Chapter 36
Mercy – a woman forced to crazy lengths to help an uncle she never knew existed
Mercy
Come to the party.
I scowl down at the message. I have zero interest in attending a party with rockstars who think they’re gods.
Please.
I snort. He’s trying to manipulate me. Good luck with that.
You promised.
Crap on a cracker. I did promise.
I don’t know what I was thinking when I agreed to fake date Gibson, the rhythm guitarist for the world famous band Cash the Sinners.
The phone rings and Uncle Mercury yells, “Mercy! Answer the phone!”
Ah, yes. Now I remember. I didn’t even know I had an uncle a few months ago and now I’m living with him and going to crazy lengths to help him.
“Hello,” I answer the phone.
“Go on ahead to the party, Mercy. I’ll be there soon to look after your uncle.”
“Who is this?”
“It’s Cayenne.”
Her name doesn’t ring a bell.
“Do I know you?”
She sighs. “You should. Now, get to the party. You don’t want to miss it.” She hangs up without further ado.
What does she know? Maybe I do want to miss the party.
“You better go to the party before those meddling women invade my house. I won’t have my house invaded,” Mercury says.
“How do you know there’s a party?”
“Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I don’t know what’s going on in my town,” he grumbles.
I study him. Does he know about my deal with Gibson? Why hasn’t he said he knows? What is he planning?
“Go. You can use my car.”
He’s going to let me drive his pristine 1971 Dodge Charger?
“What?” he asks. “You don’t let me drive it anymore anyway. Someone should have the chance to enjoy it.”
“Aren’t cars with combustion engines banned in Winter Falls?”
He smirks. “Not my car.”
There’s a story there, but I won’t be learning it from my uncle. The man is a closed book. Or maybe a vault of secrets. Either way, he doesn’t tell me anything.
I only know about the combustion engine thing because I got pulled over when I first arrived in town. The police officer didn’t believe Mercury was my uncle and insisted on following me to his house.
“Someone named Cayenne is on her way over.”
Mercury grunts. “I’ll handle her.”
I’m afraid to ask. My uncle has been known to put a sheet over him and run around the house pretending to be a ghost to scare little kids away. What he doesn’t realize is he’s putting on a show they will return to again and again.
Honestly, though, I could use a break from Mr. Crotchety. Plus, there’s no way I’m missing the chance to drive his muscle car. I snatch the keys from the hook by the door.
“I won’t be long.”
“Don’t hurry back on account of me.”
I roll my eyes. Everything I’ve done for the past few months is for him. But does he appreciate it?
I shut the door behind me, making sure it doesn’t rattle, and smile at the car. I’d love to get my hands under her hood.
I run my fingers along the hood as I make my way to the driver’s seat. This baby is a thing of beauty. Way better than the piece of junk I drove into town with.
I turn the key and the engine roars to life. The power of the car rumbles under my ass and I grin. I can handle a stupid rock and roll party if it means I can drive this car for a few minutes.
I back out of the driveway and turn the car toward town. The drive to Gibson’s house is over in less than five minutes. I sigh when I arrive. I’d rather spend the day driving through the backroads of Colorado but alas. A promise is a promise.
I’m here.
When I notice Gibson walking toward the car, I open the door and step out. He whistles.
“Are you whistling at me or the car?”
He winks. “Can’t it be for both?”
I roll my eyes. It’s not bad enough Gibson’s a rockstar, he’s also a player. That’s two strikes against him.
I slam the car door shut. “Let’s do this.”
“You can at least pretend to be excited.”
He must be joking. “Excited about what?”
“Me. I am a catch, you know.”
I stop myself before I roll my eyes again. I have a feeling I’m going to be rolling my eyes a lot until our deal is finished.
Gibson holds out his hand. When I scowl at him, he wiggles his fingers. “Girlfriends hold their boyfriend’s hand.”
“Fine,” I mutter.
When our hands meet, a spark of electricity runs from his hand to mine and then through my body heating me from within and sending tingles straight to my core. I gasp. What the hell? I’m not interested in Gibson. My body must be on the fritz.
Gibson stares down at our joined hands. He appears as confused as I am. After a moment, he shakes his head and leads me to the backyard where the party is in full swing.
“Whoa!” A man skids to a stop in front of us. “Who’s this? And why are you holding her hand?”
Gibson pushes him. “Why do you think I’m holding her hand?”
“You’re afraid she’ll run away.”
I giggle. He’s not wrong.
“Hi!” The man greets me with a smile. “I’m Jett. Dump him and I’ll show you a night to remember.”
Gibson growls at him. “No. Leave her alone. She’s mine.”
I am not his but I have to play the part, so I nod in agreement.
Jett’s eyes widen. “Does this mean I won?”
My brow furrows. “Won what?”
“Nothing,” Gibson insists.
He’s cute if he thinks he can distract me. My nickname isn’t nosy for no reason. “Tell me more, Jett.”
Jett opens his mouth and Gibson releases my hand to jump him. The two fall to the ground as they wrestle each other.
A woman rushes over to me. “What are they arguing about?”
She appears slightly familiar. “Do I know you?”
She holds out her hand. “Indigo. We met outside the bar when you were fighting with your uncle.”
“Your explanation doesn’t exactly narrow things down much,” I mutter as we shake hands.
Two other women join us. “This is Virginia and Leia. Virginia is with Dylan and Leia is with Fender.”
Those names I do know since Gibson gave me a rundown on who’s who in the band. He couldn’t believe I didn’t know who Cash the Sinners is. Believe it. I don’t listen to rock. Give me country any day of the week.
Leia points to Gibson and Jett wrestling on the ground. “What are they doing now?”
“Fighting over some bet Jett claims he won. Don’t ask me what the bet’s about.” I shrug.
Leia studies me. “Did you come here with Gibson?”
“Yeah. We’re dating.” I force myself to say the words. This is the agreement I made I remind myself. It’s only temporary.
Her jaw drops open. “You’re dating Gibson?”
“For more than one night?” Virginia asks.
Indigo smiles. “This is excellent. I knew we were going to become best friends.”
“You knew we were going to be best friends?”
“Yep. The first time I saw you. It was best friend at first sight.”
It’s official. These women are batshit crazy.
I point to Gibson and Jett. “Any idea what they’re fighting about?”
Indigo’s smile vanishes. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”
“You just proved it does matter.”
“I’m going to tell her,” Leia says and Indigo scowls at her. “She needs to know what she’s getting herself into with dating Gibson.”
Leia grasps my hands. “Don’t run away.”
“Famous last words,” Virginia mutters.
“Gibson and Jett have an ongoing bet on who can sleep with the most women,” Leia says. “And by sleep I mean have sex.”
“I kind of figured as much,” I say while my mind whirls. I knew Gibson was a player when I agreed to this charade. I didn’t know he was a complete and utter asshole. Sure, I suspected. But now it’s confirmed.
Strike three. He’s out.