Pluck What You Heard

Prologue

Jessamine

As a Houston, Texas native I should be used to thunderstorms. I am okay with driving through the rain in most cases but not when it’s pouring in an unfamiliar place while being damn near pitch black.

My heart rages while my nerves are high as I try to progress at a respectable speed.

The sky opened up while I was driving on a road that wasn’t good for pulling over so I must proceed whether I like it or not.

Why didn’t he wait for me?

While he wasn’t the guest of honor, it was still a big deal to Adam that he was invited to a party where he could rub elbows with some of the hottest stars in the industry.

I’m proud of the musical artist that he’s becoming but often feel left behind.

Like now, I’d gotten out of the shower to find a text from him letting me know that his label picked him up because they needed to take photos before the party.

He told me to use the rental car and meet him at the party.

After I’d gotten ready, I grabbed the invitation and headed towards the car. It was a calm night with no signs of rain. Just as I made it to the dark, winding roads, Mother Nature decided to betray me. I was too far away to turn around. I just need to make it to the party.

Although I texted him about twenty minutes ago to let him know I was on my way, I still have yet to hear from him.

Lightning rips through the darkness to electrify the sky almost bright enough to blind me for a moment.

I wish it’d started raining before I’d gotten into the car; I would have stayed at the hotel.

The loud clap of thunder makes me jump as I attempt to call Adam.

The ringing over my bluetooth gives me hope.

I’d feel much better hearing Adam’s voice.

Unfortunately, his voicemail picks up just to inform me that his mailbox is full.

There isn’t any other sign of life because they probably knew this was coming unlike me.

More lightning and thunder rock the earth as I drive.

Seventeen minutes, three drenched miles, and one more unanswered phone call later, I’m in tears from fear of rolling off of a cliff never to be heard from again.

Honking grabs my attention as a big truck with megawatt lights passes me thus splashing my car with more water. My initial thought is to rage, but I sit up straighter and opt to follow it out of this nightmare instead.

The presence of the rude stranger ahead of me at least calms my nerves enough to bring back my hope. By the time the big truck splintered off into a different direction, the rain had lessened to a calm drizzle.

The rest of the trip goes without incident and I finally park at the venue of the party. A quick glance in the rearview mirror confirms that I need to freshen up my makeup to erase the signs of my previous distress.

I use the interior light to fish out my makeup bag and get to work smoothing out the streaks. My phone pings with the sound of my social media app, a sound that I'd usually ignore but something tells me to glance at my notification.

@AdánElRey has posted a picture.

My blood pressure spikes a little but the next notification shoots me into orbit.

@AdánElRey is live.

He can go live but he can't return his girlfriend’s calls? The year and a half we’ve been together must not mean a damn thing to him.

Pissed, I grab all of my things and march into the party. I give my invitation to security and allow them to check the backpack I originally had no intention on bringing into the party but enough is enough.

It's not hard to locate the asshole in flashy clothes, a low haircut, and wearing fucking shades at a night party.

His colorful shirt is barely buttoned, slowing off most of his chest, torso, and the tattoos that decorate them as he speaks Spanish to his viewers.

I was very happy for him when his reggaeton track was chosen for a scene in a primetime television show but that success has slowly made him a pain in my ass.

At first it was the little things that I couldn’t quite place that bothered me.

I didn’t want to bring it up because I didn’t want it to sound like I was shitting on his success.

I thought maybe, just maybe he’d recalibrate and revert back to the guy I fell in love with but his selfishness meter has risen so high that I’m more mad at myself for not recognizing it sooner.

Tonight, it’s loud and clear.

“What the fuck, Adam?”

Adam snaps his head in my direction and gives me what used to be a seductive smile.

“Adán El Rey, mami,” he has the nerve to correct me. His mama named him Adam. “Why are you so tight?”

His groupies laugh and I’m sure my right eye just twitched. “Tight?” I point at his phone. “Turn that shit off right now. I’m serious.”

Chad, his handler tries to walk up to me to placate me but I hold up a hand and shoot him a look that dares him to talk to me. He pivots and tilts his head at Adam. Adam huffs, says something on his phone in Spanish then stalks towards me.

He grabs my arm and walks me in the opposite direction until we’re alone. “Why in the hell are you embarrassing me with your drama?”

“Drama? I was scared for my life and couldn’t bother to answer your fucking phone, Adam!”

“You’re here and alive. Stop tripping.”

“No thanks to you, Adam! You weren’t there when I needed you.”

“It’s not like I could have teleported to help you with whatever you’re going on about. Danger? You only called twice.”

“The fact that you’re AWARE of how many times I called just pisses me off more,” I seethe, barely controlling the level of my voice.

Even with the shades, I can tell he rolled his eyes.

He looks so dumb to me with the over-the-top outfit and new matching persona.

If this is who or what he wants to be, it’s not going to work for me.

This lack of consideration was the last straw, I cannot stomach the person he’s becoming.

I fight the urge to rip the sunglasses off his face and throw them.

“This is exactly why they want me to break up with you.”

I’d punch him in the dick if I could. I shake my head because there is no word or action that could ever convey how pissed I am right now. There is only one decision that helps both of us.

“I thought you cared enough to at least give a shit about my well-being, but it’s obvious that you don’t.” I throw the keys for the rental at him since it’s in his name. “Chad will be happy to know that you’re free. I’m relieving you of your burden.”

Pivoting, I head back the way I came, I didn’t want to be here. I only came on this trip with him because he insisted that it was important for me to be here. That, with the entirety of our relationship, was obviously a lie. I guess he no longer needs my following to get his name out there.

“Jess-” he starts but I only turn enough to flick him off.

I don’t know how I’m getting back from here and I don’t care.

I’m sick of him and sick of his rap life.

The world can have him. I wave at a few people who recognize me but keep moving briskly so I don’t have to chat with anyone.

To think I risked my life to get to someone who doesn’t give a damn.

I’m not expecting him to run after me but I also notice that he hasn’t.

Good, it sets my decision to walk away in stone.

My tears threaten as soon as the cool air chills my skin. Although I’m holding back the tears, my vision blurs just enough for me to bump into a solid figure.

“Sorry,” I mumble as I sidestep him to keep moving forward.

“Ma’am?” The guy calls after me.

“I apologized,” I grouse as I wipe away a tear. “I don’t have time for anything else.”

I can still feel him near me but I focus my energy on checking my rideshare app to see if I can get a ride but growl once it tells me that none are available.

“I was just going to ask if you needed help,” he responds.

His deep voice suggests he’s a big man so I’m not surprised to find that he’s taller than my 5’6 frame.

While I can see his toned shape in his linen outfit, blue eyes, wavy hair, and chiseled jaw, I’m much too upset to consider him attractive.

Plus, he’s a bona fide stranger and I’ve already cheated death once tonight.

“I’ll just call a cab. It might cost a fortune but it’s better than being here.”

I turn to move past the valet but his words stop me. “Or, I can just give you a ride into civilization.” I gave him a side-eye like he asked to see my toes. His practically red beard shimmers under the fluorescent lights when he smiles. “I’m the youngest of three; I’m perfectly docile.”

“That’d require me to take your word for it.”

He chuckles as he nods his head. “Okay, how about I take the risk instead?” He retrieves his wallet and looks through it until he finds a piece of paper. “Do you have a pen?”

With a nod, I retrieve a pen from my backpack and hand it to him. I watch as he writes down a number, not fully sure of its purpose. He turns and says something to the valet. The valet nods and runs off into the night.

“Take this phone number,” he says as he thrusts the paper in my direction.

The valet pulls up in a dark SUV but I can’t tell the brand.

The tall stranger motions towards the vehicle.

“Call that number once you make it to where you’re going and let me know where I can retrieve my vehicle.

” I shake my head because what in the hell kind of offer is this?

“Listen, I saw most of what happened. I insist.” He takes a step back towards the party. “Besides, I know other people here.”

“Ma’am?” The valet calls out. “The vehicle is ready for you.”

“I can’t.” I insist to the stranger.

“You can. You heard the man, your vehicle awaits. Please take it. My dad would kick my ass if he found out I didn’t help someone who needed it. Go for my sake.”

He flashes another brilliant smile before he disappears back inside, leaving me with the valet. I look up at the sky.

“At least it’s not raining,” I muse out loud.

“Correct, ma’am. It’s not forecasted to rain anymore tonight.”

Accepting this random gift, I climb into the vehicle because I truly do want to leave Adam and his bullshit behind. Luckily, he used the car’s navigation system so I only need to reverse the route. Since he wanted to do this favor for me, the very least I can do is leave the SUV at his hotel.