Stricken Unveiled (Stricken Rock #2) (32 page)

Next in line

Deacon-
Texting to say I’m sorry again for
the way things went down yesterday. I’m even sorrier you had to
witness J that way. If you need anybody to talk with I’m
here.

Deacon-
Oh, since you wouldn’t know this.
J after you left cried for like an hour then passed out in the
chair. Been a good boy since. Just in case you were wondering. Not
that it matters. I just knew you might be thinking about what he
was up to.

My phone beeps and I’ve gotten another two
texts back one from both my previous people. I think today might be
a long day of communication if I keep this up. I don’t want that. I
want to eat and read and chill out. Ok, got to cut all of this
short.

Me to D
- Thanks for heads up. I’m not as
mad at you as I am at J. And you’re right it doesn’t matter if he’s
being good or not. But I always wonder. Good lookin’ out. Oh BTW I
haven’t gotten around to ask. Were the pics on Thursday your
doing?

Honestly sometimes I ask myself what I did
without a cell phone growing up. I got my first one when I was a
teenager. But they are such a lifeline. I couldn’t be having four
conversations going on simultaneously like this from all over city
or country without my phone. It rocks!

Time to see what James and Claire say.

Claire
- Nonsense I want to treat my girl
right and with all the shit Johnathan has been pulling there’s no
way I’m going to stop. You need to be pampered. I’m heading into a
meeting now. I’ll give you a shout later. And I’m glad Anna misses
me. Tell her I will give her lots of kisses soon. XOXOXO

James-
I’m always safe. Working up a
security plan with the crew you hired in S.D and a bunch of other
stuff you don’t need to worry about. Your vitamins are in the
cupboard make sure you take them. I bought some OJ this morning. I
read if you take your prenatal’s with it they will absorb better.
There’s also some salt and vinegar chips on the counter, the ones
you like. And I’m not going to wake you if it’s too late. But if I
get in at a decent time I will, so you can have some teddy bear
time. Enjoy the bed. Text or call if you need me.

Me to James-
You are so sweet. I don’t
care if it’s three in the morn wake me please. And I always need
you. So I can’t text or call every minute of every day. Have a good
day at work.

I know I sound cheesy but it’s true. With all
that’s been going on. James and Claire are my constants. I get my
sex from Claire and my comfort from James. It works for all of us.
Or I think it does and they don’t seem to be complaining.

James-
If you needed to talk or text me
all day every day, you know I’d be there. And I will have a good
day at work knowing you are safe lying in our bed eating chips and
reading. Don’t leave the house today. Not even for Claire. There is
too much drama surrounding the Johnathan stuff over the weekend and
you don’t need to be spotted. I will wake you then when I get home
after I shower. Now feed those babies and take your pill.
Please.

Hum….Drama and Johnathan that goes hand in
hand. Must be some juicy stuff on the internet. After I finish
these texts and eat I will be doing a search. If James is worried
about me being roped in it must be some real good dirt.

Now on to Stacy finally.

Stacy-
I’m sorry about this weekend. I
know I omitted a lot of things in our friendship. I promise I will
be more open and honest from now on. Just be my friend again. I’ve
talked to James he said you’re adjusting to his apartment just
fine. If you don’t like it you can always come back to me. I hope
we can talk soon. I miss my best friend. Again I’m sorry especially
about Johnathan. If you need me I’ll be there. Love you lots babe.
Xoxo

Awe, I miss Stace. Time to be best friends
again but I’m not moving back in with him. I love James’s condo and
my cuddle buddy too much to leave. Plus his bedroom retreat is
something I would seriously kill for. It’s perfect in every way.
From the smell, to the mattress, comforter, bed partner, lighting,
mood, and every other bit. The only thing that could make it any
better is a big fluffy dog sleeping next to me on the floor, a view
of the mountains and a fireplace. Two of which I might consider
talking to James about getting. A fireplace would do wonders for
this room and I love dogs. Not sure if he does. But I know he likes
fish. Fred his clown fish who lives in the living room in a giant
tank is quite the socialite for a fish. James told me he named Fred
after the Flintstones character because Pebble’s hair is a similar
color to Fred. How cute is that?

Me to Stacy-
I miss you too. We should
talk soon. If your free anytime this week that would be great. I
know I said I’m not working with the band anymore but I have some
PR stuff with some journalists to cover this week. I promised them
a juicy story after Johnathan brought them to the plane for
interviews and screwed it all up. And I know I freaked out on you
but I do still love you too. Lots. But I like it at James’s, we
share a bed and it’s been great being here. Don’t think I didn’t
like living with you I did. But it’s nice here too and more
convenient for him. Xoxoxo

Moving on down to the last person on the
list. Sadness fills my veins.

Beep Beep Beep.

Okay maybe not. I just got a text back from D
about last Thursday. Fingers crossed.

Deacon-
Part of it was me. We had four
ladies playing strip poker with us. The one pic I jizzed over the
girl’s tits. The pussy shot she took. But the one with J, he was
drunk as a skunk and put his arm out to take a pic with her since
we’d already stolen his phone. Which BTW he thought was funny. Not
until after he got sobered up a bit did he flip on me about letting
him take that pic or let that chick use his cell. So ya, it was
part me. But
not all. He didn’t fuck any of the chicks. The
one in the pic did fondle him for a bit but that’s it. He was in a
great mood after you left and wanted to party to celebrate. Shit
just got out of hand quick. Like always.

See now all that makes sense. Gotta leave it
up to D to be honest. Johnathan lied partially to keep his ass out
of trouble. My guess is he tried to swear D to secrecy about the
fondling and thought he might keep his trap shut. But D’s been on
my side for a while now and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
Which I guess is a good thing.

Now
! It’s Johnathan time.

Last four texts oldest to newest

J-
Listen Em, I know you’re dodging my
texts still but I’m sober now and I’m so sorry. Is your arm okay?
Are the babies? You don’t have to listen to a word I say. I
wouldn’t if I were you. I’ve crossed the line too many times. I
don’t know why I keep doing this. One minute I’m worried you won’t
be with me and I flip and do drugs or sleep with that Cassy chick.
Then I have you and I sabotage it. I want you to know that I do
love you. Even if it doesn’t seem that way. Hope to hear from you
soon
.

J
- Listen I know you’re living with James
and I’m glad he’ll keep you safe. There was some shit in the news
this weekend. It’s not pretty. And I know you’ll be mad. But I
wanted to give you a heads up if you haven’t already heard. I miss
you so much. Rub the babies for daddy. Please, tell them I love
them even if I keep being a jerk to their mommy. Love you.

J-
Listen baby I love you. Please text me
back. I’m dying over here without a word for days. I see you after
I fuck up royally but we haven’t talked. I need to talk. You mean
the world to me. I know I need more help than I realized. Please be
with me and help me get through this. I have too many demons as it
seems when I’m not drunk or high on pussy. I can’t keep doing this.
I want to marry you and raise our children together. That’s all I
want. You’re all the matters. I just keep fucking it up. Love you.
Get back to me soon.

J-
Fuck baby. I can’t stop thinking about
you it’s driving me crazy. I tried not to text for an hour and I
thought I was going to die. I need to talk to you. I love you so
damn much. My heart is broken without you near. My dick needs its
mate. I know I can’t ask for this. But I’m going to. Can I come and
see you today? I won’t talk. I’ll shut up. I just want to be inside
of you. You said you need to pleasure yourself a lot. Let me do
that for you. Use me. I deserve it. I want to be used. You can slap
me and degrade me. I don’t care. Just let me be with you anyway I
can. My cock doesn’t deserve you. But I will pleasure you however
you want. I’m begging you please use me.

This is Johnathan for ya. Sweet one minute,
then slowly minutes pass and he gets antsier and frantic. He has
some serious issues. I don’t even bother to read the past whatever
messages I just delete them. They’ll all sound the same anyhow.

I sit the phone down on the matress and slide
out of bed. I’m wearing a pair of black panties and a white
camisole. James’s isn’t home so I’ll be fine traipsing around in my
lack of clothes. I hit the kitchen first, grab my chips and a
banana, take my pill with the OJ James picked up for me. He
seriously needs a girlfriend. I wouldn’t be able to share his bed
anymore if he did. But he has the biggest heart and no one to share
it with. It’s sad, really. I think maybe tonight during cuddle time
I will talk to him about it why he doesn’t get out there. I can
help make him an internet dating profile. That might work.

Doorbell rings.

Shit! I should have put some clothes on. I
drop my food on the counter run into the bedroom and grab James’s
robe from the back of his bedroom door. The doorbell rings again. I
run back out into the living room and spy through the peephole,
there’s a woman in a business suit on the other side.

“Can I help you?” I yell through the door,
still looking out of the peephole.

“Are you Emily Bronwyn?” the woman asks.

“Who wants to know?” I ask and gaze over at
the clock it’s almost two. It must be the gift from Claire. Duh!
Guess I’m just overly worried after that Johnathan and James both
texted. I open the door before I get an answer. Son of a bitch! She
has a camera man behind her shooting photos of me.

“Can I help you?” I bark. This is not
good.

“Are you the mother of rock star Johnathan
Strikers babies?” The woman asks nicely holding out a small audio
recording device. Thank the lord there’s a screen door between
us.

“Who are you and what do you want?”

“I am Mary Jensen I work for the local news.
There have been searches out to find you Emily Bronwyn for the past
two days. All the local stations and magazines have been informed
that you are in fact the rock stars girlfriend and are pregnant
with his babies. Do you care to comment?”

I’m have tempted to open the door and push
her off the step. But that would make even worse press.

A delivery car pulls up on the corner. Shit!
Now my gift arrives. A man in a blue jumpsuit exits the vehicle
with a giant basket in his are. He comes up the stairs and the
reporter moves out of the way for him.

“Are you?” he looks down to the tag. “Emily
Bronwyn?” I nod and open the door. He hands me the basket and I
shut it fast and lock it. Then I slam the front door shut in the
reporters face. I have nothing to say and now I have to call James
because my location has been compromised. Somebody knows about us
and now I’m even more fucked! Damnit! So much for a peaceful day in
bed.

I put the beautiful basket down on the
kitchen table before I even get a chance to pick through it. I run
back into the bedroom and snatch my phone from the bed and call
James.

“Hey Emily what’s up?” he answers.

I’m out of breath from so much running and my
heart pounding in my chest.

“Reporter just came to the house. I opened
the door thinking it was a delivery from Claire that I was
expecting.” I say as calm as I can. But I know I’m rushing my
words.

“Shit! Okay. I’m coming home. There will be
paps, fans and reporters swarming the condo soon. I knew I
shouldn’t have left you. Damnit. I’m sorry Em. I’ll be home as soon
as I can. Close all the blinds and check the locks on all the
windows and doors. Do not open the door for anyone. I have a key.”
He says hastily, I know he’s upset with himself.

“James it’s not your fault. I’m sorry I
shouldn’t have opened the door. I will do what you say. But I
locked the screen door too, that doesn’t have a key lock.”

“You stay put. I will knock when I get home
then and you can let me in. I’m walking out of the door right now.
Hold on a sec don’t hang up.” He explains.

He’s talking to other people. “Guys I’m
leaving the news found out Em’s at the condo. I have to go home. If
you need any more help call me”

“What?! I’m coming with you!” I hear none
other than Johnathan say. His voice is distinguishable. I had no
idea James was hanging with him today. Guess that’s why he said
‘don’t worry.’ If I’d known he was with the asshole I would
have.

“No you’re not. That’s two people I’d have to
protect. You did this. If Ashley wouldn’t have been drug back into
your life the news would have never gotten out this soon.” James
chastises Johnathan firmly.

“Let me talk to her.” Johnathan demands.

“No, call her on your own phone I am leaving
to take care of another mess you created and hurt her with. That’s
my job. I will take care of that woman until my last dying breath.
Now go back inside and get on with the day.” James orders.

“If you fall in love with her James you’re
fired.” Johnathan barks angrily.

“Yeah well if you knew what’s best for her
Johnathan this would have never happened. So let me do my damn
job.” James yells and I can hear him walking away.