Page 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Jade

When Royal asked me for my address because he wanted to send me something, I was expecting a mountain of flowers to arrive. What I didn’t anticipate was him standing there on my front porch delivering them personally.

“Royal?” I gape at him for a moment and then launch myself into his arms.

“Hey, baby.” He hugs me awkwardly since he’s holding the flowers with his good hand, but it doesn’t matter. Our mouths move together hungrily, as if it’s been a lot more than a week since we last touched, and I finally tug him inside.

“What are you doing here?” I demand, taking the flowers from him.

“I got the vibe you need me,” he says quietly, meeting my gaze.

My heart stutters with happiness, and tears inexplicably prick my eyelids.

I don’t know how, but he knew something was wrong.

And he just showed up.

“How did you know?” It seems important for some reason.

“Everything you weren’t saying told me something was up. And based on your reaction just now, I’m guessing I was right.”

For someone who says he isn’t good for me, I’m not getting that vibe at all.

I can’t remember the last time someone showed up for me without me asking. At least, someone who wasn’t after something.

“You have no idea.” Embarrassed by how emotional I’m feeling, I head for the kitchen to find a vase and he pads behind me. “But let’s get settled first. I’ll show you around once I put these in water.”

“This is beautiful,” he says a couple of minutes later as we walk through my living room. “I love the fireplace.”

“It used to be wood burning, but I had them make it gas. I don’t have the time or energy to build fires. My grandfather made the mantel, though. I’ll never change it.”

“It’s gorgeous,” he says. “And the windows…”

I have floor-to-ceiling windows on one wall, giving me a ton of light and an even better view.

“Yeah, that’s one of my favorite things about the house.”

I show him around, and somehow, we end up in the bedroom. I sink onto the edge of the bed and rub my temples.

“I’m really glad you're here,” I whisper, suddenly emotional again.

“Why didn’t you tell me something was going on?” he asks, sitting beside me and taking one of my hands in his.

“Because it’s my problem…Grandma taught me not to rely on anyone because people inevitably let you down. And she’s never been more right.”

“You consider me one of the people who’s going to let you down?”

“I don’t know,” I admit. “I don't want to think that, but it hasn’t been that long, and you’ve…made it clear that you’re not into relationships.”

“I also said we were going to figure it out.”

“Yes, but we haven’t had any conversations about that since the cabin.”

“Well, I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere.” He strokes his fingers over my cheek. “Talk to me, Jade. What’s been happening?”

“So much.” I don’t even know where to start, but the situation with Farrah feels easiest. I catch him up on that, tell him what happened on our conference call, and then segue into Rico’s visit.

“I thought you and Rico were close?” he asks, interrupting me.

“I thought so too. Until I told him that I wanted you to produce the next album.”

His eyes widen. “Wait—is that why he came to visit? To pitch his production services?”

“Apparently.”

“Motherfucker.” He shakes his head. “What a fucking douche.”

“You don't seem surprised.”

“Honey, I told you about these types of things—this is how it goes. That’s why you need a strong, solid team around you. People who do what you want, not what they want.”

“I tried and they just made me feel bad, talking about how I would just be another nameless, faceless Nashville wanna-be country singer if they hadn’t?—”

“See, that’s where you stop them,” he says firmly, a scowl darkening his handsome features. “Maybe that’s what would have happened, but you’re Jade fucking Cantrell—one of the top country artists in the world right now. Doesn’t matter what might or might not have happened. It did happen. You are where you are. The what ifs are just how they manipulate your emotions.”

“Rico said…” I repeat the conversation and he pulls in a sharp breath.

“I’m going to beat the fuck out of him if I ever see him again,” he growls. “What the hell?”

“It caught me off-guard too.”

“Look, there’s an element of truth to what he said—if you shit on people on your way up, it could be problematic if you’re ever on your way back down. That said, doing what’s best for your business isn’t shitting on anyone. He told you he didn’t want to produce country anymore—whose fault is it that you took him at his word?” He waits, obviously expecting an answer, and I sigh wearily.

“I know but?—”

“There are no buts, Shortcake.” He takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger and turns my head, forcing me to look at him. “You’ve got this. I’m here now. And we’re going to handle it. Together.”

“Are we?” I stare into his eyes. “Because I honestly have no idea what to do.”

“I’m going to help you. I have a fantastic entertainment attorney who will kick ass and take names. A management company who’ll take care of you if you decide you want to use them. And maybe even a new record label, depending on what your contract says.”

I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and relief and hope.

But there’s one thing that’s more important than all of that other stuff.

At least, it is to me.

“Will you produce my album?” I blurt. “I let Rico think it was a done deal, but you and I only talked about it in passing. I don’t want you to do it because you feel bad about what’s been happening—I want you to do it because you want to. That’s the only way it works.”

“I’m never going to do something just because I feel bad,” he says with a soft chuckle. “You’ll learn that about me pretty quickly. But that’s not the case here. I just want to be sure you know what you’re asking. Are you positive you want me to produce? I’ve never done a country album.”

“I know, but I trust you. We work well together. It’s magic when we’re making music.” And other things, but I need to focus. “I know the songs we wrote together are going to be huge. Just like I knew ‘Forever in Rewind’ was going to hit number one. Sometimes I just know. I feel it. And everything inside me tells me you’re the right person to produce the next album.”

“If you’re sure about this, I’d be honored,” he says softly, leaning in to press his lips to mine. My mouth opens of its own volition, and our tongues slide together with a magnetic force. And yet, he’s not in a rush, not tearing at my clothes or trying to get me naked. Instead, he kisses me like we have all the time in the world. Like kissing me is the only thing he cares about.

“I’m going to take you to bed and make you come at least five times tonight,” he whispers against my mouth, “but I want to take care of something first.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket. “We’re going to talk to Madeline Aronson.”

Holy guacamole.

Everyone knows Madeline Aronson.

It doesn’t get any more powerful than her as far as entertainment attorneys. It’s almost impossible to get a consultation with her, much less hire her full-time, but Royal dials what appears to be a direct number and puts her on speaker.

“Royal!” She answers almost immediately.

“Hey, Maddie.”

“Madeline,” she corrects him. “How many times do I have to tell you that?”

“Yeah, yeah.” He rolls his eyes. “Listen, I’m here with Jade Cantrell. You have a few minutes to talk to her?”

“I have…” She hesitates, as if looking for something. “...thirteen minutes.”

“Talk fast,” Royal tells me.

“I wasn’t prepared,” I say, “but hello. It’s nice to meet you… Madeline .”

She laughs. “I like her, Royal.”

“Me too,” he says.

“Anyway, give me the Reader’s Digest version of what’s going on,” Madeline says.

“Basically, my management company is trying to force me into working with people I don't like and doing things I don’t want to do. I need someone to fight some of these battles for me because I can’t focus on the creative stuff when I spend hours every day arguing with people who don’t have my back. I need someone who knows what’s in my contracts, how to potentially get me out of them, and who’ll tell me what I can and can’t do.”

“That’s all?” Madeline snorts. “Royal, you said this was hardcore.”

“It is,” he says firmly. “They’re dicking her around and it’s becoming problematic. You asked for the condensed version. There have been some veiled threats and about how she wouldn’t be where she is without them. Shit like that. It needs to stop.”

“Not a problem. Send me over your contracts with your record label and the management company. If you get those to me today, I can talk to you late tomorrow, around eight in the evening Nashville time? Does that work?”

“Absolutely. I’ll get you those documents in a little while.” I don’t even know where the contracts are, but if she can help, I’m more than willing to do my part to hunt them down.

“Great. Royal has my email address.” She pauses. “By the way, I’ll look at the contracts free of charge as a favor to Royal, but in case you decide to sign with me, I’ll be attaching my rate sheet.”

“Money isn’t an issue,” I reply.

“Great. Then we’ll talk tomorrow.” She disconnects and I turn to Royal, squinting.

“How did you do that?”

“Been around the block a few times,” he says patiently. “And anyway, Madeline is good people. She’s been my attorney since before the accident, and it’s the best decision I ever made. She’s a little brusque and won’t give you the warm fuzzies, but she’s loyal, smart, and incredible at her job. She’s expensive but worth every penny.”

“She’s someone you trust.” It’s not a question but he answers anyway.

“More than anyone outside of my family.”

“I’ve heard she has a three-year waiting list just for a consultation.”

He smiles. “Like I said, I’ve been doing this a while.”

“What if she can’t help me?”

“She will. Trust me.” He winds his fingers through mine and pulls me onto his lap.

“I do.” I rest my head against his chest, and it feels like he’s lifted the weight of the world from my shoulders. “I…thank you. I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”

“You’re welcome. Everything is going to be okay. I promise.”

When he says it, I believe it.

He’s not just some rock star I’m sleeping with; he’s quickly becoming extremely important to me. I know I shouldn’t be falling in love but it’s too late.

And the fact that he’s here tells me he’s falling too.

It might be the scariest thing that’s ever happened to me, but it’s also the most incredible thing too.

I can’t think of a single thing that feels better than being with him, having his attention focused on me…and falling in love with him.

No matter what happens, I can’t imagine regretting a single moment of any of it.