Chapter 31
In the distance I heard the click of the door, but I was focused on the man in front of me.
“…since there’s no clear jurisdiction boundary with this, we’ll be referring you to the FBI.” The very handsome detective sat opposite me and Harper in my suite’s sitting area.
“I’ll be straight with you.” Harper leaned forward. “We already have a PI looking into the messages and the account. We’ll definitely have a name before you or the FBI does.”
The detective nodded. “Maybe don’t mention that to the FBI. They tend to be hard-asses about protocol.”
“Noted.” Harper smiled and she exchanged a long look with Detective Cutie that had me biting my lip for my friend. Get it, girl!
“What the hell is going on here!” Xander of all people yelled from the doorway.
Harper and I turned around on our sofa and found all the Tin Gods standing there, scowling behind us. Except Noah, he looked giddy for some reason.
I jumped to my feet and ran to Jesse. “Are you okay?” I asked as I wrapped my arms around him.
“Uh, yeah. I mean, I will be. Uh…” His arms came around me and hugged me tight. “Gotta admit this wasn’t what I was expecting. I thought you’d be pissed. Maybe crying. And mad. Definitely mad.”
My laugh might’ve sounded more like a sob. “I mean, I wasn’t thrilled. I don’t think anyone wants to see their boyfriend doing that to someone else—and especially her—but I knew it was an old video. Anyone with half a brain could tell that.”
Chase made a weird noise and started coughing. Not that I gave a shit. I was still mad at the jerkoff.
I pulled back and cupped Jesse’s face in my hands. His scruffy facial hair tickled my palms. “I mean you didn’t even have this delicious scruff you’ve been sporting all tour. I didn’t even watch a whole minute, and I put that together.”
“Oooohh!” Noah yelled. “His facial hair. Yeah, we totally should’ve seen that.”
I rolled my eyes then focused in on his skin color under the scruff. “Is that a new bruise? Are you getting a black eye?”
“Have you been assaulted, Mr. Mala?” Detective Cutie asked as he crossed the room to us. “Do you want to press charges?”
Jesse’s eyes flicked to my brother, and a smug ass grin curled his lips. He let the moment stew a few seconds then shook his head. “No, sir. It was just a misunderstanding.”
“If you change your mind, the NYPD is available anytime to take your statement. Here’s my card.” Detective Cutie held out a business card that Jesse had to let go of me to take. “And can I just say that I’m a huge Tin Gods fan? I’ve been listening to you guys since ‘Nowhere to Hide’ came out.”
“Thank you, officer. I appreciate that.” Jesse held his hand out for a handshake.
“Detective. I’m Detective Rivera and this is Detective Lewis.” He held out his hand toward the other man in a business suit as he stood up from the couch. “Like we were telling Ms. Robinson and Ms. Grey, we’ll be referring your case to the FBI since jurisdiction is murky and also given your stature. Someone should be in touch in a few hours. Probably sooner since it’s you.”
“Case?” I turned back to Ella. “Is he talking about getting the video taken down? The FBI can do that?”
“He’s talking about your blackmailer.”
Jesse blinked at me a few times then closed his eyes with a muttered curse. “I can’t believe I didn’t put that together.”
“Well, Ella did,” Harper chimed in from the sitting area before she crossed the room to where we were all congregated at the door. “As soon as she saw that video, she called me over since I was still holding your phone for the concert, and then we called the police. You, sir, should’ve told me or Wes or Tyler a hellova lot sooner. You’ve been getting messages for weeks, Jesse. Weeks! We could’ve stopped this before the video even came out. What were you thinking?”
Jesse shrugged. “I thought I didn’t have anything worth a hundred k for anyone to hold over my head. I didn’t take him seriously. I don’t think it’s a surprise to anyone anywhere that I’ve done stupid shit. I wasn’t ashamed of any part of my life, so fuck him. I wasn’t gonna pay him shit.”
“And how did that work out for you?” Harper asked in a snotty voice.
“I never thought…” Jesse groaned and looked down at me with tears welling in his eyes. “I never thought about how this would affect you. I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I forgot about that stupid video after Ro—she sent it to me. I’m so fucking sorry that you have to deal with this.”
I smiled at him through my tears. “That’s what being in a relationship is about. Or should be about. I love you, Jesse Mala—warts and all.”
“Christ, you’re way too good for a bastard like me—”
“That’s what I’ve been saying,” my brother chimed in.
“Shut up!” I hollered without taking my eyes off Jesse. “No one wants to hear from the peanut gallery. Especially from your ass.”
Jesse grinned down at me. “You make it so fucking easy to love you, Ella. Thank you for staying with me. I don’t deserve you, but I’m gonna make it my life’s mission to make you believe I’m worthy of you.”
“Jesse, you don’t have to do anything. I just want you to be yourself.” I reached up to kiss him.
Noah made heaving sounds. “Anyone else feel nauseous right about now?” Noah asked as I fell back onto my heels. “Oomph.”
I turned to look—I had to know who to thank.
And to my shock, my brother was the one pulling his fist out of Noah’s hunched over frame.
“They’re having a moment, so shut the fuck up,” Chase muttered loud enough for me to hear.
I mouthed a silent thank you to my brother who nodded back.
Then I probably made him regret it. Wrapping my arms around the back of Jesse’s neck, I went up on my toes and I kissed Jesse with everything I had. And he kissed me back just as feverously. Damn, did I love this man.
After a few moments, I vaguely realized there were cheers going on in the background. Pulling back, I rested my head against Jesse’s chest and breathed a sigh of relief.
Everything was going to be okay.
Of course it was never as easy as that.
The next morning, our suite was ground control as Tyler, Harper, Wes, the whole band, and Shay invaded our temporary sanctuary.
Everyone had assembled in our suite for breakfast since we agreed it’d be foolish to give any outsiders the opportunity to take pictures and cash in on our drama. The dining area was filled with platters of every kind of breakfast food known to man. Scrambled eggs, fried eggs, boiled eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, French toast, hashbrowns, pancakes, toast, muffins, oatmeal, fruit, and so many condiments and drinks were laid out in a bountiful spread.
None of it looked appealing to me. We were waiting for the FBI to arrive any minute for their appointment with Jesse.
When the knock came at the door, I about jumped out of my skin.
But it was only room service with yet another tray of food.
“You need to take a breath, girlfriend.” Shay patted my arm. “They’re not going to solve anything this second. You and Jesse are going to get through this. In a few weeks, you’ll be laughing about it.”
I gave her an incredulous look, and she shrugged.
“Okay, maybe not laughing. But you’ll be past it. Together. Just concentrate on that, okay? You’re strong. You can get through this.”
I smiled at my friend. “Have I told you how much I love you lately?”
“Pretty sure that’s my line,” Jesse said as he came up behind me, wrapping an arm around my hips.
Shay’s eyes danced between us. “Can I just say how much I love this?” She waved a hand between me and Jesse. “I mean, I had a feeling about the two of you months ago—back when you came to Ramsay Pearce’s restaurant—but I had no idea you two were serious. I am so happy for you guys. And I’m not even mad you didn’t tell me, Ella. For real.”
I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t want to put you between me and my brother. I know whose side you’d take.”
“And I guess I should’ve said something after I caught you two backstage in New Orleans,” Shay said, shocking me. “But in my defense, I just thought it was a fling. I thought my bestie would’ve said something if it were serious.”
I winced. “I’m sorry, Shay. Really. I honestly didn’t want to put you in a tough position. I didn’t think Chase would approve if he found out, and I was right.”
“I get it. He’s just worried about you. But now he knows you can take care of yourself. And you have someone else in your corner watching out for you too. All’s forgiven.”
“Aww, thanks. When we get a minute, you have to tell me how it’s going with your new position. Where are you working again?”
Shay answered, but I didn’t absorb any of it as someone knocked on the door.
They were here.
We were doing this.
I don’t know why I was more nervous today than I’d been last night, but I was. I guess something about it being the FBI made me feel like it was more urgent, more…something.
Xander opened the suite door, and my mom entered the room.
All the nerves left me and I shouted, “Mom!”
But oddly, Jesse, standing next to me, went rigid like someone had pressed a finger into his asshole—don’t ask how I know that.
I tossed him a concerned look, but my mom had opened her arms, clearly expecting me to jump into them. I ran across the room, but Chase beat me to her.
“Mama!” Chase crowed, stepping into her arms.
But Mom raised her eyebrows and pushed against his shoulders. “Uh-uh. Do you seriously think that I don’t know what’s been going on here? I’ve heard all about the crap you said in Phoenix, and how you swung on Jesse when you found out about their relationship.” Mom poked at Chase’s bruised face and clucked. “Yup. Looks like he gave as good as he got. I assume you’ve apologized?”
“I mean, kinda?” Chase stepped back and shoved his hands in his pockets as his shoulders went up. “Jesse and I talked it out. We’re good.”
Mom continued to look unimpressed. “And your sister? Did you apologize to her too?”
I ate the moment up. It was so demoralizing to be on the end of one of her examinations. I loved like hell that Chase was getting his right now.
But like a smart woman, I kept my mouth shut.
“Come on, Ma. I already apologized to her for what happened in Phoenix. She knows how I feel. We’re good.”
“Ella?” Mom turned to me. “Are you two good?”
I lifted a shoulder. “I mean he keeps treating me like I’m a kid. Yes, he apologized for what he’d said in Phoenix, but then he kept doing it. Didn’t make me think his apology was genuine. Especially considering what went down when he found out about me and Jesse. That was not cool.”
“You sprayed me with a hose!” Chase yelled. “And I didn’t do shit to you!”
I raised my eyebrows but kept my mouth shut. Chase had just said it all for me.
“Sounds like you still owe your sister an apology. Fix it.” Mom turned and looked around the room. “Now where’s Jesse? I need to see my boy. Oh, there he is.”
Mom darted away, leaving me standing at the door with my brother.
“I can’t believe you tattled on me,” Chase hissed. “What are you? Ten years old?”
“Wow, this is such an amazing apology. I’m so glad Mom shamed you into it.” I turned to where Mom was hugging the crap out of my boyfriend, but I paused. “For the record, I didn’t say squat to Mom. Someone else narc’d on you. No idea who, but I have a guess.”
My eyes swiveled to where Shay stood nearby with a decidedly pissed expression. She shook her head and stomped off.
“Shit.” Chase closed his eyes, and I was about to leave—again—when he grabbed my arm. “I am sorry, El. I should’ve followed through on my apology with my actions. But I was an ass who thought he knew better. Clearly that’s not the case since I not only almost fucked up your relationship, but now I’m doing it to my own. I’m gonna do better. I swear.”
I let out a breath and smiled up at my brother. “I believe you. Thank you, Chase.”
“It’s probably best I keep my nose out of your business. There’s some things a brother never wants to know. Or see.” He shuddered dramatically.
I shoved his shoulder and headed to where Mom had Jesse cornered. “Go sort out shit with your wife, asshat.”
“Love you too, El!” Chase yelled at my departing back.
“Everything okay?” I asked Jesse since he had a stunned look on his face as my mom hugged him.
“Oh yeah, Ella bella.” Mom turned to me with one arm still wrapped around a shellshocked Jesse. “I’m just welcoming Jesse to the family. Although he was already part of it before so he should be used to this. You know now that I think about it, you two together just makes sense. I can remember the way you followed the boys around when you were little and the hearts you had in your eyes…” She sighed all dreamy.
And gross.
That was not how I remembered it. I hadn’t been that obvious. Sure, I’d had a crush on Jesse, but no one knew. Well, aside from Mom apparently.
Jesse laughed. “Yeah, she was cute. And totally transparent.”
“Totally,” Chase chimed in. “So embarrassing. Remember that one time she followed us to that construction site where we used to watch the guys build shit? And she fell into that ditch and screamed her head off? God, I was mortified. All those big construction guys staring at us, and Ella was crying her head off.”
My breath froze in my chest. I remembered that moment too.
Only, I remembered how Jesse had come to my rescue. He’d pulled me out of the ditch, kissed the owie on my knee, and then gave me a hug. He’d held my hand the whole way home and never once complained about what a baby I’d been. Unlike Chase.
I stared into Jesse’s eyes as tears welled in mine. “I think I’ve loved you forever.”
Jesse grabbed my hand and pulled me to his side. “I’m pretty sure I fought it for that long. But never again. You’re mine now—I’m keeping you.”
My mom sighed, clasping her hands to her chest as Jesse hugged me.
“Love you,” he whispered above me, and I smiled.
Then someone knocked at the door. Again. And my breath hitched again.
It was time.