Between Us: Sex on the Beach (17 page)

I
SWIPED
the rag across the bar and checked the clock. I only had about thirty minutes until I had to go up on stage, and I could barely get a breath in my lungs, let alone hold a note. All night long, girls had been flirting with me. I was used to that, but this time it was different.

They were pushy. Didn’t take a cold shoulder for a no. And it had everything to do with the fact that I’d been in photos with Mackenzie. It was almost as if they thought if they fucked me, they had a connection to her or some shit like that. It was fucked up and stupid. And I was done.

If one more girl sprawled across my bar and tried to get my attention…

I hadn’t even finished the thought before a girl raised her hand and lay across my bar. I was about to tell her to stick her hand where the sun don’t shine, but then I focused on her face. I recognized her. It was one of Mac’s friends. Her other friend was here, too. The one who had been with flirting with the dude who looked familiar.

The only one missing was my girl. Not that she was my girl anymore.

What had she done all day today? Had she left after our fight last night? Is that why she wasn’t here? Or was she hiding from the cameras? I was dying to know.

Maybe now I’d find out, through the help of her friend.

I forced a smile, not sure what I’d be getting from her. Did she hate me, like Mac probably did? Maybe she would tell me to go to hell and slap me. I probably deserved it for something I did in my lifetime, I’m sure. “Quinn, right? Mac’s friend?”

“Yes! Austin, right?”

So she knew my name. That made me happy for some reason. But if Mac had told her about me, it had probably been all the bad shit. “You got it.”

“Listen, I haven’t been able to reach Mac. She okay?”

My heart clenched tight, but I nodded. “Yeah. She’s been holed up in her room for a bit.”

Or maybe she was gone. How the fuck should I know when we weren’t speaking? And shouldn’t Mac’s friend know all about it by now?

Wait a second. Was it possible she didn’t know what had happened between us? What had happened with TMZ and pretty much every other news channel in America? I didn’t think it was possible for her to miss it, but from the looks of it, she’d been hanging with some pretty heavy drinkers all week.

Her eyes lit up. “Got it. Can you just tell her to call me when she’s got a chance? I’m not at the hotel—I’m staying somewhere else tonight, so I don’t want her to worry if she comes to my door.”

I frowned. “With that guy?” I motioned toward the loud asshats at the end of my bar. They were getting louder by the second, tossing some small scrap of cloth amongst themselves. “I may have to cut them off. Never went through so much tequila in my life, and they get a little over the top when they get together.”

She flushed. “I think that’s a good idea. But don’t tell them I confirmed.”

I leaned in really far so I could whisper in her ear. “Smart girl. Thanks for the heads-up.”

She grinned. “Welcome.”

Should I tell her about the paparazzi? She seemed nice enough, and maybe Mac hadn’t told her friends yet. Maybe she was all alone and scared and upset, trying to keep the truth from them so they could enjoy their vacations, even if she couldn’t. Shit. That was totally something she would do. “Listen, Quinn. About Mac.”

She went still. “Is she okay?”

I shifted on my feet. “There was some trouble. Paps found out about us. She needs you.”

She cursed and then her eyes narrowed. Right on time—the suspicion I’d been expecting all along. “Was it you?”

I glared right back at her. “Fuck no. Believe what you want. I don’t need this shit.”

I turned away, but she grabbed my wrist, so I stopped out of respect. It’s not as if she could have held me back even if she threw her weight into it. “I’m sorry. I—I believe you. Is she at the hotel?”

Wait. What? She believed me. Impossible. “Yeah. Surrounded by the press. We were on TMZ. Fucking shit.”

“Crap. Okay, I’m heading over there now to check on her.”

I had to ask. “Why do you believe me?”

She looked at me, saying nothing at first. “Don’t know. Just do.”

“Thanks. Wait here.” I ran back to the mixing station and grabbed a styrofoam cup before throwing together a drink for her. “Here. It’s a Sex on the Beach. Take one for the road. Mac said it’s your signature drink.”

“Thanks.”

I lowered my voice. “Thanks for believing me.”

She nodded and left, and I watched her go. My boss motioned me up to the stage, and I made quick work of readying myself in the back room. The whole time I changed, I thought about Mac. Could I do this? Could I let her walk away?

I didn’t know. All I knew was I was supposed to be out on stage, and I wasn’t ready. And when I stumbled out there, I totally lost my mind. I couldn’t fucking believe this shit. After years of being in the shadows, of no one knowing who the hell I was and me being perfectly content for it to stay that way…

I had a full house and the paparazzi at my nine o’clock show. I climbed up on the small stage, my acoustic guitar in my hands, and settled down on the stool mid-stage. The cheap colored lights at the edge of the stage lit up, and I took a steadying breath.

Ready or not, it was show time.

I scanned the crowd. People were packed into the bar like sardines in a can, and they were all watching
me
. They were smiling and cheering as if I was this mega-fucking superstar. I wasn’t.

And all throughout my half-hour segment, they kept trying to sing along, even though they didn’t know any of my damn songs. They acted like groupies. All because I’d been caught with my fingers inside Mackenzie Forbes. It didn’t seem fair. And if Mackenzie saw this, it would only make her think I’d used her for fame and fortune all over again.

The funny thing was, I didn’t even want either one. Ever since I left L.A., singing was something I did for
me
. I didn’t do it for recognition or even money. I’d given up on that dream long ago. I liked it. It made me happy—so I did it.

End of story.

Half an hour later, I took a breath and finished my last song. I strummed my pick across the strings, playing a few chords, and let myself get lost in the music.

“
It’s something you feel all the way through
…
Love isn’t something you can buy or steal… It’s something you have to fight to feel… And I never have, until you.
”

The crowd broke out in applause, and I swallowed hard. I’d just finished the song I’d written for Mackenzie this morning. I’d been restless ever since I’d walked away from her yesterday. Sure, it had always been the plan. To end things when the time came. It just came a little earlier than we’d been planning.

Maybe that’s why it was killing me so fucking much.

I took off my guitar and bowed to the crowd. “Thank you for coming out.”

Flashes blinded me, and people shouted questions. Questions they had no right asking. I vowed to never take another picture of a celebrity ever again. This was ridiculous. Funny, I’d never thought a few pictures were a big deal before now.

“Are you going to Mackenzie’s after this?”

“Is Mackenzie backstage?”

“Just how serious are you two?”

“Why did you almost kill your father?”

“What can you tell us about your shady past?”

I ignored them all, walking off the stage without another word. Asshats. I knew that any other artist would be happy with the new attention. But instead, I was fucking miserable because I already missed her. It was time I admitted it to myself, and maybe to her, too.

I’d been wrong to throw her aside, just as she’d been wrong to assume I’d been the one to sell her out. She’d touched me in ways no one else ever had. She’d made me open my heart. Open my past. Hope for the future. But was that enough for us to make something of ourselves, despite all the hardships we’d be facing? She was leaving. Going back to college.

I was here, and would always be here. At least until Rachel grew up.

My phone buzzed. Was that her? Mackenzie? She hadn’t tried to contact me since last night, but then again, I hadn’t tried to contact her either. I pulled out my phone, releasing a sigh when I saw it was a text from Rachel.
You going to see Mackenzie behind my back again?

I rolled my eyes and typed back.
No
.

She would never forgive me for not telling her I was involved with her role model. Even though I’d been upset on her behalf, she hadn’t cared about her past being aired like dirty laundry. She’d just been angry at me for not telling her about it.

But it hadn’t exactly been common knowledge…until it had been. What had she expected me to do? Blurt it out for all to hear? Not happening.

My phone buzzed again.
Well, stuck at home since I’m grounded. So feel free to…do whatever you do when I’m not with you. Mrs. Greer can come over again.

I chuckled.
I cry until I return to your arms.

Haha. So funny. Tell Mackenzie she’s invited over for pizza sometime. I’d love to meet her.

I shook my head.
It would be too much of a mess. The whole world would know our business. I can’t do that to you.

They already know our history. Why stop now? You have my blessing, bro. Go for it. Don’t let fear stop you.

I started to say it didn’t matter because I wouldn’t be seeing Mackenzie again anyway, but then I froze.
You know what? I’ll go see her after all.

I’ll let Mrs. Greer know!

I grinned, feeling freer than I’d felt in a long damn time.
Love ya.

Love you too.

After shooting a quick text to Mrs. Greer to confirm she was indeed going over to sit with Rachel, I shoved my phone into my pocket. Normally I’d let her stay home alone, but after what she’d tried to pull off, I didn’t trust her to stay put just yet. It was time to try to get Mac back in my arms, and it was now or never. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to say yet, but I knew I had to see her.

Hopefully the words would come to me before I got there.

I changed clothes, hoping that would throw off the paparazzi. After trading my green shirt for a black one and a pair of matching jeans, I tugged a Redskins hat low over my head and strolled out of the bar whistling. I tried to look as normal and laid back as possible, and it must’ve worked.

I walked right past the waiting photographers without them noticing.

“She’s leaving on Saturday. I’m going to camp out at the airport after I get another picture of her latest Romeo,” a blond photographer said, adjusting his camera lenses. “She’s got horrible taste in men lately.”

I wanted to flip him off and say, “Kiss my ass, fucker,” but I wanted to go talk to Mackenzie even more. So I bit my tongue and strolled right under their noses. She was leaving soon. I knew that, but hearing it made it all the more…final. Damn it all to hell.

I didn’t want to let her go.

I
OPENED
the door at the knock, half expecting to find Austin in the hallway again, just like Tuesday night. Before it all went to hell. But I should have known it wasn’t going to be him. Austin never would have gotten past the security I’d been forced to call after the big reveal. My most loyal guard, Harry, was pissed.

And he wouldn’t be afraid to show it.

It was Quinn, and she looked like she’d been crying for hours. Last I’d heard, she was at the bar with her guy and had been happy as a clam. What could have happened between now and then to make her so upset? Whatever it was, or whoever had caused it, I was going to kill them.

I pulled her into my arms for a hug. “Oh my God, are you okay?”

Quinn nodded shakily. “Yeah. I think. What the hell is going on, sweetie? Why didn’t you tell me about getting busted by the pap yesterday?”

I stepped to the side and motioned her in, but then decided to haul her in when she didn’t move fast enough. This was not a conversation I wanted to have in the hallway. I’d been hiding out in my room since the big fight with Austin. No one needed to know how much of a wreck I was right now. No one needed to know I was nursing a broken heart.

But if I stood in the hallway talking about it, they might hear about it.

I didn’t want to risk being seen now, after all the lengths I went through to remain unseen. America would love seeing me broken-hearted, I’m sure. Seeing me down in the dumps with frizzy hair and no makeup. But they wouldn’t get to if I had my way.

I tried to play it off with a shrug. Quinn was supposed to be out having fun, not worrying about my pathetic love life. “I couldn’t deal. I wanted you to have a nice vacation and not worry about me.”

“He didn’t. Austin didn’t leak the news.”

“I know. I mean, I thought he did at first, but then I realized I was wrong. It was too late.” I blinked back the tears trying to escape. “How did you know about it?”

She lifted her chin. “Because it was me.”

I laughed. “Really funny.”

“I’m not kidding. I didn’t actually do it, but I might as well have.” She sat down on the couch and covered her face with her hands. “I told James about you. Told him I was here with you. I trusted him, and his friend…he did it.”