that was Scarlette Conterra.
Clearing the search, he typed G-A-G-E—Ahh that didn’t take long either.
The clusterfuck his life had always been to the public. Rehab. Inciting a riot charge complicated with hate crime. Arrest for possession of an illegal substance. Assault on a fan. Lyrics criminal threat suit dismissed.
It had been one thing when being with him was what she had wanted. And who was he to deny her what she wanted—especially when it was mutual. But now that she was no longer dirtied with him and no longer wanted to be, to beg her back would be selfish. Lastly, he couldn’t help the turn of his thoughts at times when he considered getting his career back on track. He was trying to put ugly headlines behind him and do his damndest not to create any new controversies.
He checked his messages while waiting on room service. Standing at the window overlooking the bodies baking by the pool, he returned one call out of the many.
“Hi, Jax. Sorry I missed your call.”
“Not a problem. Listen, I’m in town and I’d like to meet with you. Can you do this afternoon?”
“Sure.” He was bursting with curiosity, but he tried to keep his voice level and professional.
Jax asking for a meeting the same day rather than days in advance seemed unusual. But he wasn’t a man anyone in the business turned down. A knock followed by an announcement of “room service” drew his attention. Carrying the phone, he skirted the bed, moving in that direction.
“Oh. I apologize. Are you out of town?” Jax asked, clearly having heard the interruption.
No. I’m whoring in a hotel ten minutes from my house
. “I’m close. I can do this afternoon.” He swung open the door and watched as the server set up.
Although he’d done it many times, nothing ever felt as lonely as eating a meal in a hotel room alone. After they’d ended the call, he quickly consumed the ‘hearty country breakfast’ and checked out.
He returned home long enough to shave and change clothes before setting off again in the Lotus. La Dolce’ Vida—-the Italian café where they’d arranged to meet—was busy although it was not yet the dinner rush hour. Absently rubbing a thumb over a razor nick on his jaw, he followed the hostess through the deserted dining room to a private room.
Jax slid from a booth seat, standing and greeting him with a firm handshake. “I hope I didn’t cut a getaway short.”
“Not at all. I caught the Vagrants last night. Did the after party at the Marmont. Got a room rather than go home.” He studied Jax, hoping he didn’t think he was partying chemically again. “Great show.”
“I saw them at Edgefest. You’re right. They’re entertainers.” The server came by, dropping off drinks and taking their orders. When she left, Jax folded his arms on the table. “How are things these days?”
“All right. I’ve got a few projects going while regrouping and figuring out what’s next. Green Envy needs a session guitarist. I haven’t confirmed though.”
Jax sipped his tea and set the glass down. “I signed an indie band with a large following earlier this year. Rattler.” Gage nodded, an indication he’d heard of them. “They’re beginning a tour in the spring. The guitarist is leaving. Just doesn’t have the commitment. There are two songs left to record too.” He pulled a storage device from the inside pocket of the bomber jacket he wore. “Here’s some promo videos, a live show, their songs. If you like it, I’d like for you to meet ’em.”
Accepting the USB drive, he ran a thumb over the plastic before nodding and pocketing it. “Yeah. Thanks. I’ll look at it tonight.” He fingered the cutlery as they were served appetizers, and gnawed at the inside of his lip trying to shake the big loser feeling. Stepping in as a replacement to an infant band rather than birth his own band wasn’t what he was looking for. But this was Beau Jax. Again, only an idiot passed on him.
As if reading his
Clearing the search, he typed G-A-G-E—Ahh that didn’t take long either.
The clusterfuck his life had always been to the public. Rehab. Inciting a riot charge complicated with hate crime. Arrest for possession of an illegal substance. Assault on a fan. Lyrics criminal threat suit dismissed.
It had been one thing when being with him was what she had wanted. And who was he to deny her what she wanted—especially when it was mutual. But now that she was no longer dirtied with him and no longer wanted to be, to beg her back would be selfish. Lastly, he couldn’t help the turn of his thoughts at times when he considered getting his career back on track. He was trying to put ugly headlines behind him and do his damndest not to create any new controversies.
He checked his messages while waiting on room service. Standing at the window overlooking the bodies baking by the pool, he returned one call out of the many.
“Hi, Jax. Sorry I missed your call.”
“Not a problem. Listen, I’m in town and I’d like to meet with you. Can you do this afternoon?”
“Sure.” He was bursting with curiosity, but he tried to keep his voice level and professional.
Jax asking for a meeting the same day rather than days in advance seemed unusual. But he wasn’t a man anyone in the business turned down. A knock followed by an announcement of “room service” drew his attention. Carrying the phone, he skirted the bed, moving in that direction.
“Oh. I apologize. Are you out of town?” Jax asked, clearly having heard the interruption.
No. I’m whoring in a hotel ten minutes from my house
. “I’m close. I can do this afternoon.” He swung open the door and watched as the server set up.
Although he’d done it many times, nothing ever felt as lonely as eating a meal in a hotel room alone. After they’d ended the call, he quickly consumed the ‘hearty country breakfast’ and checked out.
He returned home long enough to shave and change clothes before setting off again in the Lotus. La Dolce’ Vida—-the Italian café where they’d arranged to meet—was busy although it was not yet the dinner rush hour. Absently rubbing a thumb over a razor nick on his jaw, he followed the hostess through the deserted dining room to a private room.
Jax slid from a booth seat, standing and greeting him with a firm handshake. “I hope I didn’t cut a getaway short.”
“Not at all. I caught the Vagrants last night. Did the after party at the Marmont. Got a room rather than go home.” He studied Jax, hoping he didn’t think he was partying chemically again. “Great show.”
“I saw them at Edgefest. You’re right. They’re entertainers.” The server came by, dropping off drinks and taking their orders. When she left, Jax folded his arms on the table. “How are things these days?”
“All right. I’ve got a few projects going while regrouping and figuring out what’s next. Green Envy needs a session guitarist. I haven’t confirmed though.”
Jax sipped his tea and set the glass down. “I signed an indie band with a large following earlier this year. Rattler.” Gage nodded, an indication he’d heard of them. “They’re beginning a tour in the spring. The guitarist is leaving. Just doesn’t have the commitment. There are two songs left to record too.” He pulled a storage device from the inside pocket of the bomber jacket he wore. “Here’s some promo videos, a live show, their songs. If you like it, I’d like for you to meet ’em.”
Accepting the USB drive, he ran a thumb over the plastic before nodding and pocketing it. “Yeah. Thanks. I’ll look at it tonight.” He fingered the cutlery as they were served appetizers, and gnawed at the inside of his lip trying to shake the big loser feeling. Stepping in as a replacement to an infant band rather than birth his own band wasn’t what he was looking for. But this was Beau Jax. Again, only an idiot passed on him.
As if reading his
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