The Rocker That Savors Me(13)

“Sorry. I just finished cleaning the bathrooms… Listen I need to talk to you about something.”

Her eyes darkened. “I told you it was going to be bad, Layla. Just tell me how much more you want.”

I stopped, taken aback. “No. No, that isn’t what I wanted to talk about.” She frowned but didn’t say anything so I went on. “You said that you wanted his bathroom done every other day, but I think it would be better on us all if I can get in there every day.”

“Oh.” She seemed surprised. “So you aren’t demanding more money?”

“No, of course not. I’ve cleaned worse things than that bathroom.” Much, much worse. “So is it okay?”

“If that’s what you think is best.”

I nodded. “It is… And is it okay if I change his sheets every day too?”

“Layla, I hired you to help me out around here. That doesn’t mean that you have to worry about Drake to that extent.” She didn’t sound irritated, just concerned for me. “I don’t want to overwork you.”

“Please?” I didn’t think I could stand the thought of Drake having to sleep on those sheets every night. They had been tossed every which way and the stench of sweat and fear had been worse than the actual smell of the vomit.

“I…” She was still frowning at me, but she nodded. “Okay. If it means that much, then you have free reign in Drake’s room. Clean what you think needs cleaning.”

“Thank you.” Her phone rang and I turned to go so that she could get back to doing whatever it was that she did.

“Layla?” she called after me as I started to close the door.

I stopped and looked back at her. “Yes?”

“Thank you. Drake is special…and he needs a little more TLC than the rest of them sometimes.” Her voice was choked and she blinked several times to keep the tears in her green eyes from falling. “So thank you.”

Before I could answer she picked up her phone. “I told you that I don’t want to have dinner with you and the bitch troll, Axton.”

I changed Drake’s sheets and pillow cases and put his comforter in the heavy duty washer. By the time I was done, his room smelled so much better. I didn’t understand what Emmie had meant by him being special, but I was glad that I could make him feel like he was.

It was almost six before I told Emmie that I was leaving. She was in the living room with a bowl of cereal. “Okay, thanks. Oh, tomorrow I want to show you the guest house. I meant to do it today but things got away from me. Have you talked to your sisters about it?”

“Yeah, they seem excited. Lana was worried about changing schools, but I assured her that she could use my car so that she wouldn’t have to.”

“I wouldn’t want to leave my friends either.” She put her empty bowl on the glass coffee table.

“That’s not it. I think she couldn’t care less about all of that. Mostly she was worried about all the extra classes she’s taking.” Emmie patted the sectional beside of her, and I dropped down on the edge. “She’s crazy smart, and I push her hard. She already has enough college credits from all the extra AP classes to start college as a sophomore. Her education is important to us both.”

“Wow. She sounds like a good girl.”

“She is. Lana has her head on straight.” I was proud of that girl. Even after all the shit our mother put her through she was still so strong and loving.

“Well, I can’t wait to meet her.” The front door opened without warning and in walked the band. She stood to greet them. “Hey!”

“Emmie, I’m starving.” Shane dropped a kiss on her cheek. “Tell me you made something that doesn’t have bacon on it.”

“I thought we could grill out on the patio. Burgers and hotdogs okay?”

“As long as it isn’t from a fast food place, that’s perfect.” He rubbed his hand over her distended belly lovingly before focusing on me. “Well hello there, beautiful.”

I couldn’t help but grin. I knew all about the reputation of Shane Stevenson. There didn’t come a bigger horn dog. This man was king of orgies, or so the trash magazines had said. “Hello.”

Emmie muttered something under her breath and shook her head. “Layla, since you are a fan I’m sure you know who this is. Shane, this is our housekeeper Layla Daniels. Our housekeeper, Shane. And her job does not include personal turn down services.”

He looked a little disappointed but still offered me his hand. “I love your name, Layla. I’m a huge Clapton fan.”