“Something stupid about your brother. His scaring you was totally unnecessary. Saying I’m gonna surprise you with an STD, that twat. Iswear, tonight I’m going to—”
“It’s not just him, though, that’s causing me anxiety.” I’m not even sure how to describe thisother shoe anxiety,so Ijust blame it on Ace. “Findingthisin my inbox today definitely didn't help.”
I open my phone and read Ace’s text. Jett’s knuckles are white on the steering wheel.
“Block that cunt, please,” he says through gritted teeth, “he doesn’t deserve a response or even the ability to communicate with you. Iknow he’s your coworker, but that doesn’t mean—”
“Doing it now, baby.” Surprisingly, I’m still enjoying Jett’s decision-making, as I’ve agreed with all of them so far. Ithink it’s going to feel pretty freaking good, so Ipress the options and hover my finger overblock number.
“Jab that button, Baby, yes, hard as you can!” IIaugh and do just that, and let out the longest exhale. Such a relief.
“I don’t like that he’s still my coworker, but we all signed a three-season deal.”
“You’re still excited to be Princess Aerin, aren’t you? Ignore the fact that he’s a tool. You want to do season three? Your mum said she’s a hundred percent sure it will get renewed.”
I sigh. “Not sure Ican ignore someone Ishare so many scenes with. Mick’s about done with the third book, and Iknow she’s gonna kill off his character, but again, that’s the end of the book. Ugh.”
“So, if he was killed off immediately, you’d be excited?”
“Honestly, Ithink your coffee date idea was a sign … I’d be a lot happier doing horror. Ithink I’m ready to be done with Princess Aerin. I’m done with winter in the North, but I’m not a quitter.”
He threads his fingers through mine and squeezes. “Neither am I, Baby.” He winks. “Plus, that’s a fucking fantastic idea, you would look so,sohot covered in blood. And you have the best scream I’ve ever heard. Princess haspipes.”
“I have never in my life had someone make me scream like that.”
Nowhe’sthe one glowing. “And you want me to spend the night? You know Iwon’t be able to resist you. How will you keep from screaming? Keane’s jewellery kind of makes it impossible not to.”
“Youmake it impossible not to. Hmm,” Istroke my chin like I’m maybe considering a fix for that, but let’s be real, I’m so turned on by the idea. “There’s a sex shop next to my nail salon. Ball gag?”
He grins like the devil himself and does that fucking thing with his tongue, and I’m concerned about soaking through my jeans. “Oh fuck, Baby, I’ll buy you whatever the hell you want from that storeandget my nails done with you. Can’t have Freddie Mercury’s cousin meeting me with this chipped mess.”
We roll up to the studio and strut in like bats out of hell. I’m feeling so much better … until he introduces me to his new band. Jack is on bass, Dean is on guitar, Alex is on keys, and Lily is on drums. My heart sinks when Isee Lily. Another gorgeous, female drummer?WTF, Jett?
She isn’t just the hottest drummer I’ve ever seen, she’s the hottest woman I’ve ever seen, period. How cool IwishIcould look if Ididn’t have to be a blank slate for my acting career. Long pink hair, nose ring, big doll eyes, colorful tattoos, long legs Icould only dream of, and an insane body like Pilates twenty-four-seven type.Is she the other shoe? That would drop on tour, late at night, when I’m not there?
Jett throws an arm around me, and the band howls with delight when they ask about his hand and find out my dad did it. Then they start asking me questions. I’m not even sure they compute in my brain until Ihear Lily tell Dean that she’s having a dinner date with her girlfriend tonight. Ifeel my solar plexus relax a little.
But Isit by the mixing board while the band gets ready to play, in my head chantingPlease be gay not bi, gay not bi, gay not—
“Baby?” Thank God my stupid, obsessive thoughts are interrupted. Ihear Jett as clear as if he weren’t behind glass. “Dad told me your two favourite songs because, yeah, he owed me. Itexted the band immediately that night, and they said, ‘No problem,’ that’s why they’re the shit! Be honest and feel free to record some on your phone if you like, Princess.”
Jett talking to me like that in front of the bandandhis producers?Myfavorite songs? Itmakes me feel so much better. Ican get a full breath again. My brain starts whirring as the band chats with the producers about the song, but the noise is more productive.Do you want to be a jealous, insecure, soon-to-be single again cunt or be a badass, secure-as-fuck rockstar’s girlfriend?
And my mantra becomesbadass rockstar girlfriend, secure-as-hell, badass rockstar girlfriend. Hot as fuck, confident as hell, badass rockstar girlfriend.
Much better.
The producer and his assistant both want selfies with me, and then the band starts playing my song, and any trace of nerves disappears. Ido feel little tear prickles, but Ithink they’re the joyful kind as the band practices Billy Idol’sEyes Without a Facetogether for the first time.How does it already sound so good?Iwould know, Billy is literally my godfather.
Jett moves his body in a slow, sensual, Billy type way, and when he starts to sing, I’m cooked. I’m done for. If there was any shred of me getting out of this in one piece, it’s flown right out the window. He’s singing an octave lower than I’ve ever heard him, and Ithink Ifinally understand that whole exploding ovaries thing.
After about two and a half minutes, Ihear, “I think you might like this part, Maddy.”
I stare at the producer, dumbfounded for a minute. Imight likethispart? I’d marry Jett based on how he’s singing this alone. What more could he do to … oh. I’ve seen Jett play rhythm guitar many times while he sings, and it’s lovely. But this is certainly not that.
The assistant slingsmy dad’s,how the hell did—wait, was it in the boot of the Triumph this whole time? Acustom ‘63 sunburst Fender Strat is over Jett’s shoulder, and Islump against my chair. Ihaveneverheard Jett solo, andit’s obviously one of my favorites. It’s simple but driving, and Ican’t believe how well he plays it.
I know deep down that soaking through my jeans, watching my boyfriend play my godfather’s song on my dad’s guitar, is worth thousands in therapy sessions.Iswear Idon’t have Daddy issueswould never hold up on a therapist’s couch if they saw my reaction right now.
