Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
“I should be apologizing,” she says. “Brianna and I really shouldn’t have been—”
“No, you shouldn’t have,” Jesse cuts her off. “But we’re all adults here, even though it’s hard for me to remember that sometimes.”
Maddie apologized? I didn’t see that coming. She was so angry with me, and—
“We need a favor from you two,” Jesse continues. “Rory and I, and the band.”
“Of course,” Maddie says. “What do you need?”
I still haven’t said anything. This conversation is surreal. No one has spoken directly to me, and what would I say anyway?
Jesse clears his throat. “Someone needs to be at the hospital for Dragon. For when he wakes up. I’ve already called and told the staff that the two of you would be coming over to act in my stead.”
News to me. The last thing I want to do is babysit Dragon Locke.
But if this is what Jesse needs from me, I’ll do it.
Maddie gazes to the floor, looking crestfallen. “Well, yeah, sure, Jess. Whatever you need.”
“It would be best for me to be there,” Jesse says, “but Jett has arranged for a drummer for us until Dragon’s back on his feet, which means we need to get him up to speed on our numbers this afternoon. Dragon will probably wake up sometime before this evening, and I don’t want him to be alone when he does.”
“Yeah, of course. Sure,” Maddie says again.
I simply nod.
Not exactly how I expected to spend the afternoon, but because Jesse asked, I will do it. I will do whatever he needs me to do.
Which probably includes staying the hell away from him.
“I’ve arranged for our limo to take you to the hospital,” Jett says.
“They can take a cab,” Jesse says.
“Don’t be silly. All the band members are here at the hotel right now, and our driver isn’t doing anything. It won’t be a problem at all.”
“But they may be at the hospital for a while,” Jesse says.
“Whatever you need, Jesse,” Maddie says once more. “If you need me to help watch over Dragon, I’ll do it.”
“I will too,” I finally say. “With two of us there, someone can be with him at all times.”
Jesse looks at me for the first time. His brown eyes are even more sad and sunken.
“Thank you.” He stares deeply into my eyes. “Thank you so much.”
The sincerity in his tone is more than clear. He’s grateful and earnest, and I won’t let him down. I’ve done enough to let him down already.
Jett rises. “The driver is waiting for you. Do you two need to go to your room and get anything?”
“I just need to grab my purse,” I say.
“Yeah, me too.” Maddie walks to Jesse, pulls him out of his chair, and embraces him. “I’m so sorry, Jesse.”
Jesse kisses the top of her head. “It’s okay, sis. Everything’s going to work out fine.”
But from the look on his face, I don’t think Jesse is convinced.
All I can do is what he asks.
Go with Maddie to the hospital, watch over Dragon.
Maddie lets go of Jesse, and again he gazes at me.
I want to launch myself into his arms, bury my head in his hard chest. Tell him how sorry I am about everything. That I’ll take care of Dragon. That I’ll do anything. That I’ll let him go if that’s what he needs.
But I don’t.
Instead, I follow Maddie out the door. We take the elevator to our room, and we both grab our purses.
Then, without speaking, we head back down, walk through the lobby, and find a large limo parked right outside the entrance to the hotel. A driver, dressed all in black, waits for us.
“Are you Ms. Pike and Ms. Steel?” he asks.
“Yes,” Maddie says.
“I’m Adolpho. I’m here to take you to the hospital.” Adolpho holds the door to the back seat.
Maddie climbs in, and I climb in next to her.
Adolpho takes his place in the front seat, and we’re off.
Off to spend the day at the hospital, waiting for Dragon to wake up.
Chapter Seven
Jesse
Derek Bell, the drummer that Emerald Phoenix so graciously loaned to us, is a huge talent. He may not have Dragon’s intuition, but what he lacks in instinct he makes up for in pure finesse. He’s a nearly perfect percussionist with regard to technique.
He didn’t miss a beat during our first rehearsal.
I’m so damned grateful that I didn’t mention the fact that both Jake and Cage were a little late coming in on the first run-through.
I’m content with Derek’s skills after rehearsing each number once.
We need to save our energy for tonight’s concert.
“Thanks, man,” I say, shaking his hand. “I don’t know what we’d do without you.”
“Not a problem. Sorry about your guy. So he’s an addict, huh?” Derek shakes his head. “I’ve never met an addict who didn’t relapse.”
Something bites the back of my neck, but I breathe through it. Best not to piss off the guy who’s saving our ass. “Dragon’s not like that. He’s been sober for years.”