His eyes drift to mine as he speaks, and I’ve got to say I’m surprised he didn’t pull me aside to give me a heads-up. He knows she’s my ex and she’s important to me. He doesn’t know the exact circumstances of how we broke up or that I’m still being blackmailed over my past. I know if I told him that he’d sic a P.I. or the police on it, and I can’t take that risk. They’d throw my ass in jail for breaking the terms of my release agreement, and then who’d protect my girl?He’salways been very resourceful, and I’m taking no chances when it comes to Zeta’s life, which is why we can’t let her do this.
Or can we?
I tune out for a bit as I weigh it all up. If Zeta agreed to do this, she’d be living with us at my Hamptons house while we write and record our new album. I have the very best security system money can buy, and I can increase the security detail. There’s no way he’d be able to get near her while she’s there.
Excitement starts mounting as I think of this as an opportunity. If Zeta was living with me for the next few months, maybe we can reclaim what we lost. If she’s willing to give me a chance, and if she still loves me as much as I love her, I’m prepared to man up and tell her the truth about my past and why I left her eight years ago.
I have the means to keep her by my side now and ensure she’s well protected, something I wasn’t able to do back then. It’s a selfish, risky strategy, because I may have hurt her too much or left it too late, and there’s no guarantee she won’t hate me when she discovers the full extent of the sordid secret from my youth, but I’ve got to give it a try.
Because I’m sick of barely existing. Fed up of missing her to the point of constant pain.
The potential reward is worth the risk, because if it means I have a shot at having her back in my life, then I’ve got to try. I’ll never forgive myself otherwise.
“Let’s see if I’ve got this straight,” she says, yanking me back into the conversation. “You would like me to live with the band, inRyder’s house”—she spews the words like they’re poisonous—“for the next two to three months, to shadow them as they write and record their new album, and you’d like me to interview them together and separately during that time, to build up a bigger picture of their personal and professional evolvement over the years since the band started.” She hasn’t stopped for a breath, and by the way she’s gesturing wildly with her hands and how her voice is elevating higher and higher with every word, I know she’s severely pissed.
She’s definitely not going to make this easy. But I’ve always loved a good challenge.
“And you want me to document it for monthly updates inRockOutand then to write a formal biography for worldwide publication,” she adds.
“Yes.” Rod nods, smiling at her as he leans forward on his knees. “That’s about it in a nutshell. Obviously, you would be doing this as aRockOutemployee, but we’ve prepared an offer which will pay your employer a lucrative sum for the magazine content, as well as covering your salary and all living expenses for the duration of the project, and you will get full writing credit for the biography. All royalties earned will be divided in the percentages specified between the band and yourself.” He hands her an envelope. “Take your time to peruse the offer, but I think you’ll agree it’s a very generous one.”
She hands it back to him. “Thank you, Rod. You’ve been very gracious, but I don’t need to look at it.” She stands. “The answer is no.”
I jump up. “Baby, wait.”
The look she gives me could cut glass. “I amnotyour baby.”
“You were once.” I dare her to disagree.
“You already fucked her?” Gar interjects, sending me a sour look. He’s always been competitive with me, especially when it comes to women.
“Back the fuck off, Gar. This doesn’t concern you.” I grind my teeth to the molars, as frustration trundles through me.
Zeta turns to Gar. “For the record, he didn’t fuck me. He dumped me before we got the chance.”
“Are you fucking insane, dude?!” he exclaims, waving his hands up and down her body. “At least tell me you fucked her tits.”
I explode, jumping over the coffee table and lunging at him. I swing my fist, landing a right hook on the side of his jaw before Scott and Rod pull me away. Micah is doubled over, laughing like it’s comedy hour. “You’re fucking next if you don’t shut your mouth,” I growl.
“And you.” I jab my finger at Gar. He’s currently nursing a swollen jaw and shooting daggers at me. “Don’t you ever speak about the woman I love like that.”
Yep, I just blurt it out. My mouth has completely disengaged from my brain, and there’s no telling what I’ll say next. The guys emit a few expletives and shocked gasps, but Zeta is tellingly silent. I swing my gaze to her, and she’s schooled her features into a neutral expression so I can’t tell what she’s thinking.
Clearing her throat, she eyeballs me with a derisory look I’d only reserve for enemies. “Nice try, Rock Star, but if you think that’ll get me to say yes, you’re sorely mistaken.”
What’s with all thisRock Starshit? Is she allergic to my name now? If she’s trying to rile me up, it’s working. “That’s not why I said it.” I rub a hand across the back of my neck. “Look, could we go in the other room and talk in private.”
“I have nothing to say to you.” She gathers up her belongings, stuffing them in her bag.
“Well, I have plenty to say to you.”
“I’m not interested in anything you have to say.” She slings her bag over her shoulder and purses her lips.
“Please, Zeta. Please let me explain.”
“Your actions speak volumes.” Sending me one last lethal look, she walks to Rod, shaking his hand. “Thank you very much for the opportunity, but I’ll have to politely decline.” She turns to the guys with a smile. “It was nice meeting you all. You should get some ice on that asap,” she tells Gar.
“Call me.” He thrusts a piece of paper with his number into her hand. I can’t tell if he’s deliberately pissing me off or if he genuinely has an interest in her. Either way, it’ll never happen.
