THE NEXT MORNING, I wake to another text from Chelsea. We need to talk. Breakfast at The Bistro?
We sure as fuck do is what I want to say, but instead I reply with, Yeah. Give me 30 mins.
Thirty minutes later, I walk into The Bistro and find Chelsea sitting in our usual booth.
“Thank you for meeting me,” Chelsea says as I slide into the booth across from her and pick up the glass of orange juice. “I ordered your usual. I hope that’s okay.”
“Good, I’m starving.” I tap my fingers on the table.
Chelsea laughs. “You’re always starving.”
“I’m a growing boy.” I shrug. “So, what do you want to talk about?”
“I heard you were out with Jayla last night,” she says. “Are you guys together now?”
“Yep.” I smile. She plasters on that fake cheer smile that I hate. “Why are you smiling at me like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re uncomfortable or constipated.”
“Shut up!” She laughs. “I do not.”
“Yes, you do.” I snort. “So, what do you really want to talk about?”
Chelsea slumps back in the booth and blows out a breath. “I just really miss my best friend. Everything got so messed up after…” She waves her hand between us and I nod.
The server arrives at our table and sets down our plates of food. I dig into my food as the door chimes in the background. “We’re not best friends,” I tell her calmly. “Best friends don’t talk shit behind each other’s backs.”
“What?” she chokes out.
“You told Reagan about Jay.”
“I—”
“Don’t even try to deny it, Chelsea.” I shake my head. “You told your mom about prom night. About Reagan. About us. About Jay. I trusted you.”
Chelsea moves over to my side of the booth and slides in beside me. “I’m sorry, Zach. I am. I didn’t do it to be spiteful to you. I was just trying to piss Reagan off. You know I can’t stand her. And I didn’t tell my mom those things to hurt you. I told her because she kept going on about how maybe one day you and I would be together. Blah-blah-blah.” She rolls her eyes. “I just wanted to shut her up, so I laid it all out for her.”
She lays her head on my shoulder and bats her eyelashes up at me. “Can we start over and work our way back to being friends again?”
I chuckle at her theatrics. “Fine.” I throw my arm around her shoulders and pull her in for a side hug.
“I’ve missed you, Zach,” she says, before lifting to smack a kiss on my lips.
I pull back and frown down at her. What the hell was that?
“Jayla, your order is ready!” The words ring out loud and clear, and I feel myself go pale.
Nooooooo.
I turn my head just in time to see Jay grab two coffees and a brown bag off the counter and storm out the door.
“Was that—”
“My girlfriend.”
“Oh.”
STUPID.
That’s what I am.
Fuck Zach.
Never again. I’m done.
I grab the two coffees from the cup holders, drop the bag of pastries into my purse, and walk into Mac’s. It’s early but the restaurant serves brunch on Sundays.
Harper greets me with a smile. “Hey, Jay. If you’re looking for Dylan, he’s in the kitchen and Alex is in his office.”
“Where’s that?”
“The hallway leading to the kitchen near the bathrooms. You can’t miss it. You can cut through the bar. It’s quicker.”
“Thanks.” I push through the heavy mahogany doors leading to the bar and make my way to Alex’s office. Where I find him with his arms around a blonde woman who is not Evangeline.
Both heads turn toward the doorway at the sound of my gasp. I shoot Alex with a murderous glare. I’m so telling Weenie about this. Alex chuckles as he releases the beautiful woman who looks old enough to be his mother and gestures to me.
“Mom, this is Jayla. Jay, this is my mom, Sophia.”
“Oh, Jayla.” She moves over to me with her arms spread and pulls me in for an awkward hug. “It’s so wonderful to finally meet you.” She pulls back but grips my shoulders. “I’ve heard so much about you from Alex and Eva.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say, holding out one of the coffees. “I brought an extra latte if either of you want it and there’re pastries in my purse.”
Alex takes the coffee and sets it on his desk. “What are you doing out and about so early?”
I hold up my coffee cup. “I figured I’d stop by and say hi, see what you were up to.”
His brows pinch together. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re lying.” A smile pulls up on one side of his mouth.
“Nothing is wrong, Mr. Alex.” I smirk back. Alex has spent enough time with me over the years to know when I’m full of shit. Dammit.
“I’m gonna head out,” Sophia says. “I’ve got some errands to run. Love you, baby boy.” She rises onto the balls of her feet and kisses Alex on the cheek before turning to me. “It was so nice to meet you, Jayla.”
“You too, Sophia.” As soon as Sophia walks out of the office, I turn to Alex. “Baby boy?” I tease.
Alex shrugs. “How was your date with Zach?”
I huff out a laugh. “Your girlfriend is a gossip.” I set down my purse and coffee cup on his desk before plopping down in one of the empty chairs in front of his desk.
“Who else does she have to tell?” Alex chuckles. “It’s either me or you.”
“I know.” I let out a heavy sigh. “Our date was perfect, but I don’t think it’s going to work out.”
He perches on the edge of his desk with one foot on the floor. “What happened?”
“Nothing. Forget I said anything.” I wave him off and look away. “I’m just being a girl.”
He chuckles again. “You are a girl. Tell me.”
I lift my head to see the concern in his eyes. “I just saw him at The Bistro with that Chelsea girl.”
Alex nods. “I know Chelsea.”
“Did they date?”
He shrugs. “Not that I know of, but I’m not as good at keeping up with the gossip like Eva.”
I snort. True.
“I saw them kiss.” Alex stays silent, so I continue. “Mom always told me not to make assumptions because it isn’t always what it looks like. Doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt.” My eyes well up with hurt and jealousy. “See, I told you I was getting all girly.” I laugh and blink away the tears. “I’ve loved Zach for a long time. I want to be with him, but I don’t know how this relationship stuff works. I just want to be happy and be me. I don’t know how to be anything else.”
“You’re perfect just the way you are. And if Zach doesn’t see it, then he doesn’t deserve you. You’re beautiful down to your soul and that’s what makes you stand out from the others. Zach is genuinely a nice guy. I never pegged him as an idiot. I’m surprised you didn’t dump your coffee on his head.”
“I know.” I laugh and stand from the chair. That’s definitely something I would’ve done if I was more pissed and less hurt. I just wanted to get the hell out of there. “Thanks for listening.” I wrap my arms around Alex. “Weenie is a lucky girl.”
“I know.” He boasts.
“Hey, I actually did come by for another reason. What do you think about the Project Mayhem class performing here one night a month as part of their grade or extra credit? If they’re serious about being in the music business, they need to get a feel for performing for an audience other than their peers. Maybe send out an e-mail to the parents and see how they feel about it. Invite them along.”
“I think that’s a great idea. Your involvement in this class is impressive. I hope you’re serious about getting more involved with the foundation. After graduation… and the tour, of course.”
“I am.” I shrug. “I just don’t want to let anyone down. Especially my dad.”
“That’s not possible.”
STANDING IN THE doorway of Alex’s office, I see him typing away on his laptop, looking deep in thought. I knock twice on the open door and Alex raises his head. “Hey, man,” he says, leaning back in his chair and clasping his hands behind his head. “What’s up?”
I don’t know Alex all that well, but he’s always seemed like a pretty cool guy and until recently, I had no idea that he and Jay were so close.
“I’m looking for Jay. Has she been by here?”
A smirk appears. “Yeah, she stopped by earlier.” He looks down at his watch. “She left about fifteen minutes ago. Why?”
“I’m sure you know why,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck.
Alex raises his eyebrows and straightens in his chair. His expression turns serious as he gestures to one of the chairs in front of his desk. “Have a seat, Zach. Let’s talk.”
Dropping down in the chair, I lean forward, propping my forearms on my thighs. He leans forward with his elbows propped on the desk. “I know we don’t know each other all that well, considering how much we have in common, but I’ve heard only good things about you.” He narrows his eyes at me. “I’m also aware of your history with Jay. More than I care to know, but I guess that goes without saying when my girlfriend is her best friend.”
“Jay mentioned that.” I nod, hoping to move on from this uncomfortable conversation. “Good for you, man. Evangeline is a beautiful woman.”
“She is.” He smiles proudly. “So, what’s your endgame here, Zach?”
My eyebrows twist in confusion. “What?”
“Are you just trying to get laid? Screw the rock star’s kid?”
I jerk up from the chair. “Are you serious right now?”
“Take it easy, Zach.” He chuckles. “I had to ask. Consider yourself lucky I’m the one asking and not Eva or Bass. I’m sure you’ve met him by now.”
“Yeah.”
“Eva loves Jay like a sister. They grew up together and Eva is very protective of her. Trust me, you do not want to be on the receiving end when the claws come out. I’ve seen her in action and it’s not pretty.” He drums his fingers on the desk seeming to ponder over his next words. “I’m sure you’re aware that the past year has been rough for Jay and her family. Especially Jay.” He shakes his head. “Marcus was a great guy, practically a saint. Kind, genuine, and a very smart man. I respected the hell out of him. But he was also an overprotective father and he kept his little girl on a very short leash. Jay’s kind-heartedness comes from her core. She’s humble and forgiving. But she’s also clueless which puts her in a vulnerable position and makes her a target for people who have less than genuine intentions. I made a promise to Marcus, and to Eva, that I’d watch out for Jay and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.” He points a finger at me. “Your intentions better be genuine.”
I PULL UP to the intercom at the end of Jay’s driveway and press the Call button.
“Helloooo. May I help you?” Bass’s deep voice drawls.
“Uh… hey, it’s Zach. Is Jayla home?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t know anyone by that name. This is where the princess lives.”
I snort. This guy. “Can I speak to her?”
“You tell me. Can you?”
I let out a frustrated sigh and let my head fall back against the headrest. I’m being schooled through an intercom speaker. Taking a deep breath, I try again. “May I speak to her?”
“Enter at your own risk.” His laughter is interrupted by a buzz and the gate slowly swings open.
Shaking my head, I steer my Jeep through the gate and navigate up the driveway, parking in the courtyard in front of the house.
As I make my way up the steps, the front door swings open and Bass’s massive form fills the doorway, wearing a shit-eating grin. “To what do we owe the pleasure, Romeo?” he asks.
Apparently, he’s sticking with Romeo.
“Quit messing with him, Bass,” Emerson calls out before she appears at his side. “She’s in a mood today. Don’t make it worse.”
Jerking her head to the side, Emerson says, “Come on in, Zach.” Stepping inside, I follow her down the hall to a set of double doors. “She’s in here.” Twisting the knob, she pushes open one of the two doors and steps inside. “This is her office.”
Jay’s office is a mixtures of blues and grays with silver accents. It’s feminine and sleek. But it’s the painting over the sofa that catches my attention. The painting is all black and white. It’s a set of eyes, fringed in long, thick, black eyelashes. The only color is the blue-green irises. Jayla’s eyes.
“Marcus painted that,” Emerson tells me. “Every painting or picture in this house is sentimental.”
“Is that rug made from real zebra skin?”
Emerson laughs. “God, no. Jay would flip out.”
The sound of a piano drifts from the adjoining room. Emerson smiles and gestures to the hallway. “That’s her music room.”
As I make my way down the short hallway, I skim over the framed photographs lining the walls. One picture in particular grabs my attention, and I pause to get a closer look. Marcus King has his arms around the shoulders of two little kids. One is Jay, with her long skinny legs, knobby knees and electric blue streaks in her black hair. The other is a skinny kid with shaggy blond hair. Lucas Wild. Jay mentioned briefly that Lucas was like a brother to her. Skimming over the other photos, they’re mostly of Marcus with his band, other musicians or celebrities.
I stop at a framed sheet of paper with black squiggly lines scribbled across the page in what looks like crayon. Emerson moves to my side and lightly brushes her fingers across a little gold plate inscribed with “Jaybird’s First Song.”
“She was barely six years old when she wrote this,” she says, smiling like a proud mom. “You should ask her about it sometime. It’s a cute story.” She winks.
Hmm.
The adjoining music room is much larger than the office but keeping with the same color scheme. The walls are lined with framed gold and platinum records, more photos and framed album covers. On the right is a door with silver letters across the top, spelling out the word Studio. There’s a light above the door and a long two-way mirror strategically placed to the right.
To the left is Jay, sitting in front of a large, shiny, white grand piano, centered in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Her eyes remain closed as her fingers glide over the keys, losing herself in the melody. I like music as much as anyone, but it’s just always been background noise to me. I’ve never paid attention to the lyrics of a song unless it’s a song by one of my favorite bands, but for some reason her words draw my attention. Something about how nobody knows her heart, how she cries when she’s pretending to sleep. It’s beautiful yet sad, and it makes my chest ache.
“She’s amazing, isn’t she,” Emerson says, reminding me that she’s still here. “I’m sure you’ve been warned, but now I’m warning you. She puts on a hell of a front, which is what she’s been taught to do by me. But she’s fragile. She’s my baby girl and she’s all I have left. She cares for you. She always has. I’m asking you nicely to be careful with her heart, Zach.”
“I will,” I promise.
“Thank you.” She lightly pats my arm. “Treat my daughter with respect and make her happy and you’ll always have my support and protection from that big motherfucker out there waiting for you to screw up.” She laughs as she turns around and heads back down the hall. “Good luck,” she calls out from the other end of the hallway.
Shaking my head, I push off the wall and make my way over to Jay. Without looking up or breaking her stride, she slides over to one side of the piano bench, making room for me. It’s an invitation I happily accept by lifting my leg and straddling the bench so I’m facing her. I watch in amazement as her fingers float effortlessly over the piano keys.
The love I felt for her before dulls in comparison to the love I feel for her now that she’s mine again. I still can’t believe she’s here.
I never thought it was possible for me to be this happy.
Yet somehow, I keep screwing things up.
Jay stops playing and drops her hands into her lap, then twists to face me.
“Journey?” I ask.
She nods. “‘Faithfully’ was the first song I learned to play on the piano. Journey is one of my mom’s all-time favorite bands.” She looks away and smiles as if she’s remembering.
“My mom is a big Journey fan too. I’m pretty sure I knew the words to every one of their songs when I was little. What about the other song? The one you were playing before. Was that one of yours?”
She snorts. “No, that was Pink. It’s called ‘Nobody Knows.’”
“I liked it.”
She looks away and takes a deep breath before turning back to me. “Thanks,” she says, forcing a smile. It appears I’ve got my work cut out for me. “It’s been a while since I’ve played.”
“Doesn’t sound like it. I can’t believe I’ve known you all these years and never knew you were so talented.”
“Back then you would’ve thought I was being a show-off. I just wanted to have fun like the rest of you.” She shrugs. “So, what are you doing here? Isn’t there a blonde somewhere waiting to suck your face off?”
Again with the sassy mouth.
I drag my hands over my face. “Either I have the worst luck or you have the worst timing.” I shake my head and sigh. “Ever since you got here, it’s been one ‘It’s not what it looks like’ situation after another and I feel like I have to keep explaining myself to you.”
She arches an eyebrow with an “are you kidding me?” look. “I never asked you to explain anything.”
“I didn’t mean it like that, and, of course, I want to explain. We agreed to be honest with each other from now on. Remember?”
“Then tell me about Chelsea.”
So, I do. I tell her how Chelsea and I have known each other our whole lives. I tell her how I confided in Chelsea about St. Thomas and my feelings for Jay. I tell her about how Reagan cheated on me prom night with Grayson, who was dating Lindsay at the time, and that I made a huge mistake by hooking up with Chelsea, which made things awkward and eventually ruined friendship.
“That’s pretty messed up, Zach.”
Great, I’m back to being Zach again.
“I know, Jay. I tried to make things right, but she wouldn’t let me. Friday night was the first time I’ve seen or talked to her since she left for college. She texted me yesterday and wanted to meet up, but I told her I had plans. Then she texted me this morning and asked me to meet her for breakfast. I figured it was the perfect opportunity for us to hash our shit out, so I could move on with you, and not have that guilt hanging over my head.”
“If she’s just a friend, then why didn’t you introduce me to her Friday?”
“Because all she knows is that you hurt me. She’s not the nicest person.” I laugh lightly. “I was afraid she’d confront you and make a scene.”
“I can take care of myself, Zach.”
“I know you can, but I didn’t want her airing out our business in front of everyone,” I explain. “This is between you and me, Jay.”
Jay looks down at her hands for a second, then back up at me. “So, if you’re just friends, why did she kiss you?”
“I have no idea. She’s never done that before.” I shrug. “It’s never been like that with us except for the one time I fucked up. She’s always been like family to me.”
She nods. “Like me and Lucas.”
“Yeah,” I agree, even though I know very little about her relationship with Lucas Wild but there’s no way he could look at this girl every day and not feel something her.
“But I would never have sex with Lucas,” she tells me and shudders at the thought.
I sigh. “Don’t make me feel worse than I already do, Jay. I know I messed up, but it wasn’t just me. It was Chelsea, too. I’m only telling you this because I don’t want any more drama to come between us.”
“Well, I don’t like her, and she’d be wise to keep her hands and her lips off my man.”
I smile, standing from the bench and holding out my hand. “Come on. Let me take you to lunch.”