“Jen Elliott, right?”
I give Caleb a questioning look. “Yes?”
“I caught your set. Dean was smart to bring you aboard. I look forward to working with you.”
I cross my arms. “And you are?”
“Oh, forgive me.” He plasters on a smile and extends his hand. “Caleb Jackson. I work for Snare Records.”
I shake his hand to be polite. “I thought Dean hadn’t signed with a label.”
“He hasn’t. Not yet. But we’re interested. If the tour goes well, I think we can offer him a pretty sweet deal.”
“I wouldn’t know anything about that,” I say. “I’m just here to play.”
Caleb tilts his head toward me. “I like your attitude.”
Latson presses his hand firmly against my back to get me moving and I nod goodbye to Caleb. As we walk toward the sliding doors that lead to the seating, Latson says, “If Dean signs with that asshole I’ll kill him.”
I glance back at Caleb who’s now talking with Roxanne. “Why?”
Latson’s hard eyes meet mine. “Caleb is Levi’s brother.”
Chapter Twenty One
Lying on my side, I prop my head against my hand and stare at Latson. He’s sleeping on his back with the starchy white hotel sheets pushed to his waist. My eyes roam upward, over his bare chest, his face, and his arm that’s slung over his head against the pillow. He looks peaceful and content, a far cry from what he was last night. I thought after we left the concert and got away from the record people he would relax. He didn’t. He seemed just as stressed during Ariel’s after party.
I wanted to talk about what was bothering him, but the Ritz wasn’t the place. The atmosphere was too loud and too busy; there were people everywhere. Dancers, friends, band members, crew, roadies, and, of course, Heidi. Avoiding her death stare was impossible whenever she was in the same room. When we left the party and got back to my hotel, I could tell how tense Latson was by the way he kissed me and the way his hands roamed my skin. He was rough and demanding, which I didn’t mind because I’ve missed him and I wanted him as much as he wanted me. As time passed, the more tender he became. Before we fell asleep he was back to the sweet, teasing, unhurried Latson I remember.
Without warning, his eyes open and he blinks a few times. “Hey.” He starts to smile but ends up covering a yawn. “I felt you staring.”
“You did? How?”
“It’s a side effect of living with a kid.” He reaches for me and I slide over, winding myself around his body. “If I’m asleep and Oliver’s awake, he’ll stare at me until I wake up, too. It’s like a sixth sense.”
I remember staring at my sleeping parents when I was young, especially around the holidays. “I used to do that. My brothers would always send me into our parent’s bedroom because I was the youngest. I finally put a stop to it when I was twelve. I mean, Pete was eighteen for crying out loud.”
Latson laughs.
“What’s so funny?”
“I can imagine your little determined face.”
“Well …” I drift off. “My brothers had to grow up sometime. I know they were excited about Christmas morning, but come on.”
Latson squeezes me in a one-armed hug. “I started to get excited about Christmas again after my sister died. I wanted to make the first one special for O. Now, I get just as excited as he does. There’s something to be said for playing the man in red.”
I never thought about it that way before. I’ve never been around a kid to surprise on Christmas, and my eyes light up. “Can I help this year? I can be an elf.”
He scrutinizes me. “Hmmm. You’re a little tall and your ears aren’t very pointy. I guess it depends on how you look in green tights.”
I shove his chest. “You know I can totally rock green tights.”
He smiles and leans down to kiss me. “I’m sure you can.”
When he settles back against the pillow, I snuggle closer to his side. “I’m glad you’re in a better mood. I don’t like it when you’re grumpy.”
He exhales with a heavy sigh. “I didn’t want to see any of those people last night. I only wanted to spend time with you.”
My face falls. I should have realized the environment would be difficult for him. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have dragged you where you didn’t want to go.”
He runs the tips of his fingers up and down my back. “Don’t apologize. I shouldn’t have let things get to me. Last night was your night.”
I give him a tiny smile, and he pushes my hair behind my ear. “So. You’ve been christened. First show, first suite, first after party. You’re officially a rock star.”
I laugh. I’m not, but I felt like one. “You were right. Nothing compares to performing. I’m glad you talked me into it.”
He shakes his head. “You would have done it regardless. Pete or Jules would have convinced you. Or your parents. Have you talked to them? What do they think?”
“They sounded thrilled over the phone. They’re planning to come to the last show, since the tour ends in Detroit. You should come, too, and meet them.”
Latson’s brow jumps. “You want me to meet your parents?”
“Well, yeah. I’ve already met your dad.”
He’s silent as he studies me.
“What?”
“I’m a tattooed ex-musician raising his nephew. What are they going to think?”
“They’re going to think you’re stepping in for the father Oliver never had.” I push my body up and partially over him, so we’re face to face. “They’re also going to realize you employ my brother, who makes a decent living. I guarantee they’re going to think I’m happy and you’re amazing.”
A slow smile spreads across his lips before they’re inches from mine. “In that case,” he kisses me, “I’ll definitely meet your parents.”
“You will?” I whisper. The thought gives me butterflies. “I guess this means we’re serious, then.”
“Were we ever not?” His hands slide down my back and find the bottom of my shirt. They slip underneath and start to trace my spine. “The minute I saw you dancing I was serious about you.”
“No.” I smirk. “You were horny. There’s a difference.”
He laughs. “Is that why you think I asked you to work for me?”
“No. You needed me because I have mad bartending skills.”
His eyes light up and he shakes his head no. My mouth falls open. “I do have mad bartending skills!”
“You do. But my real motivation …” He stops following my spine and removes his hands from beneath my shirt. He runs them up into my hair, cradling the back of my head. “My real reason was to get close to you. I had to find a way to spend time with you, to get to know you.”
I study his chocolate brown eyes and my heart pounds. “Let me guess. Next you’re going to tell me you lost Oliver at the aquarium on purpose.”
“Hell, no. Running into you there was a coincidence. A very lucky coincidence.”
“You’re telling me,” I say. “I think O stole my heart the minute I heard his little voice. If he had asked the wrong person for help …”
I shudder at the thought before Latson pulls me close. “I think fate stepped in that day.”
“Or maybe it was Audrey.”
I hadn’t thought of the possibility until now, and Latson’s expression softens. “I wouldn’t put it past her.”
I smile before his lips gently brush over mine. Before we can take things further, my phone sounds with a reminder.
“Ugh,” I groan. “I have to get moving.”
“What’s on the schedule for today?”
I roll off him and on to my back, reaching for my cell. “Brunch with Roxanne. She wanted to get together after the first show to discuss any changes.”
“Are you meeting anyone else?”
I silence the reminder. “The guys will be there. Why?”
“Not Caleb?”
“No, not that I’m aware of. Last night was the first time I’d ever heard of him.” I sit up and set my phone back on the table next to Oliver’s drawing. “He really gets under your skin, doesn’t he?”
Latson scrubs his face with the palm of his hand. “Yeah. He does.”
I pull my legs beneath me and adjust my expression, to let him know I’m waiting for an explanation. He rolls his eyes.
“I told you Caleb is Levi’s brother.”