. He smirks and continues his perusal of my body. My foot taps to mask the desire unfurling in my belly from him being in such close proximity. God, I’m an idiot.

Finally, I can’t take it anymore, so I blurt out, “Why are you here, Jessie? What do you want?”

He sits on the couch and pats the space next to him. I ignore him and give him a pointed look. He pats it again and I shake my head no.

He sighs. “Ok, I deserve that. I’m sorry.”

My eyebrows arch. He’s sorry? I don’t know what I was expecting, but that wasn’t it. Sorry for what? For fucking me? For giving me the best sex of my life and ruining me for other men? For calling me a whore? Sorry for what?

I manage to get out. “Ok. You’re sorry. For what exactly?”

He looks at me and his brow furrows. He wipes his hands down the legs of his jeans and leans back sighing. “You’re not going to make this easy on me, are you?”

I frown. “Are you serious? ‘Make this easy on you?’ You seduce me and I let you. But then you snap at me, basically say I’m a whore, and you got what you wanted and you
leave
. Then you show up
at my apartment
, out of the blue, and I’m supposed to be easy on you?! You’re a piece of work.” I laugh hysterically as I close my eyes and wrap my arms around my stomach. Once I calm down, I open them to see him staring at me.