Rocking Esme (The Rocking Series Book 1) (5 page)

Marcy, please come to my place as soon as you get this, I need you. x

We pulled up outside my place, Jackson got out and came around to help me out of the car. He took my hand and led me up the steps. I got my keys out and tried to unlock the door, but was struggling as my hands were shaking so badly.

“Here, let me do it.” Jackson said as he took the keys from me.

He opened the door and then waited while I walked inside, I’d never brought a guy back here before, I guess, really, I should have been feeling uncomfortable bringing Jackson back with me, especially after what had happened tonight, but strangely I didn’t, and I didn’t want him to leave me on my own. He made me feel safe. I took off my coat and hung it up then walked into the front room, got on the sofa, curled up in a tight ball and cried my eyes out. I felt the sofa move behind me, and then a hand on my back. I didn’t jump at the contact, Jackson saved me and that’s what I kept focusing on.

“Es, what can I do? Do you want me to leave?” He asked.

“NO!” I exclaimed as I sat up, “Please, don’t leave me... I... I... Cant... Get... Hold... of... Marcy...” I was having trouble breathing; I didn’t want to be on my own. What if that guy had been watching me? What if he knew where I lived? What if he tried coming back for me?

I felt a hand on my back rubbing up and down and a soothing voice telling me to breathe, it’s ok, and you’re fine now. I tried to believe him I really did, but I was just very shaken up.

I needed comfort; I needed to be held, so I crawled closer to him, rested my head on his shoulder and let him put his arms around me.

I was just starting to relax when my phone started ringing. I wanted to ignore it, but it was probably Marcy, and I needed her here, I couldn’t expect Jackson to stay with me the whole night, I was sure Cindy would be wondering where he was by now as it was after four in the morning.

I pulled away from Jackson and leant over to the coffee table to grab my phone. I didn’t recognise the number; I looked at the phone blankly, so Jackson grabbed it out of my hand and answered it. I slumped back into the sofa whilst he was talking. I couldn’t hear the conversation.
After about ten minutes, Jackson hung up the phone and handed it back to me, and said;

“He’s been arrested, they were looking for him and he has a criminal record, don’t think he’s going to get out of this one. Prison for him. You’re safe now. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

He was being so kind and gentle, and it was a relief to know that the guy was behind bars, the whole night was just too much for me and I broke down again. Jackson must have been fed up with me by now, I needed to stop being so weak and send him home. He had never pushed me away and he hadn’t let me go, he was what I’d needed.

I jumped and squealed as someone came crashing in through the front door, I looked up and saw Marcy standing in front of me; I jumped up from the sofa and threw myself into her arms, breaking down again.

“Hey, hun, what’s happened?” She asked as she held me tight.

I just shook my head and then heard Jackson telling her to sit down with me, while he told her the whole story of what had happened tonight.

Jackson then said he would leave us to it and kissed me on the forehead. I grabbed his hand, squeezed it and said; “Thank you for not leaving me and for saving me.”

He smiled at me and then left.

Esmeralda

I’d had a horrible evening at work, I was so grateful for all of Jax’s help, I didn’t know what I would have done if he hadn’t been around.

Marcy and I were crashed out on my sofa; we were drinking tea and watching a cheesy rom com DVD. It was five in the morning and I didn’t want to go to sleep, I was worried that I may relive it all in a nightmare.

My phone beeped and I looked at it and smiled when I saw Jax’s name.

How you feeling?

Ok, I guess...Thank you, again.

Just glad I was there, can’t stop thinking about what that guy was trying to do to you.

I’m ok now, I promise.

Sleep well. x

Thank you. You too. x

I smiled to myself at how thoughtful he was.

Esmeralda

I had a couple days off work after the attack and Marcy stayed with me the whole time. We sat around in our pyjamas, watched movies and ate takeaway. It was just what I’d needed, but I didn’t want to stay hidden forever as I didn’t want this to effect my life. The guy who attacked me was safely locked away and I needed to get back to reality. My shift at the bar was starting at seven o’clock; I was nervous, but I would be ok, as the girls said they would come in and keep me company. I had to get back there, I had bills to pay.

It was almost time for me to leave my place and go to work and I was getting nervous. I could feel a panic attack coming on. I didn’t know what to do; I couldn’t phone Marcy, Kate or Danni as they were all at work, so I sent a text to Jackson to try and distract myself.

Hi, how are you?
 

He replied almost immediately with;
I think I should be asking you that

Um...ok, I guess. Back to work tonight.

Really? Are you sure you’re ready?
 

Not 100%, but need to get back on the horse once you fall off!

Es, are you really ok? Want me to come over?

I’m fine honestly.

I wasn’t but I didn’t want people to know that.

Got to go, speak to you soon

He didn’t respond, so I put my phone in my bag, grabbed my car keys and left for work.

***

I had been at work for over an hour and it was quite quiet; there were no live bands playing tonight, just a DJ. I was feeling a bit conscious of guys watching me, so I made a point of not getting caught up in the music and dancing, and not taking any drinks that were offered to me as I didn’t want to give out the wrong impression.

A little later, I felt a funny sensation in my stomach, almost like butterflies. I looked up and saw Jackson and Rick walking through the door. I couldn’t help but smile and also felt a little relieved. If there was any trouble tonight these guys would handle it and keep a close eye on me.

“Hey, guys. Jack and coke?” I asked them both.

They both just gave me a big smile and nodded their heads.

“Not too busy tonight?” Rick asked looking around the bar.

“No, it’s been quiet, it’s good.” I told him, then looked over at Jackson who was staring at me like he wanted to say something, but couldn’t.

I passed him his drink, he took it and sat on a stool at the bar. We were chatting away when a large group of rowdy men came in and walked straight up to my side of the bar. I felt myself tense and began shaking; I turned around grabbed a shot of whiskey, downed it and turned back to them with a smile on my face.

“Hey, sweet cheeks, seven beers and whatever you’re having.” One guy said to me, he was very tall, well over six feet, very well built, short black hair and bright blue eyes. I was feeling a little nervous as I got the bottles of drinks out, told him I was ok and didn’t need a drink, then asked for the payment.

When I went to give him his change, he leant in a little too close and said to me;

“It's not nice to refuse a drink.” He almost growled it at me. I let out a little whimper and then the next thing I saw was the guy being dragged from the bar by Jackson.

I could feel my heartbeat racing a little too fast, I was shaking and could feel a panic attack on its way. I sank down on the floor behind the bar, and then heard someone jump over the bar and sit next to me. I screamed and then noticed it was Rick. He sat down and put his arm around me; I instantly felt better, safer.

“ESME!” I heard Jackson call my name out, he sounded worried.

“Down here, mate.” I heard Rick say, but still he didn’t let me go which I was thankful for.

I heard Jax jump up over the bar, then he, too, sat down next to me, pulled me out of Rick’s arms and into his.

“It's ok, Es, they’re gone now. You’re safe, I’ve got you.” Jackson whispered in my ear.

I felt my body relax into him and realised this was what I needed. I needed Jackson, he made me feel safe. I just knew that he would never be mine.

Jackson

It was the day after Esme’s first shift back after her scare the other night. She had asked Paul, the bar manager, for a few day-time shifts until she got her confidence back. I knew it would be a quiet shift for her today, so I thought I’d go and keep her company. Cindy was out shopping and Flix were having a rare day off from rehearsing, so I didn’t have anywhere to be.

I made my way to The Archer; we were only at the hotel down the road so it didn’t take long to get there. I was right, as I walked in I noticed that the place was practically empty, there were a couple of guys in suits at a far table, no doubt having a business meeting. I looked up and my breath caught in my throat as I saw that Esme was perched on a stool behind the bar, her hair tied up in a messy bun on the top of her head. She had glasses on today and she looked like she was concentrating on something. She looked beautiful. As I was walking towards her she looked up at me, as if she could feel my presence.

As I got closer, I noticed that she tried to hide what she was working on, but I managed to grab it quickly and have a look at it. She was writing a song, I didn’t know she could write music.

“Hi, what’s this?” I asked Esme, raising the notebook in my hand.

“It's nothing, give it back, please?” She said as she tried reaching up to get it.

I then held it up higher and she kept trying to grab it but she couldn’t. In the end, she just slumped back onto her stool, pouted and asked nicely for me to hand it over. She looked very cute pouting and I just wanted to grab that bottom lip in between my teeth and bite it. God, what was happening to me? I didn’t think like this, I had Cindy, I loved Cindy. Maybe this was just because things had been a bit strained between us recently and I liked the attention I was getting from Esme.

“Seriously, Es, what is this?” I asked her.

“I like to write music... It’s not very good. All I have is the words, no music.” She said, looking a little shy.

I started reading the words out loud;

Holding you in my dreams

I wish it was reality

Kissing you in my dreams

I need you to be with me

“This is good, I’ve been working on some new music, but got no words to go with it, this would fit so well.” I was really excited about this, about the potential of Esme’s writing, and doing a song together.

“Oh, well you can have it, use it if you like.” She offered me.

I shook my head at her. “No, let’s work on this together, this could be something good, what do you think?”

“Really?” She asked, she sounded surprised, I then got her mega watt smile and I melted just a little bit.

“Yep, let me run back to the hotel, grab my guitar and music, maybe we can throw a few words around? While it’s still quiet?” I shouted back to her as I was running out the door, I looked back to make sure she was ok with this and she was smiling and giggling. Oh, how I loved that sound and sight.

I literally ran the whole way to the hotel to grab my stuff, praying that Cindy wouldn’t be there. Otherwise, this would not be happening with Esme. I got to the hotel and climbed into the lift, to the fifth floor where our room was. We really needed to get out of the hotel and find somewhere to live. That was something we would sort out soon. I got to the door, pulled out my key card and let myself into the empty hotel room; I pumped my fist into the air that no one was there. I grabbed my guitar and the sheet music I was working on. I was looking forward to writing some music with Esme. Don’t get me wrong, I loved writing and composing with the band, but Esme was a new fresh talent and who knew, she may be able to teach me a few things.

I got back to the bar half an hour later and as I pushed the door open I noticed that it was a lot noisier than when I left. I looked towards the bar and noticed that Esme was pretty busy. I felt a shot of disappointment hit my stomach, but I headed over to the bar just in case she got a few minutes to spare. Just as I sat down on the stool, I felt someone come up behind me and kiss me on the neck; I looked over my shoulder and saw Cindy and Frank. What were they doing together?

“Hi, babe, what are you doing here?” I asked her.

“Um...” She hesitated and I wondered what was going on, she carried on with; “We came to find you; I bumped into Frank outside as I was looking for you.”

I didn’t say anything straight away and she hurried on saying; “What are you doing?”

“Why do you have your guitar, dude? Have you come to work on some new music? Let me see.” Frank said to me.

I grabbed the notebook out of his hand as I didn’t want him to see it, I wanted this to be mine and Esme’s music. “Oh, it’s not ready, just something I need to perfect before we start adding words to it.” Frank just shrugged his shoulders, nodded at me and then left.

I was disappointed that Esme was now fairly busy and that Cindy was here, this wouldn’t be happening today, we would have to find some other time to do it, I just wasn’t sure when.

Esmeralda

I couldn't believe that Jackson caught me writing a song, it was just something I was messing around with, I never thought it would be any good and I certainly never intended on showing anyone.

When Jackson saw it and said he had music that was perfect for it, I was feeling a little nervous and excited. I loved spending time with him, especially when it came to doing something that he loved, my heart was pounding with apprehension when he ran off to get his guitar.

I was disappointed when I saw Cindy and Frank turn up at the bar, I knew that was going to stop any plans that Jackson and I had together - I mean, how was he going to explain
that
to his girlfriend?

I had to admit, I was excited and giddy when he mentioned working on the song together; I really wanted us to be friends, I saw something special in Jackson when I first met him. I was eager to spend time with him and I suppose I was secretly hoping it would turn into more. If only he didn’t have a girlfriend.