Rock Star: The Deal (Book 3 of a Bad Boy Romance) (15 page)

* * *

“
C
hase Bryan
,” Sophie said.

“I’ll take this,” I said, stepping in. “Help you?”

“Thought we could talk,” Chase said.

“Sorry, we only serve coffee here. Sex Addicts Anonymous is three doors down.”

Sophie’s eyes widened.

Chase smiled.

“No, that smile is not going to work. Not this time, buddy boy.”

“Meghan.”

“And neither is saying my name in that sexy voice.” I paused. “Order a coffee or be gone.”

“Ok. I’ll take two coffees. Americanos.”

“Who’s the other one for? Your girlfriend?”

“She’s not my girlfriend.”

“Oh really. So you just screwed her over like you did me?”

Spike caught that one. They were both now listening in.

He cleared his throat and adjusted in his seat.

“It’s for you. Just as the one this morning was.”

My eyebrow rose. “Not buying it.”

“Give me a minute of your time, please.”

I gestured with my head to come out back. He followed me. Whatever he had to say, this was going to be good. I couldn’t wait to watch him talk his way out of this.

“
I
slept with her
.” That’s exactly how it came out. “I know you’re mad.”

“I’m not mad. We were never an item.”

His eyebrow rose up.

“If we were you wouldn’t have slept with her, now would you.”

He ummed and arhhed.

“I haven’t seen you, Chase, in two months. You have made no attempt to contact me. So I assumed you were getting on with your life. I would be lying to say I wasn’t excited to hear that you were back in town. I just wasn’t ready for that.”

“It wasn’t meant to happen. It just happened.”

“You don’t need to explain anything to me.”

“But you seem hurt by it.”

“Perhaps I did expect us to pick back up where we left of, but I realize things have changed. That’s OK.”

“You are a terrible liar.”

“I was going to say the same for you, but you appear to be telling the truth. Makes a change.”

“Well I thought—”

“Before you start shining your knuckles on your chest for doing what any man should do — which is tell the truth — stop. I don’t need to hear it. You have made your bed. Sleep in it. I’m sure Taylor Wade will be expecting things from you now.”

He put his hand out.

“Hold on a moment. I’m not interested in her.”

“Bit late now. You should have told her that.”

I shifted from one foot to the next.

“Meghan, I had too much to drink. One thing led to another.”

“You say that as if you want me to give you a free pass. Chase, if we were together and you were out on tour, is that what I would have to hear every time you drink too much? Oh I slipped and my dick fell into her.”

He let out a chuckle.

“Funny, is it?”

“No. I mean. You are right. But that’s why I didn’t hide this from you. I could have come over here and made up some half-assed story, but I didn’t.”

“You knew I would see right through it.”

“No. I’m trying to change, Meghan.”

“Cutting back on the amount of people you fuck?”

He shook his head. “This isn’t going the way I saw it.”

I put a hand on my hip. “Oh? How did you imagine it would go down?” I paused. “Did you think I was going to gush over you, and welcome you back into my arms?”

I shook my head and paced back and forth a couple of times.

“I love you, Chase, but I’m not prepared to be that girl sitting on the sidelines wondering if you’re going to leave me a year or five years from now for some other girl who you just happened to sleep with. You just so happened to fall in love with. These kind of things take commitment. Maybe it’s a foreign word to you. But it matters. I matter, and I’m not just going settle for sloppy seconds.”

He nodded. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to say.”

“You don’t need to say anything else. You’ve said your piece. Now I’ve got to get back to work.”

I was waiting for him to leave. I wanted him to just leave. Well, I wanted something else but he had pissed all over that.

“Will you come back on tour with me?”

I let out a laugh. “After what we just went through?”

“I know. This time it will be different.”

“I’ve already been asked by Luke.”

“Luke?”

“He wants to play small gigs. Just a few, starting here and then a few cities in the area. Nothing too big.”

“Did you agree?”

“I said I would think about it. But then I told him I would after what I saw this morning.”

“So you are hurt by it?”

I frowned. “Why should that be a surprise to you, Chase? I thought we had something.”

“We did. I mean, we do.”

I rose my eyebrows.

“Anyway, I have to get back to work.”

“Can I see you later?”

I locked eyes with him. Thankfully I didn’t have to answer that as Sophie interrupted us.

“The company who delivers coffee, is going to be delayed by a week. I think you might want to handle this.”

I nodded ever so slightly while staring at Chase. “Probably best we just leave it, Chase.”

With that I went back into the shop. I could feel myself tearing up inside but I wasn’t going to let it ruin my day. I got on the phone and went back to business mode.

A
week passed quickly
. I didn’t speak to Chase that evening, and he didn’t contact me. I did my best to try and focus on business, but each day I thought about him. Everyone was flawed in some way. For some the weakness was food, others drugs, another shopping. His was women.

I couldn’t fault him. I had my own vices. Days when I could be an asshole. Moments when I could be inconsiderate and careless with the hearts of those around me. What did I expect? Mick Jagger, Elton John, all the greats told stories of booze, drugs and women. How could they not fall into that trap? Fame brought with it unusual situations. People throwing themselves at you for no other reason than you created something that they loved. How did anyone juggle that kind of pressure? Everyone needs an outlet for the stress.

At the end of the week, I received a phone call from Luke. He sounded as if he was bouncing off the walls with excitement.

“You know that GoFundMe page I had set up?”

“Yep.”

“We exceeded the amount of money we needed. I only asked for ten thousand for studio time. We brought in over one hundred thousand.”

“You are joking?”

“Nope. Now having said that, most of that came from one person’s donation.”

I groaned. “Chase Bryan.”

“How did you know?”

I shook my head.

“He’s given us enough money to record an album, and he wants to sponsor a tour. Did you hear that?”

“Yes. Loud and clear.”

“Isn’t it great?”

I sighed.

“Why do I get the feeling you are against it?”

“I’m not. I’m just pissed. Maybe it’s the time of the month.”

“Oohhh. Too much information.”

I laughed. “So what’s the plan?”

“I spoke to Chase. He’ll have us in the studio by the end of the month. He wants to kick off the tour as soon as I could convince you to say yes.”

I shook my head. “The nerve of that man.”

“You got to give him props. He doesn’t give up easily.”

“No. I give him that.”

“So?”

“Two conditions.”

“Name it.”

“Spike comes along, and you and I sing together.”

“It’s a deal.”

When I got off the phone I felt good about it. I was a little annoyed that Chase muscled his way in and took the reins by using his wealth, but appreciative at the same time. This time around I was glad we weren’t going to be playing any large venues. It would all be small, intimate and up close songs. I took a moment to take it in, then I went out and told Spike. You would have thought he had won the lottery. I had to literally pry his arms off me as he was hugging me like a sock monkey.

The plan was to kick off the tour here at the café the following weekend. This would allow them to get the word out there. I thought it would be funny to have the Dancing Jelly Babies open, just to keep things real. Plus, it would give them a confidence booster. They weren’t the best band, but they represented the town’s music. And what better way to give others a taste of local music? I just had to make sure they weren’t going to play their rendition of “Stairway to Heaven” seven times and that they could come up with some other tunes.

I received word from Luke that Chase was over the moon. Excited to be getting back out there, even if it was small venues. I had to wonder if Taylor Wade was going to show up.

That next week seemed to drag by as we prepared for the opening night.

A large crowd showed up on Saturday. The streets were packed with people. We had sold out within twenty-four hours for Lakeside and the next two cities. Spike was pumped about getting to play. I had reassured Sophie that this wasn’t going to turn into anything long-term. Besides it would give Spike some extra money to help them now that a baby was on the way.

Chase wasn’t anywhere to be seen in the early part of the evening. He showed up later. Thankfully Taylor wasn’t with him. That had to be a good sign. He had said hello, but didn’t push it any further than that. I could tell he felt as if he was walking on eggshells. He was very selective of his words and encouraging.

It was good to see the town turn out, and Luke and I played together while Spike backed us up on guitar. I couldn’t have asked for a better night. There was something magical about playing to a smaller crowd versus those large arenas.

At the end of the night, Chase Bryan came on and played some of his most popular hits. The crowd went wild and there was a real sense that they got their money’s worth. We sold in one night more coffee and goods than we had in the past few months. And business hadn’t been bad at all since I had appeared in the contest and traveled with Chase. The town had gained a lot more eyeballs. People wanted to visit the town where a small-town girl met a larger-than-life country rock star. Our café wasn’t just attracting fans, but celebrities too. Film stars and singers. Lakeside had become a hub of activity. There had even been talk of growth. Creating a new suburb and another school. People loved the small-town feel enough to nip that idea in the bud. They liked the fact that large chain stores weren’t available here. That mom-and-pop stores were all we had. It created an atmosphere that made it what it was.

There had been many times that I wanted to get out of this town. When I eventually did, I realized that it was where I wanted to stay. Even if I did travel. Even if I did go on to play arenas in the future. I would always keep this café and treat this town as my home.

“It went well tonight.”

“Yeah,” I said to Chase.

“It’s good to see you there again. Though I wish it had been me and you singing.”

I leaned my head to one side. “Maybe down the road.”

“Yeah.”

“Where’s Taylor?”

He cleared his throat. “I told her it wasn’t going to work out.”

“Was she mad?”

“A little. It didn’t take her long to get over it.”

I nodded. “So where are you staying?”

“The cottage. Until these three shows are played and then I need to head back to Nashville.”

Luke came over. “Well, that was a raging success. How about we all go out and get a drink?”

“I dunno about that. We have an early start tomorrow.”

“We’re not traveling to London. It’s just a few miles down the road.”

“I guess so. We could go to Arthur’s.”

“What is that, a bar?”

I glanced at Chase who knew all too well what that place was. We had visited it the first time we’d met. It had been where we’d made out, and then after returned back to his place and made love.

“It’s nice.” He smiled at me.

I dropped my head. I was beginning to feel my cheeks burn.

“All right, well lead the way.”

It was a hop, skip and a jump from the café. We walked. Spike opted to stay behind with Sophie which made her feel valued. I could tell he was going to be a good father. Despite his antics he was a big softy underneath.

When we entered the bar it was packed. People who had shown up for the concert were in there. Lots of them looked on, several came up and asked for autographs.

“You sure this is a good idea?” Luke asked.

“Ah they are fine,” Chase replied.

We took a booth in the corner. Tom Whitey told us that he would keep people away. I told him not to worry. We had Ernie to keep them back. Ernie and a few of the road crew came along. They seemed quite eager to try out some of the local beer.

“So this is where you hang out,” Ernie said.

“I rarely get in here. But yeah, it’s a good bar.”

“You want a game of pool?” Luke asked.

I nodded, glancing at Chase who looked as if he might be jealous. I was wearing tight jeans and a V-neck shirt with the sleeves cut off. It said Jack Daniel’s on the front. As he racked them up I could see Chase studying me. His eyes undressing me. I couldn’t help but smile. The music played loud as Luke racked them up and we played several games. There were a few times Luke jokingly tried to assist me in hitting a ball. As he leaned over me and his body pressed against me I could tell he was a little bit less interested in helping than he was in grinding up against me. Now what you have to understand is Luke Claybourne was a hot guy, easily Chase’s equal. And with me and Chase not dating, I had considered the thought of going out with him.

A Kentucky boy. He was probably exciting between the sheets. However, seeing the way Chase looked when Luke was close, I kept putting distance between us. He was jealous, but self-assured in some way. As if he knew that I wouldn’t think about dating Luke. Maybe that’s why he offered to pay for the studio time and tour. He knew he could wiggle his way back in and make me see things clearly. Perhaps he could. But right now, I was going to give him a little taste of his own medicine. Just I wouldn’t sleep with Luke. Not that I didn’t want to. I would have gladly jumped into the sack with him.

I played it up. I allowed the drink to drop my inhibitions. I danced between shots and kept a close eye on Chase watching me. Making sure he knew, that I knew he was looking. In some way, I think he was enjoying it. Perhaps he knew what I was up to, and the very thought that I was doing it, meant that he had been right. He still had a chance with me.

The truth was, he still did.