Rock Chick Redemption (Rock Chick #3)(104)

“She and I went out twice. She was the friend of the girlfriend of a buddy of mine in the Force. If I remember, she was painful y shy, but sweet, and on her way to some job in New Mexico.”

Shit.

Shit, shit, shit.

“I thought she was an ex-girlfriend,” I told him.

“She never made it that far and wouldn’t have. I was doin’ a friend a favor and even if it makes me sound like a bastard, I’l tel you I only did it knowin’ she was soon gonna move to another state.”

Oh shit. I thought.

“Damn,” I muttered aloud, feeling like a total bitch. It must have taken al she had to walk into Fortnum’s. I looked at Hank. “I’l go talk to her,” I told him.

“No, you’ve done enough. I’l take her out to lunch and I’l pick you up from Tod’s when you’re done tonight. When we get home, we’re gonna have a conversation and put this shit to rest, once and for al .”

I didn’t like the sound of that.

“Hank –” I started.

“I don’t want you goin’ to Tod’s with anyone but Tex, Duke, Lee or one of his boys. Got me?”

His eyes were glittering angry and I had the feeling he was barely keeping his temper in check.

I nodded.

The sleeping tiger had awoken and I was not about to prod him with a stick.

He stared at me angrily.

I bit my lip.

Then, I couldn’t help myself, I hated that he was angry with me. I put my hand on his chest and leaned into him.

“I’m so sorry,” I said.

“You can apologize later, after we’ve talked, when you’re na**d and in my bed.”

Holy cow.

“Hank –”

He put a hand to my neck and tipped his head down to get in my face. “Roxanne, now’s a good time to be quiet.” Shit.

He was stil angry.

And I felt like a total bitch.

I braced, getting ready for him to explode.

Then, to my complete surprise, his anger cleared, he gave me a light kiss and squeezed my neck affectionately.

“We’l talk later,” he said quietly.

Then he was gone.

I stood there, it could have been minutes, it could have been hours. I just stood there, looking at the space where Hank had been, not quite able to process how easy it was to fight with him. Even when he was that angry, he could shift it and kiss me good-bye.

My phone rang.

I pul ed it out of my back pocket, flipped it open and put it to my ear. “Hel o?” I said, expecting just about anyone; Annette, Indy, Daisy, anyone.

I should have looked before I answered because it wasn’t Annette, Indy, Daisy or anyone.

It was Bil y.

“I saw you walkin’ his f**kin’ dog with him, sittin’ in his goddamned lap in the car, kissin’ him, you f**king bitch.” My breath left me and I stood stock-stil .

“You’re gonna learn, Roxie. You’re gonna f**king learn.” Then he disconnected.

I kept the phone to my ear and stood frozen, continuing to stare into the space, unseeing, not breathing, scared stiff.

Bil y was watching me.

“A little help!” Uncle Tex yel ed from the front, jarring me out of my stupor.

I flipped the phone shut, shoved it into my pocket and shouted. “Coming!”

I’d think about it later. For now, I was protected, safe, the cameras were on me, even now. I was never alone. They’d find him before he could get to me. Vance was out there looking for Bil y and I knew Hank would keep me safe.

I realized what I’d just thought and closed my eyes.

Hank. I should tel him. I should tel Lee. I should tel someone.

I walked to the front and there were half a dozen customers at the coffee counter, two waiting to buy books.

“Girl, get the f**kin’ lead out!” Uncle Tex boomed.

I decided I’d tel Uncle Tex later. I’d think about Hank and my conversation later. I’d kick myself for what I did to poor Beth later.

I walked to the book counter and rang up the books.

Chapter Twenty-Two

The Good Lord Overwhelms Her on Occasion

“What do you think, Roxie?” Tod asked.

I looked up and noticed everyone was watching me; Indy, Al y, Daisy, Annette, Tod, Stevie and Jet. My mind had been elsewhere, mainly because I’d just lived the weirdest f**king day of my life.

Now, I was sitting, drinking a glass of sparkling wine in Tod and Stevie’s living room (black carpeting, dove gray wal s, mauve furniture, glass tables, sleek, feminine, stark white, human-sized sculptures here and there, it was total y g*y and cool as shit). The Emergency Wedding Summit was in ful swing.

Strewn everywhere were fabric swatches and ribbons of every color; wedding magazines from four different countries; examples of party favors; glossy brochures from wedding venues; information pamphlets for different bands and DJs; invitation samples; and lining the dining room table, were seven (seven!) wedding cake tops ranging from the traditional bride and groom to a teddy bear bride and groom. The Wedding Planner Scrapbook was open on the glass coffee table, bursting with even more stuff then it seemed to carry the day before.

Discussion had been hot and heavy: starting with wedding colors and then veering crazily to wedding gowns, churches, bands, you name it. Indy had a definite idea of what she wanted and every idea she had clashed violently with the one Tod had.