Haunted (33 page)

I pulled back and held his hands, “Take care of you and I’ll see you on Saturday.”

He tried to smile but he wasn’t there yet. He bent down and pressed a tender kiss to my lips. Then he leaned close to my ear and said, “I love you so much, Jaylene.”

Tears sprung to my eyes and when he leaned back the smile on my face felt ridiculously huge.

“Me too, baby,” I whispered back and then he was grinning, too. I felt someone behind me and turned to find a chin on each shoulder.

Mage and Star cooed, “Us too, baby.”

I elbowed them both in the stomachs while they both cracked up.

Jade wrapped his arms around my waist from behind and nuzzled my hair. “Yeah, get out of here, Devon. We want to have fun with Jaylene!”  

If it was anyone other than Jade to say that, I think Devon might have been irked. Instead, he just shook his head and pulled his face into mock consternation.

“You kids be safe, now. No throwing a party or any of that loud rock n’ roll rubbish while I’m gone.”

“Loud rock n’ roll rubbish! Anyone else feeling what I’m feeling?” Jade was hopping back and forth again.

Mage and I looked at each other with big eyes and shouted, “ROCK AND ROLL HIGH SCHOOL! ! !”   

Star started singing in his best Joey Ramone impression. Jade grabbed his guitar and started playing the riff. Mage and I started moshing and dancing around. Devon watched all of this with his bemused expression. I caught his eye before he walked out.

“Love you,” I mouthed to him and he smiled and headed out the back door.

We finished the song and Jade had the brilliant idea that we should watch this classic cult movie. Star and I made popcorn, still dancing and singing downstairs in the kitchen. We ran back upstairs just as Mage was turning on the film and we all collapsed on the couch together. After the heavy day we’d just had, having some silly guy time sounded like heaven!

We got as far as Eaglebauer Enterprises in the boys’ bathroom when Mage hit pause on the remote and the guys all turned on me. He mustered up all the seriousness he could. “Ok. I don’t want this to be weird or anything, but I have to know that you are a good match for our boy.”

My face must have turned as red as it felt.

Star jumped in for the save. “Dude, there are better ways to go about this, you know. I don’t think a tarot reading is going to really matter. They’re in deep, man.”

I felt like someone had turned a giant hot spotlight on me. I was even sweating a little.

Jade, who was sitting on my right between he and Mage just shook his head and threw out his hands. “Guys, why don’t we just do Twenty Questions?” He turned and looked at me. “Are you up to the challenge?”  

I blinked. Really? “I guess. You guys can ask me anything you want and I’ll answer if I can. I’m not spilling national secrets though. They told me they’d kill me if I did and even Devon isn’t worth that.” Deadpanning outrageous statements had saved me from embarrassing moments before. I was counting on it to work now.

“Do you really? Know like secret stuff?” Jade was incredibly gullible.

I can’t believe after all they’d been through he hadn’t been broken of that habit. “Jade, I am totally kidding. How would I possibly know any national secrets?”  

He frowned at me and then got that recognition look on his face. “How should I know? I get it. You like to tease. Ok, I’m going first since he’s my cousin. Here goes...are you currently involved in a sexual relationship with anyone other than Devon?”  

I balked. “Boy, you don’t mess around! You do make assumptions, though. No, I am currently not in a ‘sexual relationship’ with anyone. At least not one that actually involves intercourse.”

He looked thoroughly confused. I glanced at Star to my left and Mage. They both looked just as confused.

“What? We haven’t had sex yet, ok? Do I have to give you specifics?” I was a little flustered. I didn’t mind being honest with them, but I wasn’t going to give them details.

Star spoke first. “Sorry, Jaylene. We’re being rude. I guess we just assumed, like you said.”

I shook my head. “Can’t you guys even imagine two people spending time behind closed doors without penetration?”  

They giggled.

“I guess not,” Mage answered. “At least no one we know. Look, it’s none of our business really, but why haven’t you?”

I laughed. “Wow, invasive much? We haven’t because, well, I haven’t, like ever, and Devon didn’t want it to happen while others might be listening?”  

They looked shocked.

“You mean...you’ve never...Oh shit.” Jade held his hand to his mouth. “Oh my God. We are such assholes. I’m sorry, Jaylene. I can’t believe I even brought this up.”

I shook my head. “Guys, it’s not the first time someone has made assumptions about me. Don’t worry about it.”

Mage frowned. “But why haven’t you? I mean, you’re fucking gorgeous! Guys had to have been waiting in line to...” He stopped before he got any more uncouth.

“Bang me? Sadly no, Mage. I’ve dated, but never found anyone who didn’t make assumptions about me and what I would be into.” I didn’t mean for it to sound like I was upset but they all scooted closer.

Star put his hand on my knee. “This was a bad idea. I’m so sorry Jaylene. You don’t have to say anything.”

I shook my head. “No, guys. I really don’t mind talking to you about this. Really. If anything, maybe it will clear up any other assumptions you have about me, or other women for that matter.”

They all looked down sheepishly, probably afraid to open their mouths again.

I confronted them, “Tell me why you assumed I’d had sex before.” They all looked at each other but no one spoke. I blew my bangs out of my face and Star snickered. “Oh, come on! I’ve worked with guys for years now and not one of them has ever held back on my account. Tell me!”  

Star rubbed at his hair like he does when he gets flustered and spoke up. “Look, the only chicks we’ve spent much time around were either the prissy girls from back home who wouldn’t give us the time of day, or groupies who wanted to give it to us any time of day, you know what I mean? So I guess in our experience, there are only two types of girls; those who do and those who don’t. And, well, you’re cool, so I just figured even though you obviously aren’t a groupie, you’d, you know, had some experience. Plus, you’ve been, like, to college and stuff and...I don’t know. I guess I’m digging myself in deeper here.”

“No, I’m glad you said something. At least it wasn’t because I have tattoos. And for the most part you are right. Most women I know have had sex by now. It just hasn’t come up for me, so to speak.”

We all snickered at that one.

“That’s what she said,” Star coughed loudly.

“Well, it has now," Mage sputtered. “Damn, girl, you should have seen Devon working out yesterday morning. I’ve been working out like that every morning since we left L.A. Being left high and dry will do that to a guy.”

I blushed at that. So they at least knew there was some activity going on. “Yeah, well, he didn’t think a cold shower was going to cut it.”

They all burst out laughing.

Mage rubbed at his mouth and sent me a heated glance. “No offense, babe, but I’d have to agree with him. Not finishing leaves a man in pain. Especially with someone as fine as you.”

“Golly, Mage. You sure know how to make a gal blush,” I purred to him and batted my eyelashes. The others laughed and Mage pretended to have to rearrange himself. I didn’t want to know whether he was pretending or not.

“What about you guys? Are you all unattached? Or do you have a girl in every city just waiting to service you?”  

They all blushed and seemed more embarrassed than anything.

“I’m not going to lie, Jay. When we are on tour and when we were in L.A. we all had girls whenever we wanted. We were pretty stupid about it, too. I had a girlfriend for a while, but she hated all the other chicks hanging around, didn’t trust me. She didn’t really have a reason to trust me.”

Jade looked a little sad and Mage bumped him. “Dude, you were better off without her anyway. She had ‘gold digger’ stamped on her ass, for real.”

Jade shrugged. “I know. But man, did she give great...Ah, sorry, Jaylene.”

I laughed and pushed at his leg. “Ok, new rules. If I’m going to be hanging out with you, you’ve got to stop being afraid to talk normal in front of me. I’m really ok with it. I’ll let you know if I’m not. Just like I did this morning.”

They all got a serious look on their faces.

Star took my hand in his. “Jaylene, I am so sorry about that. Even though we might be a little slutty, we try to be respectful. Disgracing girls is never ok. Why Marcus had to go and say that...”

Mage was nodding. “Yeah. He’s a jackass. Marcus is probably just pissed that Devon will be off the market. The two of them hung out a lot, if you know what I mean, and Marcus probably hates losing his wingman.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “His wingman, eh?”  That probably just exposed Devon’s second in Amsterdam. Figures. “I guess they’ll just have to work that out.”

“Jay, I don’t want to say anything that will make you think poorly of Devon, that’s not my intention,” Star said.

I shook my head. “We talked. I know he’s been with women. I’m not so naive to think that him being a rock star isn’t going to be a challenge. We’ll just have to see what happens, right?” I tried to sound confident, but I’m sure Star saw through that.

“If he does anything stupid, you can be sure we will kick his ass.” Jade looked concerned.

I shook my head. “No. Whatever happens is between him and I, ok? I certainly don’t want to get in between anyone else in this group. It’ll be what it’ll be. But let’s get back to the questions. You wanted to know whether I was worthy, right?”

Jade’s expression was horrified. “That’s not it at all! Hell, you’re too good for us! I already know that. I just wanted to make sure you didn’t have a boyfriend or husband hiding in the wings or anything. Now that we have that established...wait, what about any stalkers or psycho exes?”

“Not a one. Ok, what else you want to know?”  

Mage said, “How about religious preference? Are you Catholic?”  

I shook my head. “Nope. My father was raised Baptist but had no love for church so I never went. I did a little reading in college and fell in love with the pagan religions. Somehow worshipping Mother Earth made more sense than some dude with a beard.” Mage was looking at me with that wondrous gaze again. “What is it now, Mage?”

He shook himself. “Nothing. But if you ever decide Devon’s not for you, you better watch out because I’ll be all over you.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Jade socked him. “Ow, what the fuck? I’m not going to do anything about it. I’m just going to have a little crush on her.” He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.

I pinched him on his cheek and the other guys laughed.

“I’ll keep you in mind, Mage.”

He held his hand to his heart and sighed.

Star rubbed his hands together. “What’s your favorite tattoo that you have on you and what’s the favorite one you’ve done? I can’t help it, I love your work and all of your tattoos are so awesome.”

I smiled and thanked him.

“You’re so cute, Star. This is an easy one. Favorite tattoo I’ve done? Probably the one I just did on Daryl of his daughters. They are absolutely the most beautiful little girls and the innocence and happiness in that picture really came across in the finished piece. Great subject to work with, great finished product.” I hoped it was healing well. I wanted to take some professional pictures of it to put on my website. It was such a beautiful tattoo. “Now, my favorite one I have on me? Probably my laughing skull.” I stood up and pulled up the back of my shorts to expose the back of my thigh. On it I had designed a tattoo with my favorite quote and a laughing skull.

Star read the words to the other guys who were craning their necks to get a look. “Whoa, that’s really cool. What’s that from?”  

I tried to look serious. “Only one of the most important composers of our time.” They all looked at each other, confused. I couldn’t take it, afraid they’d never get it. “They are lyrics from the song ‘Only Makes Me Laugh.” I waited a beat to see if they’d pick up on it.

Mage threw up his hands. “I have no idea. Who is it by?”  

I gasped at them and shook my head. “I am shocked! I thought you guys were thoroughly geeky like me. I’ll be right back.”

I ran to my room, grabbed my iPod and brought it back. There was a docking station with a speaker near the TV so I found the song and played it for them. Star snapped his fingers like he recognized something.

“Wait, I’ve heard that voice. Isn’t that Danny Elfman?”  

I nodded. “Yep! Before he was a big time composer for the movies he was in an awesome band called Oingo Boingo.”

They laughed at the name but they were enjoying the music. We all curled up on the couch and listened to the words.

“Wow, that’s kind of cool. I like the vibe. What kind of music is this?”  

I shrugged at Jade’s question. “They were an alternative band in the ‘80’s. I just really like their stuff.”

We finished the song and Star smiled at me.

“I like it. Especially the part about hitting the bottom.” He was lying on his back with his head toward me and I patted his head.

“I know. It’s good, yeah? That’s why I had to have it. It was the first one that I designed for myself.”

He smiled and closed his eyes.

I wanted some answers, too. “It’s my turn now. This question goes out to all of you. What is the best thing and what is the worst thing about being in Maggie’s Bones, one of the top-selling, hottest rock bands in the world?”  

They scoffed at that. There was some grumbling.

“No, I answered yours, you have to answer mine and be honest!

They looked at each other like they couldn’t decide who should go first. Finally Mage sighed and said, “I’ll go. The best thing? Seeing the world. We’ve been to some amazing places! I never would have been to Germany or France or Japan if I had stayed in Houma. I love traveling.”

“I would imagine that would be wonderful. Maybe after you can tell me what your favorite place to visit has been. I haven’t left the country yet.” His eyes bugged out like I’d shocked him with my comment.

“There’s so much to see. There’s still a lot I haven’t seen, but I'm going to have to travel when we’re not on tour. That kind of traveling means hotel rooms, arenas or clubs, maybe a restaurant...well, except when Maggie made us go to museums and shit. I liked that.”

“Me too,” said Jade. “I loved the Louvre.”

They all agreed on that.

“Alright, Mage. The worst part?”  

He sighed. “The business part. Having to kiss asses and be at photo shoots, videos, shit like that. I miss the times when it’s just us playing and when we get to meet with fans. The music is spiritual for me. I never feel closer to peace than up on that stage playing with my boys.”

I smiled at him and felt my eyes filling with tears. “That’s really cool. Thank you.”

He nodded and stretched out on his end of the couch.

“Jade you’re next.”

His grin was a combo of shy and sly. “I hope this doesn’t come out wrong, but my favorite part has been the ladies.” The other guys rolled their eyes and we all laughed. “I know, that sounds bad. But seriously, women are amazing to me and I’ve gotten to meet all shapes, sizes, colors, and they’re all beautiful, man! And when they’re out there all screaming for us and dancing, that’s just a good fuckin’ time, am I right?”  

“Not to mention the benefits, right?” I couldn’t help ribbing him a little.