Page 57 of For Eva

I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at the ceiling to avoid looking at her bare tits.

Joe darted in front of me to the chair where the woman’s crumpled red dress lay and handed it to her. “You have to go now,” he said as he grabbed his own clothes and pulled on his jeans, nearly tumbling over in the process.

I stepped to the side as she made her way to the dresser and picked up her purse, along with the stack of money beside it.

“Tell Eric thanks for the tip,” she said, raising her eyebrows at Joe as her faded red lips curled into a seductive smile.

Joe nodded quickly as she sauntered out of the room.

“Tip?” I asked, unfolding my arms and placing my hands on my hips.

Joe sat in the chair where the woman’s dress had been and ran his hands down his face.

“Fuck, Eva. I didnotmean for this to happen.”

“Didn’t mean forwhatto happen?”

He sighed and ran his hand around the back of his neck. “Eric, he, uh…he was bored sitting in the hotel room and suggested we call up some girls.”

I clenched my jaw. “Girls…as in ones youpay for?”

He nodded slowly, chewing his lip.

I threw my hands in the air. “What the fuck, Joe? You were supposed to be watching out for him!”

“I thought it was totally harmless,” he said, his voice shaking. “It would keep him in the room, out of trouble…but they had some pills and I took one like a fucking idiot. Next thing I know, you’re knocking on the door, and Eric’s gone.”

“Christ,” I grumbled, closing my eyes and rubbing my temples.

“I amsosorry, Eva. Tell Keith and the guys I’ll turn the city upside down looking for him.”

“The show istonight, Joe.There are over a million people in this city. You think you can just go find him and have him back here in time to get him on stage?”

He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Fuck me. I’m so fucking fired.”

I dropped my arms to my sides and sighed. “Look, I don’t know what Keith will do, but I’ve got to go tell him Eric’s taken off to…somewhere.So, put your shirt on and go look for him if you want. I’ll be in Keith’s room if you find him,” I added, opening the door.

“Excuse me, are you with Counting Backward?”

The voice practically caused me to jump out of my skin as the door shut behind me. I turned my head to see a tall brunette standing beside me holding a notepad and pen in her hand.

“What? Why?”

She poised the pen over the pad. “I’m withInsidermagazine, and we’d love to get some commentary on the accusations Eric Stratton’s stepfather is leveling.”

I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head. “What are you talking about? I can’t…I’m not commenting on anything to do with Eric’s family.” I stepped around her and started down the hallway toward Keith’s room.

“Are you sure?” she asked, following on my heels. “Because this is pretty serious. Steve Anderson is saying he reached out to Eric multiple times asking for help with Eric’s mother’s cancer treatments, but he refused, and she passed away in July.”

I stopped abruptly and turned my head. “Eric’s mother’s not—Wait, what name did you say?”

“Steve Anderson.”

My stomach dropped as I stared past the reporter. The name from the fax the label had sent me. The one I’d given Eric on the rooftop in Cleveland.

“I, uh…I’m not commenting on that,” I said.

Her eyes widened, sensing she had roused something inside of me. I quickly turned and continued down the hall.

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