Pretty Baby

Chapter 14

I step out of the limo into the bright Nashville sunlight, squinting against the glare. The TV studio looms before me, all glass and steel, a monument to modern media. I take a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach. It's been a while since I've done one of these live high-profile interviews.

"You ready for this, rockstar?" Xavier asks, clapping me on the shoulder as he emerges from the car behind me.

I shrug, aiming for nonchalance. "Just another day at the office, right?"

Jade laughs as she joins us, Penny balanced on her hip. "Since when do you have an office, Zac?"

I grin, reaching out to tickle Penny's chin. She giggles, reaching for me with chubby hands. "Fair point. Maybe I should get one. Seems more professional."

As we make our way into the building, I can't help but marvel at how much my life has changed. A year ago, I was just another bachelor musician with a drinking problem and string of failed relationships. Now, I'm on the verge of a major tour with a hit album in the works; a beautiful family by my side. Even though I can’t tell a soul about my love for Jade.

The receptionist greets us with a practiced smile, handing out visitor badges. "Mr. Rhodes will be ready for you in about twenty minutes," she informs us. "You can wait in the green room."

The green room is plush and comfortable, with a large TV mounted on the wall showing a live feed of the studio. I settle onto the couch, Jade curling up next to me with Penny on her lap. Xavier paces the room, phone in hand, no doubt fielding last-minute calls about the tour.

A production assistant pokes her head in and pulls me out of the green room for hair and makeup. I give a last minute wink and wave to Jade before the door closes behind me.

The assistant is holding out an earpiece. "Mr. Fulton, We need you to wear this during the interview. It's just in case we need to communicate with you."

I nod, taking the device and fitting it into my ear. I’m sitting in the chair as several members of the production staff fix my hair and dab foundation on my face. As I adjust the earpiece, I suddenly hear voices coming through. Not the production team, but two women talking in what sounds like a nearby room.

"...can't believe you fucked him!"

I freeze, recognizing Jade's voice in my earpiece. Who is she talking to?

Another voice responds, one I recognize as Taylor Shea, the Rolling Stone reporter. "It was amazing. How else do you think he got such a glowing review from the one and only Taylor Shea?"

"But you actually fucked him," Jade's voice insists, a note of hurt evident even through the tiny audio. "How am I supposed to feel about that?"

My heart races as I realize what I'm hearing. Somehow, the earpiece is picking up a conversation between Jade and Taylor. I need to find Jade, tell her that Taylor is lying, but before I can, the door opens, and Stephen Rhodes himself strides in.

"Zac Fulton!" he booms, all white teeth and television charm. "Ready to knock 'em dead?"

And just like that, the moment is gone. I'm swept up in a whirlwind of handshakes and last minute preparations, the overheard conversation pushed to the back of my mind.

As I'm led to the set, I glance back at Jade. She doesn’t give me an encouraging smile, and I can't help wondering if she knows I heard. And more importantly, if she knows what really happened between Taylor and me.

The bright lights of the studio are disorienting as I settle into the chair across from Stephen. He leans in, his expression serious. "Now remember, Zac, we're going to start with the Rolling Stone article, then move on to your new album and the tour. Just be yourself, and we'll be fine."

I nod, trying to focus on the interview ahead and not the bombshell I just overheard. The floor manager counts us in, and suddenly we're live.

"Good morning, Nashville!" Stephen beams at the camera. "We're here with none other than Zac Fulton, the man Rolling Stone is calling 'the voice of a generation’. Zac, welcome to the show."

I force a smile, slipping into my public persona. "Thanks for having me, Stephen. Always a pleasure to be in Music City."

"Now, Zac, this Rolling Stone article. It's causing quite a stir. Taylor Shea didn't pull any punches, did she? She called your upcoming album 'a raw, unflinching look at love, loss, and redemption’. That's high praise from a notoriously tough critic."

I nod, trying to keep my expression neutral at the mention of Taylor's name. "Taylor's a pro. She knows her stuff. I'm just grateful she saw something worthwhile in my ramblings."

Stephen leans in, his eyes gleaming with the scent of a story. "Word on the street is that you and Taylor got pretty close during the interview process. Any truth to those rumors?"

My heart skips a beat. Is this what Jade and Taylor were talking about? I glance towards the green room, where I know Jade is watching. "Taylor's a great journalist," I say carefully. "She has a way of making you feel comfortable, of drawing out the story. But that's all it was."

Stephen nods, but I can tell he's not entirely convinced. "Fair enough. Your new album is generating quite a buzz. Care to elaborate a little bit more about the theme?"

I take a deep breath, reminding myself to choose my words carefully. Xavier's warnings about staying on message echo in my head. But as I open my mouth, I find myself speaking from the heart instead.

"It's about life, Stephen. My life, specifically. The good, the bad, and the spectacularly messy."

Stephen’s eyebrows rise, sensing a juicy story. "Care to share?"

I chuckle, running a hand through my hair. "Well, let's see. There are songs about ex-girlfriends, and being unsure of yourself. There's a song or two for my daughter, Penny, who's somehow managed to turn this cynical old bastard into a soppy dad."

The audience awes at this, and I catch a glimpse of Jade in the wings, bouncing Penny on her hip. She gives me a smirk, and I feel a warmth spread through my chest.

"And then," I continue, my eyes still on Jade, "there are songs about new beginnings. About the possibility of love when you least expect it."

Stephen leans in, his eyes gleaming. "New love, Zac? Do tell."

I tear my gaze away from Jade, focusing back on the interviewer. "Let's just say I've met someone who makes me want to be a better man. Someone who sees past all my bullshit and likes me anyway. It's terrifying and exhilarating all at once."

"Sounds like quite the inspiration," Stephen says. "And speaking of inspiration, I want to talk about that Rolling Stone review again. Taylor Shea absolutely raved about your new material. That's not an easy feat, is it?"

I laugh, shaking my head. "No, it's not. Taylor's known for being a tough critic. I think the last time she gave a positive review, dinosaurs were still roaming the earth."

The audience chuckles, and I can see Xavier in the wings, giving me a thumbs up. So far, so good.

"In fact," Stephen continues, "Taylor wrote, and I quote, ‘Fulton’s latest offering is an unflinching look at a man grappling with his demons and emerging, if not victorious, at least still standing'. That's high praise indeed."

I nod, wishing the interview would move away from this topic. “She’s a great interviewer.”

"Oh, I think she saw more than that," Stephen says, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I’d be remiss if I didn’t bring this up again, but there are rumors circulating about you two getting... close during the interview process. Any truth to that?"

My heart skips a beat as I remember the conversation I overheard between Jade and Taylor. I glance towards the wings again, seeing the tension in Jade's posture.

"Taylor and I have a strictly professional relationship," I say firmly. "She's a great journalist.”

Stephen looks slightly disappointed at my diplomatic answer, but he rallies quickly. "Well, professional or not, that review is going to open a lot of doors for you, Zac. What's next? A tour, perhaps?"

I lean back in my chair. "As a matter of fact, yes. We're in the final stages of planning a nationwide tour. Dates and venues are still being ironed out, but I can promise it's going to be something special."

"Any hints you can give us? First stop, maybe?"

I grin, shaking my head. "Nice try, but my agent would have my head if I let anything slip. Let's just say the first show is a place I’ve dreamed about playing."

As Stephen wraps up the interview, I feel a mix of relief and anxiety. I think I managed to dodgethe Taylor question, but I can't shake the feeling that there's more to the story than I know.

Back in the green room, Jade greets me with a hug. "You were great," she says, but there's a tension in her voice that wasn't there before.

"Thanks," I reply, searching her face for any sign that she knows what I overheard. "Everything okay?"

She nods, but doesn't quite meet my eyes. "Yeah, of course. Why wouldn't it be?"

Before I can press further, Xavier swoops in, phone still glued to his ear. "Great job, Zac! The network's already asking about a follow-up appearance. And you'll never guess who just called about a potential collaboration."

As Xavier chatters on, I watch Jade out of the corner of my eye. She's bouncing Penny on her knee, but her smile doesn't quite reach her eyes. I want to pull her aside, to ask her about what I heard, but I know this isn't the time or place.

The drive back to our house is quiet, the air thick with tension. Penny, oblivious to the tension, babbles happily in her car seat. Xavier is still on his phone, ironing out details for the tour.

As we pull up to the house, I make a decision. "Hey, X," I say, "why don't you take Penny up to her room? Jade and I are going to take a little walk."

Xavier looks between us, sensing the tension. "Sure, no problem. Come on, little rockstar," he says, unbuckling Penny. "Let's go see if we can findyou some juice."

Once they're gone, I turn to Jade. "We need to talk."

She nods, her expression guarded. "Yeah, I think we do."

We walk in silence for a while, the bustling streets of Nashville providing a stark contrast to the quiet between us. Finally, I can't take it anymore.

"I heard you," I blurt out. "In the earpiece, before the interview. I heard you talking to Taylor."

Jade stops walking, her face a mix of shock and something else. Guilt? Fear? "What... what did you hear?"

I take a deep breath. "I heard you talking about something Taylor says we did."

Jade's shoulders slump, and for a moment, she looks so vulnerable that I want to wrap her in my arms and forget this whole mess. But I need to know the truth.

"It happened during the interview," she says quietly. "Taylor told me about it. She said it’s how you got such a great review."

"Jade, I swear to you, It’s not true," I say, running a hand through my hair in frustration. "The whole interview is a blur. We were drinking, yeah, but..."

"But what, Zac?" Jade's voice is sharp now, her eyes flashing. "But you were too drunk to remember fucking another woman? Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

I reach for her, but she steps back. "Jade, please. You know you're the only one I want to be with. Absolutely nothing happened with Taylor."

She looks at me for a long moment, and I can see the battle playing out behind her eyes. Finally, she sighs. "I believe you, Zac. I do. But... this is hard. All of this. The fame, the women throwing themselves at you. Sometimes, I wonder if I'm cut out for it."

My heart clenches at her words. "Jade, listen to me. None of that matters. The fame, the tour, the album. It's all meaningless without you and Penny. You're my family. You're my home."

Jade's eyes soften, and she steps closer, allowing me to pull her into an embrace. "I'm scared, Zac," she whispers against my chest. "I'm scared of losing you to all of this."

I hold her tighter, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "You won't lose me. I promise. We're in this together, remember?"

She looks up at me, a small smile finally breaking through. "Together," she agrees.

As we walk back to the house, hand in hand, I know we still have a lot to work through. The drama with Taylor, the pressures of my album and tour, the challenges of balancing family life with a rock star career. None of it will be easy.

But looking at Jade, feeling the warmth of her hand in mine, I know it's all worth it. Whatever comes our way, we'll face it together. And really, what more could a reformed fuck up like me ask for?

Back in the house, we find Xavier sprawled on the couch in the living room, Penny asleep on his chest. He looks up as we enter, his eyebrow raised in silent question.

I nod, giving him a thumbs up. He grins, carefully transferring Penny to my arms. "Glad you two worked it out," he whispers.

As Xavier slips out, I look down at Penny's sleeping face, then at Jade. "What do you say we order in, put on a terrible movie, and just be us for a while?"

Jade smiles, a real, genuine smile that makes my heart skip. "That sounds perfect. Let me put this little one to bed.”

Jade is gone for almost twenty minutes, so I reach for my laptop and move to the dining room. My fingers dance across the keyboard, as I sit at the dining room table, the lyrics of a new song flowing through me. The soft hum of the laptop fan is the only sound in the quiet house. It's late, much later than I should be up, but inspiration doesn't follow a schedule.

Suddenly, there's a light tap on the table, almost like a gentle drumbeat. I glance up, and there’s Jade, completely naked, her dark eyes sparkling. She's not just on the table. She's crawling towards me, her movements graceful and predatory. Her foot reaches out and gently closes my laptop with a soft click.

"What are you doing?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady despite the sudden rush of adrenaline.

She doesn't answer, just smiles, that wicked, enticing smile. Then, without warning, she slips her foot into my mouth. The taste of her skin surprises me, slightly salty and undeniably sensual. My instincts take over, and I start to lick her toes, one by one, exploring each crevice with my tongue.

Her breath hitches, a soft gasp escaping her lips. "That's it, daddy," she murmurs, her voice low and husky. "Savor it."

I do more than savor. I devour, my tongue working its magic, teasing her feet with an intensity that seems to surprise even her. She shifts on the table, her movements becoming more restless, more urgent.

Finally, she pulls her foot away, leaving me momentarily lost in the sudden absence of her touch. But she doesn't leave me wanting for long. With a swift motion, she pushes my laptop aside, clearing the space between us. She straddles the table, positioning herself right in front of me.

"Now, let's see what else you can do with that talented tongue of yours," she challenges, her voice dripping with desire.

Without hesitation, I lean forward, my hands finding her hips, guiding her closer. She's already wet, ready for me, and I dive in, tasting her, worshiping her with every flick of my tongue. She moans, a deep, primal sound that vibrates through me, urging me on.

"Oh, daddy," she breathes, her fingers threading through my hair. "Just like that."

I lose myself in the moment, in the taste, the scent, the sounds she makes. Each noise spurs me on, drives me deeper into her, until we're both consumed by the passion, the urgency, the sheer intensitywe share.

And then, just as we reach the precipice, she whispers, "More. Give me more."

I feel her body tense beneath me, a wave of pleasure cresting within her as I continue to lap at her core with unwavering focus. Each flick of my tongue is met with a soft moan, her fingers now tangled in my hair, guiding me deeper into her folds. The taste of her grows more potent, a heady mix that drives me to explore every inch of her pulsing heat.

"Daddy, right there," she gasps, her voice trembling with each word. "Don't move."

I obey, holding my position as she begins to rock her hips slowly against my face. The rhythm builds, her moans becoming more urgent, the scent of her arousal intensifying. I can feel her nearing the edge, her body quivering with anticipation.

With a sudden surge of energy, she clutches my head tighter, her movements growing erratic as she chases her climax. Her breath comes in short, sharp bursts, each one punctuated by a strangled cry. Finally, with a low, drawn out moan, her body arches in front of me, her release washing over her in waves.

For a moment, we’re both still, lost in the aftermath of her orgasm. Her fingers loosen their grip on my hair, and she sinks back onto the table, her chest heaving as she struggles to catch her breath.

Slowly, I pull away, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand as I watch her come down from her high. Her eyes flutter open, meeting mine with a look of pure satisfaction.

"Wow," she breathes, her voice hoarse. "That was... incredible."

I smile, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss to her thigh. "You deserve nothing less."

She laughs softly, pushing herself up onto her elbows. "I think it's time for you to finish writing those songs now."

Nodding, I stand, offering her a hand to help her up. She takes it, her body warm against mine as she stands. We share a lingering look, the air between us thick with the memory of our passion.

"Are you sure?" I ask, my voice low.

She nods, a playful glint in her eye. "Positive. You've got work to do, and I've got some thinking to do."

With that, she steps away, leaving me standing alone in the room. The taste of her lingers on my lips as I see my laptop waiting patiently for my fingers. As I sit down and open the lid, I can't help but feel even more inspiration coursing through me.