Chapter 10
Nash
The festival is not what I expected. It’s in a park in downtown Estes Park. There are tents set up, serving alcohol, food and local craft items. At the front is a decent sized stage where musicians from all over Colorado are doing sets. The crowds are dancing and cheering.
I watch the members of BreakNeck being recognized, posing for pictures with people. They’re not mobbed, like Jordan said. Their bodyguards stick close, but they’re enjoying the festival too, and don’t seem all that concerned.
I’ve been approached, more so than the rest of the band. I know what’s brought that on. I’ve been trying not to let it show. Adrestia deserves better than that. She knows I’m pissed to hell about Riley.
I never thought she would stoop this low, a tell-all interview about our relationship?
That shit is messed up. Part of me wants to try to talk to her, to ask her why she’s doing it. What does she hope to achieve? Any relationship with the band members is dead and buried after she walked out on us.
I’m angry she is going to paint us in a terrible light. The worst part is, she is probably doing it so she can plug her own work. Her new album with Dearborn Records.
I'm still stunned she chose to walk away for her own record deal. With a guy who is renowned for starting businesses, then ditching them if they fail. He can afford to take the loss. Where will Riley end up? Is it even my problem to care anymore?
Adrestia seeks me out at a table on the outskirts of the park. My huge pint of pale ale and brat are barely touched. She has a pint of her own and sits down beside me, taking a huge gulp, leaving a foam mustache on her top lip. I use my finger to brush it away, then lick it off the tip and she gives me a smile.
“Apollo will be so jealous. He would love it here. I’ve taken so many pictures to show him.”
I run my finger down her cheek, glad she’s happy.
Her lips turn down in a frown as she sets her glass down and twists to face me. “She isn’t worth it.”
I blow out a heavy breath. “I know. Up here, I know,” I tap my head.
“And here,” she puts her hand on my chest.
“I’m pissed,” I say. “I’m… I don’t know… We don’t need to talk about her. She doesn’t matter. I don’t want her being a part of this weekend.”
“Sometimes, it’s best to get things off your chest. I was watching you last night, Nash. Your heart wasn’t in it, and you’ve been sitting by yourself. I’m a little worried about that.”
“Don’t be,” I take her hand. “We’re solid babe.”
“I know that.” She frowns. “I’m not jealous. I’m concerned. I don’t want you to feel to blame. I see what you are doing, brooding over here, blaming yourself. Worried about the band.”
It amazes me how she can see right through me. She’s so smart, so different from anyone I’ve met before. Sometimes, I wonder what the fuck she’s doing with a guy like me. Riley was always more my ‘perfect match’.
“I’m good. Honestly.”
She stares at me, her green eyes intense and knowing. I think she may know me better than Riley ever did. We had been friends since childhood, lovers from the moment we knew what that meant. Before Adrestia and a couple of groupies, she was the only girl I’d slept with.
“Promise me something.” Adrestia rests her elbow on the table and props her chin up, holding my hand.
“Sure,” I say, giving her a lazy smile.
“You won’t let what she says define or overtake you. You’re so much better than that.”
“Glad you think so,” I say, brushing some of her thick, dark hair behind her ear.
“You’re often led by your emotions, and that is not a bad thing. It’s something I admire, but you need to accept there are certain things you cannot affect. People are their own entities, with their own ideals. We can’t control that. No one can.
“Her choice is to lash out at you, all of you. She felt no one had her back. Without acknowledging the problem stemmed from her own actions.”
“I love it when you talk like that,” I laugh. “It’s almost like you’re insulting me, but not.”
“I would never insult you,” she cocks her head. “You’re intelligent, talented, beautiful,” she smiles. “You can have it all. You can be on BreakNeck’s level one day because you have worked hard for it. One insignificant interview will not break you, or the band. You won’t allow it, but you have to learn to share that.
“Dylan, Ciro, Jack and Alessa are all on your side. Whatever you decide to do about the interview. Whether you fight back, ignore her or legally challenge whatever she has to say. You will do it together. Don’t shut them out.”
I glance down at my beer. She’s right. Everything she is saying is true. I need to snap out of this. Not just for her and the band, but for my own mental well-being.
“I love you,” I kiss her knuckles.
“I know,” she responds with a short laugh. “That’s a Star Wars reference.”
“I got that,” I laugh too, some of the tightness in my chest releasing.
“Good. And I love you too. Now, let’s finish these giant beers and go dance.”
“You wanna dance?” I raise a brow.
“It looks fun,” she waves a hand at the town people enjoying the festival all around us. “I know I’m a terrible dancer, but I don’t care. We’re in this beautiful town, surrounded by people who love us. I’m going to embarrass the hell out of you, but I will love every minute.”
“Me too.”
I finish my drink in record time, get up and grab her hand, pulling her out of her chair. She protests about not having finished her drink, but I don’t care. I’ll buy her another one.
I tug her behind me into the thick of the crowd, grab her hips, and press into her as we dance. She is a terrible dancer, so I hold her close, and we slow dance, despite the upbeat tempo of the band.
After that little pep talk, I lighten up and focus on enjoying myself.
As it’s getting later, Jordan talks our way on to the stage. We’ve opened for BreakNeck a few times but never played together. We blend seamlessly, jamming out to a few Rolling Stones and Aerosmith covers. The crowd love it and I forget about everything.
Being on stage is where I belong.
The sun has long gone down when we decide to call it a day and head back. Jordan has another party planned at the ranch, so we head to our rooms to clean up.
Adrestia is in the shower when my phone rings. It’s Declan. I haven’t been able to contact him for a couple of days. I’d wanted to discuss this with him and was a little pissed he’d been avoiding me.
“Hey,” I answer, sitting down on the bed. “Where’ve you been the last few days?”
“My friend was getting married. I told you I was heading out to Hawaii.”
“Shit, yeah I forgot. Hope it all went well.”
“It did. They got married in a volcano.”
“That’s pretty cool.”
“Yeah, but not exactly easy to walk to. Anyway, how are you all doing? Alessa told me you were heading away for the weekend.”
I explain where we are and what we’ve been up to.
“Good. I’m glad you are all relaxing, having some time away. Things are going to get real over the next few weeks. It’s gonna be busy.”
I frown and lean back on the bed, settling on the pillows. My feet hang off the side, I’m still wearing my boots and don’t want to dirty the bedding. “You realize what’s going on, right?”
“Of course I do. And I’ve been working on it,” he replies.
I should have known, even when he’s away, he never switches off. He’s been an amazing manager to us.
“Meaning?”
“Our lawyers are working on a gag order,” he sighs.
“Will that work?”
“I don’t know. The label will pay her off, if that is what it takes.”
I’m not sure I like that idea. She doesn’t deserve anything from us, least of all money. I tell Declan I don’t think he should do that. He’s silent for a moment.
“The other option is to let her do it.”
“You think that’s a bad idea?” I ask.
“It could go either way,” Declan sighs. “Shit, I need to sit down. I’ve been on my feet too much. My hip is killing me.”
Declan was in a bad car accident a few years ago, he has the scars to prove it, and he’s walked with a cane ever since. I’ve known him a long time, he’s been with us from the start, and I consider him a friend.
“I’ve got press releases as a back up, but Nash, the label doesn’t want to sit back. Why is that the way you want this to go? I would have thought you’d want her shut down.”
“Ciro thinks we will never be able to control Riley’s narrative. Part of me wonders if she is going to sink herself without our help.”
“That’s a different way of looking at it,” Declan muses. “I don’t know how they will feel about that, bringing us bad publicity and all.”
“Well, like Ciro points out, once we know her hand, we can counter it.”
“Huh… He’s always had an agenda where Riley is concerned. Do you really want to follow his lead?”
“It’s not like that. Yeah, Ciro and Riley clashed. A lot. But I don’t think he’s doing this to make her look like an idiot, he’s doing it because he thinks she is going to make herself look like an idiot.”
“It’s a gamble though, Nash. We can’t guarantee she won’t get the sympathy card.”
“Yeah,” I run a hand through my hair.
“The label will decide how to deal with it but I can put this argument forward. All I can say is trust us, trust me. I will not do anything that sees you guys harmed.”
“I appreciate that.” I scrub a hand over my face. The shower stops in the bathroom. I don’t want her to hear me talking about this anymore. “Okay, I trust you. I’m sure the others will too. You’ll let us know what the label decides before anything happens?”
“Yeah. Just go have some fun. I’ve got a lot of appearances and performances booked in for you. Once we’re all back in New York, we will meet to go through everything. If I’ve got news, we can talk about that. I don’t want anyone getting down about it. End of the day, she fucked up. If we need to take her down, she’s only brought it on herself, Nash.”
“I know.”
“She won’t stand a chance against the label if they go that way. But I’m not gonna lie. Paying her off is the forerunner in their ideas right now.”
“Yeah, I understand.”
“We’ve got a week to work things out. Don’t worry about it, that’s my job.”
“Thanks Dec. I appreciate that. What would we do without you?”
“Be lost in a sea of mediocrity.”
“Fuck off,” I laugh, and he laughs back. We finish the call with more reassurance we’ll catch up in New York.
Adrestia comes out of the bathroom naked. My dick perks up as my eyes take her in. I fucking love her body, and love that she doesn’t hide away. She’s beautiful, her curves are one of her best features. My mouth waters as I stare at her breasts, the dark nipples peaking under my gaze.
“Come here,” I say in a gruff voice. She walks straight over, gets on the bed and crawls towards me, her eyes hooded. Her tits swing towards my face, and I grab one, pulling it up to my mouth. She moans, her arms wrapping around my neck as she pushes into me.
“You’re wearing way too many clothes.”
“You want to undress me?” I lift my head but keep her nipple between my teeth. Her answer is to lean down, her breast popping out of my mouth.
I lay back and watch as she undoes my belt, pulls down the zipper and lifts my hips to get my jeans off. I let her get me naked and put both arms behind my head as she settles herself halfway down the bed.
She takes me in her hand, before her mouth closes around my dick, my eyes close at the warmth of her fucking amazing mouth. I put my hand on the back of her head but I don’t push too hard.
One thing I’ve learned about this beautiful woman, she has no gag reflex. She encourages me to push down her throat until my head is spinning and my balls are aching.
I want to stop her, to sink myself inside her. When I try to pull away, she just grips my hip and sucks me harder until I’m powerless to stop myself from going over. I shoot hard and long into her mouth. She takes it all, then sits up, demurely wiping her mouth with her fingertips. I’m breathing hard as she kneels up before me.
“You’re amazing.”
“I know.”
I can’t stop myself from laughing. It stops when she pushes me back down and moves so her knees are on either side of my head.
“Fuck yes, sit on my face, baby,” I growl.
And I return the favor with enough enthusiasm that I have her screaming.
She forces me to shower alone then we take some time getting dressed up in the fancy clothes Alessa ordered us to bring and head back outside to the huge patio area.
Everyone is speculating Jordan and Alessa are gonna pull a surprise wedding on us tonight, but it doesn’t happen. They have canapes, more champagne, and give out gifts to everyone, like it’s Christmas or some shit. I can see the BreakNeck guys are astounded. I’m not too far off it myself.
This isn’t the Alessa I know and love. But she is happy and the rest of the guys are, too. Riley and her bullshit don’t matter, not when I have my family around me like this.
Jordan tells us the plan for tomorrow is riding lessons, for those who want it, or a morning to do whatever we feel like. His eyebrows waggle, and he winks.
I am pretty sure no one needs any encouragement where that is concerned. I’m not thrilled about what my brother is getting up to in the room next to us. We’ve given them a run for their money. I don’t doubt the others are doing it too.
I watch Ciro and Jack for a bit. They are the only single guys here. There aren’t any other women around to entertain them, but they seem happy enough.
I fill Dylan in on the phone call with Declan but refrain from letting anyone else know. He’s worrying too much about me and telling him Dec is on the case eases some of that concern. I don’t want my brother to let this ruin his time here, either.
Later on, I notice both Ciro and Jack have left. Ciro went upstairs but I don’t know where Jack disappeared to. They are probably upstairs playing cards, gambling all their money to each other.
Jordan suggests grabbing our bathing suits and heading to the hot tub. The damn thing is so big it will fit most of us.
Jenna and Adam don’t join us. They sit with her mom, chatting together, occasionally laughing but keeping to themselves. Nick declines too, deciding to become the DJ and bar tender. Elsa says she wants to go see the horses and wanders off.
Everyone is doing their own thing, which is great. I put my arm around Adrestia. She leans into me while chatting with Brooke about something I don’t care to get involved in. I just sit back and watch it all, realizing I don’t care what Riley does.
I have everything I need right here.