“Let me get a towel to clean us up.” I kissed his chest.
Slinking out of his embrace, I quickly went into the bathroom, ran a towel under some warm water, and returned to bed to clean us up. Jace regarded me as I gently wiped his cock, balls, and inner thighs. Tossing it on the ground, I climbed back in bed. In all the years we’d been making love, he always cleaned me up. Tonight was my first time cleaning him.
I kissed his chest and urged him to turn over. “Let me spoon you.”
When he was situated, I reached around and clasped myself tightly into his back. Kissing his shoulder blades while my hands stroked the rigid planes of his abs, I breathed in his manly, sandalwood scent. I squeezed him and pressed every part of my body to his. After making love with such intensity, I felt much calmer. It seemed like everything would be okay.
That’s what I’d been telling myself for weeks.
Jace’s body grew more and more relaxed until I could tell he’d fallen asleep. My own eyes began to get heavier and heavier and before I knew it, the room was full of light and Jace wasn’t next to me anymore. A little disoriented, I called for him but there was no answer. Looking over at the nightstand, I saw he’d left me a note just like old times, although the sentiment wasn’t quite as sweet and my heart sank.
Poppy – had to go rehearse. I’m not doing the red carpet. See you at the show.
Cold. So cold.
Dressing quickly, I called a Lyft to head back to Ty’s. When I arrived, I slipped into the pool house without detection, showered and changed, and then headed up to the main house to check in with Zoey. I found her and Ronni in the kitchen getting their nails done.
“Hey!” Zoey called to me. “Where have you been? Maybe at the London?”
I went to the fridge to grab a bottle of cider. It counted as juice. Today. “Maybe.”
“Are you going to glam squad with us?” Ronni batted her eyes dramatically. “I saw your dress, it’s killer!”
“I’m not going to do the red carpet, after all.” I sat down at the counter with my juice-cider. “Zoey, I need to talk to you when you get a minute.”
“Hey, don’t worry about me, I’ve got to make a few calls.” Ronni jumped up. “I’ll head out to the pool for a bit.”
Both of us watched the beautiful, chestnut-haired beauty leave, and then we looked at each other.
“Is this really happening two days in a row?” I shook my head in awe. “You’re actually becoming friends with a famous actress who dated Ty?”
“She was only a fake girlfriend.” Zoey laughed.
“Fair enough.” I laughed with her. For a second.
“I think it’s time you stop hiding your relationship with Jace, Alex.” Zoey looked at me pointedly, but her expression was kind.
“It’s been a crazy ride.” I slumped over on the counter, took a few deep breaths, and decided. She was right, I wanted to come clean. So I proceeded to fill her in on the truth of our relationship over the past eight years, including losing my virginity to him before they went on their first tour. The only thing I left out was the paternity issue, mainly because that was Jace’s secret to tell when and if he was ready.
“Wow.” Zoey was blown away. “I’m sorry you felt like you needed to keep such an important part of your life from me.”
“It wasn’t your fault, we never had more than a couple of months where things were stable until this year. And in the beginning, there was no way to tell you and Ty without it being super painful. When we didn’t know what was going on, why would we hurt you guys?”
Zoey twirled gleefully. “Why aren’t you shouting it from the rooftops! I mean, we bagged our rock stars! It only took eight years, but—”
“Because I think we are broken up right now. We were together last night, but he has something personal going on that he needs to handle. It’s a shit-show. I’m not sure where we stand.”
“Is he okay?” Zoey stroked my back comfortingly. “Should I have Ty talk to him—”
“No.” I cut her off. “Telling you would betray Jace’s confidence. I can tell you that he is fine. He will be fine. It has nothing to do with the band. It has nothing to do with his health.”
“O-kay.” Zoey looked puzzled.
“Give us—him—a couple of weeks.” I shook my head. “He just needs to sort a situation out.”
“Are you sure he doesn’t need help?”
“I don’t know. I’m trying to help him, but he’s stressed. We planned for me to go to New York so we could tell everyone we’re together, but the night before we had a stupid fight and I stayed home.” I confessed. “We made up then fought then made up again last night, and I figured we’d tell everyone today. Then he left before I woke up, and I don’t even know why.”
“Wow.” Zoey nodded empathetically. “You’re on your own rollercoaster.”
“Yeah. Let’s just say that he’s afraid I’m not going to stay with him. I’m afraid he won’t let me.”
“Is that why you aren’t doing the red carpet?” Zoey retrieved another cider for me and one for her.
“We were going to walk together; he arranged the style session with Ty yesterday. When I woke up this morning, he left me a note saying he’s not going to do it.” We clinked our ciders in solidarity. “I don’t care about a stupid red carpet; I’ve done them before.”
“You’re not asking, but I’m going to give you the same advice that helped me a few months ago.” Zoey took my hand and squeezed. “Don’t let him get away. And, some extra advice. Stop sneaking around.”
“I know. He wanted to go public years ago.” I closed my eyes, remembering all the
