Rock and Roll Country (Jesse's Girl #1) (6 page)

Nestled at a table in the back of the small diner-like chain, I allow the smell of greasy hamburgers to waft through my nostrils. In front of me, Lacey places her order for a cheeseburger consisting of seven patties and seven pieces of cheese. I order a platter of chili cheese fries and a chocolate shake

Fiddling with her straw, she looks up at me. “So, what do you wanna know?”

Leaning back and crossing my arms, I stare at her. “Are you ever evasive or are you always this cut to the chase?”

“I don’t believe in bullshitting.” She shrugs. “Life’s too short to beat around the bush.”

“I can drink to that,” I reply, accepting my milkshake from the server and toasting her. “Okay then. I suppose I want whatever you’ve got. The thing is, I meet a lot of girls on the road, but Sophie’s different from all of them.”

“Because she’s not some slut-faced groupie who walks up to you with her panties in hand?” She laughs.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t you go home with Tag last night. I would think you’d be less quick to judge given the circumstance.”

She shrugs. “I’m a woman with a high sex drive and the confidence to own it. That doesn’t make me slutty. It makes me powerful. There’s a difference in girls like me and girls like the ones I saw backstage tonight.”

“And that difference would be?” Curiosity getting the best of me, I munch on a chili cheese fry as I wait for her answer.

Mouth full, she mumbles. “Desperation. Those girls are desperate. Plain and simple. How many times did you tell the freak who escaped Fraggle Rock you weren’t interested before she finally took the hint?”

I shake my head in response and pop another fry.

“My point exactly,” she continues, slurping her shake. “Desperate. Sophie Westbrook may be a lot of things, but she’s too proud for desperation. That’s what you see in her that makes her different.”

Considering her assumption, I shrug. “Maybe, but I don’t think that’s all there is to it. Sophie is like a message in a bottle drifting in the sea. You have no idea what’s inside, but you hope to be the one to figure it out.”

Clapping her hand on the table in an unprecedented outburst, she laughs. “Hit her with a few cheeseball lines like that and I’m sure you’ll do fine.”

“You think I’m cheesy?” I question, wiping my mouth on the thin paper napkin.

“The cheesiest,” she admits. “Under all that leather rests a soft heart. If you want Country, that’s the weapon you’ve gotta choose.”

“So, give me something I can work with to help me get started,” I plea.

“Country’s had one great love in her life. TJ was an inspiration to us all. He was born and bred in the projects. Just like me, just like so many other people in this godforsaken city.” She sighs. “Anyway, TJ never let the streets define him. I don’t think any of us were really surprised when he brought Country home for the first time. This porcelain-faced girl with blonde curls and blue eyes, who’d clearly never set foot on our side of town.” Shaking her head, she laughs. “You could smell the fear pulsing through her veins. She loved him, though. That much was obvious. If anyone was going to believe in the dream TJ was selling it was going to be her. She wasn’t even worried when she got pregnant. Scared, of course, but not worried. TJ told her it’d all work out, and she believed him.”

Leaning forward, I pry, “So what happened then? What I mean to say is, it clearly did not work out. He died, right? So what came next? How did she end up waiting tables at a dusty bar while raising that kid on her own? How is it that no one has saw the value in her and made an honest woman out of her?” 

“Slow down, tiger,” she teases, waving her hands at me. “I’m not her fucking...what are those things called? They write the books about other people’s lives. You know the ones I’m talking about right? Autobiographers. That’s it.” She snaps.

“Actually, I think you’re going for biographer,” I correct.

“Whatever,” she shrugs, waiving me off. “My point is there are things I don’t know. Here’s what I can tell you. TJ died in a freak accident, Country blames herself. She still thinks that damn guitar is going to get her a bus ticket to Nashville, which is part of why she keeps working at Tony’s. As for the men, many have come knocking. Almost all have been turned away. Country’s not looking for a replacement dick. Her heart belongs to TJ. Always has, always will.”

Deflating, I finish my shake and stare out the window. I’m not looking for someone to replace my Cressida either, but maybe there’s healing in finding someone with a heart as bruised as yours. Maybe that’s the key to moving on in this life, while you wait to join your true lover in the next. And, maybe, just maybe it’s that brokenness that’ll be the bond I’ve been trying to figure out how to form with Sophie Westbrook. I check my watch. I have eight hours left to find out, and I don’t want to waste them gorging myself on greasy fast food.

Jumping, I open my eyes and listen to the pounding sound against my front door. Heart thudding against my ribcage, I grab the knife from my nightstand and my cellphone.

Staring into the blue light as I tiptoe down the hallway, I note the time.
Three in the morning. That’s the time of my death.
Huddling beside the couch, I pull my robe tighter. The pounding of fists echoing that of my racing heart, I wait for the assailant to break the thin wood.

“Country, get your ass out of bed and answer the damn door! I’ve gotta pee,” Lacey yells.

Flipping on the light, I sigh a breath of relief. Slowly undoing each lock, I turn the knob. “Why don’t you pee in your own apartment, psycho? Geez! You gave me a heart attack.”

Eyeing the knife still clutched in my fist, she laughs. “Clearly. Look alive, kid. You’ve got company.”

“Huh?” Stepping back to allow her in, I stand dumbfounded as Jesse Lee follows close behind. “What are you? Why are you?”

Hungry eyes tracing the length of my barely covered thighs, he grins. “Lacey left her keys and her roommate wasn’t home. She said you’d be cool with us crashing here for a bit.”

Confused, I pull at my robe now wishing I’d used some of that adrenaline to find some clothes. “Kita’s not home? That’s odd. And you’re with Lacey? I thought she was hooking up with that other guy.”

Coming out of the bathroom, Lacey laughs. “What’s the matter, Country? You jealous?”

“No, I just...I just didn’t realize you were that into rock bands,” I stammer, my cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink.

Taking notice, Jesse runs his thumbs over my inflamed skin. “Don’t worry, Sophie. I still only have eyes for you.” Flashing that deliciously cocky smile he owns so well, he continues, “You look like you were sleeping. Want us to go?”

Feeling exposed, I clasp my robe together to hide any trace of cleavage and step back. “No. You’re fine. Just let me go and change.”

Body humming, I’m consciously aware of his eyes searing into me as I walk away. Cheek still tingling from his touch, I close the door and take a deep breath. Jesse Lee has the ability to make me want for things I haven’t dreamt of since TJ. In fact, if not for Lacey’s presence, I have a feeling a part of me would call him back here and beg for him to ravish me. Terrified by the very thought, I grab the bulkiest sweats I can find despite the sweltering heat and step into the bathroom.

Turning on the tap, I splash some water onto my face and take off my robe. Taking a minute to examine my underwear in the full length mirror, I decide my cotton briefs are probably the safest bet and bend to put my foot into my sweats. Back to the hall entrance, I don’t notice the door open until I feel the draft. Turning, I lock eyes with a smirking Jesse Lee. Body ablaze with embarrassment, I grab my sweatshirt and hold it over my naked breasts.

“Sorry,” he manages after several seconds of awkward silence. “I didn’t know you’d be in here. Lacey said this was the door to the loo.”

“It is,” I answer, nodding to my bedroom entrance. “There are two. Give me a sec and I’ll be done.”

“Of course,” he replies, a light tinge of red brushing his cheeks as he shuts the door.

Clutching the sink to stabilize myself, I stare at my reflection. The first man I’ve felt remotely attracted to in years just saw me in my period panties. If that doesn’t turn him off, I don’t know what will.

Glancing at Jesse’s pair of kings and Lacey’s pair of sixes, I smile. “Read ‘em and weep losers. Full house.” Placing my cards on the table, I rake the poker chips toward my lap.

Yawning, Lacey sighs. “Whatever. I’ll pay you Monday. I’m beat. Still no word from Kita?” 

“Not at all,” I reply, checking my phone. “I wonder what she’s up to.” 

“Whatever it is, I wish she’d end it already. I’m not kidding. I’m ready to hit the sheets.” 

Pulling the spare key to Markita’s apartment off my key chain, I hand it to her. “Here. Just make sure you get it back to me.” 

“Took you long enough,” she huffs. “Next time don’t wait until it’s five fucking thirty in the morning.”

I shrug. “You said you wanted to wait.”

“Yeah well, that was before I knew my roommate didn’t care if I was stranded the middle of the night.”

I laugh. “Okay, drama queen. Whatever you say. Go home, get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I show her out, lock the door behind her, and turn to collect the dirty glasses from the living room. Standing, Jesse blocks my path. “It was three-hundred dollars, right?”

Shaking my head, I cross my arms. “Don’t worry about it. Really, I’m okay if we don’t settle. I’ll never see that money from Lacey. I can promise that. It’s just for fun around these parts.”

“Still,” he insists, holding a folded stack of cash out to me. “You cleaned me out fair and square. I’d like to pay my debt.”

“If you must,” I reply, accepting the money and placing it on my entertainment center. “Need me to call you a cab?”

“Sure, that’d be great.” He picks up his and Lacey’s glasses and carries them to the sink. “I’d like to help you clean up first if you don’t mind. After all we did crash in on you without warning. The least I can do is help tidy up after myself.”

“Who knew you could be such a gentleman?” I question, pulling the dishwasher open.

“You think so highly of me, Sophie Westbrook,” he teases. “First a prince, now a gentleman. Really. The flattery must end.”

Rolling my eyes, I place the glasses on the top rack of the dishwasher and seal it up. “You’re also a major ass. Don’t leave that one out.” Yawning I make my way back to the couch and pick up my phone from the coffee table. “What hotel are you staying at?”

“How forward of you?” He mocks, pretending to be taken aback.

“It’s for the cab,” I snap. “Some of them won’t come this way unless they can guarantee a good fair.”

“Sure it is. I’m at the Peabody.”

“A little out of the way from the theatre you guys played at isn’t it?” 

“Yeah, but Tag and I wanted to see what all the hype was about with those ducks. We don’t get many nights in hotels. When we do, we try to make them entertaining.” 

Chuckling, I dial information. “If that’s the case I’d imagine you were sorely disappointed.” 

“You could say that.” He nods. 

It takes me around ten minutes to connect to a company willing to pick him up. Even so, they refuse to come a minute before six o’clock. Exhaustion overtaking me, I contemplate the ways we can spend our last fifteen minutes together. “Wanna play another hand? Just for kicks this time. I swear. I might even let you win.” 

Cautious eyes turned on me, he says, “You know what I’d really like?”

Pulse quickening, I lean forward slightly, “What’s that?

“To hear you sing again.”

“Oh.” Not expecting the response, I straighten. “Ummm...I don’t really have anything prepared.”

“You’re a songwriter, right? Just play something you’ve been working on. I promise not to judge. I know the way the process works.”

“True,” I tuck my lip between my teeth and look up at him, “but I’m an amateur. “

“So was I, this time a few years ago,” he replies, shrugging. “You can picture me in my underwear if it makes you more comfortable. I’ll do the same with you. Pink with white hearts. Got it.”

“Oh my God,” I gasp, tossing a flat throw pillow at him. “If I play, can we just never talk about my underwear again?”

“I can’t promise that,” he smirks, “but if you play, I’ll at least consider it.”

“Fine,” I growl. “Be back in a sec.”