7. Ian
Slick with sweat,I grabbed a towel from a roadie and rubbed it over my head and face. The benefit concert for our friend Sarah Jane and her three kids had been a huge success. Considering all the drama this past week, it had almost been a no-go. Yet tonight we raised over a million dollars to help rebuild her house and get back on her feet after a fire killed her husband, Hunter, and destroyed the family home.
What Beau hadn’t mentioned on stage tonight, was that an anonymous donor had kicked in an additional five-hundred grand at the last minute. Sarah Jane could build a mansion with all that money, but I knew she wouldn’t. Sweet and kind, she was also practical. She’d probably only spend what was absolutely necessary, then invest the rest in running her dairy farm and her kids’ education.
Which gave me an idea. “Hey, Beau,” I called from where I stood in the makeshift dressing room behind the stage. “Since you’re the point man with all this fundraising, I’d like to set up college funds for little Jackie, Lucy, and Amalie.”
Beau had torn off his shirt and was mopping up his own sweat, in a hurry to get back to Brooklynn, his brand-new fiancée. The sonofabitch had dropped to one knee tonight out in front of the crowd, which was still buzzing as they left the temporary stadium area on Brooklynn’s family farm.
“Too late,” he said, yanking a clean shirt over his head. “Somebody beat you to it.”
“Wow. I guess that’s good news for those kids.” I should’ve thought of it earlier, but I still wanted to do something special for them. Didn’t matter that Sarah Jane had more than a million at her disposal, there would always be needs. Hell, her tractor could crap out and she’d have to drop upwards of sixty grand on a used John Deere. Maybe that’s what I’d do: assess her farm equipment, see what she needed.
“What do you think of me upgrading all her farm equipment?” I asked Beau before he could bolt out of the tent. “I want to help her somehow. Do a little more than play a free concert.”
“Sounds good, buddy,” Beau tossed over his shoulder as he made a mad dash for the exit. I don’t think the bastard even heard me.
Who could blame him? It had been one hell of a week with lots of come-to-Jesus moments for everyone. At least we were all getting our lives and friendships back on track.
Sarah Jane was financially solvent. Beau and Brooklynn were getting married. Life was good.
I yanked one of our band T’s over my head and came face-to-face with Zac.
“Why are you sniffing around Sarah Jane? She doesn’t need your shit, man. Just leave her be.”
“First of all, back the fuck up. I don’t need to smell you.”
The fucker growled at me.
“Second, I’m not sniffing around anyone. Well, at least I’m not sniffing around Sarah Jane. I’ve known her all my life, and I knew her husband. And since I’m in a position to help, that’s what I’m planning to do. Why the hell do you even care?”
He took a step back, but only far enough so that we weren’t breathing the same air. “I don’t care. I just don’t think she needs the likes of you putting moves on her.”
“Fuck you. I’m not putting the moves on her.” I grabbed my wallet and my phone and jammed them into the pocket of my jacket. “And even if I wanted to, who the fuck are you to tell me not to?”
Another growl. I’d swear the fucker was part grizzly.
“I’m warning you, don’t go fucking?—”
Liane appeared on my right. “Hey, Ian, you dropped something.” She held up a few of the special cards I’d had printed that must’ve fallen out of my wallet.
Before I could swipe them from her hand, she began to read.
Her grasp on the cards tightened along with her jaw. She spoke to me through gritted teeth. “Please tell me this is a joke.”
“Those are personal. Hand ‘em over,” I demanded.
Zac moved in to see what she was holding and burst out laughing. “Are you fucking kidding me?” He grabbed one of the cards and read it out loud.
Hey there, sweetheart. Thanks for a special night.
“Do you seriously hand these out to your hookups?” Zac continued laughing, while Liane glared.
“Do you know how demeaning this is?” She sounded like my ma when she used to scold me for pranking one of my sisters.
Jesus—these two. Liane was always on my case about something, and Zac…well he’s just a cranky motherfucker.
“How is me thanking a girl for a special night demeaning,” I asked, and then turning to Zac, I added, “And no, I don’t hand them out. Right before I slip out, I tuck them somewhere so they can find it in the morning.”
Zac wiped tears from his eyes.
“I don’t see what’s so funny. It’s a nice gesture. Besides, I also leave a Starbucks gift card.”
Zac was laughing so hard, he grabbed hold of a tent pole to keep from falling. “Damn, Ian, you’re killing me here.”
“No one’s complaining, asshole. You’re just sorry you didn’t think of it first. I know how to treat a woman. They know from the start it’s just a hook up and that I won’t be calling them the next day. Or ever. Whoever the lucky lady is for the night, she wakes up in the morning with a note from me, my autograph, and a free cup of coffee. Win-win-win.”
There was only one time it felt awkward leaving my card for a chick to find. It was also the only time the sun had already risen by the time I slipped out, but damn, she’d been worth it. But I wasn’t a relationship guy. There were years of oat sowing ahead of me.
While Zac continued to be an asshole, Liane remained rooted in front of me, arms crossed over her chest, and glaring with enough heat to incinerate me on the spot.
She thrust out her hand. “Give me those cards.”
“What?” I took a giant step back. “No way!”
“Ian, I’m your publicist, and I’m telling you that when word of this gets out, you’ll be labeled as one of the worst misogynists of the twenty-first century.”
I rolled my eyes. “Gimme a break. I love women. Why do you think I sleep with so many?”
Barrett, who’d just clued into the drama, wandered over to toss in his two cents.
“C’mon, man. The least you can do is leave a handwritten note.”
Liane shifted her glare to him.
“For your information, I sign my name to each card.”
Liane threw her hands in the air. “Oh! Well, why didn’t you say so?”
Given the look on her face, I assumed that was sarcasm.
She moved closer. “Ian,” her voice grew softer. Expecting an apology, I took a step toward her. She smiled, which should’ve been my first warning.
“I mean this with all sincerity…” The base of her palm cracked against my forehead. “Give me those damn cards. Now! I’ve spent too many billable hours on you guys over the past three weeks. I’m done. I need a damn vacation. Give me the cards, and nobody gets hurt.”
“Too late,” I said, rubbing my forehead and taking a wide step back. “I swear to God, the next woman who hits me, I’m gonna hit back.”
Zac got up into my face. “Try it and see what happens, fucker.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’d never hit a chick,” I told him, but then looking at Liane, I added, “although I’ve been tempted.”
Unaffected by my so-called threat, she remained planted before me, glaring, and holding out her hand.
“Fine,” I snarled, digging the ones I had on me out of my jacket and handing them over. “Take ‘em. It’s not like I can’t get more printed.”
“Do it and see what happens.” She jammed the cards into the oversized bag she was never without.”
I was so sick of their shit. “When are y’all gonna start treating me like an adult? An equal?”
Liane rolled her eyes before storming off. Zac chuckled and shook his head.
Barrett was the only one who answered. He clapped me on the shoulder and gave it a squeeze.
“Probably when you start acting like one, bruh.”