A Twist of Fate (13 page)

“I’ll see you
later then, Lex.” He kissed me on the cheek before making his
exit.

~~~~~~

Mike looked
vastly improved; he’d been moved into a ward, which looked and felt
more welcoming. All the monitors and machines were gone, replaced
by a single IV. Jackson, who was sitting in the chair beside him,
leapt to his feet to greet me when I walked in.

“Lexi!” he
yipped, clearly excited to see me.

“Hey Jackson!
Hey Mike! Wow you are both looking so much better,” I
exclaimed.

“Yeah I feel
better, think they are going to let me move back into the hotel
tomorrow. James has organized a nurse.” His excitement was barely
contained.

“That’s great
news! I met your mum and dad yesterday. You have a really nice
family Mike.” I settled into the chair beside Jackson.

“Yeah they
mentioned they met you; I think you made a good impression. I feel
so bad that I’ve caused all this worry. My mom cried, I’ve never
seen her like that.” He gulped, the emotion still evidently raw.
Jackson, who slumped further into his chair, seemed to be battling
his own demons. In the past few days since the accident he had
endured constant and continuous media attention. It was evident
that he felt an enormous amount of guilt and even though he was
cleared of any wrong doing still blamed himself for the
accident.

“Mothers worry,
it’s their job... my Mum holds me responsible for every grey hair
on her head!” I tried to lighten the mood.

“Lexi, will you
do me a favour?” Mike asked.

“Of course,
unless it’s taking off my top because that was a onetime deal,” I
flirted.

Jackson laughed
while Mike tried to stifle his, “Broken ribs Lex, be easy on me.”
He rubbed his bandaged side. “Can you drag Jacks out of here, he’s
been in here for days and I keep telling him he doesn’t need to be,
but he won’t leave.”

Jackson shook
his head “Mate, it’s fine, I’d rather keep you company.”

“Dude, you’re
cramping my style. How am I supposed to score with any of these hot
nurses if I have to compete with you?” Mike gave a cheeky wink. I
could see he was concerned for his friend and he knew, as I did,
that he would not leave of his own volition.

“Jackson,
you’re coming home with me. I’m cooking dinner - come” I commanded
with my finger.

“Lexi, I don’t
want to leave Mike. Thanks but I think I’d rather stay,” Jackson
protested.

“Jackson Rose,
that was not a request! Move your ass!” I watched him shift in his
seat.

“You’re Bossy,”
he argued.

“Yeah, tell me
something I don’t know. Let’s go.” We waved goodbye to Mike as I
dragged Jackson out of the room.

~~~~~~

Dinner proved
to be interesting with Emma and Jackson instantly hitting it off.
He seemed really impressed with her appreciation of music and asked
her all about her work as an art teacher. I allowed them to
dominate the conversation and enjoyed the ease of the
atmosphere.

“You guys going
to the show tomorrow?” Jackson asked innocently.

“Sure are,”
Emma responded sweetly.

“We should go
together, hang out,” Jackson suggested.

“I’m working
for part of it, but you guys should go together and I’ll meet you
there, ok?” I concluded. Emma and Jackson both nodded in agreement
and exchanged phone numbers. It was getting late and I think I
yawned one too many times so Jackson and Emma both decided to leave
and grab a late night coffee somewhere to discuss tomorrow’s
plans.

I loved the
fact Emma was excited. She was so sweet and deserved someone decent
in her life, and from what I could see, Jackson fit the profile. He
was a few years younger but that didn’t seem to matter as they
shared a lot of the same interests. I knew Emma would be cautious
as she always was; she was a romantic but a realist so if it was
meant to be, it would work itself out. I smiled as I curled up in
my bed. It was the first early night I’d had in days and my body
craved sleep.

~~~~~~

Buzz.
Buzz.
The vibrations woke me from my sleep. Without opening my
eyes I pulled my mobile phone into my bed. It was 1am

- Haven’t heard from
you today, have I been replaced? Your sex slave Alex xx

- I was working.
Remember working? We all can’t be rock gods! I like the sex slave
part. Can you get that printed on a business card for me? PS I was
sleeping!

- Cards are currently
at printers as we speak. Are you naked?

- Yes and alone hence
why I was SLEEPING as you should be

- There are lots of
things I SHOULD be doing- all of them include you and I naked and
alone

- GO TO SLEEP ALEX-
Your bitchy publicist xx

- I think you’d be
less bitchy if you CAME over- just sayin’ :-P

- SLEEP ALEX! – Lexi
xx

- Fine! Goodnight
Beautiful – Alex xx

I fell asleep
with my hand still clutching my phone and a grin fixed firmly on my
face.

The press call
at sound check had been standard. I had made sure I briefed all
parties involved that only questions about the concert and tour
would be answered and for the most part, everyone was respectful of
my directive. One reporter had tried to delve deeper into the
accident and had promptly found himself ejected as I had threatened
at the start. James was back to his relaxed and confident self and
had everyone eating out of the palm of his hand.

Alex and I
traded our usual barbs; as far as everyone was concerned we barley
tolerated each other. “He’s taxing, but he really is a sweetheart”
Hannah reassured me.

“Sorry?” I
inquired, slightly confused by what she meant.

“Alex - there
seems a lot of tension between the two of you,” she whispered.

“He just
doesn’t like being told what to do.” I surmised.

“Well, that’s
the truth.” She laughed. It was easy to be around Hannah, a lesser
woman would have been threatened by the obtrusive attention that
followed her husband but not her. I’m not sure even I was that
resilient. I don’t know how she watched these women throw
themselves at James with complete disregard for his and their own
self respect. I asked her about it, wondering how she coped. She
simply smiled at me and said “Meh... watcha gonna do?” We both
erupted in fits of laughter. James and Alex sauntered over to
us.

“Well you two
seem to be having a good time, I don’t imagine this part is very
fun for either of you,” James smiled.

“Meh... watcha
gonna do?” I giggled, Hannah followed suit.

“Did we miss
something?” Alex questioned.

“No, nothing
you need to know about.” I smiled. “Well you guys better head back
to your hotel and get ready for tonight, I’ll be back here around
8pm, buzz me if you need anything.” I said my goodbyes and headed
back to my apartment.

After the press
call I’d come home and showered, readying myself for the concert. I
decided to blow dry my long hair, pulling the front back into a
sexy 50s inspired bouffant, taming my usual torrent of crazy curls
into thick large loose waves which fell down my back. As I pulled
on my clothes I was incredibly pleased with how my look had all
come together. I had paired a tight black tank top with my black
sequined Topshop hot pants and a pair of black patent leather
platform heels. In keeping with the “sex-kitten” theme I had
applied thick liquid eyeliner with lots of mascara and finished it
off with glossy red lipstick. I even had an old black leather biker
jacket to complete my rocking new look. I looked in the mirror, a
wicked grin fixed firmly on my lips - yeah I knew what I was doing.
I grabbed my access all areas pass and headed out the door.

The crowd was
thick and fevered by the time I arrived at Etihad Stadium. The
support act was already in full swing and the halls teemed with
people.

“Lexi! Over
here!” I heard Emma’s voice as I approached the side of the stage.
She was standing with Jackson watching the band that had replaced
his, their passes hanging proudly from their necks. “Wow, you look
great!” she exclaimed enthusiastically.

“Hey Em,
Thanks. Hey Jackson.” I gave them both a warm hug.

“They are
coming on in about 30 minutes.” Jackson yelled over the crowd.

“Cool, I
thought I was going to miss the start, the traffic was INSANE,” I
yelled back.

“Nah, you’re
good. They are in their dressing rooms. I took Emz down there and
introduced her.” He beamed. Obviously coffee had gone well the
other night.

“Hey! I was
going to do that!” I grinned, not the least bit annoyed.

“Sorry, we were
just already here and as I’m not playing tonight I had free time,
it just kinda happened.” Jackson explained, shifting uncomfortably
in his spot.

“Jackson, I was
kidding. It’s seriously OK.” I winked.

“Oh good,” he
breathed “you’re not the kind of person I want to piss off!” His
smile returned to his face. “Speaking of which, you may want to go
see Alex. He was pissed off you weren’t here already.”

“Oh, is he
just!” I snapped.

“Hey, don’t
shoot the messenger” he grimaced. I excused myself from Jackson and
Emma and headed toward the dressing rooms.

“Hey
sweetheart, I don’t think you’re supposed to be back here.” Troy’s
cool voice greeted me when I knocked on the door. I stood there for
a minute and let him taken me in before it hit him. “Oh shit...
Lexi?... What the hell happened to you? DAMN GIRL!”

“Are you going
to let me in? Or are you going to get security?” I teased.

“Ha, it’s
cool... I’ll do the pat down,” he teased back.

“I promise I
don’t have any concealed weapons,” I laughed as I stepped through
the doors.

The room was
amazing; it was simply designed but very tasteful. The inside had
been fashioned to resemble an opulent tent. Bright red fabric was
tightly gathered from the base of the floor up into the roof to
form a spectacular canopy where a large crystal chandelier hung low
on its wrought iron chain. Large plush couches and oversized
pillows were scattered throughout the room. Huge tables covered in
white linens were laid out over flowing with every conceivable
beverage and refreshment.

I felt a
flutter of excitement as Troy led me around the room; it seemed it
was not that long ago I would have given my right arm for a glimpse
into their world, now here I stood, a part of it. It felt so
surreal. Hannah greeted me with a huge hug, “Wow Lexi, you look
amazing... nice shoes! You must take me out shopping before I head
home!”

“I would love
that! Let’s make it a date.” I hugged her back. James smiled and
then waved to me from the back wall; he was deep in conversation
with what looked like some important people.

I spotted Alex
across the room, he sat relaxed on one of the large couches,
surrounded by a posse of people, his eyes hidden by his trade mark
mirrored aviators. I watched him stand and he sauntered over to me,
like a cat stalking its prey. Clad in tight black leather pants and
no shirt, his silver dog tags catching the light as he walked which
only helped to showcase his amazing ripped torso. I felt myself
hold my breath unable to move, hypnotised. Right at that moment, he
owned me.

“You’re late,”
he groaned.

“You’re
impatient,” I fired back. I felt the electricity flowing between
us, unsure how everyone else in the room was not feeling the
intensity. He lowered his mouth to my ear.

“You look
amazing,” he breathed.

“Alex, YOU look
amazing. The things you are making me feel... hmmmmmm I am not sure
I am going to be able to contain myself.” I whispered back.

“Now who’s
impatient?” He chuckled.

“Now who talks
too much?” I tilted my head and smiled.

“Oooohhhh Lexi,
I might just have to take you right here and now,” he
threatened.

“Don’t promise
me things you can’t deliver.” My voice was strained. He seemed to
be struggling as much as I was.

“Walk to the
end of the hall, first door on the left. I’ll be there in a few
minutes.” He whispered, discreetly licking my ear. It only served
to ignite a deeper fire as I struggled with basic functions like
breathing and walking. I felt him watch me as I walked down the
hall. I glanced over my shoulder to see he was now engaged in
another conversation, I hoped he wouldn’t be too long.

I turned the
handle on the door and it opened into pitch blackness. I felt
around the walls for anything that resembled a light switch. Damn
it. Where the hell is it? I felt along the length of the walls,
moving further away from the door, a small trail of light
underneath its frame being my only point of reference. I heard
footsteps and then the handle turn. I felt my heart in my throat,
beating so loudly I was sure that even over the music and noise
everyone would be able to hear it. As the door opened I caught
sight of him, still wearing his glasses, his face betraying
nothing. As he turned to shut the door, I slid up against his back,
wrapping my arms around his amazing chest. I let my tongue trail up
his back to the base of his neck, his scent intoxicating me.
“Mmmmmmmmmm” he groaned, his voice almost unrecognisable.

“Shhhhhh,” I
whispered “No talking.” I pushed my hands down his chest to the
waistband of his pants, I could feel the leather straining against
his ready erection.

“Mmmmmmm,” he
moaned again.

“Sshhhhhh!” I
pushed him down to his knees. “If you can’t be quiet I am going to
find another way to keep your mouth busy.” He turned and grabbed my
hips, pushing me into his body, upsetting my balance so that my
legs gave way. He caught my waist and lowered my body slowly so
that my back was now flat against the floor. His lips found mine,
his hands restless as I felt them caressing my breasts. His lips
left my mouth, trailing kisses down my stomach, where he’d raised
my tank top, exposing my sensitive skin. His tongue swirled to the
waist of my hot pants and then his hands pushed them down in one
swift movement. His hot tongue licked me through the lace of my
panties; my hands clutched his hair as I quietly moaned,
desperately wanting to scream out. He twisted and twirled his mouth
all over my clit, pulling across my panties before he slid his
tongue in and out of me slowly.