11. Jessica
Chapter 11
Jessica
I watch in confusion, my throat thick with tears as Harrison slams out of the bar.
Turning back to Shelley, I find her looking at me with one eyebrow raised.“Knocking boots with Harrison Tensly?”
There’s more to her words, but I barely know the woman, and I have no idea what just happened. The hurt and anger in Harrison’s eyes was devastating.
I want to go after him, demand to know what he’s talking about, but I’m at work. Shelley Mackie is interviewing me about the band and the fundraiser before interviewing Harmony and Mack later in the week.
Only now, I can’t focus on what we were talking about and Shelley is asking me loads of questions about Harrison.
My eyes narrow on her. “How do you know each other?”
Shelley smiles innocently. “I’m surprised he didn’t tell you. We were together a few years ago, but Harrison broke it off.”
Oh, shit. Has she lured me here in some sick attempt to get back with him? To get back at him? Harrison mentioned a relationship going bad—was it with Shelley? She seems so . . . cold. Not his type at all.
“He’s just been fired from the New York Ice Giants after they won the season. As his girlfriend, you must have some insight into that?”
Girlfriend? The word prickles my heart. I know we didn’t put a label on our relationship, but I thought we were something.
“I’m not here to talk about Harrison,” I say firmly, meeting her eyes head-on.
“So rumors of his celibacy aren’t true? He’s still sleeping around and breaking hearts everywhere he goes?”
What? That’s not the Harrison I know. The one who held me so tenderly, made me feel desired and gave me pleasure unlike anything I’ve experienced.
I grit my teeth. “Miss Mackie, can we get back to discussing the band? They’re working so hard, their new album is almost complete, and?—”
Shelley dismisses my words with a wave of her hand, her bracelets jangling.“People don’t care about that. But they do care about that .” She points toward the door Harrison slammed out of minutes ago.
“Then this interview is over,” I say between clenched teeth, rising to my feet.
“If you change your mind”—she places her card on the table—“you know where to reach me.”
I pick up the card and tear it in half, resisting the urge to slap her Botoxed face before turning my back and leaving the bar.
Outside, I suck in a breath. Then I begin to panic. We’re supposed to be promoting the upcoming album, something I’ve worked so hard on. And now it’s falling to pieces because Harrison threw a fit.He clearly has no respect for me if he thinks I’ve somehow betrayed him.
I close my eyes, fighting back the tears. I chose him. Wholeheartedly and without reservation. But he obviously doesn’t care about me if he so easily believes the worst of me.
I call his number, but it goes straight to voicemail. I end the call and try again with the same result. Next, I call Harmony.
“Hey, Jess. What’s up?” she greets. “We’re about to start practice.”
Guilt coils in my stomach. Of course, they’re working, and I’ve potentially ruined the promotional stuff for them.
“Nothing, it’s okay. I’ll catch you later. I’m on my way home.”
I hang up and quickly call an Uber. I have no idea how everything has gone so wrong so quickly.I steel my spine. If Harrison wants me, he can damn well grovel on his knees. I don’t deserve whatever that was back in the bar.
I make my way to the hotel. Even though I’ve been spending my nights with Harrison, I'm still checked in there. The memory of being in his arms twists the knife deeper into my heart.
The Uber is waiting once I’ve checked out. I climb into the backseat and lean my head back with a sigh.
Looks like my great love affair is over before it’s begun.
The Uber drops me at our place in the Catskills. The familiar sight of the house Mack had purpose-built brings a lump to my throat. I moved into the guest house when Mack and Harmony got together, giving them their privacy, although the house is huge. No way did I want to hear my brother and his wife getting frisky between the sheets.
I grab my bag and head into the main house to find Mack and Harmony.
Mack looks up from the copy of B-Side Magazine he’s reading with Harmony snuggled up at his side. “Here she is. Thought you were never coming back. How did the interview go?”
The wall holding back my tears cracks, and I break down.
“Jess? What the fuck?” Mack surges to his feet and approaches me. “Are you okay? Did something happen?”
“Yes. No. I don’t know,” I sob as he pulls me into a tight hug. “I went and Shelley was there and then Harrison came and she’s his ex and he thought I betrayed him so he stormed out and”—I pause, sucking in a breath—“and I love him!”
Mack gapes at me, trying to make sense of my rambling. His gaze moves helplessly to Harmony as she moves to stand next to him.
Harmony touches his arm. “I love you, but I need you to leave.”
“What do you mean, leave?” he demands, confusion crinkling his forehead. “I wanna know why the fuck my sister’s heart is breaking. If that fucker has hurt her?—”
“Mack,” Harmony says calmly, cupping his face. “We need girl time. Trust me on this.”
Her touch calms him a little, and he blows out a breath. “Okay, but I want details once you’re done. I need to know whose face I’m rearranging.”
His words almost make me laugh—my fiercely protective brother. There have been times when that protectiveness has frustrated the hell out of me, but at this moment, I feel lucky to be so loved.
“What’s going on, sweet?” Harmony asks softly once he’s left, leading me to the sofa.
“I had sex with Harrison. Lots of sex. Amazing sex,” I say, swiping at my tears.
Harmony’s mouth twitches. “And . . . that’s not a good thing?” she asks tentatively.
“Oh, no, it was great. Out of this world. But then Harrison turned up while Shelley Mackie was interviewing me, and he flipped out, accused me of selling him out, whatever that means. I knew he had a relationship go bad. Turns out it was with her. But I don’t understand why he was so angry and said I sold him out. I tried to call him but kept getting his voicemail. So I checked out of the hotel and came home. I won’t be treated that way, no matter how much I love him.”
“Shit,” Harmony breathes, her expression sympathetic.
“Yeah,” I sigh.
Harmony falls quiet for a minute before speaking. “If he truly feels anything for you, he’ll fight to keep you. And if he does, give him a chance to explain. Remember what happened with Mack and me when I overheard his conversation and thought he considered me a burden?”
I nod, remembering it clearly. Harmony heard one side of a conversation and jumped to conclusions, resulting in a panic attack.
“But this is different. Harrison was right in front of me. The hurt and disgust in his eyes were aimed right at me,” I say tearily, knowing I’ll never forget how he looked at me. Like I’d betrayed him in the worst possible way.
“All I’m saying is that crossed wires and poor communication cause so many issues in a relationship. I’m not defending him or condoning his actions, but he must have his reasons for reacting how he did. And if he cares, he’ll want to put things right. And if he doesn’t, count it as a lucky escape.”
“What about the interview?” I ask miserably. “I tore up her card and walked out on her. I’ve ruined your promotional interview.”
Harmony shakes her head. “No, you haven’t. Shelley Mackie doesn’t dictate our success, and I’ll make a formal complaint about her. Kat Jennings from B-Side Magazine has always been our journalist of choice. She’s fair and honest. Shelley Mackie can go fuck herself.”
My eyes widen at Harmony’s words. She’s not one to lose her shit, and hearing her do so now makes me snort with laughter. “You’re an amazing friend and sister-in-law, you know that?”
“Ditto,” Harmony says, hugging me tightly. “I’m here for you, sweet. I’m sure it’s all a misunderstanding.”
I heave a sigh. This isn’t a misunderstanding I can fix because I’ve done nothing wrong. Harrison never gave me a chance. And that’s what hurts the most.