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“Asshole,” I swatted his chest. “Remember you told me you’d be bringing women back to your room when we’re on tour? You can get what you need from them.”
“It’s not about my needs, it’s about yours.” His tone had turned serious, and he held me in his gaze. “I said I wanted to help you, and I meant it.”
The sudden sound of splashing alerted us to the fact that Joe had come down from his room and had jumped into the pool.
“I’ll go for another swim.” Pierce got to his feet. “Think about my offer. I won’t hold it against you if you decide not to accept.”
I lay back again, closing my eyes. Who’d have thought that Pierce Fox, the dirty rocker who thrashed his drums at every concert, animating a crowd of thousands to dance to his rhythm, would want to help ‘lil ‘ole me? Then I remembered how he’d hook up with a string of women while blind drunk after said concerts, and I let out a groan.The following evening, I was in the kitchen slicing tomatoes. Axel and Phoenix were about to show up at any minute for a barbeque. Pierce had given Joe time off to visit with his family so it would just be us. I’d left Pierce out on the decking, setting up the charcoal grill.
To give credit where it was due, in the twenty-four hours or so since he’d offered to ‘help’ me, he hadn’t once pressed me for a decision. Last night, after dinner, we’d chilled in the living room playing video games and avoiding all discussion of the topic. Tenseness coiled in my stomach...I was missing out on something so fundamental to human existence most people took it for granted. I was tempted to let Pierce ‘help’, but also freaking scared his ‘helping’ would hurt me. I drew my brows together…I’d be stupid to risk it, and I might even lose my job.
I placed the tomatoes in a dish on the counter, next to the potato salad I’d made earlier. Normally, we ordered in and it was a nice change to be actually preparing a meal from scratch. The clock on the wall ticked forward to seven p.m., and then the doorbell rang. Phoenix and Axel had arrived.
“Wow, you’re looking amazing, Foxy.” Axel pulled him in for a man hug and slapped him on the back. “Hayley is obviously taking good care of you.”
“She sure is,” Pierce winked and I wanted to swat him for the sexual innuendo.
Phoenix kissed and hugged me. “You’ve done a great job with the bad boy,” she said, and I could tell that she meant it. She handed me a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates. “Just a little something to say thank you for having us over.”
“Aw, thanks, you remembered.” I smiled. When we’d been on tour in Europe, she’d pig out on the candies with Camila and me while we hung around filling time between the sound checks and the start of the shows.
The four of us trooped through to the poolside. “Sorry. Can’t offer you any alcohol.” Pierce shrugged. “This is a dry house. But Hayley and I made a jug of Virgin Margaritas earlier.”
Phoenix’s green eyes glowed. “That would be perfect.” She paused, caught her lip between her teeth. “Axel and I have an announcement.” She glanced at him, seeking his approval.
He bounced on his toes. “Phoenix is three months’ pregnant,” he came right out with it. “We couldn’t be happier.”
“Congratulations,” Pierce and I chorused.
I hoped the frisson of jealousy that quivered through me wasn’t obvious. Although I’d tried to push the thought to the back of my mind as the years had gone by, having a baby would be impossible for someone like me.
After more hugging and kissing, we sat sipping our mocktails, discussing the practicalities of touring for Phoenix. “It works out great.” She tucked a strand of long blond hair behind her ear. “We’ll be headed home when I’m at the five months stage.”
“What about check-ups?” I asked.
Axel grinned. “Not a problem. There are awesome private maternity hospitals in all the cities where we’ll be playing. We’ll arrange in advance for Phoenix to have her prenatal appointments there.”
“Cool,” I said. “I’m so happy for you both.” And I was. I put my stupid jealousy to one side and finished my drink. “I’ll just go and get the salads from the kitchen.”
“Let me help you.” Phoenix said, pushing herself to her feet.
I thanked her and we headed back inside while Pierce and Axel got on with grilling burgers, chicken drumsticks and hot dogs.
She lifted the bowl of potato salad and turned to me. “Do you remember when we were in Italy two years ago, and you told me how you’d gotten yourself a new credit card to buy Italian designer fashion?”
It was right after our homecoming from Europe that Dad had needed to go into care. Although he was sick, he’d coped on his own before then. I persuaded him not to sell the house where I’d grown up —it was my base when I wasn’t touring with ChiMera—offering to supplement his pension to pay the nursing costs instead. He’d agreed that it had made sense… he wanted to keep the house so that he could pass it on to me. Helping him meant that the days were long gone since I maxed my cards buying clothes.
