Chapter 27

Jack

Sitting on the bed and sipping a drink, I was sketching some more, unwinding before I got some shuteye. I was in an apartment I had in the city, propped up by pillows and using the lamplight to cast shadows onto a wall in a particular shape.

As my tablet let out the bing of an incoming important email, I considered ignoring it, but I had a few particular addresses it notified me of for a reason.

I put aside my sketches and picked up the tablet, wondering what it could be. The moment I spotted the sender, I almost put it down again.

Juno.

Fuck.

Instead, I opened it and quickly read. I sighed. Kai hadn't wasted any time in getting things moving and organizing everything to bring her in.

Was I really ready to have her in my face every day? It looked like she was offering me a way out, but there was also a good chance she was letting me know she'd really like to get the opportunity without me making it awkward.

There was nothing manipulative about it at face value, which was something. More like an olive branch and recognition that it might be uncomfortable. It wouldn't take away all my doubts, however. I wasn't going to let myself be played again.

After thinking a little longer and noticing the time, I decided to respond and put her mind at ease. She was clearly up late over it.

Juno,

Come. The band wants you there, and I'd hope we could be civil if nothing else. It'll be a good song, but we want to make sure it's the best. Kai wants to pick your brains about it some more, and it's easier to create in the same space.

Jack

I sent it and sat back, trying to get the memory of her sweet face and how her eyes had lit up when she saw me again out of my head. She was a beautiful woman, but I didn't want her under my skin. It would take all my resolve not to let her worm her way in.

Before I could move, she'd replied.

Jack,

Thank you. I'd hope we could be more than civil, perhaps even friends. I don't think I was truly ready for anything more, and I'm sorry. It wasn't fair for me to invite you into my world when I was still getting my shit straight after the breakup with Greg. As you can probably imagine, it's been an emotional few weeks.

I'm glad you don't mind. I was really looking forward to the idea of coming to New York. It might sound crazy, but I've never been to the big city before, and I've always wanted to.

Juno.

I raised an eyebrow, but the email made me feel better. She was at least appearing to be mature about the whole thing. It was a start.

Juno,

Friends sounds good. I'll show you around my favorite places while you're here if you like? There's a few amazing restaurants you need to eat at. I think Alma is looking forward to getting to know you better, too. Kai said she had good things to say after you came to hang out with the band.

I hope you're not up late worrying about any of this. I won't get in the way of your career or anything just because we had a thing, but it didn't work. That would be a pretty shitty thing to do to someone who clearly already has enough shit to deal with.

Or, if it's your ex making you scared or something, I can recommend a bodyguard company. I've had to hire some UK-specific ones a few times.

Jack

This time, I didn't put the tablet down. Now that I knew she was up and responding quickly, I wanted to make sure she wasn't awake because she was scared before I stopped responding. I thought back to the tussle on the stairs a few times. She'd been terrified, and even now, just the thought of what her ex might have done to her made me want to fly back and be some kind of guardian angel.

It must have been even scarier for her. She hadn't known I was coming back so soon. Until I'd shown up, she'd have thought she was alone. And then I'd taken offense at her secrecy and rushed out, too. More than once, I'd felt guilty about abandoning her like that, but the thought of having someone lie to me again, whatever the reason, made me want to run a million miles.

The chime of the next email pulled me from my guilty thoughts.

Jack,

My agent was so excited about getting to work with your band and thought I would be, too, so he woke me. I was a little worried about my ex, but he doesn't know exactly which apartment I'm in, only the floor of the building. I also think you scared him pretty well. Sometimes, that's all a bully needs to make him back off.

I was a little worried you wouldn't want me working with you, which is why I emailed, but it was more that I didn't want you to be forced into this, either. I'm honestly just over the moon that reading one of my books inspired someone to write a song and create something of their own.

Juno

I grinned at the sweetness of her response and found myself tapping away in reply.

Juno,

I'm also flattered you were inspired to write such a beautiful story of love and healing out of my characters and music. It feels like it's a full circle. I inspired you, and then you inspired me. It's fitting. You're clearly a beautiful person.

Jack

As I hit the send button, I realized what I'd said. It was definitely going too far. I swore and got up. What was I thinking? I was going to make her think I wanted something more again when I just wanted to get through this songwriting thing and move on. But she had inspired me, and I was stunned by the book she'd created from her own inspiration.

Growling my frustration, I threw myself back on the bed and tried to think about anything else. This was no good. I was going to tie myself in knots. Another bing disturbed me once more.

Jack,

You're a very beautiful soul as well. I'm very glad you feel the way you do about my story and Hunter and that we can be friends. You're a good man.

I should try and go back to sleep. Looking forward to talking more about it all when I'm there with you and the rest of the band. Hope your shows go well in the meantime.

Juno

I exhaled, feeling both relieved and as if I wanted to message her again and catch her before she slept. I wanted to get her attention back and ask her something. Anything.

It could be lonely on the road, and for a moment, we'd connected, and not just in a sexual way. We had something to talk about, and I felt protective of her.

As I lay back, I pictured the bruises on her side. They'd haunted me since the moment I'd first set eyes on them, and she'd hastily covered them back up. How had any man done those to her, such a sweet little thing?

My hands clenched into fists as I thought of her ex and what he might have done if I hadn't arrived when I did. If nothing else, it made me glad I'd been in her life as little as I had. My actions had prevented her from facing more of his abuse, even if they'd done nothing to help either of our hearts.

With this thought, I also decided to get some sleep. I had shows to perform, and it wouldn't be long before she was here in New York with us. Whatever it brought, I knew I needed to be ready. Ready to resist and keep us level.