CLASS ACT (A BRITISH ROCKSTAR BAD BOY ROMANCE) (15 page)

I groaned. “Walked into that one.”

“She’s got you there!” Megan fired back. “I’ll admit Heath makes sure we’re all well-fed and clothed. Napoleon said an army fights better with a full belly.”

“Speaking of which,” I began, scooping up my baked beans. “How are things going with the foundation?”

Charlotte leaned back as though feeling like a third wheel. “Do you want me here, Heath? I can take a walk around the complex if this is private information.”

I grinned. “I’d like you to stay. Just leave before we get to the part about my plans for world domination.”

The Howard Lane Foundation was a massive undertaking that covered a number of different issues. There was the core orphanage which dealt with children who had lost their parents for whatever reason. Many were runaways leaving a broken home. Some had lived and nearly died on the streets.

The foundation also helped older children who were unable to find foster families. It provided them a place to live and acquire an education. Some had even stayed with the foundation to become mentors and teachers.

In addition, the organization was involved in a number of charities. The most notable was cancer research, especially for leukemia. There was also financial aid available to families struggling to support themselves during cancer treatment. Another charity was aimed at young children hoping to pursue a career in music.

Even though it cost millions of dollars to run, money wasn’t the issue. I had funneled a good deal of my fortune and investments into the organization. Instead, I needed someone who could oversee the whole operation and grow it.

Megan was the woman for the job. It may have seemed like nepotism but she had grown this foundation from a pipedream into a leading charity. Several young, up and coming musicians thanked the foundation for financial support. We had contributed to new breakthroughs in treatments for leukemia. Hundreds of formerly homeless children had a place to call their own.

“Where to begin,” Megan began. “We’re continuing to expand across America. We’ve got a good foothold in the New England area. However, we’ve faced a few roadblocks with the orphanages we’re trying to build on the West Coast. Metaphorically speaking.”

I nodded. “Wasn’t that supposed to be finished last month?”

“Unfortunately, we’re missing state approval even though we already have the greenlight from the federal level,” she answered with a groan. “Some state officials say we’re a British organization impeding on American orphanages, even if it the orphanages are run by American staff. It’s not like there is a surplus of orphanages. Quite the opposite really.”

Charlotte asked. “Is it always this complicated?”

“It really has nothing to do with us,” Megan continued. “This is just some governor’s office having a pissing contest with Congress over budgeting issues. It’ll take us a few extra months to win the building permits.”

I sighed. “And we’re caught in the middle of the pissing match. These Americans always drag their feet.”

Charlotte chimed in. “How are things back in the United Kingdom?”

“Much better,” Megan replied. “You’ll still see the same song and dance but it’s easier to get the signatures needed. It helps when some local politician needs a photo-op with orphans for his reelection campaign. It also helps that we’re a well-funded organization.”

She punctuated that statement with a quick peck on my cheek.

“How do you fund this entire operation?” Charlotte asked, averting her eyes during the kiss. “Just off its size, it can’t be just Heath paying for everything.”

“Contrary to popular belief, I don’t waste my wealth on fast cars and faster women,” I smiled. “With Megan’s business acumen, I’ve invested a good deal of my money in index funds, commodities, real estate, and a few other things. Yes, much of the profit is funneled into the Howard Lane Foundation with Jared’s help. However, we do accept donations from individuals and organizations. I also have an agreement with my record label to donate some of my sales towards the Howard Lane Foundation.”

She looked skeptical which I couldn’t blame her considering my tense relationship with Sterling Records. “And your label was okay with this idea?”

“Yes, a portion of the gross profit from merchandising sales goes towards the Howard Lane Foundation,” I answered. “The foundation gets donations. Sterling Records gets tax write-offs and a public relations boost. It’s a six run deal for both of us.”

“A what?”

Megan answered for me. “It’s a cricket term. You know, the game they play over in England with a bat and a ball? Think of six runs as a home run.”

“I see…” Charlotte murmured. “What’s Heath’s role in this? Is he a CEO or president?”

I sat back in my chair. “No, I’m the founder and honorary chairman who prefers being a rock star rather than an executive paper pusher.”

“You should get more hands on, Heath,” Megan stated much to my chagrin. I never had the head for these types of jobs. It was why I had a tutor in the first place. “Your face can open a lot more doors for us.”

“Please, my face is better at getting the knickers off women than it is at getting donations out of geriatrics,” I chuckled as the two women groaned. “Besides, we decided this would be Howard’s legacy. Not mine.”

A bittersweet smile appeared on Megan’s face. “It’s still your show.”

I changed the subject. “Is there anything else on the agenda? Did Tiny Tim get his Christmas goose?”

“Well, there is the issue of our expansion into Asia…”

I flashed a smile at Charlotte. “If you think trying to work with Americans is like pulling teeth, try dealing with the Chinese!”

“It’s not that,” Megan interrupted with a serious look on her face. “We’re behind on payments in securing properties in Asia. I budgeted for our initial deposit but the funds never came in.”

My eyes widened in disbelief. “We’re behind? How the hell did this happen?”

“I’ve secured some loans at the last minute,” she continued with the dire news. “Short term, we’ll be able to lay down the groundwork and avoid any delays. However, my accountants can’t do their jobs if the money isn’t coming in regularly. Those last minute loans are costing us an arm and a leg in interest.”

“It’s unlikely that the check got lost in the mail,” Charlotte said. “I imagine these types of transfers are done electronically.”

My teacher was right. “Megan, is the money missing?”

“It never got here to begin with,” she revealed. “It’s not even embezzlement. I had every cent looked over when I checked the paper trail. It looks like the funds we formally requested from your estate never arrived.”

“Jared handles large transfers from my end,” I replied, stroking my chin. With my dyslexia, the man practically handled all of my finances. “I’ll ring him up later. That bastard always does these things at the last minute when we’re on tour.”

“Don’t be so hard on him,” Megan said. “He’s doing this as a favor to us. Just call him up and get him to send the money. He’s busy trying to save your career.”

“Mystery solved,” Charlotte added, picking up her plate. “If you excuse me, there’s a slice of peach pie calling my name. Where do I pay?”

“It’s on the house, Charlotte,” I smiled. “Bring me a slice of chocolate pie while you’re at it. I’m feeling indulgent today.”

My tutor smiled. “Isn’t that every day?”

Megan spoke when Charlotte was out of earshot. “She’s cute. I think you’d make good couple with her.”

I glared at her. “And here I thought you’d warn me not to seduce my tutor.”

She glanced at Charlotte. “I think you could do well to have a committed relationship with a mature woman.”

“Oh, the monotony of monogamy,” I grumbled. “You might as well ask me to take the vows of priesthood.”

“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it,” she giggled. “Heath, I haven’t seen you this happy in years. It almost sounds like you enjoy studying. Thinking of getting a regular job like the rest of us mortals?”

I shrugged. “I’m always like this when I’m touring.”

“It’s different this time,” she replied. “This tutor must be earning her salary. Or her student is really putting in work to impress her!”

“Are you sure you don’t want tickets?” I offered, changing the subject. “I can get you VIP seats for the entire damn tour.”

Megan smiled. “I told you and Howard a million times. I may have stayed for the loud music and your hip trusting antics but I stayed for your friendship. And Howard… he was…”

“He was a good man,” I finished for her. “The likes of which won’t be seen for a long time.”

“And he was a good friend,” she replied with a half-smile on her face. “As hard as it was for me, I know losing your best friend and bandmate wasn’t easy.”

I took a deep breath before speaking. “Megan, have you thought about what I said before? About moving on?”

“Heath, we’ve talked about this before-”

“You’re young, intelligent, beautiful, and thousand other things,” I continued. I didn’t say this to many women but Megan fit the bill. “Every red-blooded male I know would do anything just to be in your presence.”

She gave a cynical laugh which was unusual for her. “Please, there isn’t much of a demand for half-deaf workaholic women.”

“You’re still young,” I countered. “You have a future ahead of you. One with children and a nice cottage house in Scotland. It’s what you always wanted.”

“I had my romance with Howard,” she said, taking in a deep breath. “I’ve moved on to something else. This foundation keeps me going.”

I looked down on the floor. “It’s my fault.”

“Huh?”

“You should be with Howard,” I whispered. “You should be the one talking and joking with him. I pushed him to keep on touring when he should have settled down with you. We could have caught his leukemia early and-”

“Heath, you have to stop blaming yourself for his death,” Megan stated, gripping my hand across the table. “Howard loved to tour just as much you did. He always promised one last tour to me before he’d signed up for the next one. Neither of us could stop him from pursuing his love of music. You’ve been nothing but good to me, Heath. Don’t think of yourself this way.”

“No point in moping around,” I replied, holding onto her hand. I forced a brave smile on my face. “It’ll be bad for the kids if they see me like this. Besides, my faithful fans would despair if their idol wasn’t in good spirits.”

“Oh, that ego of yours could fill up length of the universe,” Megan laughed. “In all honesty, the kids here look up to you. You saved them.”

“No, we saved them.”

“Am I interrupting something?”

I turned to see Charlotte carrying a tray with two slices of pie.

I withdrew my hand from Megan. “Not at all. Let’s pack the pies to go. We should be heading back to the hotel soon.”

Charlotte’s eyes were steely and her face was unreadable. “Yes, let’s go. It was nice meeting you, Megan.”

My friend gave my tutor a small nod. “Likewise. See you around, Heath.”

It was time to get back to work.