Boxed Set:Taming the Rocker - Vol. 1-5 (10 page)

The woman was a fading beauty. That’s the only way I could describe her. In a weird way, she reminded me of myself. She had a heart-shaped face, with dark eyes, high cheekbones, and full lips. Her body was gorgeous; full breasts, slender waist, and rounded hips. I could see why a man like Chase’s brother would go for her. I immediately felt a bit nervous at the way she was looking at Chase. He greeted them and I immediately stepped forward.

“Hey, Lila, this is my brother, Tristan, and his wife…Ava,” Chase said.

I extended my hand and Tristan grabbed it, smiling at me in the same manner that Chase smiled. It transformed his business demeanor into a playboy look. I could see why a woman would fall for a man like him.

“Hey there, Lila. Nice to meet you. Wow, you’re much different than the type of woman I expected my brother to nab,” he joked.

“Shut it, Tristan,” Chase said.

“Oh come on, you know I was waiting for the meth head,” Tristan teased.

Chase frowned and lightly punched him in the arm. I giggled. They were brothers all right. It was kind of funny hearing the exchange. It was true. I mean, Chase looked like the type of unpredictable guy who would bring home some drugged-out, slutty groupie. I’m glad he changed, though.

I extended my hand to Ava, but, instead of taking it, she curled her lip. My eyes widened when a syrupy smile spread over her face. “Honey, I don’t shake hands with inferior women. I’m shocked, Chase. She’s actually rather clean.” Her dark eyes fell on me again, “Did you have to suck his cock and beg him to date you?”

My jaw dropped.
What a bitch!
I balled my fist to keep from slapping her. Tristan interrupted my thoughts. “Ava, that’s enough. No need to be such a bitch.” His voice held a nervous note.

She didn’t make eye contact with me again, but bumped my shoulder when she glided past. She sauntered to the dinner table and sat in the seat next to where Tristan had just settled. A fake smile was plastered across that very-slappable face. She acted like
she
owned the place.

I tried to control my anger and glanced at Chase. He wore a nervous and shocked expression.

“What the hell is up with her?” I asked.

“I dunno,” he whispered back.

I didn’t know if it was me or something else. My fingers tingled with the need for revenge. I walked over to my spot at the dinner table and sat. Their mother served the food. 

Amidst the tinkling of forks on plates, their dad said, “You know…Lila here is in college.”

“Really? That’s great. What are you majoring in?” Tristan asked. He looked legitimately interested.

“Well…I’m done with my undergrad and I’m starting law school very soon,” I replied. I tried to smile, but Ava’s cold look was impossible to ignore.

“You’re still in school? Jesus, I’ve been out of school for five years now. I have a
successful job.
I’m a reporter at a TV station. Does
Daddy
pay for your education too? Since he’s such a big-time judge?” Her tone couldn’t possibly have been more condescending.

“He does because he’s proud of me and wants me to follow in his footsteps. I am actually 21, graduated with honors, and all of it was done on at an accelerated rate. He wants me to go to Harvard.” Disdain flooded her face. I added with a cold look of my own, “I’m doing pretty well for my age and don’t plan on working at a…TV station.”

“
Whatever
. I bet Chase met you at some drunken college after-party,” I tried to keep my expression neutral but could tell she saw the truth written on my face.

I raised my hand with the intent to reach over the table when Chase’s mom calmly said, “That’s enough. I want to have a nice family dinner. If whatever issues cannot be placed aside, then I’ll ask whomever to leave.”

Ava’s gaze was cold as ice but she didn’t move. She also never took her dark stare from my face. I didn’t know if she was jealous or what her problem was.
Did she want Chase instead of Tristan? Was she jealous because I was younger and resembled her? What the hell is going on?

I knew there was jealousy involved. There had to be. Women didn’t just attack each other without a reason like she was doing.
Maybe their marriage is in trouble and she’s jealous of our relationship.
I tried to be nice throughout the meal. Every time I tried to talk to Tristan or Chase, Ava would jump in with some bitchy phrase. 

After a couple more times, his mom thankfully told her to knock it off again. Chase laced his fingers with mine and rested them by his plate. I thought Ava would actually explode. Her face turned red and she looked at her plate. After the painful hour of her spreading bitchiness through dinner, it was finally over. Everyone rose and fled the table. Chase sat there with my hand still laced in his and said, ““Ahh…that was delicious, Mom.”

“You’re telling me. Your mom is a killer cook,” I replied. It was true; I hadn’t had a meal like that in a long time. She beamed at us and gathered plates to transfer to the kitchen.

Chase smiled at me and said, “I’m so glad you liked it. And they like you a lot too. Sorry about Ava. I don’t know what’s up with her.”

I was about to respond, but his cell phone rang. Chase answered it and frowned, “Okay. Okay. Give me one second.”

He motioned to me that he would be back in a minute and headed upstairs. I wondered what was going on but dismissed it as work stuff. I continued to talk with his mom for a few minutes as I helped her gather the dishes. Ava suddenly turned from the window and announced, “Excuse me. I have to use the
ladies
room.” Her voice was still cold.

Before anyone could speak, she rushed out of the room. I couldn’t read Tristan’s look. That wall of seriousness seemed to fall over his face. 

Chase

My manager wanted to schedule something. I walked into my bedroom and closed the door. He rattled on, not letting me answer. When he started demanding that I contact the other band mates and set future tour dates, I thrust my hand in my hair and sat on the bed.

After ten minutes of trying to explain that I was on break, which meant peace and quiet, I was finally able to end the call. I was getting a headache and knew it was from stress. I placed my forehead in my palms and rubbed my temples.
I am not in the mood for this. First Ava gets all bitchy, then my manager almost goes postal…what is wrong with people. Just give me a damn break!

Footsteps sounded on the stairs and then outside my door. I immediately wondered if it was Lila coming to check up on me. She’d become pretty good at sensing when I grew too stressed out. I grinned and leaned back. The door opened and I felt the blood run out of my face. The one person that I didn’t want to see stepped into my bedroom.

Ava’s expression was cold and sour.

She looked older than the last time I saw her.
Was her marriage or her job starting to get to her?
Something was eating at her and I sincerely hoped it wasn’t something that I did.
Has she done something different with her skin? Damn, she’s aged.
I braced myself when she sauntered over to me with displeasure written all over her face. She stopped in from of me and we stared at each other for a moment. I expected the bitchiness from the dinner table or some kind of wrath. I heard something completely different.

“I made a huge mistake, Chase…a really fucked-up mistake,” she said.

I looked at her like she had sprouted two heads.
What the hell was she talking about!? What mistake was that?
Did she fuck up her job? Her marriage? Is that why she looked like a burnt-out old woman?
I couldn’t help but feel pity for her. Thinking about the dinner, I realized it had to be her marriage. She and Tristan hadn’t exactly looked happy together.

I frowned and asked, “What do you mean?”

“What I
mean
is I don’t like the new little
arm-candy
you have. A little girl that hasn’t had any fun, so she probably just wants you for a good time. Little sluts like that always run after fame. She got tired of riding Daddy’s power trip and coattails. Chase, I made a mistake. I cannot stop thinking about you. After you left…I felt miserable. Tristan and my relationship has only gotten worse instead of better. I just want a way out, and I need you. I should have said yes and left with when I had the chance. Things are rapidly going downhill. Babe, I can’t stop thinking about you.”

I was shocked. I never expected she’d come at me like this. If this had happened before Lila, I would have been all over Ava. I had almost been obsessed with her after we parted. Hearing it now, I was disgusted…especially after her behavior at dinner. She was nothing but a jealous older woman who was begging for me back. I stood so she wouldn’t sit on my bed.

Oh hell no…I do not want you in my life. I love Lila.

“Ava.” I held a hand up in front of me, “I understand where you’re coming from. I…”

She was suddenly pressing her body against mine, so hard that I stumbled backward. She started kissing me and I tried to turn my head. Her hips were grinding against me. I tried to push her away and move. Her knee was between my legs, blocking me from sliding sideways along the wall.
Damn it…get off me.

The hinge on my bedroom door squeaked and there stood Lila. Shock and hurt was written all over her face as she locked gazes with mine.  At that moment, I knew that all hell was going to break loose!

Lila

What the hell is going on!?

Seriously, just what the
fucking hell
is going on? I went upstairs after listening to Chase’s mom talk about her pie-baking business. After opening Chase’s bedroom door, I find him lip-locked with Ava…
Tristan’s wife
. 

That fucking slut!

I wanted to blame her so bad, but Chase didn’t exactly look innocent with his hands on her hips. He seemed to be enjoying her sensual rub.
The nerve of him!
My mind was screaming curses and
STOP!
But I was rooted to the floor. It was so weird. I’m not usually the paranoid type, but something was really off about this visit.

I had felt it all night. There was more to this. I knew it. I mean, the whole night had just been way too damn weird with Ava being a bitch while Tristan and Chase let her. In that split-second of my frozen stance, I recognized the jealousy of a woman that has been familiar with
my boyfriend
. 

She finally pulled away from him and turned with a shit-eating grin. “See that? Looks like your loyal little boy-toy isn’t so loyal after all.” Her sneer and harsh words jarred me back to reality.

“
What the FUCK is going on!?
” 

Her taunt didn’t bother me. I had other things I needed to settle first. Like why in the world was she lip-locking with my boyfriend instead of with her husband?
Shit! Where the fuck is Tristan?
My gaze flew to Chase, who wasn’t exactly looking innocent. This may be even more awkward than I first thought.

She looked at Chase and emitted a fake sigh as if saying
Oops! She caught us
. I knew her little act wasn’t real, but my anger overrode all thoughts. I wanted answers. I needed answers right then and there. I felt angry tears coming on and tried to stop them.

She mocked me with a pouty face, making her lower lip tremble. “Aww, did I hurt the wittle girl’s feelings? Well, the wittle girl should know that this isn’t the first time that he’s kissed me.” Her face twisted. “Your boyfriend has a dark and dirty little secret. I bet he doesn’t want you to find out, huh?” A victorious smile spread over her face, “I bet he never even brought up the truth before bringing you here.” Her expression turned all innocent. “But I don’t want him to lead you on any longer. You should know the truth, Honey. You should really rethink your priorities before you even consider a relationship with this bad boy.”

My gaze darted between the two of them. Chase remained completely silent. Ava thrust her chest out and her hands went to her hips. She pissed me off so bad, but I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to tear her face off and rip her hair out, but not in their parent’s house. I had more respect than this slut. I took a deep, ragged breath. My nerves jumped as I looked at her. She didn’t say anything else, just stared at me like she owned him and the place.

Say something! Ask him about it! Just don’t stand there…

“Um… what does she mean Chase?” My timid tone made me want to scream.

A part of me didn’t want to know the answer. That part wanted to wrap up in a blanket of ignorance and make it all go away. I wanted to run, never look at her again. But I knew I had to hear this. I could see it on her face and in his silence…there was something very wrong. Some fucked-up, twisted truth was waiting to wreck my world. I was getting more nervous because there was worry in Chase’s eyes.