Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
QUINN
Ifled. As soon as Nashville put the win away, I fled the arena as fast as I could. It’s not like I can go see Jasper after the game because no one knows we’re dating.
After running into Eric, my mind was racing.
Me with the plastic smile?
It’s just like him to put all of his issues on me. The fans were—are—the best part of this business. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am. Eric was the one that always took issue with me sharing myself. Said I had to put a barrier between myself and them.
Another way he wanted to control me.
Pulling into my garage, I shut off the car and storm into the house.
Dolly is nowhere to be seen. Riffling through my desk drawer, I find a blank notebook.
Because for the first time in months, my creative juices are flowing.
They’ve been shuttered away with the looming case and everything Eric put me through.
It’s some kind of weird karma that running into him is what brings them out again.
Plopping down on the couch, I start to write.
The cracks start to show
The mask starts to fall
Will they see the real me?
Will they still love?
Broken down and crying
I had it all
Flying so high
Until it all came crashing down
Like stars falling from the sky
Now I’m lost in the dark…
When I hit the ground
I fall to pieces
Shatter to shards
But I pull myself up
Brush it to the side
Ready to go
I hope no one can see
It’s all just a plastic smile
Is it perfect? No. There will be changes, but for a first run? It’s cathartic. Eric telling me that I have a plastic smile?
Fuck him.
I furiously scratch out lines and add more lyrics in while changing things up. A beat starts to form in my head as I hum a tune.
It’s all coming together in my head. But the vision starts to turn. From Eric to Jasper. From anger to one of love.
Then you came walking in
Open arms, safe and sound
A place to land
The home I never had
The words flowing from me now feel good. Feel right. I don’t remember the last time I was this inspired. Eric started it, but he’ll always be tied to my career. Jasper? Well, he makes writing songs about love easy.
The way he cares for me. Listens to me. Just…everything. Jasper is everything.
Tearing the page out, I set it on the coffee table and start a new song.
“Quinn?”
His voice startles me, sending papers flying everywhere. “Jesus.”
“Sorry.” Jasper looks sheepish. “I knocked and you didn’t answer.”
I press a hand to my heart, trying to calm my racing pulse. “It’s okay. I was lost.”
“In what?”
Jasper drops down behind the couch, resting his chin on the cushions. His hair is still damp from his postgame shower. A loose lock falls across his forehead and I tuck it away.
“Writing. Lyrics. Still changes to make but…” I sigh. “It felt good.”
“Is this the first time you’ve written since everything happened?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
He walks around the couch and drops down next to me, pulling me into his lap. “Anything I can see?”
I shake my head. “Not yet. They’re still too raw.”
“Can I ask what prompted this?”
Jasper traces the lines on my palms. It’s hypnotic.
“I ran into Eric tonight before the game.”
That stops him. “Wait, you did? What happened? Are you okay?”
He squeezes me closer. A sign of strength and solidarity from him. “I’m not going to lie. It unsettled me.”
“Anything I can do to help?”
“Just being here is helping. Eric told me if I put all of this behind us, we can work together again.”
“He what?” Jasper growls. “That prick honestly thinks you’d work with him after everything he’s done to you?”
“Trust me, it’s not going to happen.”
“Good.” A satisfied smile sits on his handsome face. “He’d have to go through me. I mean, you can dump me, but not for that asshole.”
Cupping his cheek, I draw him in for a kiss. “I don’t plan on dumping you anytime soon, Casper.”
“Good, Bella. Because I’m quite fond of you.”
“I’m quite fond of you too. Even if you’re my elder.”
“The sass.” Jasper laughs, slapping my ass in a playful manner.
“You like it.”
“I do. I really fucking do.”
“You know, there is something that you could do to help me feel better.”
“Oh, yeah?” Jasper sweeps the hair off my neck and kisses my throbbing pulse. “What might that be?”
“Karaoke.”
It takes him a minute to catch up. “Wait, karaoke?”
“Yes. Singing along to some of the best songs. Some beers. All very casual.”
“That’s what you want to do? The world’s biggest pop star?”
I shake my head. “I don’t wear that crown when I’m with you. Just Jasper’s girlfriend.”
“You’re my girlfriend now? Sliding that right in there, are you?”
My fingers play with the buttons on his shirt. “Something I’m trying out. Unless you don’t want to karaoke with me. Then you’re just a guy I’m chilling with.”
“Again, seems unfair that I’m going to karaoke with you.”
“It’s not like I’m performing. I’ve always wanted to go but no one ever wanted to go with me. I figured if someone would go with me, it’d be—”
Jasper shuts me up with a kiss. A long, slow kiss that has my pulse fluttering.
“I never said I wouldn’t go with you.”
“Really?”
“Don’t judge me when I suck though.”
“I promise.” I drop a kiss on his cheek. “I won’t judge.” A kiss on the other cheek. “If you do suck.” A kiss on the lips. The kind of kiss that is a promise of what’s to come.
“Mmm, Quinn. I know you said karaoke will make you feel better, but can I do something right now to make you feel better?”
“What might that be?” I ask, wiggling against him. His cock hardens against the apex of my thighs. That delicious dick of his that I can’t wait to feel inside me again.
“If I have to spell it out, I’m not doing it right.”
Shifting off his lap, I stand and hold my hand out to him.
“Then why don’t you show me all the ways you’re going to make me feel better.”
That’s exactly what he does.