JACK: Las Vegas Bad Boys (2 page)

Why would they? Like I said, I do my very best to fit in seamlessly, and make as many culturally relevant references as possible. Yep, I’m constantly looking at magazines, but it’s not for the celebrity gossip. I’m trying to figure out how to dress, how to joke. How to
be.

But right now, sitting here on this plush velvet couch, with all my previously mentioned friends, I’ve apparently forgotten my mantra. Because Emmy and Claire are cracking up, watching me watch Jack. I bristle, knowing I’m the center of whatever they are laughing about.

“What?” I ask, looking around. The club is so loud I doubt they even hear me.

“You’re gawking, Tess,” Claire says, leaning over and speaking directly into my ear so I don’t miss her four-syllable observation.

“Oh,” I say, clamping my mouth shut, momentarily mortified.

Ever since we got back from London six weeks ago, Emmy and Claire have been teasing me about my crush on Jack. But they’ve been discreet about it, knowing I’d be embarrassed as all get out if he knew.

Like I said, I won the friend-lottery with those two.

“I wish you and Jack were together,” Emmy shouts. “Ashley is seriously a hyena.”

“A gorgeous hyena,” I add, cocking an eyebrow over at Ashley, who has been sitting a table away all evening with Jack’s agent and the fancy music producer that’s apparently been wooing him.

It’s crazy talk to call Ashley a hyena, even though her laugh does grate on me. Everyone knows Jack’s on-again, off-again superstar girlfriend is hotter than hell. And even if they weren’t together, I’m no competition.

I’m Tess ... a girl from Arkansas who likes BBQ and sweet tea. Not, you know, a Grammy award-winning diva.

On that note, the club goes nuts as Jack ramps up the tempo for what I’m assuming is the final encore of the night. There’s already been one. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch as Ashley and Kirby leave the club.

A twinge of envy passes through my belly, knowing she’s headed backstage to her boyfriend. A boyfriend who probably bends her over backward to blow her mind.

Not that I’m thinking about sex with Jack ... I mean, not this minute.

Whew—is it just me, or is it hot in here?

Gah
. Okay, of course I’m thinking about sleeping with Jack. I always am. His body is perfection: ripped, but not with meaty muscle like the boys I grew up with. Tattoos cover his arms—but, again, they’re soulful artwork. Quotes and thick black lines, hinting at a softer side to the man who always looks so secure, so damn in control.

His body is nothing like the inked-up flesh of the men back home. They all had full-color images covering their backs and chests, as if proving something with their tattoos. The bigger the better, maybe? I saw enough of them naked to know that wasn’t the case.

But, as confetti falls from the club’s ceiling, coating us all in tissue paper perfection, I’m brought back to the present. Can’t dwell in the past when the present is a dream. A fantasy. A life that really feels too good to be true, even if I don’t have a man like Jack by my side.

The strobe lights are cracking out, blinding us. We stand, laughing, dancing. Having the time of our lives.

McQueen hands me a flute of champagne, and I toast JoJo, who smiles widely, as brightly as the brand-spanking-new engagement ring on her finger. We stand on the couches in our tiny dresses as the night closes.

One of Jack’s greatest hits blares through the massive nightclub and I take a sip of the bubbly.

The song ends and the lights come on. It’s crazy late, the wee hours of the morning, but I don’t have to work tomorrow, so I don’t care. In Vegas two a.m. means the night is just ramping up, and I’m game for anything.

Emmy and Claire debate what we should do next, but I really have no agenda. I’m always the girl who goes with the flow.

We exit the club through a pair of private doors—exclusive access for Ace and his crew. I’m included in that. We stand in the back entrance to the club, a more private space to make a game plan. I slip off my four-inch Jimmy Choos, still amazed that they were on my feet tonight. I used to feel shabby when we went out, but Emmy and Claire have no qualms with sharing their closets with me.

Just as we decide to head to Hearts Royalle, the new club the guys own, Jack storms out of the back entrance.

His eyes are blazing, his head shaking. He’s pissed, and this usually calm and collected hottie is clearly trying to get the hell away from something.

Make that
away from someone
.

Ashley Fast is on his tail, screaming at him. “You can’t walk away from me, Jack. We’ve been building a life together.”

Jack turns on his heels, inches from Ashley’s face. “Whatever we’ve built, I’m tearing it down. We’re done.”

My eyebrows rise. Holy shit, this isn’t just one of their fights—goodness knows we’ve witnessed plenty. This is a break-up brawl. And this is the end of them.

I bite my lip, not even thinking about the fact that these two are through. All I can think about is the fact that seeing Jack all fired up gets my panties soaked.

I know I’ve been crushing hard, but now I’m just horny as hell.

I
’m on stage
, fucking killing it.

Thousands of people jump up and down, hands raised. Strobe lights stream across the massive dance floor as the horny clubbers enjoy the Vegas nightlife, grinding against the person nearest them.

From my vantage point I see women and men, bodies entwined, shirts discarded, dresses lifted to waists. I don’t want to think about how many people are fucking on the dance floor, but I’m guessing it’s a hell of a lot.

Everyone here has memorized every beat I drop, nobody was phased at the two-hundred-dollar cover charge to come to my show. They’re hoping for a night that will exceed their wildest dreams.

People come to Vegas for the fantasy, and my sold-out shows offer exactly that. Women we’ve hired dance on columns, pasties and thongs barely covering them, because the truth is, everyone comes here hoping to see everything.

And not just the talent. As douchey as it sounds, they’re here to see me. Maybe if they’re lucky they might glimpse Ashley, along with some of my friends, other high-profile Vegas alum, in a roped-off VIP section. Maybe an A-List celebrity who’s staying at the Spades Royalle will be sitting at a table with Ace and the crew for the night.

My shows aren’t just about the music. Fuck, they’re hardly about the music. I’m selling an image—and, if you ask my agent, I’m selling it better than any other DJ on the planet.

It’s almost two a.m., time for me to end the night and get off the clock. But I know it’s important to nail this particular show.

I don’t want to kill the vibe too quickly. Tonight Kirby, my agent, is here with Kendrick, the record producer from Kendrick Music Group.

Tonight I could land the deal of a lifetime.

I lay another beat to the baseline, picking up the tempo. Speaking into the mic—which is something I do as little as possible—I get the crowd moving faster, and the four-story club pulses with the rhythm.

Looking out at the crowd, I know I’ve given them their money’s worth. It’s hot as hell up in here, but I am giving everyone exactly what they want.

* * *

A
s I exit the stage
, I see my glowing face across the giant screens in the club. I flash the crowd a peace sign and smile, giving them what they want—but damn, I know it’s fake.

As I take the stairs and push open the backstage door, I practically collide with Kirby and Ashley. Not to mention the throng of people with phones raised in the air, snapping photos of me, of Ashley. She’s surrounded by a fucking entourage, and she loves it.

Me? I hate that shit.

“Go back out for another encore,” Ashley urges. “They loved you tonight. Do it, please? For me?”

Her lips are bright, pink as cotton candy. Her blonde hair is fake as fuck, and she’s wearing such snug-fitting clothes that when I look at her all I see is a tight-ass. And not in a good way. She needs to stop being so fucking pent-up and intense.

I shake my head. I already gave them two encores. I may be Jack Harris, but I’m not the fucking Beatles. Two is plenty.

Besides, the moment I leave the stage, the fans aren’t on my mind. I’m starving. All I’ve had tonight is a few beers and some tequila shots while onstage. Looking around, I see so many half-dressed women … what I’d really like, besides a hamburger, is a fucking blowjob.

But looking back at Ashley and her resting bitch face, I know the last thing I want is one from her.

I’m beyond over this forced relationship.

I’m ready to eat and unwind. This gig may be lucrative as hell, and a dream job for some people, but shit, it’s harder than it looks. And right about now, I’m wondering why I’m working so damn hard for something I hate so damn much.

“Jack, that is so selfish,” Ashley says, scowling, her voice hitting a high-pitched whine. “They came here for you. They deserve your best. Think about them.”

She needs to back the fuck off. I was just onstage for three hours, and don’t need her bullshit. Choosing to ignore her, I grin, not giving a shit if I piss her off right now.

“Well, I’m thinking about a cheeseburger and fries.”

She doesn’t return the smile. No surprise. She needs to take the stick out of her ass.

Kirby cuts in, once he realizes I am not going back on stage no matter how much my girlfriend of a year bitches about it.

“Jack, my man, Kendrick loved you. And he gave me some incredible news.” Kirby claps me on the back, beaming, and we walk together toward the dressing room so I can get my shit before heading out for the night

Kirby is a man with nice suits and good intentions, but our relationship is strictly business. He lives in LA and shows up when he needs to. Like tonight.

Once the three of us are in my private room, I toss my sweaty tee shirt aside and put on a new one. I grab my duffel bag and throw in my headphones, and then slide my wallet into the back pocket of my jeans.

“Jack, don’t you want to hear the news?” Kirby asks.

“Oh, yeah, right. Sorry. I’m focused on getting some motherfucking food,” I tell him, setting down my bag, trying to focus.

“It’s so typical that you don’t even care,” Ashley says. “Kirby came all this way for you.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You done?”

She rolls her eyes, arms crossed, and we both turn to Kirby. Man, Ashley is seriously grating on my last fucking nerve.

I’ve given her a year, a year of blowout fights as we’ve crisscrossed the globe on our own tours. She thought if we both took a break from tour dates, spent six months in Vegas, together, our problems would be solved. But it’s only been a month and I swear to God it’s worse than ever.

Looking at her now, with her resting bitch face and agenda, I blow the air out of my cheeks, determined to focus on my agent.

“Sorry, Kirbs, what did Kendrick say? Did he stay around?” I ask.

“It’s big news; maybe we should go out and be with your crew for the big reveal,” Kirby suggests.

“No, it’s cool. I don’t want to make a scene. Just tell me.”

“Ohhh, we can do a champagne toast. I mean, the offer is good, right?” she asks Kirby, grabbing my arm in excitement. I swear, she sees the magazine spread before the moment has even happened. Her life is viewed through a fucking filter, and I don’t want to be in any of her shots.

Which is problematic considering we’re together.

“No champagne. And no paparazzi,” I add, the corners of my mouth turning down.

Kirby points a finger at me. “KMG is offering you a ten year, one hundred million, contract.”

“No fucking way,” Ashley screeches. “That’s more than Kanye got.”

I take a deep breath. One hundred million bones. And ten years of my life. “I’m sure there are some pretty intense stipulations. And isn’t Kanye like fifty million in debt?”

Kirby shrugs. “Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet. And, look, I don’t have the details but I’m sure it’s standard. Still, you hold all the power here. You can call all the shots.”

I smirk, knowing this businessman is gonna tell me everything I want to hear. Kirby’s cut in this would set him up for life. Twenty percent of one hundred mill is no joke.

“Aren’t you going to smile at least?” Ashley asks. “This is huge.”

I run my hand over my jaw but don’t say anything. I know it’s huge, but it’s also a huge amount of pressure. Ten years is a long time to be bound to anything.

Looking at Ashley, I’m reminded that even one year can be way too fucking long.

“Look,” Kirby says, sensing my mood. “It’s late. You’re hungry. Nothing needs to be decided tonight. I’m going to head back to LA in the morning and I’ll get the contract from KMG in the next few weeks. After that, we’ll have a month or so to decide what we want. What
you
want.”

After he leaves, Ashley turns to me, her mouth hanging open.

“Are you fucking kidding me with that, Jack? What the hell? One hundred million dollars? I mean ... this is the dream. Right now, what you are living, this is the dream.”

I can’t hold back my opinion, even though I know it will piss her off. “Your dream, Ash. Not mine. I never wanted all of this.” I look around the lavish dressing room. The floor to ceiling mirrors, the stripper pole installed—just in case—the bar stocked better than the lounge out front.

And it’s just for me, ready for me when I do a show here, what? Once, maybe twice a month? It’s over the top.

But mostly, it isn’t me. I started playing music for the love of it. Not so I could be a fucking sell out. I’m a man, not a fucking puppet on parade.

“It can be
our
dream,” Ashley persists, reaching for my hand. “We can make it our dream, together. With my Grammy and your contract, we’re the couple of the decade. And now we have a decade’s worth of money to fund whatever we want to do next.”

“You don’t get it. The money comes with a contract that will tell me exactly what I’ll be doing for the next ten years, I wouldn’t have a choice.”

“You’re being so dramatic, Jack. I think you’re right, you just need some food. You’re being so moody.”

Listening to her, I realize something I’ve known for a long time, but just didn’t want to deal with.

“Food isn’t what I need. And even though I don’t know what I’ll decide about this ten-year contract, I do know that I can’t spend another minute with you.”

That’s when she starts screaming.

* * *

Look, I know it’s foolish to imagine Jack Harris ever falling for a cocktail waitress like me—but, damn, that boy is hot. And while I’m sitting in the VIP section of the club—which, by the way, how is this my actual life?—I can’t help but stare at him up on stage.

My jaw may be dropped and there may be a teensy bit of drool at the corner of my mouth, but I don’t
think
I’m too obvious.

Besides, it’s dark in here and no one is looking at me.

Everything about Jack screams sex appeal. Right now, he’s onstage dropping sick beats. And, okay, I don’t really say things like
sick beats
, but I’m making an effort to fit in and use the right lingo and drop the right names.

And no, it’s not because I’m some celebrity-crushing, star-struck bimbo.

It’s because my formative years were ... um ... complicated. And I missed out on the pop culture references Emmy and Claire drop like they’re hot.

Wait, did I say that right?

Anyways, the point is, I don’t particularly want to bring attention to how completely untraditional my upbringing was, and the best way to avoid that is to fit in as unnoticed as possible.

Which might be a tad easier if I hadn’t fallen in step with Claire and Emmy, because a few months after meeting them they were both married to some of the hottest bachelors Las Vegas has ever seen.

Which makes them higher profile than I’d like my best friends to be ... but their friendship is the sort I spent my entire life dreaming of: true and honest and real. Obviously, I’m not going to walk away from that.

So, instead, I try my best to fit in. Luckily, there has been soap opera worthy drama with my friends since we all started spending time together. And because of that, no eyes have landed on me.

Yet.

First there was the whole thing with Emmy’s sister being in a coma, followed by a kidnapping, followed by a wedding. Throw in her new husband, Ace, who kept a hidden identity before he proposed.

Then Claire had her first marriage followed by her fake engagement followed by her real wedding, complete with her big
I’m actually a mother
reveal. Her new husband Landon is a diamond tycoon and heir to a fortune ... even though he thought he’d lost it for a hot minute when we all traveled to London to surprise them.

For a day or two, I got nervous that once we returned from England all eyes would finally land on me, but McQueen, the other bad boy in this Rat Pack, took up where Landon left off. He fell in love with an Irish goddess-slash-MMA-fighter named JoJo and saved her from a crazy, murdery stalker.

Oh, and then he proposed before her first professional fight.

And that was just last week.

So, yeah, no one has had time to dig up any dirt on me.