Chapter Four
As soon as Abby disappeared into the bathroom, AJ arched his dark brows questioningly at me. “You better be damn glad it was me and not Brayden who came back here.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked as I slid on a clean pair of jeans.
“You said you were coming in here to get your shit and wake Abby up, and instead you’re back in bed with her. Hell, she was riding you.”
“That was your fault, not mine, opening the closet door like you did.”
“Mmm, hmm,” he replied, raising his brows suggestively.
I shrugged. “Trust me, she wasn’t happy about me being in bed with her.”
“But were you?”
I froze half-way in pulling a fresher smelling shirt over my head. Peeking through the neck of the shirt, I shot AJ a look. “Get real, dude. I’m so not interested in Abby.”
He grinned. “Keep telling yourself that.” He started for the door, but then turned back to me. “So if you’re not interested, you mind me making a play for her?”
For reasons I couldn’t possibly understand, my jaw clenched at the thought of Abby and AJ. At the same time, my fists tightened at my sides. “She’s not stupid. She knows exactly what dogs the three of us are when it comes to women.”
“I could try to change her mind.”
“Yeah, good luck with that one,” I grumbled as I brushed past him.
Using my fist that was still clenched from AJ’s comment, I pounded on the bathroom door. “You through in there, Angel? Some of the rest of us would like some mirror time.”
“I’m coming, I’m coming,” she mumbled as she undid the lock. When she threw open the door, my breath caught at the sight of her. Somehow in the few short minutes Abby had been in the bathroom she’d managed not only to get dressed, but also freshened up as well. Her long, blonde hair fell in waves down her back while she’d also reapplied some makeup. Her full lips glistening with gloss just begged me to reach over and lay one on her.
“What?” she questioned as she swept her hands to her hips.
Trying to cover up for my lustful thoughts, I smirked at her. “Nothing. You just clean up fast.”
A giggle escaped those succulent lips of hers. “Yeah, it comes from growing up with one bathroom, six people, and most of the time not a lot of hot water. You should see some of the conditions I’ve had to get ready in before.”
She squeezed past me and then started over to AJ who was messing with the entertainment system. While my gaze instantly honed in on the soft sashay of her hips as she walked down the bus aisle, Rhys sidestepped me into the bathroom. “Oh hell no, dude! I was here first!”
He shot me a wicked grin. “You were too busy ogling Abby’s ass to care about the bathroom.”
“I was not ogling her ass,” I hissed under my breath as I pushed him out of the way.
We began elbowing each other for mirror time when music suddenly blared throughout the bus’s speaker system. He and I exchanged a glance before both groaning in unison. “AJ, not that Mexican shit again!” I shouted.
From time to time, AJ insisted on torturing us with the Banda and Cumbia type music he grew up on until we gave him enough hell to turn it off. I poked my head out of the bathroom door. “Dude, seriously, I can’t take—”
Before I could give him anymore grief about the music, the sight of AJ dancing with Abby stunned me silent. Well, it wasn’t your traditional dancing or the dry humping kind I was used to at clubs or concerts. It was the kind I used to see when I went to AJ’s family parties.
AJ could have seriously put the dudes on Dancing with the Stars to shame. He’d been born with a natural rhythm that enhanced his drum playing. Not to mention that when he danced, he had that whole effortless Latin hip swishing and swaying thing that made women’s panties melt. But at the moment, I wasn’t so concerned with AJ’s moves as I was with Abby’s. Leaning against the doorway, I watched as Abby danced as effortlessly as AJ. Even with the trickier steps, she kept up, matching his fluid movements. I was treated to quite a floor show considering the hem of her dress twirled provocatively back and forth.
Scratching the stubble along on my jaw, I couldn’t help wondering if she could do all that with her hips when she was standing up, what she could do flat on her back.
AJ caught my eye and winked. “She’s a natural, isn’t she?”
“Oh yeah, she can move.”
Forgetting about potentially shaving, least of all fixing my hair, I stepped closer to them. “Where did you learn to do that, Angel?”
Without missing a step, Abby replied, “Over the years, we lived in several places in Mexico—Guadalajara, Mexico City. I was just a kid then, but I went to lots of parties. Everyone wanted to teach the little blonde Gringa how to dance.” She giggled. “And since my brothers were older than me and wanted to impress the chicks, they recruited me as a partner. So in the end, you pick up on things.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m seriously impressed. You’re a true triple threat—you sing, you play guitar, and you dance.”
AJ shimmied Abby across the grungy bus floor. “She’s a quadruple threat because she’s fine as hell too!”
Abby rolled her eyes, but she still let AJ spin her around and then dip her low as the song came to a close.
As she lay reclined in his arms, I asked, “Tell me, is there anything you can’t do, Angel?”
“Hmm, maybe pass my nursing exams or find a decent guy?”
AJ groaned. “You got one right here, mi amor! Say the word, and we can reenact this entire scene later…in the bedroom.”
Abby swatted his chest playfully. “You promised to stop with the sex stuff. A gentleman, remember?!”
“Yeah, yeah,” he muttered glumly as he pulled her up.
She laughed as she smoothed down her hair and fixed the straps of her sundress. “Honestly, AJ, nothing stops you, does it? I mean, I even pick Los Caminos De La Vida out of your Spanish collection for us to dance to because I know it’s the least sexy song in the world. It’s about a dude worrying about his mother dying for goodness sake.”
My chest tightened at the mention of a mother’s death, and my hand immediately went to my pocket where my phone rested. “Hey, um, I’ll meet you guys outside, okay?”
Abby nodded while AJ said, “I’ll round up Bray and Rhys.”
“Sounds good.” As soon as I stepped off the bus steps, I dialed my mom. She answered on the second ring. “Hey sweetie.”
Even though she couldn’t see me, a broad smile spread across my face. “Hey, Mama. I just wanted to call and see how your doctor’s appointment went.” Although I’d never admit it to her, I’d been worried to death about her. Three years ago, we’d faced a crisis when a routine breast exam found a tumor. She had been through the gamut of chemo and radiation, along with a mastectomy. Fortunately though, she had been strong and healthy since then. She just had to go back for routine exams and blood work.
“Oh, just fine. Everything’s fine. No need to worry.”
“Are you sure? You sound tired.”
She laughed. “It’s just because some of the girls convinced me to dance again. I overdid it thinking I was twenty, not fifty.”
Back in the day, my mom had been a classically trained ballet dancer. Although her dream was to make it into Julliard, she did well traveling and touring with local companies. Once she got too old to dance, she opened a dance studio. It was financially successful for her and successful for me since I met and charmed the tutus off quite a few of the dancers.
I shook my head. Even though she was trying to play it off, I could tell there was more. “I could come home if you needed me.”
“Jacob, I’m fine. What I need you to do right now is keep up with your band’s obligations. There are a lot of people depending on you.”
My mama was one of the few people I allowed to call me by my birth name. “Okay, okay. But you know I’d be there in an instant if you needed me.”
I could hear the pleasure in her voice when she replied, “Of course I do. But you know Papa’s just down the road and the rest of the family. You just take care of you.”
It was then that the bus doors opened up. Missing the last step, Abby came tumbling off the bus, and I had to rush forward to catch her before she fell. She gripped my biceps to steady herself. “Oops, what a blonde moment,” she murmured, her face flushing with embarrassment. “Thank you, Jake.”
I grinned at her and then winked. “Just glad I could save you from face planting.”
Abby gave a small smile before hurrying away from me and disappearing into the passenger seat of the Tahoe waiting to take us to dinner. Rhys and Brayden came out followed by AJ.
“Jacob?” My mother’s voice finally brought me back out of my thoughts of how good Abby’s hands felt on me and how delicious she smelled.
“Sorry, Mama. Small female crisis.”
“Was that Bree?” From just those few words, my mother’s tone indicated her disdain for any involvement I had with the dark-haired goddess who traveled from time to time with her dad who was a roadie with the band. Mama hated the fact that Bree showed up all over the country just to be with me.
“No, it wasn’t. Her name is Abby. And before you can even ask, she’s not a groupie.” I then gave my mom a quick explanation.
“She sounds lovely.”
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help laughing. “Yeah, I’m sure to you she does. To me it’s a freakin’ nightmare—an alleged virgin who isn’t going to let me in her pants without the Jaws of Life. She’s not intimidated by me at all. Not to mention she has drive and ambition not just in the music world, but with nursing. And to top it all off, she comes from an insanely religious background.”
“Jacob Ethan Slater! I can’t believe you just talked about getting into a girl’s pants in front of me!” Mama chided.
“Sorry,” I replied, sheepishly. “I guess I’ve been with the guys too long.”
She laughed. “Please tell me you’re not acting like a total animal and that you show some of the respect I instilled in you—especially to this Abby.”
“I try…and I’ll try with her too.”
“Is she pretty?”
Without missing a beat, I replied, “She’s beautiful—just like an angel.” I winced the moment the pansy words escaped my lips. What the hell was happening to me?
“Mmm-hmm,” Mama murmured knowingly into the phone. “She could be good for you if you would give her a chance.”
“Come on, Jake!” AJ shouted.
“Mama, I gotta go. We’re catching an early dinner.”
“Okay sweetheart. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“I love you,” I proclaimed.
“I love you, too,” she replied. Just before I could hang-up, she said, “Jacob?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m serious about giving Abby a chance. Fate has a funny way of intervening in people’s lives.”
I knew what she wasn’t saying when she mentioned fate. She meant God. She and Abby would get along really well with their faith—something I had never picked up on, much to my mama’s disappointment. “Yeah, whatever.”
She laughed. “There’s that stubbornness—the worst trait you inherited from me.”
“I got a lot of good ones from you too.”
“Yes, as well as from your father.”
I growled into the phone at the mention of him. Because my mom was an absolute saint, she had been able to forgive the bastard for leaving her for his bimbo of a secretary when I was ten. Me, on the other hand, I still had issues with him and my step-mother.
Our head roadie, Frank, honked the horn, causing me to jump. “Sorry Mama, I really gotta go.” After another round of “I love yous”, I disconnected and hustled over to hop into the SUV. Leaning forward, I tapped Frank. “So where are we eating?”
He turned back to me and grinned. “The team wanted that pizza place we saw down the road a bit.”
I glanced over at the other guys who made faces and wrinkled their noses. We’d been living off pizza and Subway the last few days we were at Rock Nation. Since we’d been out in the desert, there hadn’t been shit around for miles, which meant very limited food choices.
“GPS says there’s a sports bar/diner about five minutes up the road. A hot spot for tourists and truckers.”
I laughed. “If it’s a favorite of truckers, then it must be good, huh?”
“I just want a cheeseburger the size of my head,” Rhys declared.
AJ licked his lips. “Nah, a big, juicy steak with a baked potato slathered in butter and sour cream.”
Catching Abby’s eye, I tilted my head at her. “Trucker stop okay for you, Angel?”
Although she tried to hide it, I could tell she was extremely uncomfortable at the thought. At the smirk curving on my lips, she rolled her eyes. “It sounds lovely.”
“I’m sure it’s not the quality you’re used to.”
Twisting around in her seat, she glared at me. “You still don’t get it, do you? I’ve eaten just about every animal imaginable, and the quality had certainly not been USDA approved. Once again, the missionary lifestyle is harsh. You don’t reach people while staying at the Hilton. It’s jungles, backwoods, and slums.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, yeah, you’ve lived a hard knock missionary life. You wanna medal or something?”
“No, I was just making a point that I’m not the prima donna you think I am!”
“Well, you’ve been stateside since you were twelve. Not to mention, your dad is pastor of one of the five largest churches in Texas—I’m sure he makes a pretty good salary with that many members tithing.”
Abby’s blonde brows shot up. “How did you know that?”
I grinned at her. “I did a little research on my iPad while we were resting.”
“I’m not denying that we have a nice house and nice things now. But most everything goes right back into the ministry—even the boys give a lot of their salary. It’s how we were raised. But even if my dad had a BMW and my mom was draped in bling, no matter how hard you try, I’m still going to win, Jake. You can bet your sweet ass on it!”
Rhy and AJ dissolved into hearty laughter while Frank tore his gaze from the road to stare at Abby in surprise. Taking one hand from the wheel, he held it out to her. “Can I shake the hand of the only girl I’ve ever seen put Jake Slater in his place?”
Abby giggled and shook Frank’s hand. “I have three older brothers, so I’m used to it.”
“We haven’t been formerly introduced because these knuckleheads seem to have forgotten their manners. I’m Frank Patterson.”
“Abby Renard. I’m very pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise.” He jerked his head back in my direction. “That little wiseass is like a son to me, but he needs taken down every once in a while.”
“Keep talking, Frank,” I muttered.
He chuckled as he flicked on the blinker to turn into the diner. As I surmised from the teaming parking lot, it was probably nicer than most of the places we stopped along the road. With all the eighteen wheelers parked in the side-lot along with the gleaming chrome of some motorcycles up front, it also had a seedy flair to it as well. Most of the time, the shittier places were top on our list because we wouldn’t necessarily get recognized. There was a lot to appreciate about being able to eat dinner in peace without fans shoving items in front of you to sign or snapping your picture.
Frank pulled into a parking spot but kept the engine idling. “I’m going to head back down the road and check on the boys. Text me when you’re ready to leave, and I’ll come pick you up.”
“Thanks man. Make sure the guys get whatever they want, but watch the alcohol,” I instructed.
Frank glanced back and winked at me. “Don’t worry. I always do.”
I patted him on the shoulder before hopping out of the SUV.
Without even thinking, I opened Abby’s door. She tore her gaze from Frank to stare at me in surprise. I held out my hand to her. “I figured after your last little tumble, I should make sure you got out all right. I don’t want to be sending you back to your brothers all bruised up.” Under my breath, I murmured, “Well, at least not without enjoying it.”
She cocked her head at me while the corners of her lips turned up in a half smile. “I heard your insinuation about me getting bruised up through…well, you know.”
I laughed. “Now this is me being a pure gentleman like you requested. Wherever your devious little mind goes with my comments is your business.”
Taking my hand in hers, she giggled. “Okay then.” Once her cowboy boots were firmly set on the pavement, she let go of my hand. “Thank you, Jake.”
“You’re welcome.”
As we started in the diner, I once again held open the door for her. She grinned up at me. “Can I just say a girl could get used to this?”
“Well, that was my mother I was talking to on the phone. She made sure to remind me to act like I had some sort of upbringing when I was around you.”
“I haven’t even met her, and I already like her.” She leaned closer to me, her breath hovering over my cheek. “And deep down inside you, there’s the man I’m sure she worked hard to raise. He just needs to come out more often.”
“Is that right?”
“Mmm, hmm.” Her blue eyes pinned me a stare. “Because when the gentleman Jake comes out, he makes you awfully irresistible”
Something about the way she said those words made a shudder go through me. Trying to recover, my hand went to the small of her back to usher her to a table. “Yeah, well, just don’t get too used to it, Angel.”
A disappointed look flashed on her face, but she ducked her head before she thought I saw it. Bray had asked the hostess to seat us away from the crowd, and that put us in a side room with a stage and an almost antiquated looking karaoke set-up. I was surprised to see a DJ organizing music.
“Ooh, they have karaoke!” Abby squealed as she eased down in her chair.
AJ grinned at her excitement. “Whattya say you and me do a duet in a bit? Prove to you there’s a voice behind the drum-set?”
She bobbed her head. “I’d love to!”
It was then that a very hot, scantily clad waitress with a fabulous rack sauntered up to our table, and instantly my dick twitched in my pants, leaving any ideas of being a good boy in the dust. “What can I getcha?”
Leaning back in my chair, I let my gaze rove over her body. “Hmm, there’s a loaded question,” I replied suggestively.
She winked at me before saying, “Let’s stick to the menu for now, sugar.”
I grinned. “Fine if we have to. We’ll have five beers—”
“Four. I’ll have a Coke Zero,” Abby interrupted.
The waitress, whose name tag no lie read Billie Jean, didn’t even look at Abby. Instead, she pursed her heavily glossed lips at me. “We don’t have Coke Zero here.”
Cutting my eyes over to Abby, I could practically see the steam coming out of her ears. “Something else for you, Angel?”
“Diet Coke then,” she grumbled.
I cocked my head at Billie Jean. “Angel will have a Diet Coke, and the rest of want beer. Maybe you should just bring us a pitcher or two.”
“Anything for you,” she replied with a wink. She scribbled down on her pad. “Any starters?”
“Yeah, we’ll take a sampling of all your appetizers,” AJ replied.
As Billie Jean left to fill our orders, Abby gaped at AJ. “You’re serious about ordering after you eat all those appetizers?”
He grinned. “You have to watch out when I’m really hungry, Angel.”
“With my brothers, I should expect no less, right?”
“You bet.”
Brayden tapped Abby’s menu. “Order anything and everything you want. Dinner is on me tonight.”
“No, you don’t have to do that.”
He smiled. “I don’t have to, but I want to.”
“Okay then. I’ll let you this one time,” she replied.
Billie Jean returned with our beers and Abby’s Diet Coke and began taking our orders. “I’ll have the double cheeseburger, fries, and a side order of baked beans,” Abby said before handing her menu to Billie Jean.
“You’re seriously going to eat all that?” I asked.
She grinned. “I’m starved. I might even order dessert too.”
When AJ started to open his mouth to say something I could imagine suggestive about Abby and dessert, she pointed a finger at him. “Don’t even go there. It’s you, me, and karaoke time.”
He laughed. “I’m good with that.” AJ swept out of his chair and followed Abby to the stage. Only a few other patrons, mainly truckers, were sitting in our section, sipping beer and eating burgers. They didn’t look like they gave two shits about AJ and Abby’s performance.
As he started going through the song selection book, AJ grimaced. “Dude, this shit is like all from the 70’s and 80’s,” he groaned.
“With the looks of this place, did you actually expect some of our stuff to be on there?” I called.
AJ shot me a dirty look before going back to the book of music.
“Ooh, what about this one?” Abby suggested as she pointed her finger at the book.
AJ’s dark brows furrowed. “Islands in the Stream. You gotta be freakin’ kidding me!”
“Please. I love Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.” She poked her lip out at AJ before saying, “I’m supposed to be part country singer, remember? It’s in my blood.”
“Well, I love Dolly Parton’s—” AJ began before Abby playfully smacked his arm.
“?La próxima vez que te pegue en las bolas!”
He held his hands up in defeat. “Okay, okay, I’ll stop. I don’t want you nailing me in the balls, rather than the arm!”
“Thank you.”
“So for you, Angel, Islands in the Stream it is, but I’m going to be reading off the screen for everything but the chorus.”
“That’s okay,” Abby replied, nodding at the DJ. She then passed AJ a microphone before taking one for herself. “Okay, AJ. Wow me.”
He winked at her. “Oh, I plan on it.”
The music started up, and AJ peered at the screen to begin singing his opening part. “Baby, when I met you there was peace unknown. I set out to get you with a fine tooth comb.”
As his voice echoed through the room, Abby’s brows shot up and her mouth dropped, and I could tell she was surprised as hell that he could really sing and hadn’t been bullshitting her. She then began harmonizing with him when Dolly’s part came on. When they got to the chorus that was familiar to AJ—mainly because we used to jam to Mya/JZ remix Ghetto Superstar, he inched closer to Abby. AJ had a gift for improvising, and he was really getting into singing about making love with Abby. She possessed the same gift as he did, and I was impressed with her performance ability, even in the dingy diner’s karaoke bar. She had future star written all over her.
Several of the truckers sitting around us took notice of the performance. Well, I guess I should say they mainly took notice of the hot little number in the white sundress intertwining herself with the douchebag she was singing with.
Not enjoying the way I was feeling about what I was seeing, I rose out of my chair. “I gotta go take a leak,” I muttered before escaping to the bathroom. What the hell was wrong with me? Why did I give two shits about Abby performing with AJ? I mean, she had made it damn clear she wasn’t going to give any of us the time of day. As I washed my hands, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.
“Get a grip, dude. You do not want to get entangled with her,” I muttered.
“Huh?” some guy in a stall asked.
“Nothing,” I grumbled before exiting the door.
Thankfully, when I came back from the bathroom, Abby and AJ were no longer singing and had rejoined the table. Since the appetizers had arrived, we started attacking them. Abby did a pretty good job putting some away as well. Once they were devoured, we waited anxiously for our main courses to arrive. I cut my eyes over to where Abby twirled the straw in her Diet Coke. A question popped into my mind, and I acted on it. “So Abby, you’re twenty-one and legal, don’t you drink?”
“No, I don’t,” she replied, before taking a dainty sip of her Diet Coke.
“So caffeine is your only illicit substance?” I implored with a smirk.
With a shrug, she replied, “I guess so.”
“Ever tried a beer?”
She eyed my frothy mug and wrinkled her nose. “No, thank you.”
“Oh come on. Just try a sip.” I slid my beer closer to her. When she nibbled her lip, I couldn’t help goading her some more. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid to try it?”
Abby snapped her gaze up to mine, and the fire that flashed in her eyes made me shift in my seat. Damn, how was it possible for Miss Priss to affect me with just a look? I could only imagine that with the proper stoking, that flame could be scorching in the bedroom.
Without a word to me, she reached over and grabbed my mug. She licked her lips as I leaned forward, silently daring her to continue. She took in a mouthful before her eyes widened, and she turned away from me to spew out the beer. “Oh.My.God! How do you drink that? It tastes like horse pee!” she exclaimed, swiping her hand across her mouth.
AJ and Rhys chuckled at her response. “You been drinking a lot of horse pee lately, Angel?” I questioned, as I took my beer back.
She scowled at me. “No, I haven’t. I haven’t even been around a horse since I got thrown from one when I was ten and broke my arm.”
“You need to get back in the saddle.”
Abby shot me a withering look. “And let me guess. You’re the man to teach me?”
I ignored her dig at the innuendo of teaching. “Well, I did grow up on a farm, and I do have six horses—well, my mom and I do.”
Abby’s disdainful expression slowly faded, and she eyed me with curiosity. “You still live at the farm with your mom?”
“When I’m not touring, it’s the only place I want to be.”
“No big city, swinging bachelor pad and wild parties?”
I grinned and shook my head. “Nope, give me backwoods bonfires, mudding, and fishing over all of that.”
“Hmm, I wouldn’t have pegged you for a boonies kind of guy.”
AJ snorted. “You won’t get any more boonies than where Jake grew up in Ball Ground, Georgia.”
Abby’s brows furrowed. “But I thought you guys knew each other as teenagers?”
“We did. After my mom and dad divorced, he left and moved to Atlanta. I’d visit him on weekends, and AJ’s family lived next door. ”
AJ nodded. “My family has always been city dwellers. We don’t do backwoods. Rednecks aren’t real tolerant, ya know?”
I laughed. “Oh please, that’s so not true.”
“Yeah, right. You don’t know how many times I got the ‘You’re not from ‘round here are ya, boy,’ ” AJ drawled in his best hick voice.
I smacked his arm. “I call bullshit, AJ. My redneck family are some of the best people you know and don’t deny it.”
AJ grinned. “Okay, so maybe I enjoyed being in the boonies a little too much with Jake.”
“Yep, I taught his sissy, city boy ass to hunt, fish, and rope cattle.”
Abby’s mouth gaped open. “You have cows too?”
“Naw, my Papa does.”
AJ nudged Abby. “Did you hear that? Every once and awhile, Jake will slip up and sound like a total country bumpkin.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.”
Abby smiled. “I like the Southern drawl. I mean, I was twelve when we moved back to the states, so I really can’t call myself a Texan but I sure do love it there. My dad’s brother has this huge ranch that’s out in the middle of nowhere. I could spend days just wandering around the fields and wading through the creeks, feeding the cows, and petting the horses.” A little shiver went through her. “I swear that one day I’ll conquer my fear about getting back on one.”
I stared at her for a moment, taking in the sincerity of her words. I’d never, ever met a girl who sounded like she loved the backwoods as much as I did. “You won’t have much time for ranches if you start headlining with your brothers.”
Her expression darkened a little. “Tell me about it. They’re going to put us on a grueling tour in the fall. I can’t even remember how many cities are on it. We’ll barely get home for Christmas.” She sighed. “That’s not the life I see for myself. For the first time in my life, I have some roots, and I want it to stay that way.” Her cheeks reddened a little as she added, “Not to mention wanting a home of my own and kids.”
AJ chuckled. “You want all that now?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.” She cocked her head at him. “You think I’m too young to be married and have kids?”
At the same time, Rhys, AJ, and I in perfect unison replied, “Absolutely.”
She rolled her eyes. “Considering the sources, I’ll choose to ignore that.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.
Billie Jean, along with another waitress, interrupted the conversation by bringing our food. Once they left the table, Abby leaned in on her elbows and pinned me with a hard stare. “It means that you three are out for nothing but no-strings-attached sex. You can’t imagine anyone wanting more than just one night stands or meaningless hook-ups. I’m sure if I asked Brayden, he would feel differently.”
Bray winked at Abby. “But I’m probably not the best person to ask. I’ve always been an old soul. Lily and I married when we were your age, and Jude came a year later.” A genuine smiled formed on his lips. “I wouldn’t take anything—not the stardom, the fan adulation, or the money—for what my family means to me.”
Abby’s expression melted at his words, and she practically puddled at his feet. “Aw, that’s so sweet.” She reached over and patted his arm. “I sure hope I have what you do some day.”
“You will. Just be patient. The right guy will come along—one who accepts everything about you and respects your boundaries and your character.”
Abby gave Bray a beaming smile. “Thank you.”
At the mention of her ‘boundaries’, there was a question I had to ask. “So Angel—”
She huffed out an exaggerated breath. “Do you all really have to keep calling me that?”
“Fine. Abby,” I began with a grin. “Is what you claimed earlier really true? You know, about being a virgin, or were you just shitting us to try and steer us from getting in your pants?”
“Jake,” Brayden warned.
I held my hands up. “What’s wrong with asking a simple question for clarification?”
“Because part of your bet with Abby entailed you being a gentleman, and last time I checked, a gentleman doesn’t question a woman’s past or lack thereof.”
Abby shook her head. “It’s okay, Brayden. I don’t mind answering the question.” She stared straight into my eyes. “Yes, it’s true that I’m a virgin.”
“Damn,” AJ muttered.
“But how is that humanly possible?” Rhys questioned.
Abby laughed. “Mainly because I have a strong belief system, but I also have pretty high standards.”
I glanced down at her hand. “So where’s your purity ring then?”
Her cheeks flushed a little. “Well, I don’t wear one because they mean you’re waiting for marriage, and I don’t necessarily believe in that.”
“You don’t?” I pressed.
“I did when I was younger, but for now, it’s more about me waiting until I’m in love.”
I furrowed my brows. “So all it’ll take is for you to fall in love with some dude, and you’ll give it up? Just like that?” I snapped my fingers for effect.
“You say that like it’s something easy. To fall in love with someone deeply and then have them love you back is truly a miracle.”
“Then it sounds like you’ll be holding on to your V-card for a while, Angel.”
She shrugged. “We’ll see. I just know it’ll all be worth the wait.”
“Good for you, Abby,” Brayden said, through a mouthful of steak.
With a disgusted grunt, I replied, “That’s all peachy for you, but I gotta say more power to the guy. Me, I could never get it up for a virgin.”
Abby gasped and dropped her hamburger. “You liar!”
“Excuse me?”
“Y-You totally were…well, you know, this morning in bed with me,” she sputtered.
Swallowing a mouthful of my chili dog, I rolled my eyes. “That’s because at first I thought you were Bree who is always showing up to bang me when we’re on the road.”
Poking her finger in my chest, she countered, “Oh no, you kept coming on to me when you turned on the light and saw it wasn’t Bree.” She pursed her lips. “I may not know a lot, but I do know what that was.”
The guys snickered to which I shook my head. “Sorry, Angel, but it’s still a void point. At the time, I had no idea you were a virgin. Had I known then what I know now, my hard-on would’ve been withering fast.”
AJ snorted. “Oh come on, Jake. That’s a bunch of bullshit. Any guy that looks at Abby, virgin or not, would totally get a boner.”
“Um, thanks…I think,” Abby replied.
With a wink, AJ said, “Just know I would have no problem, mi amor. Any time or any place.”
“Or me either,” Rhys added. He licked his lips suggestively at Abby.
She let out a frustrated puff of breath. “I cannot believe we’re discussing this least of all that I’m about to say thank you, AJ and Rhys, for admitting you could…well, you know, even for a virgin.” She glanced at Brayden who widened his eyes.
Holding his hands up defensively, he quickly argued, “I can’t comment on this conversation.”
Abby’s cheeks reddened at his comment. “Oh no, I didn’t mean for you to!” She then buried her head in her hands. “This is so mortifying.”
Bray shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. “I will say this though.” Abby tentatively raised her head to peek at him. “My wife, Lily, was a virgin.” He gave a sheepish grin. “We both were.”
“Really?” Abby questioned.
He nodded. “It never bothered me that she hadn’t been with anyone else.”
I grunted. “Yeah, because you were a horny sixteen-year-old dude who didn’t know any better.”
Bray narrowed his eyes at me. “Yeah, well, there was that year we broke up right when the band hit, and I banged everything that moved, trying to forget how much I loved and needed Lily.” A fierce expression spread over his face. “But none of those experiences hold a candle to making love to Lily, and she’s only ever been with me. Yeah we might’ve been two fumbling teenagers back in the day, but nothing was f*cking sexier than us discovering it all together.”
I stared at Brayden in shock. I’d never heard him speak so passionately about sex with Lily. He usually was very guarded and threatened to kick our asses when we alluded to anything involving them getting it on. His favorite thing to do was to growl, “That’s my wife, f*cker!” or “That’s the mother of my children!” when we made dickhead comments about Lily being a MILF.
“Wow,” Abby murmured at Bray’s statement.
He grinned at her. “Sorry, I got a little carried away there.”
She shook her head. “No, I appreciated it, and I’m sure Lily would, too.”
I exhaled noisily. “Regardless of what you three dickwads say, I hold firm to my claim that I wouldn’t or couldn’t get it up for a virgin.” When Abby cocked her head at me, I said, “Fine then. I couldn’t knowingly, how’s that?”
She bit down on her lip and turned her head from me. The table fell into an awkward silence before Abby muttered, “Um, I’ll be right back.” She practically fell out of her chair and sprinted from the table.
After downing the rest of my beer, I glanced up to see the guys glaring at me. “What?”
Brayden leaned forward so far across the table that his elbows bumped into mine. “You’re an utter and complete a*shole for hurting her feelings about the virgin thing.”
“I’m a dick for telling the truth?”
AJ snorted contemptuously at me. “It’s called a f*cking filter, man. Try using it from time to time.”
When I glanced at Rhys, he narrowed his eyes. “So not cool to make Abby feel bad about herself, especially when she’s as smoking hot as she is.”
I opened my mouth to argue when the screech of the karaoke microphone being tapped drew my attention to the stage. Gazing out at us, Abby gave me a sickeningly, sweet smile. Immediately my stomach churned, and I knew I was in trouble at being publically called out for being a douchebag.
“I hope you all don’t mind me singing again.”
The scattered group of truckers whistled and hooted appreciatively, which caused Abby to grin and breathlessly say, “Thank you.” Gripping the microphone tighter, she said, “It’s just that I really would like to win a bet tonight, and singing this song is the only way I see being able to do it.” Once again her blue eyes locked with mine. “Jake, this one is for you.”
She nodded at the DJ who pressed the play button on the music. It took all of two seconds for me to recognize the opening bass thumps. “Oh f*ck,” I murmured as Like a Virgin began blaring throughout the bar. As soon as some of the inebriated truckers realized the song, they hollered and clapped their hands.
From the minute she started singing, it was like Abby sent a direct beam of lust straight to me. I mean, I knew I put on an act when I was on stage, so the fact she was a performer should have made her behavior less believable. But damn was she convincing as a temptress. Every shimmy and shake of her luscious body, every time she tossed her head back and ran her fingers through her hair, every slinky step she took and thrust of her hips was driving me f*cking insane.
If I thought I was stunned, the other guys were open-mouthed and wide-eyed at her performance. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught AJ gulping down his beer like a man dying of thirst. Even Brayden was eying Abby in a way I hadn’t seen in years—although it was a helluva lot more innocent than how AJ, Rhys, and I were ogling.
Shifting in my seat, I knew it wasn’t going to be long before I lost the bet. I glanced down and glared at my traitorous dick. When I peeked up at Abby again, a pained noise escaped my lips as all hell broke loose below my belt with what I saw. Sinking down to her knees, she then began doing the unthinkable. She started crawling towards the end of the stage—never missing a beat or lyric. Sitting below her, I had a straight shot down the front of her dress with an epic view at her fabulous rack. When she reached the end of the stage, she swung her legs around, and for a brief moment, I got a flash of her upper thighs before she let her legs dangle off the edge.
She hopped down and slunk over to our table. Without a glance at the other guys, she gave me a seductive crook of her finger. I shook my head and grinned, trying to make her believe she was having no effect on me, which was a f*cking lie. But Abby wasn’t having any of it. She strode over to me as she ran her hand over her hips and ass as she sang about being touched for the first time. Her fingers then slid through my hair and across to cup my cheek before playfully smacking it.
Just when I thought she was headed back to the stage, she backed up and straddled me. A hiss escaped my lips as she started moving her ass across my crotch. I couldn’t help throwing my head back and groaning. I’d been given expert lap dances in my day from some of the highest paid strippers in the business. Abby was clumsy and didn’t know exactly how to ride me to give my dick the most pleasure, but damn, if I couldn’t feel her hot, little center burning through my jeans. I had been at half-mast before, but I figured at any minute with her moaning the oohing and aahing parts of the song I would be busting out of my zipper.
Even in her non-existent experience, she knew what was up, no pun intended. With the song still playing, Abby glanced over her shoulder and shot me a triumphant look. “Do you now concede to all the guys that you knowingly and willingly got it up for a virgin, or should I continue?”
Although my dick would have enjoyed her continuing the half-hearted attempt at a lap dance, I shook my head. “Okay, Angel, you win.”
As AJ and Rhys clapped and cat-called, Abby started to slide off my lap. When she did, I grabbed her arm and spun her around to where she was straddling me again, but this time we were face to face. A startled look flashed in her dark blue eyes. I leaned in closer to her. My breath tickled her earlobe, and she shivered. “So you got me all hot and bothered. Art thou now to leave me so unsatisfied?”
Her chest rose and fell in heavy pants. “You’re quoting Romeo and Juliet?”
“Why do you act so surprised?”
“You didn’t strike me much as the kind of guy who liked to read, least of all Shakespeare.”
“I’m full of surprises, Angel.” My hands gripped her hips tighter. “Just get to know me a little better.”
Abby rolled her eyes. “Did you seriously just use a bad pick-up line on me?”
“Who says it was a line? Maybe I do want you to get to know me better.” When she quirked her eyebrows, I laughed. “And not just in the biblical sense.”
“With everything you know about me and not having sex, you still want to get to know me?”
For reasons I didn’t begin to understand, I nodded. “Yeah, I do.”
She stared at me like she expected any minute for me to go, “Gotcha! Just kidding!” But when I didn’t, a slow smile spread on her face.
“Okay, I can try to let you get to know me.” She nibbled her bottom lip, which did nothing for my hard-on. “And I might as well give you a try, too.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it.” I shifted in my chair. “Would you like to get off my lap now? Your little performance has left me needing another bathroom break.”
Her cheeks flushed when she thought she got my meaning. “Not very gentlemanly to admit that to me.”
I laughed. “I’m talking about dousing some cold water on it, Angel. Give me a little credit not to go jerk-off in some diner bathroom.”
Now the pink tinge in her cheeks spread to her neck. “Oh, uh, okay.” She quickly hopped off my lap, and without another look at me, eased back down in her chair. Winking at the guys, I said, “I’ll be right back.” I tossed my phone to AJ. “Go ahead and text Frank that we’re ready and settle the check.”
“Will do,” AJ replied.
I had almost reached the bathroom when someone grabbed the back of my shirt and jerked me hard. “The f*ck?” I cried, stumbling backward as I was pulled into a darkened room and the door slammed shut. “Um, what the hell?”
The light flashed on to reveal a grinning Billie Jean. As she leaned back against the door, I heard the distinct click of the lock. She then stepped forward. “I didn’t recognize you at first, but now I know who you are.”
I quirked my brows at her. “And who is that?”
“Jake Slater of Runaway Train.”
“Yep, that’s me.”
Her gaze left mine to take in the half-mast bulge in my pants. “Looks like you have a little problem.” She laughed. “I guess I should say a big problem.” Her eyes, filled with desire, met mine. “I’d give anything to take care of that for you.”
Oh shit. This was so not happening. How was it possible I had a hot babe wanting to screw me not ten feet away from the virgin I’d just asked to give me a chance to be a gentleman? This was all shades of f*cked up. As the room closed around me, I knew I needed to get out fast.
When I started for the door, Billie Jean sidestepped me. “Please?”
My cock twitched at her persistence. It had obviously had enough teasing for one evening. Trying to clear my mind, I shook my head. “Yeah, well, my ride is coming in about two minutes, so I don’t have time to f*ck you.”
Her fingers came to the zipper of my jeans. I shuddered as she took my erection in her hand. “I’d be happy just being able to say I sucked Jake Slater off.”
“I really need to go,” I argued feebly as she sank to her knees. When she took me deep inside her warm mouth, I groaned. There was no more arguing—I just gave in and got off in the dingy storeroom surrounded by extra napkins and ketchup packets.
Any pleasure I’d gotten out of the experience was fleeting in the moments after I came. I actually felt dirty and used for the first time in my entire life, and that was saying a lot. What the hell was I thinking? I wanted to get to know Abby not get blown by some random waitress in a storeroom. My head fell back against a box of salt, and I sighed with disgust.
When Billie Jean rose off the floor, I couldn’t even look at her. “Thanks sugar,” she said.
“Yeah, whatever,” I mumbled as I headed for the door. I was zipping up my fly and adjusting my junk when I bumped into Abby in the hallway.
Warmth flooded her cheeks at my actions. “Oh hey, do you know where the bathrooms are?” she asked.
In that brief instant, she totally misread the situation. But when Billie Jean appeared behind me, Abby glanced between us, and then her eyes widened. It was like a light bulb had gone off in her brain, and she knew without a shadow of a doubt that the hard-on she’d caused earlier had just been taken care of by Billie Jean—the bitchy waitress who refused to speak to her.
Abby stared at me and gave a gentle shake of her head. “You wanted to get to know me, huh?”
“Abby, I’m—”
“Where’s the ladies room?” she demanded of Billie Jean.
“Down the hall.”
Averting her gaze to the floor, Abby mumbled, “Thank you.”
Motherf*ckingshit! I had so screwed up.
***