Chapter Twenty-Four
EFFA
It was all I could do to keep my hands off Mercs for the hour-long car ride back to Pittsburgh. The car didn’t have a privacy screen, so unless we wanted to put on a show for the driver, we had to behave.
Unfortunately.
Now we’re back at the hotel, acting like a pair of giddy teenagers, rushing toward our room. I know I need to check in with Alana, Andi, and probably Luke, but right now, I have a two-day-old itch that needs a serious scratch. They’ll have to wait.
Mercs carries our bags while I pull out the key card. Raoul from security met us downstairs and walked with us, effectively preventing us from jumping each other in the hallway, which, honestly, is probably a good thing.
“Did you have a good trip?” Raoul asks.
“It was enlightening,” I reply.
Mercs raises an eyebrow as we reach our door.
Raoul tilts his head. “Oh? How so?”
“I found out so many things about Mercs, his family, his life. But I had the best time. Thanks for walking us up, Raoul.”
“We’ve had a few Luminatis lurking around the hotel, stalking the other girls.
Andi snapped at one, and you know how Luke is about that.
He let you go to Ligonier without a guard because Mercs was with you, and no one knew you were going.
But from now on, you’ll always have a guard.
Sorry, mon petit oiseau, I know you like your freedom. ”
I smile and nod. “It’s okay, Raoul. We’ll figure it out. But right now, I need some alone time with my man. Is that okay?”
Raoul smirks. “Didn’t you just spend two days with him?”
“Not completely alone. Gran and Kiera were there. We get more privacy on tour, if you know what I mean.” I wink.
“Take care. Holler if you need anything.”
“Will do,” I say, just as a door slams down the hall and Andi storms toward us. Her hair is jet black now, a clear sign that something’s wrong. Her eyes are shadowed, her skin pale. She glares at me, gives a small nod, and barrels past.
Raoul straightens immediately. “I’d better go after her.”
I glance back at Mercs.
“Go,” he says softly. His disappointment is clear, but his understanding means everything. “She needs you. Work your magic.”
“I don’t have to—”
“Effa, I’ve waited two days. What’s a couple more hours?”
Andi furiously presses the elevator button, her finger jabbing it like the damn thing personally offended her.
When it doesn’t light up immediately, she slams her palm against it and lets out a frustrated huff.
Her jaw is tight, eyes blazing with whatever storm is brewing inside her, and I get the distinct feeling that if the elevator doesn’t arrive soon, she’s going to pry the doors open with her bare hands and climb the shaft herself.
I lean in, kiss Mercs on the cheek. “You’re amazing. I owe you the greatest orgasm of your life.” I tug on his earlobe with my teeth, then rush after Andi, barely making it into the elevator before the doors close.
She lets out a frustrated huff, folding her arms.
I move beside her as Raoul joins us.
She groans. “What is this? An inter-fucking-vention?”
“Nope. Just catching up with my favorite bassist. Raoul’s here because he’s cool as shit.”
Raoul smirks.
Andi rolls her eyes.
“What a crock. You’re babysitting me. Did Luke send you? That son of a bitch.”
I sigh. “No. I saw you and thought I’d check in. Want to go to the bar? Have a drink?”
“I was heading there anyway. Join me if you want. I honestly don’t give a fuck anymore.”
Her words are like a slap because that level of detachment isn’t normal for Andi.
We walk into the hotel bar and sit at the counter. The waitress sees Andi, nods, and starts pouring a drink.
Clearly, she’s been here… often.
I scratch my head, then face her. “So… wanna talk?”
She shrugs. “What’s there to talk about?”
“You’re holding onto something… anger, resentment? Have you tried talking it out?”
She chuckles darkly. “This is the problem. People think they can fix me. That talking helps. But they have no idea. It’s not that easy, Effa. This isn’t hippy land. You’re a little fucking pixie joke.”
Her words hit hard.
I blink, trying not to cry.
That hurt more than I want to admit.
I huff. “I’m sorry if Tank liked the blonde more than you or whatever the hell this is about, but girl, pull your head out of your ass before you piss off the entire band. You’re being a jerk. Sort your shit out.” I stand just as the waitress delivers her drink.
Andi downs it in one go, not even looking at me.
Shaking my head, I walk away, stunned. I was trying to help, but she’s not ready. Not even close.
As I head for the elevator, Cooper slides in beside me.
“Hey, Coop. Where’d you come from?”
“Raoul texted. Said if you and Andi split up, someone might need a security escort. He was right.”
“He’s clever, that one. So, things been tense?”
“Yeah. With the fans, Andi…” He sighs. “It’s like the ecosystem fell apart when you left. We need our little bubble of effervescence.”
I smile as the elevator doors open and we step in, right into Jett. He flashes that devilish smile and steps out.
I catch his elbow. “Stop. Talk to me.”
He turns slowly, sighing as Cooper hangs back.
“So, queen cupcake is back from her romantic getaway,” Jett sneers.
“Stop it. I’m sorry.”
He raises a brow. “For what?”
“Mercs told me what happened. Why you’ve been avoiding me.”
“Ahh, yes. The standoff. Your man told me to back off, or else. Not sure what ‘or else’ was, but Luke saved the day.”
“You could’ve talked to me.”
He leans in, his scent overwhelming. “That was the plan. You’d cave.
Ask Mercs. Get mad. Come crawling back to me.
And here you are…” he smirks, “… talking to me. So he won the battle, but I just won the war.” Then he kisses my cheek.
Hard. The bristle of his beard scrapes my skin, and I recoil so fast I almost fall.
Cooper catches me, pulling me away.
“Tastes delicious,” Jett says, licking his lips as he walks off like he owns the place.
I stare after him, my heart pounding, my brows clenched tightly.
Cooper turns me to face him. “You okay?” he asks, his eyes full of concern.
I nod, even though I can’t speak. He wraps his arm around my shoulder and guides me to the elevator. Once the doors shut, I slump into his side.
“Fuck,” I whisper.
“That was messed up. Mercs is gonna blow a gasket,” Cooper mutters.
I glance up at him, panic creeping in.
Shit.
Jett might have won that battle…
But he has just started a motherfucking war.