Page 11 of Laying it Bare Backstage

“I really appreciate that. I want them to look into last night’s incident as well.” Teak gave me a small smile. “Did maintenance report the incident to the security at the arena?”

“No. We did. And they did take down some information. And one of the guys searched the lot for anything suspicious, but the person must have taken off right after.” After being pulled out of bed this morning before I was ready; the rollercoaster of emotions from the abrupt change of who I was having coffee with; this unsettling incident; and the fact I was still reeling a bit over last night’s episode, I was exhausted. So drained in fact, I didn’t realize I had sagged into Teak’s side until his arm wrapped tighter around my waist.

“Well, we’ll have them talk to those guys from last night after they are finished here with you. And once someone tows your car off to Simon, I’m taking you to my place to relax.”

“I can’t impose on you like that. You have writing to do. And ...” I trailed off and gave him my own small smile. “I’m your girlfriend so why wouldn’t that be something normal to do. I just wasn’t ready for all of this today.” First, I didn’t think I’d ever see him again and second, I was trying to forget about what had happened in the parking lot last night. But I couldn’t help relating it to this incident, which made my stomach sick.

Ivy pulled me over to the side and surprisingly lowered her voice. “I see the little bit of uncertainty on your face. He’s not another Mick. And if it turns out I’m wrong, but it’s one hundred percent unlikely, I’ll mess him up good.” She gave me a goofy grin. “I see that breakfast went as perfect as I had hoped and knew it would. Just roll with it. You know I never liked Mick. But I really think Teak is pretty awesome. The little bit I talked with him last night and just from talking with Ascher, I’m really sure that what you see is what you get with him.”

“I kinda agree with you. It’s just going to take a little bit for the effects of that shitty relationship to completely go away.” But I couldn’t deny she made a lot of sense.

We walked back over to the guys.

Teak gave me a brief puzzled look, but then smiled and tucked me into his side again. “You work from home and many times I work from home. Just think of it like that. And I don’t mind knowing you’re hanging out at my place while I’m writing. It might even spark my creativity and help me come up with lyrics.” He nodded at Ascher. “Are you guys going to hang out at your place or something?”

“I’m sure we can come up with something.” Ivy winked up at him.

And he growled.

“Oh dear God.” I rolled my eyes. But not surprised in the least.

“What? You need some ideas there, Serenity?” She shot me an impish grin.

“No. You keep your suggestions to yourself. Although I’m sure I’ll hear all the sordid details unless I can find a way to shut you up.”

“Good idea. I can then let you know which one is best.”

“You’ve got a great friend right there.” He kissed the top of my head again as a laugh rumbled in his chest.

“You just wait. You’ve just met her.”

After the police came and asked questions and gathered some information; I handed the guy from the garage my key; and the tow truck pulled away with my car. Ivy and Ascher walked down the sidewalk toward his ride and Teak led me over to his SUV. The drive to his place was quiet, but not uncomfortable. On the contrary, I was getting way too comfortable too quickly, but deep down I truly believed that Ivy was right and he wasn’t going to turn into another Mick. Keeping that in mind, I had to find a way to allow myself to feel what I was going to feel and stop sabotaging myself.

About thirty minutes later, we pulled up to a gate and Jasper reached out the front window to tap in a code. Then he pulled up the driveway and parked beside another SUV.

After the three of us hopped out, Teak thanked Jasper and the guy climbed into his own vehicle and headed down to the gate.

Teak grabbed my hand in his as we walked up to his porch.

“I would have pictured you living in a secluded area away from everyone. Although this seems like an area that wouldn’t get too much other traffic. And I’m sure the fence and tall bushes deter most.” I glanced around his quaint little home.

“It does a pretty good job.” A strange expression flitted across his face, but was gone before I could read too much into it. Yet the glimpse validated what my gut was screaming at me about the twosupposedlyunrelated incidents with my car. I shoved it aside for now. My curiosity about his home captivated my attention at the moment. It didn’t look like he lived like a mega star. He didn’t even own an outrageous sports car, at least that I could tell.

Once he unlocked his door and the two of us stepped inside, he tapped a code into the keypad. “Is it what you expected?”

“Not really. I would think big time stars would have homes that are ostentatious, but the more I think about it, you aren’t at all what I expected.” I dropped my purse on a small table right inside.

“Is that good or bad?” He shot me a boyish grin. He knew my answer.

“Definitely a good thing.” His kitchen was updated and had nice stainless steel appliances, dark cupboards, white counter tops, and a light wood bar that separated it from his living room. But it wasn’t over the top. A black leather couch and matching love seat and recliner occupied his living room along with a coffee table and an end table with a lamp. An enormous flat screen hung on the opposite wall. But he was a guy. If he didn’t have one of those, I would have definitely revoked his man card.

“I’ll show you the rest of the place.” My hand still in his, he tugged me down the hallway and pointed inside the first room on the left. “My spare bedroom is used for storage and my office.I don’t really use my desk. Most of the time, I lounge on that overstuffed chair to write my lyrics.”

I smiled up at him. Yeah, he was not at all like I had expected. Although after listening to his music over the last five years, maybe I really wasn’t all that surprised. Then I spied a guitar propped in the corner of the room. “I should have suspected you played some sort of instrument.”

“I play guitar and keyboard.”

“You don’t have a keyboardist in your band.”

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