“And?”
“Levi was in her suite. I knew there were only two things they could be doing: lines or fucking. Neither of which Oliver needed to see.”
My eyes grow wide. Hopefully he showed up in time. “You were fighting with her because you cared about her. Not to provoke her.”
Latson sets his jaw. “I knew she was unstable.”
“Your heart was in the right place.”
“I stormed out.”
“You were pissed.”
“If I had stayed she might still be alive.”
“You don’t know that.”
“My father thought so. He said I killed her.”
Defeated, I let my shoulders sag. “I don’t understand how your father could accuse you of anything.”
Seconds pass before Latson takes a deep breath and reaches for me. “You know we never saw eye to eye on music,” he says as I settle into his side. “My dad was angry about a lot of things, and when he found out that I left Audrey after an argument, he said some really shitty stuff to get to me. When I got custody of Oliver, I cut him off.”
“Until now,” I say against his chest.
“No. Not until now. Until you.”
I look up at him, confused.
“My dad pulled me aside when you were admitted to the hospital.” He pushes my hair back from my forehead. “He tried to apologize and blame grief for his actions. I ignored him. I told him it was two years too late, asked him to take care of you, and left.”
I can tell his father’s words made an impact. “But you still listened.”
“I’ve been thinking a lot about what he said.”
Propping myself on my elbow, I lean forward and kiss him. “I’m glad.” I hope things work out. If not for him, then for O.
I curve my body against his and, after minutes of silence, I start to fall asleep. Latson is tired too, and that’s okay. His presence alone is comforting. I feel warm and safe surrounded by him, and that thought makes me realize just how hard I’ve fallen for this man. We don’t have to do anything but be together, and I feel sated. Yes, he has some baggage and I hate the sad circumstances that brought him here tonight, but I’ll do whatever it takes to make him feel better. I once told him his hurts are mine. I still believe that.
“Jen?”
I look up at him. “Hmmm?”
“Do you think you could come to the funeral? I’d really like you to be there.”
“Of course. I’ll talk to Roxanne about it tomorrow. Whatever you need.”
Latson’s eyes lock with mine before he cradles the side of my face. He leans in slowly and gives me a tender kiss. “You,” he says. “I’m going to need you.”
~~~~
The following week, I pack a small bag to take to Chicago. The funeral is tomorrow, and I’ll be staying with Latson for two nights. Dean flew out ahead of me, to spend time with the family and attend his foster mother’s wake. The Union won’t be opening for Ariel in Atlanta because of our absence, but Dean and I will fly back together to pick up the tour in Nashville.
Opening the closet, I pull out the black dress Ariel helped me find. When I told her what had happened, she volunteered to go shopping with me for something appropriate. Being out in public with Ariel was a trip. She was in disguise, wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, but a few people still recognized her. Before we left the hotel, she told me she wanted to visit a few baby stores, but we never made it. Luckily the madness started after we found what I was looking for.
I hang the dress up in the bathroom, so I can remove any wrinkles with the steam from a hot shower. I start to get undressed when someone starts pounding on the door like the hotel’s on fire. I jump at the sound and race to open it.
You have got to be joking.
“I just wanted to let you know I’m back.” Heidi crosses her arms and a shoots me a superior look. “I talked to Caleb.”
My eyes narrow. I thought I ran the chance of running into her in Chicago, not Atlanta. My tone is acerbic. “I don’t even want to think about what you did to get into his good graces.”
I start to shut the door, but she slams her hand against the wood to stop me. “We’re having a party tonight to celebrate.”
“And?”
“You’re not invited.”
Does she think that hurts my feelings? I stare at her stupefied. “I’ll be sure to write that in my diary later.” I slam the door. Apparently, she feels vindicated. Fine. Whatever. Leave me alone.
When I get out of the shower, Roxanne is already tucked in bed, her face illuminated by her Kindle. I no more than tell her who’s back when I understand the reason Heidi brought up the party.
It’s happening in the room next to ours.
Loud music, laughter, and later, moans, filter into our room throughout the night. It’s impossible to sleep, no matter how hard we try. When Heidi starts to scream Caleb’s name, I’m fully aware of what she did – or will do – to stay on this tour. It’s pathetic.
“That’s it!” Roxanne jumps out of bed and rips the handset off the phone. “I’m calling the front desk!”
Like it will make a difference, I think. Not with Caleb involved. He’ll probably toss some extra record label cash at the manager and continue his sexcapades. I bury my head beneath the pillows as Heidi starts up again. Good God, she has to be faking by now.
As predicted, the complaint to the front desk yields zero results. It’s three a.m. and I have to get up in two hours. I’m dead tired and pissed as hell. It’s almost as if they’re doing this on purpose. I throw my blankets off and march to the door.
“Where are you going?” Roxanne sits up straight.
“To shut them up,” I snap.
I pound on their door like Heidi did earlier. It takes a few times before the noise stops. Satisfied, I start to walk away when the door opens. Caleb stands there, half-naked, holding a sheet around his waist.
“Would you two keep it down?” I hiss. “People are trying to sleep!”
“Jen.” He looks me over. “I didn’t know you were next door.”
“Does it matter? Just shut the hell up!” I start to walk away.
“Don’t leave.”
Against my better judgment, I turn around. “Did you get my flowers?” he asks.
He wants to discuss this now? I groan. “Yes. I gave them away. I don’t want anything from you, Caleb.”
Suddenly, Heidi appears behind him and shrieks, “You sent her flowers?”
“As an apology,” he says.
She starts to pummel him with her fists. “No! No no no no!” He tries to block her. “She can’t have you, too!”
“Calm down. Christ.” Caleb moves and tries to ward her off. “What is wrong with you?”
I hear the distinct sound of a door open across the hall. Fantastic, I think. We’re waking up the whole floor. “Guys!” I try to whisper-yell. “Knock it off!”
“You bastard!” Heidi continues to wail on Caleb’s chest, her red hair a tangled mess. “How could you?”
“Nothing’s going on!”
He lets go of his sheet to catch Heidi’s flying fists, and it falls to floor. Oh, Jesus. I slam my eyes shut, but not before getting a full view of Caleb’s naked ass. Their struggle stops and I hear, “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Watch me, asshole!”
A door slams and I open one eye. Caleb has been left in the hallway sans bed sheet. He faces the door, sets his hands on either side of the frame, and hangs his head. I can’t help but notice that’s not the only thing hanging.
My eyes find the ceiling and I sigh. “Would you like some help?”
He turns and faces me, covering himself with both hands. “Yes, please.”
We look at each other, and I try not to laugh. This is ridiculous. We’re standing a few feet apart and he’s totally naked. I’m wearing nothing but Latson’s t-shirt and my underwear.
“Come on.” I turn to walk the few steps back to my room. No one deserves to be Heidi’s victim, although he did bring it on himself by getting involved with her.
When I open the door, Roxanne sits up in bed. “What happened?”
“I stopped the sex.”
Caleb follows me into the room. “Hi.”
Roxanne’s eyes bug out of her head. “So you brought him over here for more?”
I shoot her an “oh, please” look. I open the closet, find an extra blanket, and toss it at Caleb.
“Thanks.” He catches it with one hand against his leg. “Can I use your phone?”