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“You’re a Buddhist?”
“No,” he sighed. “I’m a recovering drug addict and alcoholic.” He honestly floored me. What had possessed him to admit that to me? “You’re smart not to get mixed up with me, Straight Lace.”
“The first step to recovering from an addiction is admitting that you have it.” It was also resisting temptation, but I wasn’t going to tell him that…not when he’d just bared his soul to me in one statement.
“I admitted it a long time ago, Nat. I’m past saving. Drugs and Alcohol, they’re a part of me now. It’s like I’m on this never ending cycle. I’ll never be free of them, no matter what I do. I stop for a while when the doctor tells me my health is at risk, then when I’m clear, I start again.”
“Think of the damage it’s doing, though, Alex. If you keep it up, you won’t live past fifty.”
“Some people might say that would be good thing.” He was so dejected as he spoke.
“Why would you say that?” I gasped. “That’s a horrible thing to say!” He shrugged, moving to pick up an acoustic guitar that was leaning against his bed. Oh God, was he going to play? I needed to sit down!
“When you start to feel as if your life isn’t yours anymore, you lose the will to care about what might happen next.”
“Why would you feel that way?” Perching in the corner of his bed, I closed my eyes as he began to gently strum a few chords I knew well. It was the intro toSlay Me.
“I have a reputation to live up to. I crossed the line of fact and fiction a long time ago. Iamthat asshole rock star. You’ve been right all along.”
“You’re notthatbad,” I snorted.
“I am, Nat. Fuck, if you knew the shit I’ve done…” He trailed off, his eyes dropping to his guitar. “All I’m saying is, you made a wise choice keeping your distance from me.” Why was he telling me thisnow?
“I’m a clever girl.” I managed to force a smile, but was so confused by the conversation.
“That you are,” he grinned, suddenly standing up. “Come on, let’s get you moved into your new bedroom.” He was done opening his soul up to me for the time being, but I really hoped with me moving onto the same floor as him, that he’d open up more as the weeks passed.
“Say that again?” I wasn’t sure I’d heard him right.
“I get stage fright when I haven’t performed for a while.” Hehadto be joking. He was arock star! I mean, the man had played in front of millions of fans over the years!
Taking the whiskey bottle, I glared at him. “You promised your friend you would do this, now get in the damn car. You’re already late!” We’d touched down at the airport, but we still had a ten mile drive. I was glad there was a domestic airport near by. Atlanta would have been too far to drive from.
“That’s easy for you to say. You don’t have to sing!” Alex sulked, getting into the car. “I can’t even sing myownfucking songs.” Turning my head, I giggled. I was looking forward to meeting Mr. Kirkham. He had quite the sense of humor. “Can you believe the fucker? He said all my songs are crap! At least he’s paying me, I guess.”
“You’re giving that money to charity!”
“LikefuckI am,” he glared, trying to grab the whiskey bottle.
“Don’t you dare! You’re not doing this drunk! You’ll forget the words. This is an important day for your friend.”
About ten minutes later, we pulled up to a very impressive estate. I got to look around once Alex had been shown to his dressing room because I’d agreed to get him some coffee. Mr. Kirkham didn’t look happy when he saw the state Alex was in, so I left them to have it out. He wasn’t your typical CEO. The man was seriously good looking. His wife-to-be was a lucky woman, for sure. He could hold a room, too, but with the power he had over the weapons industry, you could understand why.
Trying to find the kitchen, I noticed two females, a redhead and brunette, and a blonde haired male near an entrance to the mansion. They looked like models.
“Excuse me, I’m trying to get a coffee for Alex Harbour. Do you know where the kitchen is please?”
“You know Alex Harbour?” the brunette squealed. “Where is he?”
“Getting ready to go on stage. I’m his PA.”
“I want your job,” she pouted.
“I don’t mind swapping,” I teased, looking toward the attractive blonde man. The redhead was giving me her bitch brow, but I had no idea why.
“The kitchen is through there,” he said with a warm smile, “and I’d be careful who you swap jobs with. Molly doesn’t do a normal nine to five.”
“Neither do I,” I grinned. “Thank you.” I felt their eyes on me as I made my way toward the kitchen.
