Glam Metal (43 page)

“Damon, I know Jay was rude to both of you the other night but he being here will have enhanced the turnout tonight.” Sam was torn between her love for Jay and her professional life.

“Well, as long as you know what you are doing Sam. But can you be sure; he’s not doing coke again?” This hit her hard. Of course she noticed he was acting a bit strange and was a little moody. But he had been through rehab before Jaime was born, she doubted he would be so stupid to go back to it again.

“Damon, I know him and he’s not doing coke. Excuse me.” Sam walked away and went over to Jay. Damon was watching her. He shook his head and went over to Ben and they discreetly left.

On the verandah of the house she shared with Jay, she thought of what Damon had said. Surely she would know if he was using again? Did she know he was using before? Sadly for her, she had to answer no. She didn’t know that he was using again. Sam decided she would ask him when he got back.

Sam was sleeping when Jay got in. He had been shooting pool with Nick and then they had a few beers and talked.

Nick had confided in him; that he thought, Lisa was feeling homesick. And he feared she was going to go back to London.

Jay had tried to reassure him that there was no danger of that. But he stopped short of telling him that the reason she was distant was that he was boning her.

He slid into bed naked beside Sam. There was a slight moan from her as he softly touched her neck with his mouth. She was so beautiful. He loved her deeply. “Jay?” She whispered sleepily. He put his arms around her and said softly. “It’s late Darlin. Go back to sleep.” He kissed her. “I love you Sam.”

Sam was in her office, she felt bad that she and Damon parted company taking sides. Of course she was going to stand by Jay but it shouldn’t have to come down to that.

Since the show, he had only called her twice to inform her that he was returning to London and that he would contact her shortly after that.

She had managed to sell four more paintings. But there were still six paintings left. Since she represented him in London, Damon had gotten used to the people falling instantly in love with his work. And he was a little irritated that she hadn’t managed to sell all of them in three weeks.

Sam was getting a tense headache. The sound of the door opening brought her back to the present. She went into the hall and down to the gallery.

She smiled as she saw a customer. Sam came forward and went over to him. It was Josh Manteca.

“Hello there.” She said warmly as she held out her hand. Josh smiled at her and shook her hand.

“I really do like this painting.” He was saying. “And of course, you’re very charming too.” Sam laughed. She liked Josh.

“And as luck would have it. That painting is still available.” She said sweetly. Josh laughed and walked over to the one in the window.

“Now this, this is one that I’m sure will send the artist to the hearts of the glitterati of LA.”  Sam nodded. He turned to her and his smile was warm and she felt at ease with him.

“And you, Mr. Manteca, can I interest you in this fine artist?” He laughed loudly and said:

“Call me Josh.” He said. “And on my salary it would take me a whole decade to afford the stand it goes on.” Sam laughed. “How about a cup of coffee?” Josh asked her. Sam looked at her watch, it was just midday and she wasn’t seeing Jay until this evening. He was working on some new songs.

“Sure.” She called to the young receptionist she had hired a week ago.

Outside the sunshine was brilliant and she put on her glasses.

 The café was fairly full but they found a nice quiet table in the corner. Josh was talking to her about Damon and how she felt that the show had gone. She told him it had been a success and that she was confident he would be as big on the West coast as he was in London.

“You really love what you do, don’t you Samantha?” She nodded. “You know I find it amazing, a woman like you with a guy from a rock band.” Sam looked at him. He was an attractive man, in his late thirties. His blond hair tousled and his eyes a light blue. He had a boyish grin.

“Jay is a very intelligent man. He’s very funny and I love him very much.” She smiled as she thought of how she and Jay made love to each other. “When we are together, the rock star isn’t.” He laughed. “Of course all of this is off the record.” He agreed. He liked her.

“You know Jay’s a lucky man.” She finished her coffee and Josh walked her back to the gallery talking and giggling.

Jay was waiting for her inside when she came back. He glared at Josh. Sam’s smile widened when she saw him.

“I didn’t expect you so soon Jay.” She kissed him. Jay looked past her at Josh and growled at him.

“Still snooping around?” Josh smiled and said:

“You know the press, always on the lookout for a story.” And to Sam, he said softly. “Thanks for the coffee. Call you about doing a spread on the gallery.” He waved and was gone.

“Babe, I was in the area and thought I’d drop by.” He took her hand. “That guy is a snoop, be careful what you say to him, Sam.” She looked at him. He was jealous. That was why he was behaving so badly towards Josh.

“Jay, you are jealous, I am a big girl and I think I can handle the press.” She laughed as she put her arm through his and they went into her office.

Sam could understand why Jay hated the paparazzi but Josh was a regular reporter and he wasn’t interested in Jay or Glam Metal but in Sam’s gallery. This for her was a first. For the first time since she came to LA the press was interested in her and not her relationship with GM Jay.

“Hey, how can I blame him, you are a hot momma.” She smiled and put her arms around him and kissed him deeply. Sam wanted to ask him straight if he was using again but looking at him now, like this, she could honestly say, he wasn’t.

“Let’s go get a room?” He teased. She laughed but she did want him to make love to her.

Lisa was lying in Jay’s arms, in the seedy motel just off the freeway.  He was looking at the stain up on the ceiling. From the first time that he played on stage, he knew that he could have any girl he wanted. They made themselves freely available to him. Allowed him to indulge in whatever he wanted to do. And they were delighted to oblige. To these girls, he was a god and to have him smile at them was enough to make them wet their panties.

For that, he was spoilt because he had his pick of beautiful girls. The other guys in the band were left with what was there once he and Nick decided who they were going to take.

First time he ever did a line, was after a show. He’d been on the tour bus and he was drinking a beer with Pete and one of the roadies. A girl came in and she was wearing only a bikini top and hot pants. Jay and Pete looked at each other and knew that they were about to have the time of their life. He gave her a beer and she handed him a sachet she had kept between her very ample breasts.

Jay took her hand and led her into the bedroom area of the bus followed by Pete. The roadie looked on from the door as Jay pushed her down on the bed. She took off her hot pants and was lying there with nothing on except the bikini top.

Taking the sachet, Jay opened it and bent over the girl and spread her legs, Pete was laughing when he saw what Jay did next; he took the white powder and just above the girl’s pubic hair line he sprinkled some of the powder and then he sprinkled more powder between her breasts. He handed the sachet to Pete and went down on the girl. Pete was doing her breasts. The girl loved it. She had two rock stars doing her. The roadie clapped his hands and muttered:

“Sick bastards!”

Lisa looked at him, he was lost in thought. She asked:

“You ok, baby?” Jay sat up; put his head in his hands. He was ready to explode, if she didn’t shut up. She reached out to touch him. He got up and moved away from her. Jay was standing beside the TV. He looked out of the window. The car park was empty except for one or two other cars besides his.

“Baby, come back to bed. Do you want a drink?” Lisa asked softly in her posh English accent.

“No, I don’t fucking want a drink.” He growled angrily back at her. Lisa was taken aback. Only half an hour ago he had been fucking her and now it was like he couldn’t stand being near her.

“Jay, what’s wrong?” He turned his attention back to the car park. He saw the white Ferrari drive up and park outside. He knew that car only too well. Quickly he pulled on his jeans and went outside. Lisa got up and went to the window.

She saw him talking to a tall well dressed guy. He looked Spanish. As she was watching she saw the Spanish guy hand him a couple of bags. Then Lisa saw Jay give him a lot of money. The other guy smiled and slapped him on the back as he turned to come back up the steps.

A few minutes later, Jay was back in the room. Seeing her puzzled face he laughed and said:

“Want to try some?” He went into the bathroom and came out with the mirror. Putting it on top of the TV he opened the bag and put the white powder onto the mirror and taking out his credit card, began to cut it. Lisa was looking at him. She couldn’t believe it. She thought he was clean. Seeing the look on her face; he laughed and said:

“Hey, this is the first time since rehab. It’s the best shit in town. Here have a try.” He rolled up a hundred dollar bill and handed it to her. Nervously she took it from him. “When you take this, Li, you’ll have the best fuck of your life. I promise.” She smiled and bent her head. A couple of snorts and it was all gone. Jay took a new hundred dollar bill and snorted up some more. He was smiling at Lisa, right at that moment she looked damn hot.

As he poured her a glass of bourbon, it hit him. He felt his head was about to explode. He downed the bourbon in one gulp and taking Lisa in his arms he pulled hard on her hair and they began to have sex again.

Sam was playing with Jaime in the garden. She held her daughter’s hands and Jaime was screeching with happiness. She was making great efforts to try to walk. Sam felt so happy and proud. She hugged her daughter close and Jaime gurgled:

“Dada.” Sam let out a shriek of delight as she repeated it. If only Jay had been here to hear her.

“Oh you are a clever girl.” She kissed Jaime’s cheek. “Such a clever girl.” Jaime giggled and squealed. Sam looked at her watch. It was almost seven. As she was going inside Jay appeared around the corner. He was smiling broadly.

“Hey, the two most beautiful girls in California!” He said as he took his daughter in his arms. Kissing Sam on the mouth, she could tell he had had a drink. Seeing her look he said:

“Don’t start, Sam.” And turning to his daughter, he kissed her and said. “Princess, did you miss your daddy?” Jaime squealed with delight and nuzzled her head in his neck. He took her inside.

Sam stared after him. He had been drinking and he was in a bad mood. She sighed and went inside.

In the kitchen she began to chop some chili peppers and was trying to fight back the tears. He seemed so distant to her lately, so angry.