My Only Regret (Twisted Fate Book 1) (12 page)

“
Yeah, he
’
s downstairs in the studio.
Let me show you the way.
”
She followed me down the hall and into the lounge located just outside the basement studio. I knocked on the window and Jesse poked his head around, looking slightly annoyed at my interruption. I jerked my thumb toward the blonde and his mouth curved into a sly smile.

“
Hey, Josie.
” He greeted, warmly. My blood boiled as awkwardness suddenly registered. As
he pulled her in for a long hug his eyes never left mine. Inside I was filled with hate for both of them. I stood there, dumbfounded by his actions, and pursed my lips together. This was too much. It was obvious that he had planned this. He knew this would hurt me. All at once I realized that I was tired of playing his game. My eyes pleaded with him to say something, anything to help me understand, but he only glared before dismissing me like the hired help I was.
 

“
Later, Rhyann.
” His hand lifted and shooed me away.

I put on a brave face and flashed a fake smile at Blondie before turning to make my way back up the stairs. That walk had never felt so long, or painful. Damn him! I stomped my way to the bedroom and slammed the door, forgetting about the dishes. How dare he rub that tramp in my face. I didn
’
t deserve that kind of scene. I had to get out of the house. I couldn't stay here when that woman was downstairs. I needed air, quickly.

I threw on shoes and grabbed my purse, snatching the first set of keys I saw lying by the door, and headed outside. I looked down and realized that I had Jesse's keys in my hand. With unwelcomed tears rolling down my cheeks, I started his luxury SUV and took off without a destination in mind.

I
drove around for almost an hour before I pulled in a hotel parking lot just outside Alki Beach. I shut off the car and allowed my head to rest on the steering wheel. I hated myself for allowing him to get too close. I knew this would happen when I took this job, but still I’d jumped on board with his ridiculous plan. Sure, since I’d started working for him I had helped him turn things around. He’d stopped hanging out in bars and picking up random women. He was more focused on the music and had even written three new songs. The guys in the band were happy with his transformation, as were the executives at the record label. True to my word, I’d done my job and helped make Jesse’s life better. To an outsider, I was living the dream of women all over the world. So why did I feel like my life had just taken a turn for the worse?

I entered the lounge and took a seat at the bar, then ordered a white wine. I glanced at my phone and saw that I hadn't missed any calls or text messages. I mentally kicked myself for wishing there would have been. I put my phone in my back pocket and let my head fall into my hands as they rested on the bar.

“He doesn’t deserve you.” Came a deep voice to my right.

“Excuse me?” I turned to face the voice. A handsome blonde was seated two barstools away and holding a beer to his lips. He took a swig and swallowed before speaking again.

“A beautiful woman like you should never be alone in a bar with her head in her hands. The red eyes give you away. You’ve either been crying or you’re on drugs.” He leaned closer, reached for my hand, and inspected my forearms. “I don’t see any tracks so I’m guessing crying. In my experience the only reason a woman cries that hard is a man. So, I say again, he doesn’t deserve you.”

“Wow, you gathered all of that by my body language, red eyes, and clean arms? Interesting.” I took a sip of wine and licked my lips. Was my pain that obvious? Did I stink of desperation? Frankly, at that moment, I just didn’t care. “So, you know my sad story, what about you? Do you have one?” I studied him more closely. His sandy blonde hair was cut short. He was ruggedly handsome with kind eyes.

“Sweetheart, I have a lot of stories to tell, but the one that brought me here is quite simple. Work. I’m just passing through. How about you?” He took another pull on his beer.

“I’m just passing time. I live in Seattle.” I replied, keeping my focus on the bottles lined up behind the bar. He got up, moved to the stool next to mine, and leaned closer to me. He smelled clean, like soap.

“Alex Winston.” He announced, holding out his hand. I stared at his outstretched hand, and then let my eyes travel up his tanned arm all the way to his warm smile.
 

“Rhyann Michaels.” I offered mine in return.

“Just so you know, he’s an asshole. No man in his right mind would cause a woman like you to shed that many tears.” With that simple statement he had my full attention. I laughed at his keen observation and nudged him with my elbow.

“At this moment, I couldn’t agree with you more, but I bear some of the blame. I knew better, but I still jumped in with both feet.”

“Let me buy you dinner.”

“Oh, I couldn’t let you do that.” I politely refused and shook my head.

“Come one.” He nudged me gently. “On behalf of all my asshole brothers out there, please allow me to make it up to you.” His smile was warm and comforting. Honestly, at this point, I needed a little comfort in my life.

“Okay.” I answered, with a forced smile, trying to relax. “So, what is it that you do, Alex?”

“I’m a security specialist. I work for big companies, mostly. I have clients all over the country, and when they need me I am at their beck and call. So, now that you know about me, what is it that you do in Seattle, besides making the city more beautiful?”
 

By now we were sitting in the dining room of the hotel’s signature restaurant. He had told me about his work, where he went to college, and that he had once been married but after three years his wife left him to pursue her career. He said they had been young when they got married and looking back he sees that they probably should have waited. I watched with great interest as he spoke. He had a way about him that captivated me, but I couldn't help feeling that I was way out of his league. He was very polished and I could tell he came from a long line of good breeding. I couldn’t help but think briefly of Trevor, he'd had the same mannerisms and I had been attracted to him. Maybe this was the kind of man I was supposed to be with instead of the ruggedly handsome rockstar I couldn't seem to let go of.

“You’re quite the charmer aren’t you?” I laughed, finding myself more and more at ease with this man. “I’m a personal assistant.” The waitress placed a glass of wine before me and I murmured a thank you.

Our dinner conversation was pleasant, and he made me laugh on more than one occasion by sharing a few stories of robberies gone wrong that had been caught on security cameras. We’d just finished sharing a dessert when I glanced at my watch and decided it was time I started making my way back home.

“I’ll walk you to your car.” He offered. His hand rested lightly on the small of my back as he walked alongside me, and I realized how different it felt having another man's hand on me, different, but nice. When we’d reached my car I turned to say goodbye. “Are you going to give him another chance?”

“Who? Oh right.” I mumbled, catching on. “It’s not like that. He’s not my boyfriend or anything.” I stumbled over how to formulate words to explain what exactly had made me break down. “You know what, it doesn’t even matter anymore.”

He titled his head and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Why not?”

“You helped me forget. Even if it was only for a short time, I am grateful. Thank you.” I placed a chaste kiss on his cleanly shaven cheek.

“Give me another chance to help you forget. Go out with me again. I’m here for the week.” He pulled a business card from his wallet and closed my hand around it. “Think about it.” He pressed his lips to mine in a simple kiss. “Goodnight Rhyann.” He turned and started for his car.

“Yes. I’ll go out with you again.” I called after him. My heart raced as I thought about how this would change things for me. He smiled and placed a hand over his heart.

“You’ve just made me a very happy man. I’ll call you.”

“Okay. Bye.” I waved, feeling giddy for the first time in a very long time.

J
esse is waiting up for me when I walk through the door. I take one look at him and know instantly that he’s pissed I’ve been gone. He doesn’t even wait until I close the front door before he’s up in my face.

“Where the fuck have you been?” He demands. I hear the door catch and place my purse on the side table before responding.

“I didn’t realize I needed your permission to leave.” I brush past him and head to the kitchen for a glass of water.

“You don’t need my permission to leave, but you sure as shit need permission to take my car! Where the hell did you go? You’ve been gone nearly five hours.” He starts pacing the floor, which is his typical way of dealing with frustration.

“Oh, so you’re timing me now. Okay. Sorry. Next time I will clear it with you before I leave. I’m sorry about your car. I was pissed and yours was the first set of keys I grabbed. I put gas in it before I brought it home.” I tried to soften my tone so he would see I wasn’t trying to pick a fight. I’d left angry but, thanks to my dinner companion, I had come home in a great mood.

“I don’t care about gas, Rhyann. I was worried, about you, not the car.” He stopped pacing and stood with his hands behind his head. The look on his face told me that if I played into his hand we would spend the whole night arguing. Frankly, I wasn't in the mood any longer.

“I appreciate your concern, but I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself. I’m tired so…” I switched off the light and left him in the darkened room.

“That’s it? You’re not going to tell me where you were or who you were with?” He asked, clearly exasperated by my unwillingness to participate in a shouting match.

“Does it really matter?” I rolled my eyes to the side, knowing how much he despised that kind of behavior.

"Don't do that." He growled.

"Why do you even care where I was?"

“I’d like to know.” He let out a pained sigh and I stopped walking.

“I drove to Alki Beach and ended up having dinner.” My hand was on the doorknob when he asked the next question.

“Were you alone, or with someone?”

“Do you really want to know the answer?” I challenged.

“Yes.” He practically whispered.

“I was with someone. I met him tonight, actually. His name is Alex and we are going out again this week.” Without looking back I dug a little deeper. “Are we done?”

“For tonight.” He responded, flatly. I nodded and left him standing in the hall scowling at me.

CHAPTER TEN

T
he next day the band had a long session in the studio, which meant the guys spent most of the day in the basement sound booth with their producer Tom, while I was out running errands. Thanks to Jesse's outburst last night, I was functioning on a small amount of sleep, and it was all I could do to get through the grocery store. The kitchen needed to be totally re-stocked and it took two bag boys to help me get everything loaded in the car. I found myself wondering if I could bribe them to come home with me and carry it into the house. Lucky for me, the guys were all out on the front porch taking a break when I returned and were more than happy to haul all of the food into the house.
 

“
Rhyann, you are too good to us.
”
Tyler said, as he helped himself to a handful of chips while unloading the rest of the groceries. “Look at all of this food.”

“
That
’
s because she loves us, don
’
t you sweetie?
”
Sam playfully grabbed me around the waist and planted a loud kiss on my cheek.
“
Rhyann, what do you say we run off and get married? You can cook for me all the time, and I’ll treat you like a queen?
” He kept one arm draped around me and
I mock punched his arm as I tried to wiggle out of his grip.

“If I’m going to be your queen then I shouldn’t be spending all my days in the kitchen.” I teased, playing along.

“Seriously dude?” Jesse scoffed, taking in the way Sam was standing next to me. “
Why would she even consider marrying you when she
’
s already living with a king?” Jesse demanded. “And take your hands off her.
” Sam just shook his head and laughed.
 

“Don’t listen to him Rhyann. He’s a player and I’m a dedicated lover. He’ll only break your heart.” He placed a hand dramatically over his heart and blew me a kiss. I pretended to catch it and blew one in return.
 

“Fuck off Sam.” Jesse grunted as he shoved him away.

“Damn Jesse, feeling a bit possessive are we?” Sam quipped, as he opened a package of cookies. “Maybe you two lovebirds would like to be alone.” He winked at me as he stuffed a cookie in his mouth and went to the next room.
 

“
Hey.
”
Jesse came up behind me and placed a hand against my lower back. He lowered his voice a notch so the others in the room would have to strain to listen.
“
Thanks for picking this up. I know it took you all day, and, thanks to my shitty outburst, you probably didn
’
t sleep much. Let me make it up to you. How about I order dinner and we just hang out and watch a movie? We haven
’
t done that in a while.
”
 

"After last night do you really think it's safe for us to be spending quality time together? You were an ass, and you insulted me by inviting that blonde teenager over."

"You're right." He conceded, crossing his arms and leaning back against the counter. "Which is why I want to make it up to you. I'm sorry, Rhyann. It won't happen again. Please have dinner with me."

Now here's where I could have said no, and probably should have, but I didn't. I caved, which is what I always did where he was concerned. Love can make you do foolish things. Yep, that's right, I said love. I'd never said it out loud to anyone, but I knew that's what I was feeling. Matter of fact, I knew it when I stood on his front porch for the very first time. I loved him then, I love him now, and, truth be told, I probably always would. Whether or not he ever reciprocates that love is yet to be determined.