Billy Jeffers: Rockers of Steel (15 page)

When I come back to the room, he is showered and dressed in his jeans from yesterday and another Henley I grabbed for him at Target.

“This was for me, right?” he asks.

“Yes.” I walk over and set the silver tray on the table. “So is this.”

He nods. “Thank you, Madison.”

“No problem.” I look at my phone and walk away to sit on the chair, leaving him to his breakfast.

“I’m not sure what your plans are...” He stops and waits for me to answer, but I’m not sure of the question.

“No plans.”

“I am gonna head to the hospital after I eat.”

“I can come with,” I offer.

“No, I think it’s best if you stay here.”

“Okay.” I shrug and act like it doesn’t sting.

“Did you book a flight?” He takes the top off the tray.

“No.” I look up from the black screen on my phone I pretend to be preoccupied with.

For a moment, he looks shocked, but then he nods and continues eating. “I’m sure we can head back today.”

“Should I cancel the reservation for the room tonight?”

He stops chewing yet doesn’t look up. “I think yes.”

“All right.”

He leaves awkwardly, and suddenly I miss the asshole terribly.

I waste time online, bouncing back and forth from checking my email to stalking Penelope Ashley. Have you ever looked at someone and wanted to hate them, but they are so angelic looking you can’t? Me, either, until now.

My phone rings, and it’s Vivian Jeffers.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Madison dear. Billy isn’t answering his phone, and I was wondering if he is planning on meeting for breakfast.”

Awkward.

“He is actually already on his way.”

“Have you had breakfast?”

“No, um...No, but I don’t have a car, either.”

“I’ll be there in ten minutes. You said the Hilton, right?”

“It’s not really necessary.” I pause because I don’t know if Billy wants his mom there. As a matter of fact, she seems clueless, and I am pretty sure Billy is going to chew his dad’s ass. “Actually, I am famished.”

“Great! I will see you soon.”

I send Memphis and Tales a text, telling them I will send them more updates on William as soon as Billy gets back from the hospital.

Memphis: You flying home today?

Madison: I think I’ll wait and ride back with Billy.

I wait for his return message. When it takes too long I add,
The asshole
.

His
response is immediate.

Memphis: He do something?

Madison: Just normal Billy. All is well.

I fix my hair and apply some makeup. Then I send a message to Billy, explaining the situation and assuming he will ignore it.

Madison: I just agreed to have breakfast with your mother.

His response is quick.

Billy: Didn’t you already eat?

Madison: No, I brought up the food. I wasn’t hungry.

Gaw, how stupid was that? I told him I was starving earlier.

It takes him longer to respond this time.

Billy: Hate to ask, but could you keep her busy?

Madison: Only if you message her and give her an update.

And...when will they make an un-send function?

Billy: Yes, Madison, I will.

Madison: Okay, then, yes. Um...text me the all clear?

Billy: Yes, Madison, I will. Please don’t mention our conversation with my mom.

Madison: Of course not.

Vivian sends me a message when she is in the lobby, and I am already on my way down. When the elevator opens, she is standing in the middle of the lobby, looking around and hugging herself, rubbing her arms up and down. She looks almost lost.

I walk toward her, and she smiles as soon as she sees me. She is a beautiful woman.

“Thank you for agreeing to have breakfast with me,” she says once she releases me from a tight hug. “I’m not used to eating alone.” She links her arm through mine just like she did yesterday.

“Would you like to eat here?” I ask.

“It doesn’t matter much to me.”

“I am starving, and it happens to be the closest restaurant, so if you don’t mind…” I smile.

“Not at all, dear, not at all.”

The hostess seats us, and an awkward silence ensues.

“How long have you and Billy known each other?” she asks.

“Memphis is my brother, so I have known who he is about two years. I’ve worked with them for over a year now.”

“I’m sorry. I knew that.” She shakes her head.

“It’s fine. You have a lot on your mind,” I say as the waitress approaches.

When the waitress leaves with our order and I have put three creams and three sugars into my coffee, I ask if she has heard anything more about William.

“I spoke with him this morning; he wasn’t sure. Then I spoke to the nurses, and they said it was definitely an anxiety attack. When the cardiologist comes in at around eleven, he should release him.”

I look at my phone. “So two and a half hours, then?”

“Yes.” She smiles genuinely. “Will you and Billy be staying another night?”

“I know I have to be at work tomorrow. If Billy stays, I will catch a flight.”

“When does the next tour start up?” she asks before taking a drink of her black coffee.

“About a month, but I have to get travel together for a contest for Forever Four in Jersey.”

“A contest?”

“Time permitting, they have held open tryouts for Indie bands when touring. Things are changing, so we’re gonna do a big contest in Jersey.”

“Things are changing?” she inquires.

“Well, Finn and River are married now. Both have children, so they prefer to fly in and out of tour cities. You know, not staying for a few days at a time and no tour bus. But all of us are interested in discovering new talent.”

“You seem very enthusiastic.” She beams. “You enjoy your job.”

I nod. “I do.”

“How does your brother feel about you and Billy dating?”

I nearly choke on my coffee. “No dating.”

She nods. “He likes you.”

“We’re friends.”

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I hold up my finger, indicating for her to hold one second. Thank God for distraction.

Billy: Leaving the hospital in a bit. I’ll be at the hotel in an hour. Please keep the conversation going. I want to say goodbye to my mom when I get there.

I pull out of the gates of the “bungalow” with a flash drive full of files from my father’s computer and enough photos of the property that, with or without his consent, I will be putting on the market, or he will go to jail.

I am ready to get the hell out of here and never come back. Never.

When I pull into the hotel, I park and get out. I pace back and forth while texting Madison and asking her to take my mom to the room.

She messages back.

Madison: Are you okay?

I reply,
No.

When I walk into the room, Madison is packing up her bag, and my mom is watching her.

She looks at me and walks over, her arms opened. “Billy, I thought you were at the hospital?”

“I came to drive you,” I tell her as she hugs me. I look past her and see Madison look at me out of the corner of her eye then continue packing. “May I help you, Madison?”

“No, I’ve got this.”

I let go of my mother and take her bag, anyway. “Let’s go, shall we?”

After checking out, I carry the bags of junk food to the SUV while Madison wheels her little, Basic Black bag behind her. I open the hatch and load everything up then hand her the key.

“You mind following me?”

“Not at all,” she says and walks toward the driver’s side door.

I look for my mother and see her standing next to a brand new vehicle that is exactly the same as mine. It further fuels my rage.

I open the door for my mother, and she gets in. Then I take several breaths before I get in the driver’s side.

“It’s just like yours,” she says as I adjust the seat.

“I see that,” I say with a tight-lipped smile.

“Your daddy knew you got one and thought I deserved one,” she says, looking away.

Perfect timing.

“Mom, you and I need to talk about Dad and his spending.”

She looks back over at me. “Is everything okay?”

“No. No, it’s not,” I say, trying to keep my cool.

“Daddy?”

“He’s fine. But financially, things need to change. I have no idea why the hell you bought that estate when you had a beautiful home that was mortgage free.”

“For you, Billy, for you.”

“Bullshit!” I slam my hand into the steering wheel. “I am so sick of being the excuse for every shitty choice the two of you make. So sick of being manipulated and used, and then, when I say enough, I get manipulated and used some more. I have told him, and now I am telling you, the house goes up on the market, or I am giving the information to the cops. I don’t give a shit anymore.”

She looks at me and shakes her head. “He will make this work. You’ll see.”

“He has two weeks.”

I pull up into the hospital parking lot and park as close to the door as I can get.

She gets out of the SUV without saying a word.

I get out and lock the doors while walking around the SUV, and she links her arm in mine. I walk her to the door and stop.

“Keys, Mom.”

“You won’t walk me in?”

“No.” I hand her the keys, kiss her cheek, and walk away.

I get in the passenger side of my vehicle and shut the door.

“Home?” Madison asks.

I nod my head. “Yeah.”

We drive for two hours, and not a word is said until she breaks the silence.

“We should stop and get gas.”

I get out when she pulls in and commence pumping gas as she gets out of the car.

“I’m gonna use the bathroom. Can I get you anything?”

“No, thank you.”

I watch her walk toward the convenience store. I want nothing more than to get lost inside her, but I can’t.

When she comes out, I am waiting by the vehicle. She is carrying two iced coffees and a bag.

“Want me to drive?” I ask as she approaches.

“Nope, I’m good.” She hands me the drink, and when our hands touch, my dick twitches.

“You okay?”

My eyes roam as she walks by. “Let’s roll.”

I get in the SUV and see her shaking her head.

“What?”

“You want me.” She shrugs as she starts the vehicle.

“I’ve had you for two days.”

“Riiiight,” she says and sighs.

“Meaning, yes, of course I do.”

“But …?”

“Things are fucked up. I’m fucked up. I’m—”

“Who’s Penelope?” she spits out.

“What did you just say?” I feel my jaw drop.

“Penelope, who is she?”

“Did my mother tell you about Penelope?”

“No, of course not! Does she know?”

“Drop it, Madison.” Penelope is off limits, completely and totally, off limits. It fucking hurts too much. Talking about it makes it …real.

“I need to know, deserve to know. She’s seventeen years old and in high school, and if I am fucking a man who wants a child—”

“No more, Madison,” I warn.

“No more? Then answer my question.”

“That is totally off limits,” my hands shake.

“Legally, too,” she sneers in her bitchy, little tone.