Chapter 34
Aurora – a woman who’s about to blow a rockstar’s life apart
Aurora
I sigh as I cross the border into Winter Falls. Despite being the personal assistant of Cash the Sinners, I haven’t visited the town yet. I prefer to keep away from certain members of the band.
I glance down at my stomach. I guess that ship has sailed now.
I notice the sign for The Inn on Main, the only place to stay in town, and turn left into the parking lot. I’m surprised how few cars there are considering the owner said the only room available was a suite.
Whatever. It doesn’t matter. My boss – Mike the band manager – is paying for the room anyway. I convinced him I need to be in Winter Falls since the band has settled here.
I walk to the entrance of the bed and breakfast. It’s cute. What I’ve seen of the town thus far is cute. I can understand why the band wanted to settle here.
Except Jett. He’s not going to settle anywhere as boring as a small town. His words. Not mine.
I enter through the front door and scan the area. It’s as adorable as the outside. The entry is wide with a small reception desk off to the side. To the other side is an entry into a cozy looking sitting room. In front of me is a small seating area with cookies and coffee.
I eye the cookies and my stomach rumbles in response.
“Help yourself,” the woman at the reception desk says. “I’ll be with you in a minute.”
In that case … I study the cookies. There is a variety. Chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and something with nuts. I pick up an oatmeal raisin. Oatmeal is healthy, isn’t it?
I bite into the cookie and moan. Holy cow this is yummy.
The receptionist giggles. “I have the same reaction whenever I eat a cookie from Bake Me Happy.”
“This cookie can bake me happy anytime.”
“I’m Ellery, the owner of The Inn on Main, and you must be Aurora.”
She holds out her hand and I wipe the cookie crumbs on my shirt before shaking hers.
“Sorry, I’ve been driving for days.”
“You’re fine.” She glances around me. “Where’s your luggage?”
“In the car, I didn’t feel up to dragging it inside.”
“Let me show you to your room and then I’ll have someone deal with your luggage.”
Her words are music to my ears. I’ve been schlepping my suitcases in and out of motels for three days. I’m ready to spend more than eight hours in one place.
We climb two sets of stairs before we reach the attic.
Ellery opens the door to the only room on this floor. “The executive suite. It’s my favorite room. The bathroom is through there. You have a bathtub and a separate shower. You’ll find extra bedding in the closet but with the fireplace you should be warm enough.”
Fireplace? I somehow missed the large fireplace across from the bed. There’s a comfy looking chair in front of it. This place is nearly as large as my apartment in San Diego. It’s definitely nicer.
“You said you’d be working while here?”
I nod.
“There’s free Wi-Fi and if you need anything printed, let me know. There’s also a kitchenette but breakfast is included in your nightly rate.”
The kitchenette isn’t much. A two-burner stove next to a sink with a cupboard above it. It’ll do for now.
“You can also eat at the diner or the brewery. They’re both open for lunch and dinner.”
I won’t be eating at the brewery, but a local small town diner sounds good. “Thank you.”
“I’ll leave you to settle in. I’ll have your luggage sent up.”
I cross to the bay window with its view over the town. Main Street stretches out in front of me. There aren’t any cars on the road but I didn’t expect any. Not after the amount of times Jett complained about the ‘crazy environmental rules’ in Winter Falls.
Stores line the street. Judging by the names I can read – Naked Falls Brewing and Electric Vibes to name a few – the town is as quirky as I expected.
I rub a hand over my stomach. I’d love to settle down in a small town. I have no desire to remain in San Diego where I can barely afford my rent and don’t know my neighbors.
A large group of people are gathering near several long tables set up around the square. I wonder what’s happening.
“Knock! Knock!” Ellery hollers before entering and placing my suitcases next to the door.
“Do you know what’s going on?” I point outside to the town square.
“It’s a town celebration.”
“To celebrate what?”
She frowns. “You’re not a reporter, are you?”
I bark out a laugh. “Nope. And I hate paps more than you do.” I clear my throat. “I’m actually the personal assistant for Cash the Sinners. It’s why I’m here.”
I’m lying. I can easily do my work from a distance. I don’t need to be in town to cater to every whim the band has.
Ellery studies me. “How do I know you’re not lying and you’re actually one of the paps? We kick all of the paps out of town. No hotel refunds.”
I dig out my phone and scan my pics until I find one with me and the band. “This good enough?”
“Wow.” She says as she studies the picture. “They look young here.”
“It was during their first tour.” She hands my phone back to me and I scroll through the pictures to find a more recent one. “This was a few months ago.”
“You look hot with a guitar.”
“Too bad I can’t actually play one. I didn’t get a job at a managing firm as a gateway to fame. Mike hired me because I don’t take crap from anyone.” Including Jett, the supreme asshole of the universe.
Ellery smiles at me. “Good for you.” She motions to the window. “The celebration is for Gibson. He got out of rehab today.”
“Today?” I consult my agenda. “He’s not supposed to get out for another five days. Shit. I need to speak with him.”
I grab my coat from the bed where I threw it. “This job never ends.”
“Tell me about it,” Ellery mutters.
I say my good-byes and hurry out of the inn and down Main Street to where the party is happening. I roll my eyes. I don’t think a party is a good way to celebrate being sober but what do I know?
I scan the area for Gibson but my gaze gets stuck on Jett. He’s not alone.
My mouth gapes open at the vision in front of me. Jett is playing with a girl. I’d guess she’s around thirteen. As I watch, the girl touches him and yells You’re it. Jett bounds away but stops after a few steps to make sure she can keep up.
I rub my eyes. I must be seeing things. The Jett I know absolutely does not want anything to do with children. It’s why I’ve kept things secret from him.
I’ll deal with him later. Gibson is my current priority. I spot him making out with a woman on the sidewalk. She must be Mercy.
I’ve been looking forward to meeting her. Too bad our first meeting will involve me yelling at her boyfriend for busting out of rehab early.
I march toward them.
“What the hell?” Jett’s shout has me stopping in my tracks. “What are you doing here? Are you stalking me?”
“Wow. How big is your ego? I’m not stalking you. I’m the PA for the band or did the bump on your head give you amnesia.”
The rest of the band and their partners gather around us. Awesome. An audience.
“You won’t be the PA any longer if I have anything to do with it,” Jett grumbles.
I throw my arms in the air. “Not this again. How many times are you going to try and get me fired?”
He doesn’t respond. Probably because he’s too busy staring at my bump.
“Are you pregnant?”
I place a protective hand over my stomach.
“You are. It better not be fucking mine,” he says and stalks off.
My breath catches and tears well in my eyes. I knew he wouldn’t handle my being pregnant with his baby well, but this is worse than anything I could have imagined.
I whirl around and rush away. I can’t deal with the sympathy from the rest of the band now.