Don’t Fall For A Dreamer (Wayward Lane Backstage #3)

Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

EVERT

A s much as I loved hanging out with Wayward Lane and Killmine, I wanted alone time with Jesse. To continue what we started with that hot as hell kiss this morning. And in the theatre.

But kissing— and more—would have to wait.

After lunch, the bands finished up their sets and Jesse sat down with them to give them the latest updates. There were a ton of pre-tour interviews happening. And what an insane schedule it was. The next fourteen days were packed. Then we had a week off before we left for Japan so everyone could rest up. Jesse went through every item in detail, not to mention all the questions the guys lobbed at him.

Two hours later, we finally called it a day.

Jess had to have one last word with Ace, so I waited in the wings.

My phone rang and I quickly glanced at it, figuring it was one of my friends. When I recognized the number, I immediately tapped Decline . My good mood vanished, and it was no wonder why. Zachary’s parents were calling me. Again. No way in hell did I want to speak to them. They’d kicked Zach out of their lives, and they hadn’t made any effort to reconcile. Not even when he was dying.

But then, a year ago, one of Zachary’s photographs won a posthumous prize. One that incurred a lot of media attention and as a result, the value of his work tripled. And suddenly, the Mahlers were anxious to get in touch with me about their son. To lay claim on Zachary and his work, all of which he’d left to me.

The phone buzzed again, but I silenced my notifications.

“Take the call if you need to.”

Jesse’s voice startled me.

“I don’t,” I bit out.

Fuck. This wasn’t Jesse’s fault. I stepped closer to him.

“I’m sorry. It’s Zachary’s parents calling, again, and I’m so fucking pissed.”

“What happened?”

“They had no interest in a relationship with him while he was alive, but now that the value of his artwork has increased exponentially, suddenly they want to claim him as their own. Courting media attention and even going so far as to organize a memorial for him,” I scoffed. “Memorial, my ass. The last time his father left me a voicemail, he stated that they were going to take legal action against me for Zach’s estate. All they care about is his money. Not him. Fucking assholes.”

My eyes welled up, until Jesse gripped my shoulder and pulled me in for a hug.

“I’m so sorry, Ev.”

I clung tight to Jesse, and it felt all kinds of right.

“The thing that upsets me the most is that Zachary reached out to his family before he died. Despite what they’d done to him, he wanted to see them before he passed. That was the kind of man he was. Always loving, always forgiving. And they couldn’t even be bothered returning his phone call. He was devastated.”

Jesse leaned back and I stared into his soulful brown gaze.

“But he had you. You were his family.”

I nodded, wiping my eyes. “We were that. Still, seeing what his parents’ rejection did to Zach, I…I can’t talk to them. They disgust me.”

Jesse pulled me in tight again, and fuck, I didn’t want him to let go.

“It’s gonna be okay,” he whispered and rubbed my back.

From arguing to flirting to kissing, and now this.

“Jesus, I didn’t mean to lay all that on you. I?—”

“I don’t mind one bit,” he whispered. “I’m a pretty good listener.”

He pulled back and cupped my face. Suddenly, what started out as comforting turned into so much more.

“Not to be blunt—” Jesse started.

“I like your blunt.”

“Have you talked to a lawyer? It’s important to protect yourself in case they make good on their threat to sue you for Zach’s estate.”

That wasn’t what I was expecting him to say.

“I haven’t. But Zachary and I had our wills done up. There’s nothing to contest.”

“Reach out to Elias,” Jesse added. “I’m sure he’d be happy to provide a consultation. Just in case.”

I thought about the recent spike in call frequency from Zach’s father. Maybe Jesse’s idea was a good one.

“You’re right. I guess it’s better to be prepared.”

“Exactly. And if you have an agent, talk to them too.”

“My agent?”

“If his parents decide to seek legal action against you, who knows what they might do? Would they try to tarnish your reputation in the press?”

My stomach clenched hard. “I didn’t think of that.”

“Protect yourself by making sure the press gets the real story about Zach. And your relationship.”

I sighed, nodded, content with my decision but determined to put that away for another day.

“You ready to get out of here?” I asked, hoping that this wasn’t the end of our time together.

Jesse nodded. “I’ve got one stop to make. Come back home with me?”

My nerves skyrocketed in the very best way.

“You have any food in that big fridge of yours?” I quipped.

“Um,” Jesse paused and grimaced. “Leftovers from last week? I’m a takeout guy.”

I slid my arm around his waist, curious to see if he’d pull away. When he leaned into my touch, there was no more doubt in my mind.

“We’ll stop by a grocery store and grab a few things,” I explained.

“You’re going to cook for me?”

The shock on his face made me laugh out loud. Fuck, that felt good.

“For us.”

“What’s going on here, Ev?” he asked quietly. “What are we doing?”

Chemistry like ours didn’t need to be explained, did it? I turned around until we were face to face, barely a breath between us. Might as well lay it all out there. No risk, no reward.

“I want to get to know you,” I confessed. “Have dinner with you. Kiss you. Hopefully, wreck the bed with you. Then, do it all over again.”

Jesse licked his lips and I so wanted to taste them. One passionate kiss was not nearly enough.

“Is that smart? I mean, with our schedules, the tour?—”

“Something that feels this good is worth exploring,” I insisted. “What do you want?”

Jesse bit his lower lip.

“I want you.”

His statement was simple, but oh so fucking right.

“All day today, I kept thinking, was that kiss part of a dream? When am I going to wake up?” he continued. “I’m not sure I know what the hell I’m doing. Or, what you’re doing with me. I don’t want to mislead you, or fuck up, and I?—”

I kissed away the rest of his worries. His lips were sweet and all mine.

“Let’s take it one date at a time and see what happens, alright?” I whispered.

“Date or day?” he croaked.

His reaction had me smiling again. “Date. I take it you haven’t been on one in a while?”

“Try never.”

“No way.”

Jesse shrugged. “No time in my life for dating. Fucking, yes, dating, no.”

“Well, things are about to change,” I announced boldly.

Fire flashed in his dark eyes.

“You’re sure of yourself.”

I squeezed him tighter. “I’m not shy about my intentions. I know what I want. And you, cari?o, are it.”

Jesse trembled for a second, and stilled, pulling away. I didn’t often doubt myself, but for a moment, I wondered if I’d been too bold, too soon.

“Come on.” Jesse motioned to the exit. “Let’s not waste the rest of the day hanging around here.”

Relief and anticipation flooded my veins as we walked out of the theatre. I pulled out my phone and tapped my rideshare app.

“But next time,” Jesse continued. “We’re taking my car.”

My heart thrummed faster. “Next time?”

Jesse didn’t reply. Instead, he offered his hand. And I was only too happy to take it.

A half hour later, grocery bags in hand, we made one last stop before heading for Jesse’s. To a massive warehouse on the outskirts of town.

“A storage facility? What are you picking up here?” I asked.

“Something I’ve kept hidden away for years.”

We signed in, and then headed down a narrow corridor until we got to the last unit on the right. Jesse unlocked the metal door to reveal a typical locker filled with musty smells and numerous boxes. Then I spotted the guitar cases and the amps.

“Most of this stuff is from my time in the band,” he explained. “When Ruthless Kane broke up, I didn’t have the heart to dump it outright, but I also didn’t want to look at it. Figured one day I’d finally get the nerve to go through it.”

And today was that day? My heart took off running again.

“Even before I made a pass at Landry and our personal relationship imploded, there were issues, and arguments,” Jesse continued. “Artistic differences. I wanted to expand our music range, and have more creative control, including input on our songs. Landry and the rest of the guys wanted to stay hard rock, and they were fine using the label’s songwriters. It meant less work, more play. He was always more interested in partying than planning for the future.”

“Sounds like the breakup was inevitable.”

Jesse looked over and nodded. “In hindsight, it probably was. Landry went on to a solo career for a bit, but it didn’t get anywhere near the success we had as a band. Waylan and Seth headed back to California, and last I knew, they bought into a bar. Landry moved to Germany, where he owns a nightclub.”

I thought about the tour. Would Jesse reach out to Landry when we hit Europe? The very idea made my stomach knot.

“What are you looking for today?” I asked, ignoring the unease in my gut.

Jesse glanced around and pointed to the far corner. He stalked over and reached for the handle of a dusty black case lying on the floor.

“This is what I came for. Everything else I’ll go through when I come back from the tour.”

He walked up to me and smiled. A heartfelt one that had my pulse beating fast and strong.

“Anything else?” I asked.

“Nope. I got what I need right here,” he stated while he stared at me.

“Small steps,” I reassured him and leaned in for a kiss.

“Or, maybe not. Suddenly it feels like I’m ready to take a big leap.”

Did he mean back to music? Or, was he referring to us? Not that there was an official ‘us’. Fuck, I’d kissed the man a few times and already I was going there?

You’re falling fast, Ev.

What if I wasn’t ready?

Too late.