Wes

Jemma believes in me. It’s the most amazing feeling. I didn’t even have to try to convince her, she just believes in me and in my love for her. I wish I could ask her to marry me right now, but I want it to be right. I want everything to be perfect, not some spur of the moment proposal while everyone is in the next room. And I don’t want the threat of Trent or this woman or anything to get in the way.

I keep a firm hold on Jemma’s hand as we join the others. They have the television on. I take a seat on the couch beside Finn and Jemma sits snuggled under my arm on my other side. Perfect.

Finn whispers in my ear. “Finally, I’m happy for you. You deserve some happiness man.”

“Yeah, thanks. You were right.”

“Aren’t I always?”

“Well, except that time about the tacos.”

Finn laughs. “Yeah, let’s never tell the girls about that one.”

Autumn leans closer. “What’s that, pretty boy?”

“Nothing babe. Don’t worry about it.”

“Wes?” Autumn looks at me.

“Ah, nothing. Just guy stuff.”

Autumn looks at Jemma. “Don’t worry. I’ll get it out of Finn tonight when we’re alone.”

Finn grins. “Not a chance beautiful.”

I grimace. So much for keeping that story under wraps. Finn can resist nothing when it comes to his wife. I groan and rest my head back against the couch. I can only hope Autumn decides I don’t need to be embarrassed like that in front of Jemma.

“Enough chat guys, it’s on.” Ryan yells over the various conversations going on.

My focus turns toward the large flat screen. There she is, the woman I supposedly got pregnant. And sitting right beside her on the talkshow couch is our former manager, Trent.

“Welcome back,” Pete the host says with a whiter than white Hollywood smile. “In case you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll be looking forward to hearing from our next guests. Today we have none other than the former manager of one of the world’s hottest bands, Infusion Deep. And beside him, the woman who claims to have had the baby of one of the founding members of the band, Wes Bowman.”

The camera flashes to Trent looking smug and a leggy brunette who looks slightly dazzled. The camera returns to Pete. “So, Vicky, can you tell us in your own words how you met Mr. Bowman?”

Vicky smiles and clutches her hands in her lap. Her image as a poor unsuspecting girl next door is undermined by the red cocktail dress and killer heels she’s wearing. “Uh, sure, Pete. Well, I met Wesley at the restaurant where I used to work before I got pregnant and had to quit my job.” Her eyes glisten with unshed tears as she warms up to her subject. Her perceived nervousness is gone.

Pete leans closer. “What happened when you met?”

“Well, Wesley was there alone. Finn was supposed to be joining him, but had been delayed for some reason. So, anyway, Wes starts flirting with me. You know, telling me I’m beautiful and um…touching me whenever I came by his table.”

“And did you appreciate his flirting?” Pete asks.

“Well,” Vicky smiles, pretending to look down shyly, but she can’t pull it off. “Of course I did. I mean, who wouldn’t want a sexy rock star to flirt with them? Anyway, when I finished my shift, I went out the back like always and Wes was there waiting in the alley.”

“Please go on, Vicky.”

“Well, then he comes over and says something about how he’s been thinking about me all night and then…then he puts his hands up under my skirt.”

Gasps come from the audience, and I close my eyes. A warm hand grabs my own, and I open my eyes to see Jemma looking worriedly at me. I try my best to smile at her and fail. I look back at the screen. My head is throbbing. Even though none of this ever happened, hearing this woman say these things about me, it hurts.

“And then he pulls at my—”

The screen goes blessedly dark.

Ryan stands in front of the screen the TV remote in his hands. “Well, I think we can all agree. We don’t need to watch any more of that tripe.”

“You believe she’s lying?” I ask.

“Dude, of course she’s lying. She just got knocked up and wants a quick payday to make up for her own stupid mistake.”

Zane stands beside Ryan. “No one who’s ever met you for more than five seconds will believe her, Wes. Don’t worry. We’ve got your back.”

Finn stands up beside the other band members, Autumn at his side. “Well, brother, I’ve known you since you were this high.” He holds up a hand to just above his waist. “We’ll fight this and win. Even if we have to do a paternity test, we will not be giving this gold-digger one cent of our money.”

Sophie jumps up. “That ho can go and rot like she deserves!”

“Sophie!” Everyone admonishes at once and the tension is broken.

“Group hug!” Ryan shouts, and Jemma and I are pulled to our feet and surrounded by many arms that show me I am loved.

This band is my family.