Behind Closed Doors (13 page)

“They weren’t looking,” he grinned.

I dropped my handbag onto a nearby chair and turned at the waist to find Jayce staring at me.

“When are you heading home?” he asked casually.

The show bought plane tickets for the remaining contenders to return home over the upcoming weekend.  The finale was just weeks away and they wanted the contestants to be relaxed and rejuvenated. I hadn’t talked about my plans for the break with Jayce, so I was surprised when he asked the question.

“I’m flying out on Friday morning.” The day after our fourth performance show.

“How long are you staying there?”

“I’ll fly back to LA on Monday.”

He nodded, but didn’t comment. I was looking forward to going home to Seattle. I was excited to catch up with Rebecca and have some alone time to clear my head. My parents were in London on holidays, so I wouldn’t get to visit them. I was disappointed, but they promised to fly down for the finale show, if I made it that far. It was a small step in the right direction.

“We gonna get started, Jayce?” Nathan, the lead guitarist from the band, shouted out.

“Yeah, let’s do this.”

I took my place on stage and ran through the song. After the second run through, Jayce jumped on stage with his notepad, signaling the band to take five. I could hear them put down their instruments and banter between themselves. Jayce stood at me side, his hand at the small of my back, giving me some pointers on which notes to hit and when. As he spoke, his hand slid down to cup my ass and I gasped, eyeing the band.

“What are you doing?” I mumbled between clenched teeth.

“Your ass looks great in those jeans,” he said, with a lick of his lips. The gesture was so distracting and I couldn’t help but stare at his moist, plump lips. I could feel his warm breath on my shoulder and I suddenly felt lightheaded.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Just a little distracted,” I answered.

“You’re not the only one,” he said, his knuckles brushing against the back of my hand.

Nathan walked over to us and started talking to Jayce. They were discussing changing the range of the song. I tried to concentrate, but kept getting distracted by Jayce’s lips. They were so full and pink and the way he licked them between sentences... It was as if he was doing it to taunt me.

“What do you think Kyla?” Nathan’s voice snapped me out of my trance.

“Sorry. What?” I asked, blinking a few times.

“We will take it up one key?”

“Yep.” I answered with a nod of my head.

Nathan walked back toward the band and Jayce reached down and grabbed my hand. He brought it behind my back before lacing our fingers together. It felt reckless to act that way in the presence of other people.

It was a dangerous game to play with the threat of being caught, but it gave me a strange sense of rebellion, which was foreign to me. I liked it.

Jayce’s touch was a stark reminder that our relationship was not just a figment of my imagination.

“You ready?” Jayce asked, squeezing my hand.

“Sure.”

He let go of my hand and walked back to his chair. I turned and took my place in front of the microphone, pleading with myself to focus. I sang the song twice more before we called it a day. I descended the stairs and walked over to the chair where I had dumped my purse, taking my water bottle from inside. I took a sip of water and let out a gasp when I felt something wet on my neck. Jayce had run his tongue along the sensitive flesh below my ear. I spun around to see him grinning, an evil glint in his eye.

“You are impossible,” I said, hitting his shoulder with my flat palm.

He chuckled before grabbing his jacket and shrugging it on. I bent over to put my water bottle into my handbag, lingering a little too long, ensuring he noticed my cleavage peeking out of my top. If he wanted to play dirty, I could too.

I met his eyes and he chuckled softly.

“Thanks, Miss Quinn,” he announced loudly, turning on his heel. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I watched as he walked toward the door and exited the room. I took a deep, steadying breath. Rehearsals with Jayce just became a whole lot more interesting.

***

The smell of beer and salty french fries hit me as soon as we entered the bar. The place had personality, with a wooden interior that screamed old school charm. Bar stools lined one side of the bar and the seating area was made up of large booths with cushioned seats.

The walls were covered with vinyl records in gold frames, which gave the place a funky feel. A jukebox was cranking in the corner, blasting familiar 90’s tunes into the vast space.

The fourth performance show had wrapped up and the remaining contestants decided to head out for a drink before we returned to our hometowns for the weekend. My rendition of
Torn
received rave reviews from the coaches. Jayce sent Laura home, which Victoria was devastated about.

I was happy to form part of the top twelve, even though the boys truly outnumbered the girls. Emily, Katerina, Victoria and I were the only girls remaining. Although it looked to be a man’s season, I was rooting for my female counterparts.

The bar was packed for a Thursday night. The echo of booming voices and boisterous laughter indicated the patrons had enjoyed many beverages already. We found two free booths at the back of the bar, which suited our purpose.

I shuffled into the booth, wedged between Yuri and Emily and that’s when the drinking began.

“Shots!” Marc yelled as he brought over a tray of tequila shots, with lime and salt on the side.

“Oh, this is going to get messy,” Yuri said as he downed his first shot.

I winced as I swallowed mine, the liquid slid down my throat, burning the whole way.

“Order more, Marc!” Emily demanded from her seat. Marc didn’t need any encouragement. He was already on his way back to the bar to get the next round.

“I think we should get some champagne too,” Emily said, standing from her seat and rushing to the bar.

“I’m not holding her hair back when she pukes tonight,” I said to Yuri as he watched on in amusement.

“But I’m sure you will have someone just waiting for the opportunity to hold your hair back,” he commented.

“What are you talking about?” I asked with an innocent look on my face.

“Marc is just waiting for the chance to be alone with you,” he said.

“Oh, please. Why do you all keep going on about this?”

“It’s obvious, Kyla. He’s got it bad for you.”

Trays of shots were placed in front of us and Yuri took two, placing one in front of me.

“Cheers,” he said, hitting his shot glass into mine. I downed my next shot and this time the burn was less intense.

“You should give him a chance. He’s a good guy.”

I steered my eyes toward the bar where Marc stood talking to the bartender. What Yuri had said was true. Marc was a great guy, but that didn’t mean he was right for me.

“What about you, why are you single?” I asked, eager to change the subject.

Yuri was an attractive guy. I would almost describe him as pretty. I just wanted to rough up his hair and make him a little less perfect.

“I’m waiting for someone special to come along,” he answered.

“Aren’t we all?” I agreed.

“If I tell you something you promise not to tell anyone?” Yuri’s eyes flashed to mine.

“Of course.”

“I’ve never had a girlfriend. You know, a girl that sleeps over, stays for breakfast, someone you take home to meet your family.”

“Yuri, don’t worry that’s overrated,” I said, remembering how much my parents had disliked Brody. Perhaps they were right not to like him. Maybe they were better judges of character than me. I briefly wondered what they would think of Jayce.

“So, you’ve had the serious relationship thing before?” he asked.

“Yep.”

“Didn’t end well?”

“Nope.”

“Sorry to hear that.”

“It was for the best.”

I was considering telling Yuri about my cheating ex when Emily interrupted our conversation.

“Oh my god!” she yelled as she slammed a wine bucket down on the table. Yuri picked up the champagne and started pouring us all a drink.

“You will not believe what just happened…” she was shouting and I was sure she was already drunk. “I was just recognized!”

Yuri and I burst out laughing.

“You’re a superstar now, Em. Did you give them your autograph?”

The smile fell from her face. “I didn’t even think to give them an autograph,” she said as she looked behind her, trying to spot her fans. “But I did pose for a photo with them,” she said proudly. “They put it straight on Facebook. Thank goodness I looked hot!”

I laughed at Emily as I slid my way out of the booth. “I’m going to the bathroom, watch my drink,” I said as I went in search of the restroom.

I pulled out my phone to check the time and was surprised to see a new text from Jayce. I opened the message, my heart beating faster at the sight of his name.

JAYCE: 
What are you up to tonight?

ME:  
At a bar on sunset

JAYCE: 
Which bar?

ME: 
Stardust. Why do you ask?

I had just washed my hands and was applying some lip-gloss when Victoria walked into the restroom. She looked amazing as always, wearing a short dress that showed off her legs that seemed to go on forever. She seemed down since Laura’s departure earlier in the day. Perhaps she was regretting segregating herself from the rest of the group since the beginning of the competition.

We were alone in the bathroom and she stood by my side, her hands on her hips.

“Look, I know you hate me,” she started.

“I don’t hate you, Victoria.”

“You don’t?” She looked shocked.

“Nope,” I said as I went on to touch-up my mascara. “I don’t always like you, but I definitely don’t hate you.”

“Well, I just thought... you know that time you heard Laura and I talking-”

“I remember.” I interjected.

“I just thought after that...”

“Don’t get me wrong, you haven’t made it easy for me to like you.” I turned to look at her, “but Victoria, we share the same dream. We both love to sing and dream of being able to do it for a living. I can’t hate you for that.” I paused. “Even if it does make you competitive and cause you to act like a complete bitch.”

She laughed, an awkward, high-pitched laugh.

“I know I haven’t been easy to get along with, Kyla, but I hope we can be friends? I need all the friends I can get now that Laura is gone.”

Well, at least she was honest.

“So, we’re cool?” she asked.

“Of course,” I answered and she took a step forward. I thought she was going to hug me, but the perplexed look on my face caused her to hesitate. Instead, she patted me on the arm awkwardly and I gave her a tight smile.

I left the bathroom and pushed Victoria to the back of my mind. After all, I knew we wouldn’t be painting each other’s nails and talking about boys anytime soon.

I glanced at my cell and noticed Jayce still hadn’t replied to my text. I wondered what he was doing and if I crossed his mind as often as he did mine.

I made my way to my seat and noticed the atmosphere had changed. The group was now noisy. What were once quiet conversations and lively banter had turned into loud exchanges and booming laughter. I suspected, one too many tequila shots had been consumed.

I picked up my glass from where I left it and chugged the rest of my champagne. The pale liquid tasted warm and flat.

“Another one?” Marc asked, eyeing my glass.

“Fill it up.”

Half an hour and two glasses of champagne later, Jayce still hadn’t responded to my message. Of our group, I seemed to be the only one in the group who was somewhat lucid. Leo was lying on the other side of the booth, an unlit cigarette hanging out of his mouth. Emily was standing on a table shouting the lyrics to 
Complicated
 by Avril Lavigne. I winced at her drunken rendition. She wouldn’t be winning any competitions with that performance. Yuri was moving awkwardly next to her, pretending to be her backup dancer. Marc was continually moving between our booth and the bar, determined not to let anyone’s glass dry up. As he waited at the bar for his order, Victoria stood next to him, her body closing the distance between them. I was watching the uncomfortable scene play out before me when I felt my phone vibrate in my hand.

Jayce was calling me. I answered, but couldn’t hear a thing over the noise that filled the bar. I hurried to the front door and walked outside. Brushing past the bouncer, I made my way to the empty sidewalk.

“Are you there? Sorry, I couldn’t hear you.”

There was silence on the other end and I worried that Jayce had hung up.

“Jayce, are you there?”

“Yes, I’m here.” His familiar voice responded, his tone smooth. “What are you doing?”

“I’m at a bar on Sunset,” I answered, a little annoyed that he hadn’t remembered my text from earlier. 

“What are you wearing?” he asked, his voice low and husky.

“A black dress, why?”

“A little short don’t you think?” he responded, causing goose bumps to rise on my skin.

“What? How...” I began.

“Look in front of you.”

There was a dark sports car sitting at the curb. I couldn’t see through the tinted windows, but I assumed Jayce was inside.

“Are you in that car?” I whispered into the phone, not exactly sure why I was whispering.

I could hear him chuckle into the phone. “Yes. Get in.”

I disconnected the call and made my way to the car. I turned to look back at the bouncer who stood guard at the bar’s entrance. He was watching me curiously. I gave him a nod before opening the car door. I stumbled onto the passenger seat, which was lower than I’d anticipated. I hoped the bouncer didn’t get an eyeful of my underwear as I pivoted my legs into the car.

It took me three attempts to close the door. The damn thing was heavy and wouldn’t latch. I finally closed it and felt Jayce’s hand touch my bare leg.

“Hey,” he said as he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my cheek.