Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
QUINN
Jasper
See you after the game tonight
Quinn
I can’t wait
It’s been too long since I’ve seen you play
I mean, you are my good luck charm
You’re the reason I’ve been playing so well
Well, better than normal
You’re looking great out there
You have to say that
Do I?
You know I would tell you if you weren’t up to snuff
Which oddly makes me feel better
No sugarcoating things
But I also won’t heckle you
Which is why I like you better than our fans
The bar really is low
Not heckling me and wearing my jersey
I’m happy
>
Then it’s a good thing I’ve already got this one
And now the bar has been raised
See you at my place after?
I’ll be there
Strolling down Broadway, with my hair twisted into a braided bun and a Knights cap pulled low over sunglasses, I blend into the crowd.
These are my favorite kind of days—no one spotting me and being able to come and go as I please. With the game starting in an hour or so, I wanted to hit a few shops before heading over. The less time there is before the game starts, the less time to mingle and make awkward small talk.
Because if it’s not about my trial, it’s about when I’ll return to music. It’s why I wished we could settle out of court so it wasn’t blasted for the public, but that didn’t happen.
People might have the best of intentions with their questions, but it stings. Because with a court date pending, and no appearances scheduled because of it, I have no answer for them.
I’m in limbo until then.
Finding the right address, I push open the door, warmth and the smell of cedar surrounding me.
“Hi there.” A woman with long, blonde hair that I recognize from the gala greets me. “Welcome to Charms By Chloe.”
Chatter filters through the store with its high walls and bright lights. Tables sit in the center of the store, filled with velvet trays of gleaming silver rings. Glass display cases line the walls, filled with necklaces and bracelets.
After Jasper got to attend her soft opening with the guys, I figured I’d stop by and support her. I mean, supporting a local business of a friend of the guy I’m falling in love with? Not a hardship, considering I love jewelry.
The woman behind the counter brings a small basket over to me. “If you need any help, I’m Chloe. If you need a different size, I can see what I have in back.”
“Thank you so much.”
Her own jewelry is stunning. Silver rings with different stones. Flower earrings. It’s quirky and perfectly put together at the same time.
“All of these are beautiful,” I say. “Did you make them all?”
“I did.”
“Wow, that’s incredible. I don’t know how you do it.”
I finger a silver ring with intricate flowers carved into the metal, holding a single stone in the center.
“It was a lot of trial and error, but once I got the hang of it, it was easy.”
“I can only imagine.”
“I won’t bother you.” She smiles at me. “But I’m right over there if you need anything.”
“Thanks.”
She goes back over to help another customer as I take in everything she has to offer. If I’m not careful, I could buy every single thing she has here.
No matter what size, shape, or color, I always have at least three rings on each hand. It’s almost like they’re my shield against the world. Although one catches my eye.
Trying it on, it’s a bit too small. Seeing there aren’t any others, I walk up to the counter.
“Do you have any other sizes in this one?”
She smiles as she takes the ring from my hand. “I sure do. I can’t keep this one on the floor.”
“Lots of hockey fans, I take it?”
The ring—crossed hockey sticks with a red stone in the middle—drew me in.
“I’m a big fan of the Knights.”
She pulls a tray of rings from behind the counter and offers me two. I try them both on and grab the size I need.
“I like them too.” I smile at her. “Who’s your favorite player?”
“Dax.” Her answer is immediate. Knowing who she is, I’m not surprised. “How about you?”
“I like Hayes.”
“He’s a good player,” she says, giving my ring a last polish, even though it sparkles. “Are you going to watch the game tonight?”
“I’m headed there next. Hopefully that ring will be a good luck charm.”
“If it is, I might have to start making some for the football team.”
“I’ll be sure to report back, but I think I only have it in me to support our hockey team. They stress me out as it is.”
And it doesn’t hurt that I’ve got a thing for one of the players.
“They really do. I love watching him—them play,” she corrects, “but when they’re losing, it’s hard.”
“God, it really does suck.”
“You got that right. Do you care to look around anymore?”
I shake my head, noting the conversation change. “That’s all. I have to head out if I’m going to make it to the game on time.”
“Perfect. Do you want this wrapped up, or wear it out?”
I take the ring from her and tap my card on the reader. “I’ll wear it. Good luck and all, right?”
“You’re all set then. Cheer loud for me.”
I smile at her. “I will.”
Heading out, I put my new jewelry on and snap a picture of my hand in front of the store. A little social media promo won’t hurt.
As I’m messing with my phone, I bump into someone.
“Oh, excuse—”
Ice slides down my stomach as I see who it is.
Eric. The very last person in the world I want to see.
A smarmy grin comes over his face. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t Miss Rose. What are you doing down in the city?”
I cross my arms, staring up at him. “I live here.”
I don’t even know what to say to this man. It’s been months since I’ve last seen him. Hell, maybe even a year. It’s hard to believe that I used to look at this man and think I was going to spend the rest of my life with him.
But now all I can see is anger, bitterness, and a touch of resentment.
“What are you doing out and about? I didn’t think you liked showing your face?”
“You mean you didn’t like me showing my face. Thought it put too much of myself out there for my fans.”
More like he didn’t want me to hear the wrong thing from the wrong person about what he was actually doing.
Like embezzling money from me.
How he’s walking around and not in jail is beyond me. But bail was set and I couldn’t argue with my attorney about it.
“I haven’t seen you perform much of anywhere lately.” He ignores my comment. “You know, I could make this all go away.”
“Oh?” I quirk a brow at him. “What would that entail?”
I adjust the brim of my hat, allowing myself a better look at him. Eric is the same age as Jasper, but that’s where the similarities end.
Jasper is fit and wears his age with pride. So what if he has a few wrinkles or some gray hairs? It makes him sexy.
Eric? It’s like he’s walking around with a layer of makeup so the world can’t see the real him.
I can’t believe I was ever attracted to him.
“You can come back and work with me. Make terrific music again. It’d be great.”
“Great? Just like that?” I snap my fingers to emphasize my point.
“Don’t you want that?” The grin becomes even smarmier. “I know that plastic smile of yours isn’t real. Not when it comes to me. We did great things together, baby.”
“I’m not your baby anymore,” I snap. “Do you really think I would ever come back and work with you when you’ve been stealing from me for years?”
“I’m taking what’s mine, Quinn. You need to grow up and learn how this business works.” The facade drops, annoyance sliding into its place. “How do you think you got into all those clubs to perform when you were under twenty-one? You wouldn’t be where you are without me and my influence.”
“That makes you entitled to my money?”
“My money,” he corrects.
“Get fucked, Eric,” I spit out, brushing past him to leave.
“Now, now. Is that really the way you should talk to me?”
He stops me with a hand on my shoulder. Not hard, but certainly unwanted. It sends rage coursing through me.
“If you don’t want me to make a public scene, I suggest you take your hand off of me. Right now.”
He steps back, hands splayed in defense. “I wasn’t doing anything. But you should think about my offer.”
“And if you want to talk anymore, you have my lawyer’s number.”
This time, I leave without him stopping me.
“Is that really how it’s going to be?” he calls out after me.
I ignore him. Anger rages through me at running into him.
I hate him more than anyone else on the planet.
The man who thought I should be ashamed of my size and my curves. Who tried to mold me into his version of a pop star.
I pushed back and didn’t let him steal who I was. Turns out, he found other ways to steal from me.
He was someone I never should have gotten into bed with. Both personally and professionally.
It’s why it was so hard to trust Jasper at first. Eric made it hard to give my heart away. I know now that I had nothing to worry about with Jasper. He is who he says he is.
Which makes me quicken my pace to get to the game and put that entire interaction with Eric behind me.
He doesn’t deserve my present or my future.
That’s for Jasper.
Only Jasper.