Then There Was You(108)

I walked into the kitchen with Jeremy following close behind.

“You didn’t tell us how fucking hot she is,” he hissed. I didn’t know I was obligated to.

“Watch it, now,” I teased, opening the fridge.

“No, seriously,” he said in a hushed tone. “So, this is the counselor? The juvie counselor?”

“Yes,” I whispered harshly, then called out to Salem, “Coke or Sprite?”

“Coke, please,” she answered. Thankfully she was far enough away that she couldn’t hear the ramblings of my asshole band mates.

Turning back to the refrigerator to grab a can, Tommy leaned over the open door.

“So, this is your fucking juvie counselor?” His voice was low, like I was doing something dirty.

I shrugged, annoyed that this was such a big deal. “Yes. Why is this such a hard concept to understand?”

“Because we expected her to be ancient, not sexy as hell,” he murmured, glancing in her direction as she stared out the window.

Asshole better watch it. “I told you guys, she was only twenty-four when I was almost eighteen. There wasn’t that much of an age difference. And besides, I already told you she was smokin’ hot.” Now back the fuck off.

“Yeah,” Jeremy looked wistfully her direction as she stared out the window. “We just didn’t expect her to be this…” He stopped himself before he got himself punched in the throat.

I flashed my best ‘back-the-hell-off’ look, and pushed past his stupid, horny ass to give Salem her soda, leaving them both gawking by the fridge, jealous as fuck.

“Thanks,” Salem said as I handed her the soda and gave her a quick peck on the lips. “Your band mates are nice.”

I glared back at the two dumbasses standing in the kitchen. “Yeah, for a couple of idiots, they’re not half bad.”

Jeremy and Tommy finally grew a set and joined us. As much as they drove me crazy, they were like my brothers. I couldn’t stay mad for long.

The rest of the evening went off without a hitch. We drank some beer, ordered a pizza, and played some cards. Salem fit in just like one of the guys, only a hell of a lot sexier.

I stole some glances and found my hand sliding up her thigh more than one time during the night.

I was glad the guys were finally able to meet her. While I didn’t really need their approval, I still smiled when Tommy gave me a wink on his way out the door and whispered, “You’re a lucky man.”

“Thanks bro,” I said, looking at the amazing woman standing next to me. “I think so too.”





I’d had a blast that night with Jeremy and Tommy. It was fun to see the guys bring out that side of Chris—the cut-loose, not-a care-in-the-world Chris. While the transition from traveling on tour to settling down and opening the recording studio had gone pretty smoothly, it was still stressful nonetheless. Chris needed that night to relax and unwind. The guys were an absolute hoot. They kept us both in stitches the whole time. I was already looking forward to their next visit.

The following night Chris and I kept it low key, choosing to stay at home and cook a homemade meal. After dinner was over and the kitchen had been cleaned, we were curled up on my sofa watching our favorite late night comedy show when my cell phone rang. The caller ID popped up on the screen.

“It’s Alexis,” I said, reaching for the phone.

Chris grabbed the remote to mute the sound on the television. A worried look came over his face. He knew she wouldn’t call unless there was a problem.

I’d always told Alexis she could tell me anything. We had the kind of relationship most mothers dreamed of having with their teenage daughters. I’d spent years trying to undo all the ugly thoughts I’d had when she was a baby while I was in the depths of my postpartum depression. Probably overcompensating for my guilt, I’d worked hard to build a firm mother/daughter bond. Once Alexis became a teenager we’d had discussion after discussion about her being able to come to me about anything. Ever. I just never expected that night would come so soon.

“Hello?” I answered, bringing the phone to my ear.

Alexis’s voice was hushed, but frantic. “Mom, can you come get me?”

Come get her? She was supposed to be at Olivia’s house. Why would she need me to come get her? Panic immediately welled up in my chest.

I switched our conversation to ‘speaker mode’ and laid the phone on the coffee table, scanning the room for my shoes. “Of course, honey. What’s wrong? Where are you? Where’s Olivia?” I pumped her for answers.

“Mom… I… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come here.”