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“You’ve been snoring for the last hour so I didn’t want to wake you,” Claudia says.
I shift my gaze to her. She’s sitting up, but doesn’t look any better than she did yesterday. In fact, she looks worse if anything. Frowning, I enquire, “How are you feeling?”
She shrugs and avoids my eyes. “I’m okay,” she murmurs, but I’m not buying it. However, I choose not to pursue it with her; if this is how she wants to cope with what’s happening, I can’t fault her. I’d want to avoid it, too.
Mum nudges my foot and I switch my attention back to her. “You should go home for awhile. I’m going to stay until lunch and then your father is coming for the afternoon.”
I nod as I stand and stretch. “Yeah, I’ve gotta touch base with the boys and Tom.”
“What’s happening with your album?” Claudia asks.
“Van and I decided to put it on hold for the moment.”
Her brows rise. “Are you two getting along any better?”
I pick up the keys for Presley’s car and shove my phone in my pocket, getting ready to leave. “I don’t know. He gets this and is being supportive, so I guess so, but who knows what’s going on in that head of his.”
She tries to laugh but it turns into a cough. Her hand moves to her chest while she coughs and then she says, “There’s too much going on in that head of his. That’s the problem.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” I step forward so I can place a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll see you later, Princess.”
A smile graces her lips and she nods. Waving me away, she says, “I’ll be here.”
I leave them and make my way outside, calling Tom on the way.
He answers almost straight away. “How’s Claudia?” His obvious concern means a lot to me.
“Not good, Tom. Did Van fill you in?” I hope so because I really don’t want to go through it with him.
“Yeah, and he told me you want to put everything on hold. I think it’s a good idea.”
“And the label? Are they on board with it?” At this point, I’m not sure I could care if
they aren’t.
He takes a moment to respond. “They’re not happy, but I’ve made it clear to them you need this time so they’re running with it at the moment.”
“Thanks, Tom.”
“It’s what I do, Jett. It’s why you pay me the big bucks, right?”
I love that he’s trying to lighten the mood; I need it this morning after my conversation with Claudia last night. That conversation still sits heavy in my gut, and I keep replaying it in my mind. “Seriously, though, I’d be lost without you. I hope to God you never stop working with us.” I pause for a moment, a thought coming to me. “Actually, how are things between you and Van?”
“I don’t hold grudges, you know that. Fuck, not in this industry with all the drama and shit that goes on. We spoke and I made it clear to him that if he does it again, it’ll be either him or me walking away, so I’m fairly confident that won’t happen again. But, he’s not happy, Jett, and I don’t think it’s got much to do with the band even though it’s you guys he’s taking it out on. So, I’m hoping this time off might do him some good.” His thoughts echo my own.
I arrive at Presley’s car and end the call with a promise to keep him in the loop. I’m relieved he spoke to Van and hope like hell Van doesn’t step out of line with Tom again; we can’t afford to lose either of them.
* * *
Nearly half an hour later I arrive at Presley’s apartment after sitting in rush hour traffic for longer than I cared to. She answers her door wearing a tiny scrap of material that most would probably call a dress, and on any other woman, I would agree, but on Presley, I wouldn’t even call it a dress.
She greets me with a smile as I trail my eyes down her body, taking in every inch of skin on display. “I take it you’re not planning on going out today,” I say as I brush a kiss over her lips.
Frowning, she replies, “I’ve gotta go and do some grocery shopping, and I thought I’d come with you when you visit Claudia later.”
“Right, so we’ll need to find you something else to wear when you do all that,” I answer as I step inside and close the door behind me. “And I’m gonna need a key to your place, and I’ll give you one to mine.”
“I see you’ve come home all bossy and shit,” she mutters as we walk down her hallway into her kitchen.
