13. Chelsi
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
chelsi
It’s an absolutely gorgeous day, the sun is shining, and there isn’t a cloud in the sky.
A perfect afternoon for the last-minute party Jake miraculously had Max organize for more than one hundred people.
I thought I was about to witness Kate and Jake’s first fight when he came home last week and casually shared the news that he was inviting the band, crew, and their families to a barbecue at their house. I’ve never seen Kate so outraged.
He quickly learned you can’t spring events on her without ample warning. Pretty sure he ended up on his knees begging for forgiveness, among other things, based on the ridiculous smile she had on her face the next morning. Practically floating, like she was still on an orgasm high.
Taking a sip of my spiked lemonade, I scan the crowd looking for someone I know, hoping I can start a conversation that doesn’t feel awkward.
I’ve already explained how I’m living temporarily with Jake and Kate when a few people asked what role I played on the tour.
Admitting I’m crashing at my best friend’s house isn’t the ideal way to introduce myself to people, nor does it give me the boost of confidence I could desperately use.
After pushing down all my simmering feelings of inadequacy, I spot Alex across the lawn. He’s wearing dark blue jeans and a black T-shirt, showcasing his exquisite physique. How many hours does he spend in the gym? God, I can only imagine what he looks like without his shirt off.
Nope. Gotta stop thinking like that.
No more men. Definitely not ones Jake knows.
Remember, your trusty vibrator and dildo collection is all you need.
And a job. But that’s a problem for another day. It’s not like I’m going to stumble upon a career opportunity at a party.
Maybe what I need is to flirt with someone for fun. Get a temporary boost to my self-esteem.
A wicked smile splits my face, knowing exactly what I need to do and who I need to find—fucking Jimmy.
As soon as I spot him, he instinctively turns in my direction, locking eyes with me as a smirk appears on his face. I give him a subtle nod. That’s all it takes for him to make his way across the space, never taking his eyes off me.
This should be fun.
I wonder how long it will take before Jake or Kate loses their shit when they see me chatting with him. Touching him.
“Hey there, gorgeous,” Jimmy says, strolling up to me with a beer in his hand.
His tousled, dirty-blond hair frames his face, and his heavy stubble is the perfect length—not too long to make it problematic when making out and scratchy enough to intensify the sensation when he goes down on you.
Not that I’d ever let Jimmy into my bed.
He has fuckboy written all over him. A flashing warning sign you should be able to see from miles away.
“It’s nice to see you, Jimmy,” I reply, gently touching his arm and smiling. “How have you been?”
“Much better now that I’m talking to you.” His grin grows wider before he takes a sip of his beer. “Heard you’re in Nashville.”
“Yep.”
“Why haven’t you given me a call so I could show you around? I’d be happy to be your personal guide for everything you might need.” He wiggles his eyebrows and tips back his drink again.
I tap my fingers against my chilled drink. “Didn’t have your number.”
Shock flashes on his face. “Seriously? Give me your phone. I’ll add it.”
I grab my phone out of my back pocket and hand it to him.
He eagerly types in his number before handing it to me with awe written all over his face. “Call me anytime. Literally day or night, Chelsi. I will gladly stop whatever I’m doing to be of assistance to you.”
“Is that so? What exactly would that entail?” I ask, moving closer to him.
His eyes lock on my lips as his chest starts to heave.
This is definitely fun. I should feel bad about leading him on, but I don’t. He deserves a dose of his own medicine, and I’m more than happy to deliver it.
“Why don’t we grab some food and a table away from the group, and I can tell you all about what I have in mind?” Jimmy appears to hold his breath, waiting for my response.
“Okay, lead the way,” I murmur, holding out my hand for him.
He gulps hard, taking my hand as he steers us through the groups of people congregating in the yard until he finds an empty table in the back corner. Like a gentleman, he pulls out my chair, then sits so close to me our thighs are almost touching.
I shouldn’t feel turned on by him, but there’s something about his smoldering eyes and the way he intently focuses on me that sends a pool of heat to my core.
It’s almost like my body knows when a bad boy is around and gets excited at the mere thought of it, rather than being repelled, as I should be.
His fingers lightly dance along the top of my hand and arm. “Where were we?” He licks his lips and leans slightly forward, closing the distance between us. “Oh yes…I was going to tell you about how I could be of assistance.”
His sultry voice is like pouring gasoline on the fire between my thighs. Why must I always be physically attracted to the wrong guys? This is more proof I should never date. I’m unable to make good choices when it comes to men.
“For starters, I’d love to show you downtown Nashville. Music Row. My favorite bars and restaurants. Might take multiple nights for you to see everything.”
“Uh-huh. Is that all?”
His breath hitches. “Just getting warmed up, babe. Then, I’d love to show you—”
“What’s going on here?” Kate asks, appearing out of nowhere.
Turning my head in her direction, I shrug and smile, wanting to watch her squirm for a little bit longer.
Jimmy leans back, draping his arm around my chair as Kate makes a soft, audible gasp.
“Thought I’d officially welcome Chelsi to Nashville. Show her around town.”
Kate’s eyes dart between Jimmy and me, as if she can’t figure out what the hell is happening and whether it’s real. “You’re taking Chelsi out? On a date?”
Jimmy chuckles. “We haven’t gotten that far, but that’s what I’m hoping.”
Huh? He wants to date me, not just fuck me? This is not headed where I thought it was.
Confusion grows across Kate’s face as mine likely mirrors it. Jimmy isn’t the kind of man who dates. From everything I’ve heard, he never does.
“You and Chelsi?” Kate asks very slowly, almost like it’s painful to get the words out.
“Yep. Me and Chelsi.” Jimmy wraps his arm around my shoulder, pulling me in even closer.
What is happening?
Kate crosses her arms, staring at me. “Is your self-imposed dating ban over? And the first person you decided to start with is Jimmy. Out of all of the eligible men in the city… Jimmy.”
“What’s wrong with me?” Jimmy asks, completely oblivious to why my best friend would be shocked I’d consider spending time with him.
“Please tell me I didn’t just hear what I think I did,” Jake adds, joining our conversation and wrapping his arms around Kate’s waist. “There’s no way in hell Chelsi is going out with Jimmy.”
“Why not?” Jimmy removes his arms from me and crosses them tightly across his chest. “What’s wrong with Chelsi dating me? I’m a catch.”
“Oh…she will definitely catch something if she goes out with you,” Kate murmurs, rolling her eyes.
For the next few minutes, I listen as Jake, Kate, and Jimmy discuss the merits of a potential relationship between the two of us.
It’s like watching my parents interrogate one of my high school boyfriends for the first time.
Jake’s clenching his jaw so tight he might crack a tooth, and Kate’s completely flustered.
God, this is entertaining. Might be worth going out on a couple of dates with Jimmy solely to watch them both lose it.
“What if Chelsi and I are meant to be?” Jimmy asks, standing and looking Jake directly in the eye. “Would you give us your blessing if we wanted to get married?”
Excuse me, what?
Jake’s brow furrows so deeply that it may leave permanent creases. “You want to get married. To Chelsi.”
Jimmy shrugs. “You never know. Why does everyone act like I’m never going to settle down?”
“You can’t be serious!” Kate exclaims, throwing her hands into the air. “You literally have a different woman in your bed every night on tour.”
“Yeah. Doesn’t mean I can’t change,” Jimmy replies.
Definitely time to abort this mission. Never expected flirting with Jimmy to lead to a confrontation about us potentially getting married.
“As much as I love listening to you all discuss my life, I think it’s a bit early to assume anything is going to happen between Jimmy and me. We’re merely having a conversation. That’s it,” I explain calmly, hoping it quells the rising tension between the three of them.
“So, you’re not going to date him?” Kate chews on her lower lip as she looks at me for confirmation.
I shake my head and close my eyes. “I don’t know. But whatever I do or don’t do will be my decision. I’m not letting anyone else make it for me.”
Jake sighs, dragging a hand down his face. “This is not what I had in mind when I decided to throw this party. I always envisioned Chelsi with—”
“Hey, Jake,” Max calls out from a few feet away. “Do you want to say a few words before we start eating?”
Jake nods in his direction, taking one more glance at Jimmy and me before walking away with Kate by his side.
“Sorry about that. Not sure who pissed in his Wheaties this morning,” Jimmy says, sitting down and putting his arm on the back of my chair again. “Where were we?”
It’s at that moment my eyes lock with Alex from across the yard, causing my heart to flutter.
I should look away, but I can’t for some reason.
There’s this indescribable pull toward him—one that makes zero sense.
I barely know him, and he’s the opposite of the type of man I’m usually interested in.
He’s way too strait-laced for me. Too rigid. Too rule-focused.
I need someone who flies by the seat of their pants. Someone who will throw caution to the wind and make me feel alive.
In a lot of ways, that sounds exactly like Jimmy.
I can’t possibly be considering going on a date with Jimmy. That would be…so me.