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“Do you see my tattoo?”
“Yes.”
“What’s it say?” I ask her.
“Jojo.”
“And who is Jojo?”
“Me,” she says.
“Hmm… does Jojo love me?”
She nods. “More than words.”
“I love you, Jojo. I know I’m not home to show you, but I need you to trust me and believe me when I tell you there isn’t another woman in this world that can compete with you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Fuck, baby,” I say as I sit up. “What can I do to prove it? I told everyone at the press junket that I love you and they’ll still twist my words. They need the drama to sell their story. We don’t need that shit in our lives; we have too much going for us.”
“I just worry that I’m not enough. I’m not into that scene and sometimes I feel like you need someone who is.”
“You are more than enough, Jojo. I don’t know what I can do to show you that. You’re the one I want, day in and day out, for the rest of my life. If I can’t have you, I don’t want anyone else.”
“Please stop.” She’s laughing so hard, she’s disappeared from the screen. I know it’s cheesy to recite lyrics, especially ones that I haven’t written, but getting her to laugh was my goal.
“Liam,” she says in a sweet, quiet voice after she’s calmed down. “When you came back I never thought we’d be where we are right now. Please have patience with me. I’m scared and feel like I don’t belong in your world right now.”
“I don’t need anyone but you. But if you want to put on a short mini-skirt and some fuck me heels, I’ll happily prove that fact to you by bending you over the couch and making you scream my name.”
“Oh God.”
“Yeah, you can say his, too.” I pause and study the woman that I love, the person I would quit this life for if she asked me to. “Baby, can you do me a favor?”
“Sure.”
“Show me your boobies. I really miss seeing them.”
Josie rolls her eyes, but takes my shirt off anyway. My eyes bug out slightly because they look larger than the last time I saw them.
“Jojo, did you get a boob job while I’ve been gone?”
“What? No,” she scoffs at me, rolling her eyes. “Why would you say that?”
“Because I know your boobs very well and unless we’re in super high-def, they look bigger.”
“Be nice, Liam or I’m shutting you off.”
I fall back and place my hand over my heart, causing her to laugh. I take advantage of her high spirits and ask her to touch her boobs. She rolls her eyes, but does it anyway. And when I ask her to get kinky with me, she happily puts herself on display for me, reminding me of everything that I’m missing.
When I get to Metro the next day, Harrison is on stage, playing for Layla and her former guitar player. This moment brings back memories, both good and bad, of the first time I ever stepped foot into this place. Once again, Layla owns the stage. It’s like she’s hasn’t even taken a break from performing by the way she’s moving to her music.
JD joins me as I lean against the bar. Before yesterday, I hadn’t shared much about my past with him and figured that after the spectacle I made at the interviews, he’d be full of questions. He hasn’t said or asked anything, and right now I’m very grateful.
“She’s good, Mate.”
“She can definitely perform,” I say, nodding in agreement.
“Everything alright, Liam?” JD asks as he studies me carefully.
JD and I are close, but not as close as Harrison and I. I look at JD now and see how much he has grown up over the past couple of years. I guess getting married, getting shot and having a kid - all within the matter of months - will do that to a person.
“I’m okay, JD.” I tell him, sincerely.
He nods, and bounces on his feet for a few minutes. “I know about Layla.”
“Not much to know,” I say, wishing I could change the subject. “I was young, heartbroken and high. I think you’ve been there a few times?”
“Yeah, no kidding. I just hope I don’t bump into any of them when the missus is around, if you catch my drift.”
“That, I do.”
I don’t know what the hell I’d do if Josie and Layla crossed paths, or if Josie were to ever find out any of the details of the hook-up. It’s a fight that we don’t need to have, ever.
As soon as the set is done, Layla jumps off stage and walks over to me. I hand her one of the bottles of water sitting on the bar, even going as far as to be a gentleman and open it for her.
“Thanks,” she says, out of breath. “Shit, performing takes a lot of out of you. I think I need a year to get ready.”
I look at my watch and laugh. “I think you have about twenty-eight hours before the first show starts.”
“Right,” she says before finishing the water. “So listen, Trixie was hinting about wanting to add some more sets, so I bit the bullet and offered to do some duets with you.”
If I had anything in my mouth, I’d be choking right now. I look at JD, who doesn’t look happy, and then back to Layla.
“What?”
She shrugs, as if it’s no big deal. I mean it’s only my marriage on the line here, not hers.
“Trixie wanted to keep you on stage longer; she says you’re the bigger draw, so I said we’d do some duets. You know, spice it up a little.”
“Shit,” JD says, taking the words right out of my mouth. I’m guessing Je
“I don’t know if I can do that, Layla.”
She steps closer and places her hand on my chest. “I remember you and me moving very well against each other back in the day. All you have to do is remember that night.” She turns and walks away, but doesn’t get far. “Oh, and Trixie wants your shirt off when you’re on stage.”
I pick up a stool and cock it back, preparing to throw it but Harrison steps in my path, while JD takes it from my hands.
“Tell her no,” Harrison says.
“I tried.”
He shakes his head. “What is it with you and these chicks? How come they never listen to you?”
“Because they all want is his dick,” JD throws it out there as if it’s a common occurrence – me being propositioned.
“JD, seriously? Sex sells, you know that. Trixie is playing off them damn photos.” I throw my hands up in frustration. I don’t mind doing duets, but not with Layla and not after the fight with Josie.
“Do you think its Trixie or Moreno making the call?” Harrison asks.
JD and I say “Moreno” at the same time and Harrison agrees with us.
“So, are you go
“Never have and can’t say that I will unless Josie is front and center and I’m singing to her.”
Even when I’m home in Beaumont and performing, I don’t take my shirt off. My tattoo is for her, and her alone.
Everything happens for a reason. You may not know the reasoning at the time, but eventually it comes to light. Two days ago, I found out that the baby Liam and I have been pla
I roll over and shut my alarm off before the offending buzzer can jar my already awake body. Sleep has eluded me since Aubrey told me the news. I thought that I’d be more upset, but the fact of the matter is I’m not, and that scares the shit out of me. I should be beside myself with grief, crying my eyes out in agony over the heartache I feel. But all I can tell myself is that this child wasn’t meant to be ours. Still, I have a room full of stuff that he needs, and I plan to give it to him.