Teacher: The Final Act (A Hollywood Rock n' Romance Trilogy #3) (12 page)

“Whoa!  Guys!  Get over here!  Black popped the question!”  

All of a sudden I was surrounded by sweaty, smelly guys all trying to grab my hand from each other.  Legs woofed protectively and Jinx looked down in shock.  

“Holy shit!  Is that Legs?  What the hell have you been feeding her?”  

I bent down to give her a scratch.  ”She’s mixed with Irish Wolfhound.  The vet said she’s likely to top out over one hundred twenty pounds!”  

He looked over at Johnny, his eyes wide.  ”It’s a good thing she’s living with you.  She’s going to be a beast!”  

Cosmo came out then, shirtless in a pair of jeans.  His long, curly hair was pulled back in a hair tie, he was freshly shaved, and he looked as though he’d just hopped out of the shower. His eyes lit up when he saw me. He made his way over to give me a hug.

“Jesse Baby, I’ve missed you,” he said quietly.  

I smiled up at him and he kissed my cheek.  

“Dude!  Look at this rock!”  Jinx stuck my hand in Cosmo’s face. He blanched, then took it gently in his to examine it.

“It’s beautiful, Jesse.  Congratulations.”  He kissed my cheek again and hugged me, giving me an extra squeeze.  When he stepped back, I detected a hint of sadness in his eyes.  

I frowned.  ”Where’s Maria?” I asked him, hoping to deflect any deeper conversation.  

He shrugged.  ”Not sure.  She and I parted ways.  I guess the Tragedy was a little too much for her.”

Shit.  I was hoping that wasn’t the case. “I’m sorry, Cosmo.  Are you okay?”  

He shrugged and sighed exaggeratedly. “I will be.  I always am.  I survived you leaving, so I guess I’ll be fine.”  

I rolled my eyes and elbowed him.  He noticed Legs.  Then did a double take.  ”I can’t believe it. She’s huge!”  He got down on a knee and Legs licked him affectionately.  

I thought back to the afternoon I came and got her.  That was back in July! He hadn’t seen her in four months! He took my hand in his and I followed him back into his apartment. There were some familiar faces sitting around the living room so I said hello.  The crowd seemed a little mellower than they used to be, and I was thankful for that.  

Cosmo asked me what I was drinking.  ”Just water, thanks.”  I sat down at his dinette set in the kitchen and Legs sat obediently next to me.  Cosmo put down a bowl of water for her and then took the other chair.  We talked for a long time about the band, about Danny, about Jane…  He asked me where everyone was.

“We had a little unexpected guest show up and throw a wrench into things.  Jane’s at her friend’s for the weekend. Nora’s staying with her sister.  Danny and the guys are in New York.  They’re going to be on Saturday Night Live tonight.”

“Really?  Hey Jinx!  Turn on the TV.  Doesn’t SNL come on earlier here?”  He looked at the schedule and saw that the show would be on at nine, which was in just a few minutes.

Cosmo kicked some people off the couch so we could sit closer and watch.  ”So, unexpected guest?”  

I looked around and spoke quietly in his ear.  ”It’s Brooke.  She’s been staying with us this week.  I guess things were not going well in New York.”  He nodded like he understood completely.  ”I dropped her at her mother’s house yesterday and I’m not sure when she’s coming back.  I felt a little weird about leaving her, but I wanted to see you guys and I didn’t feel like I could tell her no.”

He smoothed his hair back.  ”She’s a grown woman.  Dealing with an adult who makes bad decisions is not a good time, baby.  When is Black coming home?”  

I sagged a little.  ”Monday sometime.  He leaves again a couple days later.”  I sighed loudly and he put his arm around me.  

“You’re going to be fine.  You just might have to take care of yourself, ya dig?  Like borrow some of Jinx’s porn collection.”  

I snorted out a very unattractive laugh.  ”Uh, no thanks.  I think I’ll survive.”  

He shook his head.  ”I don’t know.  Ladies left unattended can get, you know, frustrated.  I’d hate for Danny to come home and find you—”

“I’ll be fine, Cosmo!”  I slugged him in his arm. This felt so much like old times.

I was leaning back into the couch when all of a sudden Sam shrieked, “LOOK JESSE!  They’re on!!!”  He cranked up the sound on the shitty TV and there they were.

Danny wore black jeans and a black button down with the sleeves cut off at the shoulder.  His smile was cocky and he was throwing off major sexuality.  They launched into their new release, which had a complicated hook at the beginning.  They sounded good, but it wasn’t quite as thrilling as having them play in Danny’s living room.  Our living room.  It was still so surreal, and here I was wearing Danny’s engagement ring!  I must have had a silly grin on my face because they guys all started razzing me.

The music pulled back at one point and it was just Danny voicing over a heavy bass line that grew and grew.  He gripped the microphone in both hands and stared right into the camera.  It was like he was staring right at me, singing to me.  It was crazy! This song was one of the ones he wrote about us and it got a little explicit.  I felt my face flush thinking about the specific night he was singing about and thought Cosmo just might be right about needing to take care of things.

When their performance was over, the TV got turned down and the music turned back up.  The guys asked me when the wedding would be. I told them I had no idea, that it all happened so fast.

“I promise, you’ll all get an invitation.”  

Another round of hugs and it was time for Legs and I to go home.  I walked her around downstairs so she could go potty before we headed home.  Cosmo stayed with me and lingered as I let her into the back seat.

“You sure you’re okay, Cosmo?” I finally asked him.  

He smiled and pulled me into his arms.  He felt safe to me, like hugging a brother.  ”I’m fine, baby.  Just tired.  I’m ready for this band to take off, ready for something to happen.  I can’t keep partying with these guys forever.  I’m thirty years old, man! I thought I’d be happy just lounging around this shithole all my life, but working with Danny, seeing there’s a chance for us to go somewhere?  I want it.  I’m just sorry I realized it too late to be with you.”  

My stomach dropped a little.  It was so much easier with Cosmo as my friend.  I didn’t want him to hurt.  ”I see great things happening for you.  You’re so talented, Cosmo. You’re such a good man.  I’m sorry if you’re hurting.”  

He shook his head, looking embarrassed.  ”It’s cool, baby.  I think it was more the idea of you, anyway.  I mean, I do love you, but I just see how supportive and loving you are with Danny and I want that, too.”

I smiled up at him.  ”I want that for you.  You just have to be selective.  These little girls who hang out here aren’t looking for a man like the real you.  That’s why I hoped it would work out with Maria.  Maybe it’s not too late?”  

He shrugged. “Don’t worry about me.  I’m cool.  You just be careful.  I don’t like you up in that big house all alone.  Set the alarm, dig?  And text me when you get home.”  

I kissed his cheek and he hugged me to him once more. “Take care, baby.”  He waved as I climbed in and drove off.

I saw in my rearview mirror that he watched as I drove away, his hands in his pockets.  Needless to say my visit ended on an unsettling note.  It took forever to get home and I was yawning as I pulled into the driveway.  There were lights on, so I assumed Brooke was back.  I groaned and turned around to give Legs a scratch.  ”You gotta hang out with me, okay?  Don’t leave me alone with her.”  Legs let out a sigh and I laughed.  She was so expressive. I loved her so much.

The door was unlocked and I heard laughing from inside.  I started to get the chills and Legs growled low in her throat.  I kept a good hold on her leash and told her “easy.”  Brooke was in the living room with a couple of sketchy looking men.  One of them was kissing her neck. She looked really out of it.

“Brooke,” I called.  

She noticed me and then rolled her eyes.  ”Oh, hi Jesse.  This is Carl and Mike.  Guys, this is the future Mrs. Black.”  

One of the guys, Carl I guess, was helping himself to Danny’s booze and had a cigar lit.  I cringed at what they’d been up to while I was gone.  

“Brooke, can I talk to you?” I asked and started walking toward the kitchen.  

Mike stepped away from her and blocked my way. Legs growled at him as he reached down to pet her.  I yanked her back before she bit him.

“Whoa, now.  No need to get feisty there, puppy.  We’re just having a good time.  Why don’t you come have a good time with us?”  He fingered my hair on my shoulder and my stomach lurched as I jumped away from him.  

I started to shake, but I wasn’t about to let him know how scared I was.  ”I want you to get out of my house,” I said firmly, not really sure where my courage was coming from.  ”Both of you.  Brooke, your friends need to leave.”  

Neither of the guys looked ready to leave.  I threw back my shoulders and loosened my grip on Legs’ leash.  She was really growling now, her hackles were all up.  

“Jesse, we’re just having some fun.  Come on,” Brooke said.  

I shook my head.  ”Either they leave now, or I’m calling the police.”  

She stumbled to her feet.  Carl came around and caught her around the waist.  

“Come with us, Brooke.  We’ve only just gotten started.”  He reached around to grab her breast and she pushed him away.  

“I don’t feel so good.”  She wavered once more and collapsed in his arms.  

He laughed and laid her out on the couch. “Perfect.”

I was beyond furious.  This was NOT happening in my house!

I stepped over and punched the silent alarm on the keypad and yelled, “You two better get the fuck out of here. Now! The police are on their way. I’m more than happy to show you the fucking door.”  I let go of Legs’ leash, but she stayed by my side, guarding me.  I stepped into a defensive stance, ready to put my training to work.  

Mike stepped closer to me and sneered, “How cute!  Did you take a kickboxing class?”  

He reached for me and three things happened.  I delivered a punch to his throat, I kneed him in the nuts, and Legs lunged at him, snapping and snarling as he hit the ground.  Carl hurried over and pulled a groaning Mike up from the floor.  

“Jesus, lady!  We were just trying to have a good time.  We’re out of here.”  

He dragged his friend out the door and I slammed it behind him, locking it tight.  I slumped against the wall, the adrenaline too much for me.  I felt like I was going to hurl, but I needed to check on Brooke.  

Legs didn’t leave my side as I made my way over to the velvet couch.  Brooke was passed out cold.  I turned her on her side in case she vomited and I sat with my head in my hands trying to get my breathing under control.  Legs nudged me with her nose and I hugged her tight.  

“You are the best dog in the whole world, girl!  Thank you, my sweet puppy.”  

She licked my face a few times for good measure.  I jumped when I heard pounding at the door. I hurried to open it once I checked the peephole. Legs never left my side.  I grabbed her leash and held her back as she barked like crazy.

“Ma’am, we received an alarm from this house.”  

I exhaled, grateful once again for Danny’s alarm system.  ”Yes, please come in.  I came home and found some men in my living room and they didn’t want to leave.  I think we need an ambulance, though.  My fiancé’s ex-wife is passed out and I don’t know if they drugged her or not.”  

Legs was going crazy, so I pulled her back before she bit the good guys.  ”Do you know if there’s anyone else here?” the officer asked.  

I froze. “Oh my God!  I don’t know!  I just assumed it was the two of them.  Can you check the house, please?”  

One of the officers checked on Brooke and then called for an ambulance.  The other officer took off down the hallway.  Once he checked all the rooms, he came back out and told his partner that all was clear.  

“Ma’am, it looks like some of the drawers in your room may have been disturbed.  Can you please come and check it out?”  

Legs and I hurried down the hallway and into our closet.  I gasped and got teary when I saw that my top drawer was opened.  

“Oh no,” I breathed.  The pearls that Danny gave me when we went to visit his parents were gone from their gift box.  I teared up, devastated to lose such a precious gift.  Thankfully, none of Danny’s things were missing. His drawers were all intact. The officer said he’d take a police report for the items, but he’d need information from Danny when he returned.

I sat on the steps going down to the living room and held onto Legs.  I heard my phone buzzing from inside my purse.   

“Jesse?  Are you ok?” It was Patricia. “The alarm company just called me.”

The second line buzzed at the same time and I saw Danny’s name.  ”I’m okay, Patricia.  Danny’s on the other line. Let me answer.”  I put her on hold and picked up.

“JESSE!  Oh, honey, are you okay?  What the fuck happened?”  

I exhaled and finally felt like I could breathe normally. “I’m fine, baby.  I got home with Legs from Cosmo’s house and Brooke had a couple guys—”  

He started swearing and shouting.

“Danny!  Listen, I’m fine, but Brooke’s passed out and I don’t know if they drugged her or if she’s… I had them call an ambulance.  I know she didn’t want anyone to know—”

“Too fucking bad!  What the fuck was she doing bringing losers into our fucking house?  That’s it!  That’s the last fucking time I ever help her out of a jam.  I can’t fucking… Oh shit, babe!  Did anything happen?  Please fucking tell me you’re alright!”  He was breathing hard.

I could tell he was completely distraught. I tried to reassure him. “I’m fine.  Neither of them touched me.  You can thank Legs and the self-defense training for that.  One of them probably won’t be walking right for a while, though.”  

He let out another round of curses.  ”I’m so sorry, Jesse.  I never should have let her stay. I can’t believe— God, I love you, honey.  Let me call Patricia and see if she can get me a flight home.”  

“No, Danny.  It’s okay.  I’m okay.  I know you have to work. Patricia’s on the other line.”