Page 31 of Mic Drop (Passionate Beats #3)
She gives Austin a sunny smile, then hauls me off into a different, dark corner. Sans the smile. “What is it?”
Instead of responding, I pass her my phone. She clicks the links, reads the stories, and returns it to me. The only reason I know she read the articles is the rapid rise and fall of her chest.
Not knowing what to say, I settle for, “I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry. I’m sorry. Everyone’s sorry. The only person who matters, though, is lying in a coffin six feet under.”
How can I respond to her? While I dither—something I’ve never done—she does the unthinkable. She walks away.
I need to reach her somehow. This cannot continue.
Luke reappears at my side. “I spoke with the PR team. They’re going to respond to the tabloids as well as put out an affirmative statement about Jenna and her mom.”
Without excitement, I reply, “Good.”
“Once we get Curtiss’s story ironed out, we can do much more.”
“Yeah.” Jenna hugs an older couple I’ve never seen before.
He adjusts his tie. “I think we’ll be ready to unleash on Lissa before we leave for Europe.”
“Fine.”
“All right. I know you’re a pretty quiet guy, but one-word answers aren’t really your thing. Talk to me.”
He’s so earnest, and I need someone I trust to be my sounding board. How to start? My head drops. “I don’t know how to reach Jenna,” I admit. “She’s so angry. At the world. At me. All I want to do is hug her, but she won’t even let me touch her.”
“She’s in a bad place, B. There’s not much you can do, other than let her be. She loves you, man. I was at your wedding, remember?” He taps his chest. “Best man here. She’ll snap out of her grief.”
“I don’t know.” This isn’t how things work in my world. People don’t simply “snap out” of it. No. They die like my father, or they go off the deep end like my mother or Lissa. I need to do something affirmative to keep Jenna with me. “Maybe I should send her flowers?”
“I’m thinking that’s a pass. Look at how many flowers she’s going to have after the funeral.”
“You’re right.” What else can I get for her? I snap my fingers. “I know, I can buy her another clinic.”
Luke cracks his knuckles. “Doesn’t Jenna want to earn her clinics on her own? If you give her one, she won’t have the same satisfaction.”
All the air blows out of my mouth. “Then what can I do? I can’t lose her.”
“B, you’re not going to lose your bride. You two are the real deal. Believe me.”
Problem is, I don’t.
I spend the rest of the repast circulating through the room, making small talk with people I’ve never met before but who think they know me.
Or at least they know “Bennett Hardy.” One older lady even tries to give me her grandson’s YouTube channel to scout him for the label.
I manage to avoid her for the rest of the evening.
The guys in the band haul me to the bar, ordering me a Manhattan.
When they each have their preferred drinks in hand, Río raises his glass to the ceiling.
“To Faith Westfield, Jenna’s mother. She had to have been an amazing woman to raise such a fabulous daughter.
May her soul rest in peace.” We all take sips. Including 007.
A while later, I approach our drummer, who’s banging on his thigh with his free hand. “Thanks for the nice words.”
“Meant them. I didn’t know Faith too well, considering we only met at your wedding, but she did a fine job raising your wife. I wish we could have gotten to know her better.”
“She was something,” I muse. “She had a great outlook on life, and always wanted those she loved to succeed.” I sip my drink. “Even me.”
Río chortles. “Out of everyone, I think you gave her the least amount of pause. UC’s on the top because of you.”
“Your drums, too.” In a softer tone, I add, “Not to mention Darren.”
Did Faith approve of me as a consolation prize since our original keyboardist is no longer here?
Is he the man she preferred for Jenna? Like a puppy dog, my gaze skips through the dwindling crowd, until it rests on my wife—who’s with her little niece and nephew.
Does she really want kids? With a fucked-up guy like me?
Unaware of my inner turmoil, Río continues, “Remember what Luke said before we took the stage for our first concert with Tris? He said Darren sent us our new keyboardist. I bet he also sent Jenna to you, to watch over the people he loved most in the world.”
Darren loved me? I manage not to roll my eyes. “Yeah, not so sure on that one. He wasn’t the sharing type.”
Río chuckles. “Not with Jenna, true. A part of me thinks, though, that they were headed for a massive breakup. He was too wild for her. With you, she’s found the perfect balance. Keep on loving your wife and everything will be right in the world.”
If only it were as easy as he makes it sound. Two people need to be in a marriage, and right now, I’m getting the vibe she’s not with me.
Joining us, 007 mentions he’s going to meet us in Europe. “Our boy found a mad rental on the Amalfi Coast of Italy.” Río claps our bassist on the back. “That’s right,” 007 continues. “Tris and I are going to rock some models’ worlds while sipping Italian wine and eating our weight in gelato.”
“I heard my name.” Our new keyboardist joins the conversation.
“Telling them about our rental,” 007 explains, his smile wide.
“It’s going to be epic,” Tris replies. “Hey, think they have cool arcade games like Bennett has at his place? I could get into some pinball action.”
“With hot babes lounging across it,” 007 adds, rubbing his hands together.
Coop and Luke surround us, and talk veers toward their wicked plans, which include more booze and babes.
Luke’s even heading up north somewhere for some “peace and quiet,” as he describes it.
Before Jenna, I would’ve gone with the rest of the band, running away from any problems I might have. Namely my mother.
Now, however, even her call this morning doesn’t register on the meter. My sole focus is on the blonde across the way, who’s talking with the restaurant staff. I can tell the second she finds out I paid for the repast because her eyes form slits and her mouth hangs open.
As much as I want to disappear into the fantasy world my bandmates are enjoying, that’s not where I need to be at the moment. I must get through to the one woman on the planet who doesn’t want anything to do with me. My wife.
When my band finally leaves, I get handshakes and fist bumps, and even a mini pep talk from Luke. Being one of the last people in the restaurant, I know I can’t avoid her any longer. I collect my ego off the floor and approach Jenna, who’s chatting with Court .
I don a positive expression. “I think everything went as well as it could have.”
“I agree,” Court replies. She nudges my wife. “Good job.”
“Thanks.” Jenna’s tone is as listless as her demeanor.
Today was a horrible day. The only things Jenna needs from me are love and support, and not my pussy hurt feelings. “Let me know how I can help.” I suggest. “Take any of the flowers to the car?”
“Nah. Kara and I decided to donate them to the local women’s shelter. I have enough flowers at home anyway.” The ghost of a smirk crosses her face.
“Nice.” I want to pump my fist in the air at this small victory. My woman is in there somewhere. I only need to coax her out again.
My gaze trips through the room, one I want to leave in the rearview mirror. I need time alone with my wife. “What about the cards and guest book?”
“Kara took them home to log them, so we can send out thank you cards.” Her sister and her family left about ten minutes ago.
“Wow. You guys have this all under control.” As soon as the last word is out of my mouth, I realize my error. Jenna’s all about control. My pointing it out is not a good idea.
She folds into herself. “It’s what matters.”
I sigh. It’s going to be a long night. “I think it’s time we head out.”
Court echoes my thought. “Yeah. Let’s give the restaurant back to the servers.”
After many thanks for as nice an afternoon as possible, the three of us make our way to the front door, where our rideshare waits.
Jenna hugs her friend, who leaves for her own car.
I open the black SUV’s door for my wife, who climbs into the vehicle.
I slip in behind her, and we begin the trek to Secluded Rest.
“I think your mother would’ve enjoyed today,” I try.
“Yeah.”
Silence.
“There were lots of people there.”
“Uh-huh. ”
Silence.
“The UC PR team is in full force against the paparazzi. They’ll shut them down.”
“I hope so.”
Silence.
I reach for something else positive to say. “The minister said some nice things.”
“Bennett.” Jenna twists to face me. “Let’s not.
Today sucked so hard. I had to say goodbye to the most important person in the whole world.
I don’t care who came, or who didn’t. It doesn’t matter to me that my father showed up, and my sister re-formed some sort of bond with him.
I don’t want to compliment the chefs or the florists or the limo drivers. None of that matters.”
I want to hold my arms out to her and hug her pain away. I want to kiss away her tears and share our love. Something tells me such a gesture might only make things even worse between us.
We reach the security guardhouse in silence and are allowed to proceed. I’m filled with pent-up energy and want to punch something. Or play arcade games. Or walk on the beach. But my preferences don’t matter. All that matters is helping my wife.
“Jenna,” I say as the car pulls up the driveway.
She waves her hand. “I’m tired, Bennett. Can it wait?”
It’s as if she slapped me. I can’t form a thought until the driver stops at the front door, and I get out of the SUV. I reach out to help her onto the pavement, and am relieved when she accepts my assistance. At least there’s that.
Together, we walk into our new house and she makes a beeline for the stairs. My emotions are running so high that I don’t think I should be alone with her right now. Despite wanting to offer her solace, my own needs demand attention.
“Go on up, Sweetheart. I’m going to take a quick walk on the beach and will join you shortly.”
“Okay.”
I watch her trudge up the steps for a moment, then I turn in the opposite direction and leave the house through the bifold doors, kicking off my shoes in the process. Dumping my blazer and tie onto the outdoor sofa, I roll up my sleeves on my way to the ocean.
When I get to the breakers, I stand facing the horizon, not seeing the waves nor caring that the bottoms of my trousers are getting wet. What can I do to get through to Jenna? In the past, my solutions always involved sex. Yeah, not going to happen.
Shaking my head at its emptiness, I take off down the beach, my mind awhirl with yearning to comfort my wife. I’ve walked I don’t know how long before I turn around, my house not even a speck in the distance.
When my house is on the horizon again, someone yells my name. Great. Just what I need today—to deal with fans. I put on the mask I wear for the public before turning toward the sound.
Michelle marches toward me.
Oh hell no. I go to turn, but decide against it. This bitch needs to be put in her place. My hands land on my hips and I wait.
“I thought that was you!”
“Michelle, you should know I’m in no mood to deal with your shit today. My guess is you know why. I only waited for you because I wanted to tell you to stay away from my wife. Do not have any interactions with her from now on, or you’ll be sorry. Do I make myself clear?”
She pulls herself to her full height, which is taller than Jenna’s. Makes no difference to me, though, she could be a fucking Amazon and I wouldn’t care. My ire needs an outlet and she’s made herself pretty damn accessible. Her shit stops now.
“Bennett.” She reaches out and touches my sleeve, causing the tendons on my forearm to ripple.
“Jenna’s been bad luck for as long as I’ve known her.
Hell, you know that, considering what happened to Darren.
You’re swept up in her, but she doesn’t deserve you.
Plus, you know she’s not a good physical therapist, which is why my doctor doesn’t refer patients to her. Her business is failing. ”
I grab her by her skinny wrist. “I let you spout your lies. Now listen to my truths.”
She rushes forward as if I didn’t say anything.
“The way I see things, you have two choices. One, let Lissa and me wring the precious Jenna Westfield through the mud like she deserves. Or, two, try to counteract what we’ve told the media and find out what two scorned women can do.
Your choice.” In a huff, she rushes off the beach.
Great. She and Lissa have combined forces?
What’s next?