“Drew!” I screamed out his name as we came in sync.
And when I finally caught my breath, it was for him to give me an awkward look as he very carefully pulled a picture of Braden’s first concert and flipped it over.
“He’s too young to see this.”
Glorious gurgles of laughter erupted, and I kissed him again. “We should sleep.”
“We should have more sex.”
“Dreeeeww.”
“Aw, that’s where Amelia learned it.”
I playfully smacked him on the chest. He captured my fingertips, brought them to his lips, and slowly pulled out of me, his eyes never leaving mine. “Are you saying I exhausted you?”
My legs wobbled as I nearly collapsed against him. “My body’s not used to it.”
“And it won’t get used to anyone else ever again.” A muscle clenched in his jaw, “Happy birthday, beautiful.”
“You said that already.”
“That’s because I get to keep saying it for another twenty-two or so hours. Hell, what time is it anyway?”
I yawned while he glanced at his watch and made a face. “We definitely went over curfew.”
I let out an exhausted laugh. “Bed.”
His eyes glanced toward the master bedroom. “Does that mean I get to sleep with you in your bed?”
“I think you’ve earned it.”
“Awesome, because I’m scared of the dark.” He walked past me and went into my bathroom then turned on the shower.
Good idea.
I quickly washed off, between Drew’s kisses, not that I was complaining, but part of me just wanted to be held in his arms.
And as promised, when we went to bed, he pulled me in against his body, wrapped his arms around me, and whispered, “Sleep.”
It had been years since I’d fallen asleep that fast.
I jerked awake around eight a.m. to find the bed empty, but the sliding glass door to my room partway open.
Drew was on his phone, his back faced me. “Nobody’s gonna find out.”
A cold chill hit me like a punch to the gut.
“No, I’ve been careful, all right? I really appreciate this. I owe you a huge favor in the near future.” He chuckled. “No, she has no idea, so keep that giant mouth of yours to yourself.” He laughed and then, “Yeah, see you in a few.”
I quickly hopped back into my bed and tried to look as if I’d just gotten up. I put my hands over my head and stretched.
Drew walked back in wearing nothing but his low-slung pair of jeans from last night and a mesmerizing smile. “So, how’s it feel?”
Don’t jump to conclusions. Don’t jump to conclusions.
“Waking up next to me?”
I threw a pillow at him and then shrugged. “I don’t know since, when I woke up, you weren’t there.”
His face fell, and then a guilty look flashed before his sexy smile was back. “Sorry, a man’s gotta have some secrets.”
“Is this… a bad secret?”
He frowned. “Is this our first fight?”
“Stop deflecting.” I watched for any more clues in his posture, but he was back to his old self.
“I’m…” He leaned forward and kissed my forehead, then my mouth. “…not deflecting.”
“You’re using your sexual prowess,” I grumbled, nearly forgetting why I’d been worried in the first place.
“Hey, a man’s gotta use everything in his arsenal. Besides, it’s your birthday morning, and since you’re probably exhausted…” He dove under the covers.
And my worry was completely forgotten.
Sucked away by Drew’s magnificent tongue.
It was the best birthday morning of my life.
With my rockstar boyfriend by my side.
Literally.
He managed to make pancakes and kept on talking about a surprise. He told me he needed to run an errand really quick, and that Amelia was already on her way back to celebrate with us.
I was giddy with excitement.
Which should have been my first clue that something was about to go wrong.
I cleaned up the house a bit and turned on the TV so that I could have some background noise. I hated feeling alone in that giant place.
“Hey, Mom!” Amelia bounced through the door and slammed it. “Happy birthday!”
“Thank you.” I pulled my baby into my arms and hugged her tight. “How did the night as Protector of the Ring go?”
She pulled out the black AmEx and handed it to me. Was I seriously holding his credit card now?
Life. So strange.
“I bought pizza for all my friends then thought about making up a fake receipt of huge purchases, including a yacht in the south of France, but decided that he’s old enough to have a heart attack so…”
“Heard that,” Drew suddenly said from the door, leaning against it so casual and sexy, my heart skipped a beat.
“You were meant to,” Amelia sing-songed with a grin. “I saw your car pulling up after mine.”
He let out a snort. “Too smart for her own good, folks.”
“The music world is being rocked this morning by the downfall of a legend…” said the prissy female newscaster. “A reliable source has confirmed that Andrew Amhurst, Adrenaline frontman, has fled to Seaside, Oregon, recently after pictures were leaked of him reverting to his old ways, partying late at night along with obvious drug usage.” She sighed. “We hope that Drew gets the help he needs from his bandmates in Oregon. Maybe third time’s a charm.”
Everything in me seized up.
Everything.
All the hushed conversations came back full force as a numbness washed over me.
“Amelia, go to your room,” I whispered.
“Mom, I—” Tears welled in her eyes.
“Now.” I flipped off the TV.
Drew looked just as upset as I felt, but he didn’t say a word, didn’t deny it, didn’t do anything except stand there with a pained expression on his face, as if he didn’t know what to say.
Those damn phone calls.
“You’re using?” My voice trembled.
“What do you think?” His face was stone, his jaw clenched.
“I-I don’t know what to think. I mean, you weren’t supposed to be here recording still, right? And then you’re suddenly here, and you keep making
