Page 95 of Falling for the Rockstar

I peer from under the covering, look at him for a brief second, before returning to my previous position. “What do you think?” I ask.

“The show went great, I think. Don’t you?”

“It was a blast,” I add dryly. I know he is beating around something. He always tries to have a pleasant conversation when there is something serious, he wants to ask or say. “What’s on your mind, Sebastian?”

“Why don’t you just fucking call her? Get it over with and out of your system. I know you want to.”

My body tenses. I have grown tired of these roundabout conversations regarding my feelings, and I’ve reached my boiling point. I stand, clenching my fists so tight, I can feel my pulse. “Don’t you think I have? I’ve been trying for weeks now, and it has turned up fruitless. It’s clear she wants nothing to do with me. After the way I treated her, I don’t blame her. So, I wish you and everyone else would just bugger off and leave me the fuck alone.” I storm out of the dressing room over to the loo, pacing the floor incessantly. I force my breath through my nose in short huffs and mentally weigh my options. I could leave and go get pissed or do what everyone expects me to and go off on a bender. At this point, either of them sound like a way to escape the gazes from everyone else. I pull my phone from my pocket and schedule an Uber driver. No matter what my plans are, I know it will not be safe for me to do the driving.

With the service en route, I grab my things from the dressing area without even so much as uttering a word to anyone. I just repel their curious stares and exit through the backdoor among a crowd of adoring fans. I sign a few autographs and allow them to take some snaps for personal use.

“Simon, we love you,” one fan screams.

“Simon, I’ll play with you,” another one adds. I give her a wink and a kiss on the cheek for using one of our song titles as her plea to get my attention.

Minion, our security detail immediately comes by my side, his face contorted with anger likely because I took off without warning.

Do I know better? Yes. Do I care? No.

“Lenny’s about to bust a gut with you tonight, Ashton. You better get your head out your ass and feelings.” Minion is former military, so I do not dare to go up against the six-foot-four muscular man and his wishes, but I instead try to reason with him.

“Look, bro. I just need to go let off some steam. I will be fine, trust me.”

The Uber driver with tinted windows and security enforced glass pulls up and I climb in, lowering the window once he closes the door.

“Tell Lenny I will call him in about fifteen minutes to let him know where I am. Promise.” I glance towards the exit door of the arena and take notice of Sebastian, Mikey, and Andy leaving with their girlfriends or dates in the case of Mikey.

They look in my direction as the SUV pulls away and I flash them a thumbs up followed by flipping them the bird before raising the heavily tinted glass.

“Where to, Mr. Ashton?” the driver asks.

“To be honest with you, mate, I have no idea.”

* * *

MYKA

Since I left my office earlier, I have been working nonstop on the new client’s promotional material. This time it’s an all-girl pop group and a welcome change. I couldn’t stomach being in my office any longer, especially with all the buzz about the concert tonight. Part of me wants to go and be supportive of the others, not to mention I made a promise to Sebastian. The other part wants to be under Simon after the show. The feel of his sweaty skin against mine or the taste of his salty sweat as I lick his neck. The attraction to him is still strong even after all this time we’ve been apart.

Brianna did stream the concert to me so I could see the turnout. I was only able to watch about two minutes before I disconnected. I didn’t feel like dredging up memories or even critiquing what the new PR had done wrong. I’ve kept myself busy ever since. But now it's time to eat, shower, and sleep. I place an order online for food, seeing how I didn’t take anything out when I left this morning or when I came home. Since I’m still in my feelings, there is nothing like comfort food to make me all better. I order a large pepperoni pizza and some wings. I have a bottle of wine for my beverage, and I think I will treat myself to a Netflix and chill evening. I even have half a pint of ice cream for dessert. After I stow my work computer in my bag, I go to the bathroom, start my bath, and drop a honey and brown sugar bath bomb into the water. I plan on taking a very long soak until my food arrives.

I pull out my spa robe and slippers and place them on the rack I have next to my oversized tub. A few swipes on my phone and my streaming music service is now coming through my Bluetooth speaker in the bathroom. Using the do not disturb feature on my phone, I dim the lights, undress, and step down into a hot bath of comfort. My body eases with the first touch of the water on my skin. I sink in farther, dipping my head under for a few seconds then rising back above the surface. I take a few deep breaths, slowly exhaling each time, allowing the day to wash away, then lean my head against the pillow, close my eyes, and let the scene take me away. The only thing missing is candles, but I’m not celebrating anything special, like an anniversary or a birthday, or even a promotion. Who knows when or if those moments will ever happen for me.

At the rate I’m going, my next companion will be a pet. I did see a little schnauzer on the SPCA website. Maybe I’ll go adopt him this weekend, that’s about the only way I can keep a man in my love life. Who am I kidding? I won’t be able to care for a pet. I’m always gone so I can’t walk him, wouldn’t be able to feed him, and my place would be a mess. I’d have to hire someone to be a surrogate fur momma. And just like that, there goes the pet idea. The temperature of the water cools down signaling bath time is over. I begrudgingly get up, grab my towel to dry off, and put on my robe. After draining the water from the tub, I go to my living room to find a movie to put me to sleep after my food coma kicks in. I settle on a rom-com and press the play button when I’m interrupted by a knock.

“Delivery,” the person on the other side announces.

“Just a minute.” I grab some cash from my purse for a tip then saunter to the entrance to unlock and open the door.

“Here you—.” I freeze in my tracks. My mouth opens slightly, and my breath catches while butterflies find a home in my stomach. Part of me wants to close the door and banish him, but I can’t. Recovering, I take a few steps back and look at him with a sideways glance.

“Simon? What are you doing here?” I ask, my voice shaky.

“It would appear that I am delivering your food,” he responds.

I stare at him, taking in the sight that is before me. From his still damp hair to his bare chest showing all of his tats. I think back to when I would outline each marking with my tongue, and he would reciprocate by doing the same to me. He loves the one down my side. His green eyes sparkle under the light of my entryway, and his leather pants can barely hold his own excitement.

I shake my head as if to erase my thoughts and restate my question. “Again Simon, what are you doing here?”

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