Chapter 2 #3
I’ve been in love with Jack Callahan my entire life.
Well, not really, but he was my childhood crush when Wells brought him home to visit from college, and that crush has escalated over the years—although from afar.
He is intensely private and I devour the rare gossip about him, questioning if it’s true or just speculation, from news about the company he started with my brother, to his accomplishments, to his suspected dating life—especially that one.
When we last saw each other, I swore there was a spark between us.
I thought it was going to finally change things and have him see me as a woman in my own right, not just his best friend’s little sister, but even though we went out after my concert, nothing has changed since that night.
Granted, my brother was quite literally between us the entire night, but I thought the chemistry we obviously had would be enough for him to reach out and make a move—anything—but he only hugged me a few seconds longer than I expected and kissed my cheek before disappearing into the night.
I finish the last bridge of the song, and I usually wink at someone as this specific song ends, and there is no question who I’m looking at tonight.
I don’t have to wait for his eyes to meet mine because I have felt them on me from the moment I saw him in the audience.
On the last two chords, and as my drummer hits the last beat, I lock eyes with him and wink—before breaking into a grinning loon, then waving and thanking the crowd.
The lights go out and Jack is swallowed in the dark.
As I walk off stage, I see Rick pacing. I’m sure he’s ready to chew me out about something he perceives I did wrong or maybe tell me how terrible my hair looks.
When my curls really set in after puberty, I loved them.
Even my mom thought they were fun back when she still had some moments of sobriety, but Rick insisted they weren’t the right image.
“You don’t show people who you are in this industry, you show them what they want to see, and no one wants to see that. ”
My fans have wondered why I wore it straight for years, but I spun it as embracing myself and loving myself for how I am—a message that resonated so much with my fans.
It was so well received that even Rick couldn’t argue the point, but he still makes his preference very well known.
Before I reach the end of the hall to return to my dressing room and deal with the looming asshole, a slight squeeze on my elbow stops me in my tracks.
“Hey, Tinsley, you did great out there, sweetheart.” Jack’s smile feels like a sun that could melt the deepest freeze. He is rarely photographed smiling—I would know—and I know if he smiles, it’s a rare gift.
“Hey, Jack, thanks! I didn’t know you were going to be here tonight.
” I turn and take the opportunity to hug him.
To the outside spectator, it looks like two friends just hugging hello, but to my inner thirteen-year-old self, it’s pure magic.
His scent is so distinctly Jack, and I take a deep inhale before the hug is over.
Jack’s cologne is a blend of smoky sandalwood with notes of what I think is amber mixed with something else strong and masculine, but whatever it is, I love it.
Paired with his arms around me and I’m in heaven.
Until the devil shows up.
Rick was done waiting for me and walked to meet us where we stopped in the hallway with Debbie Jo on his heels.
“Jack, my people didn’t tell me you’d be here tonight. Good to see you,” Rick interrupts by extending his hand as Jack steps away from me to shake it.
“Hello, Rick. I don’t usually broadcast my schedule to anyone, but Wells was supposed to tell Tinsley I would be here.” Jack and Rick both look to me. Wells didn’t mention that, but Jack winks at me—oh, I am going to freak out about that later—and I just nod and play along.
“Oh, yeah, he did. Sorry, I was still thinking about the performance.” I smile and shrug as though Rick will just be cool with it.
“You should have told me, Tinsley. I’ve been trying to get on your calendar, Jack.
Wells has been tied up in London for too long, but I wanted to discuss a few things about the upcoming tour.
” Rick doesn’t have shit to talk to Jack about; he just wants to be seen out and about with him to give himself more clout in the industry.
I know Wells and Jack see through that part of his act, and neither of them are fans of him.
“I’ve tried to get a meeting set up, but this is just kismet!
” Debbie Jo’s faux cheerful voice is like nails on a chalkboard.
She then takes a step toward Jack as though she’s going to touch him, and an irrational jealousy surges in me.
Debbie Jo is pretty—there’s no denying that.
There’s a reason she’s been able to land at least six husbands, but her beauty is very manufactured by too much filler, Botox, and surgery, all of which I’m sure I’ve indirectly paid for over the years.
She’s very thin, which only accentuates her obviously fake boobs, and her blonde hair is as fake as her claw-like nails, one of which she just ran down Jack’s arm.
“Oh. Well, Wells should’ve connected you with the tour coordinator for that.
I’ll make sure to have my assistant connect you two next week.
” Jack steps close to me and away from Debbie Jo without giving Rick a chance to reply as he turns to me.
“How long do you need to get ready and get your stuff together? Our reservation is in twenty minutes. Is that enough time?”
What. Is. Happening.
“Sure thing, I already have most of her stuff packed up.” Allie appears from thin air with a giant grin on her face. She’s very familiar with my obsession with this man.
“Are we going somewhere?” Rick chimes in as Debbie Jo’s face lights up, and I swear Jack’s eyes slightly narrow at the question.
“Sorry, Rick. I wasn’t aware you two were going to be here tonight.
I’m taking Tinsley and Allie out with a few friends of mine, I’m sure you understand.
She can’t have as much fun with her stepfather and his sister watching her every move.
But I’ll have my assistant email you next week.
” Jack effectively dismisses the terrible duo, turning to put his hand on my back.
“We will have to hurry to make it, though.” And just like that, Jack is escorting me back to my dressing room with Allie right behind us.
Jack nods to the security, and they nod and step to block the entrance after us as the door shuts.
“Okay, you have to catch me up, what did I miss?” Allie chirps. “Also, can we keep you around? You are an expert at handling Rick The Prick and Debbie Jo The Bitch.”
“Allie!” I laugh at her brazen honesty and she just shrugs.
“I like the nicknames, fits them well.” Jack grins at Allie. “I don’t have reservations anywhere. I just thought we could go out and get some drinks and have some fun without him around. If you have other plans, I understand, I sprung it on you.”
“She doesn’t have plans and we would love to.
” Allie’s almost shouting, and if I wasn’t so shocked, I would have busted a gut laughing.
“Give us five minutes and we’ll be ready.
” Allie drags me into the bathroom, and before I know it, Allie, Jack, and I are surrounded by industry execs, band members, and who knows who else in the most exclusive club in the city.