Page 23 of You Rock My World

I slam the door of the car shut and text my driver to take it away tomorrow, then head toward the house, each step heavier and lighter simultaneously.

At the front door, I pause and glance down the driveway, half-expecting Billie to reappear—maybe with another desperate plea, an apology, or fresh accusations.

But the night is silent, and the only movement is the rustling of leaves in a gentle breeze.

Back out on the patio, I pour myself a bourbon. The amber liquid catches the faint glow of the garden lights as I swirl it in the glass. The color reminds me of Josie’s eyes.

Sinking into a chair, I stare out at the glittering cityscape below, willing the alcohol to dull the sharp edges of my emotions. As the tension ebbs away, my thoughts drift more insistently to Josie.

Is she right? Am I on the rebound from Billie? Am I looking for someone who’s the exact opposite of my ex-wife as a reaction?

Billie would say I’m after someone plain, someone simple that I can handle while I could never handle her.

But there’s nothing simple in the way I feel about Josie.

It’s equally thunderous, only in a positive way.

One that makes me happy instead of miserable.

That has my heart palpitating with joy instead of despair.

I shouldn’t feel guilty for wanting happiness. But I wonder if Billie will ever let me go. If she’ll seek to destroy whatever I rebuild.

I take a long sip from my drink, savoring the smooth burn as it slides down my throat.

I’ll have to protect Josie, whatever it takes.

She doesn’t deserve to be dragged into the mess of my past. When our relationship finally goes public—and I pray it will—Billie Rae is bound to lash out.

Her anger and accusations will be fierce, and the tabloids will eat it up, turning it into front-page news.

I swirl the remaining bourbon in my glass, watching the liquid create a tiny vortex.

The thought of Josie being thrust into the spotlight makes my stomach churn.

She’s a private person, unaccustomed to the relentless scrutiny that comes with being involved with someone like me.

Can she handle it? More importantly, can we handle it together?

As I take a last sip and set the empty glass aside, I vow to myself that no matter what Billie Rae does, I won’t let her drive away the woman who’s brought joy and hope back into my life.

I crave to hear Josie’s voice, but I don’t want to wake her if she’s sleeping. What time does she go to bed? I’ve no idea whether she’s a night owl or an early bird.

I grab my phone and type out a message.

Dorian

Hey, you awake?

My phone pings right back.

Josie

Yep, still up. What’s going on?

I grin, picturing her curled up on a couch with a book in her lap. Just the thought of her calms my frayed nerves. I text back.

Dorian

Mind if I call you?

Instead of a reply, my phone starts buzzing with an incoming call. I smile as I answer, “Hi.”

“If this is a booty call, you’re about 364 days too early,” Josie jokes, her voice warm and light.

I chuckle because even on a night like this, she makes me smile. “Hey, you called me , so we’re both bad at self-restraint tonight.”

I keep my tone playful, but something in my voice must give me away.

“What’s wrong?” Josie asks, her lighthearted tone replaced with concern.

“Billie Rae showed up at my house. Drunk, high, I don’t even know. She was a mess.”

The words start pouring out of me, every bitter accusation Billie hurled, every biting remark. I don’t hold back, letting Josie see the ugly reality of what I’m dealing with. Of what she’s getting herself into.

As I talk, I realize how freeing it feels to confide in someone without worrying about ulterior motives. Josie listens, really listens, without judgment or an agenda. She won’t sell my secrets to the press or twist my words against me.

“I’m so sorry you’re going through this, Dorian,” Josie says when I finally fall silent. “I can’t imagine how difficult it must be.”

“I feel better already, just being able to talk to you about it. I trust you, Josie. Completely. And that… that means everything to me right now.”

A beat of silence follows, then Josie’s voice filters through. “I’m here for you, always. We’ll get through this together.”

Together. Her promise wraps around me and holds me.

I’m tempted to tell Josie everything I feel, to pour out my heart and lay it all on the line. But I don’t want to overwhelm her, not when we’re both still navigating this new connection between us. Instead, I force a chuckle.

“Well, if we can survive a blackout and an elevator Armageddon, we can handle anything, huh?”

Josie laughs, and the sound washes over me, soothing the jagged edges of my soul like a balm. “You’re right. We make a pretty good team.”

I hope we do because what’s coming won’t be easy. But I don’t want to think about that now. I need positive vibes, so I change the subject. “What were you up to before I so rudely interrupted with my late-night texts?”

“Oh, I was sketching. I had a random burst of inspiration and had to get it down.”

This catches me by surprise. “Wait, you draw? I had no idea.”

“More illustrate, digitally. See, this is what I’m talking about,” Josie teases. “We still have so much to learn about each other.”

“I can’t wait to discover all your secrets, Josie Monroe,” I reply, meaning it with every fiber of my being.

“Easy tiger. You just used your seduction voice on me,” she accuses, but I can hear the smile in her tone.

“My seduction voice?”

“It’s the one you switch to in movies any time you’re about to kiss someone. All low and husky and sexy as hell.”

Now I lower my tone on purpose. “How many times have you watched my movies?”

“I can’t answer that.”

“Why not?”

“It wouldn’t be dignified,” she huffs, and I can almost see her biting her lip, her cheeks flushing.

“You get a pass, but only this once.” I glance at the time on the screen, stifling a yawn. “Speaking of movies, we should call it a night. We have to be on set early tomorrow.”

I’m recording a cameo for a fantasy TV show in Burbank. What I don’t mention is the surprise I have in store for her.

“Can’t wait to see you in armor.”

“Wish I could say the same, the costume is a pain to wear.”

“Mmm, but you look wonderful in it on TV. I’m looking forward to a live show.” Josie stifles a yawn of her own.

“You’re falling asleep on me. I’ll let you go. Night, Josie,” I murmur, wishing I could pull her close and whisper the words against her hair.

“Night, Dorian,” she replies softly before the line goes quiet.

I don’t get up right away but linger on the patio, picking up the guitar again, the melody from earlier flowing.

I close my eyes and let the music wash over me as I dream about a future where loving someone has no catch.

Where a relationship is a two-way street of giving and taking, and not a one-sided drain that sucked away at me until nothing was left but a hollow shell.