Teacher: Act Two (A Hollywood Rock n' Romance Trilogy Book 2) (9 page)

“Hello? Brooke... We’re fine...” He looked at Jane, who had gone pale. “Just a minute, let me see if I can find her.” He put the phone down and walked over to the lounge chair she was sitting on. “Baby, are you ready to talk to your mom?”

She just froze and stared at him with big blue eyes.

“It’s ok if you’re not. You don’t have to say anything you don’t want to, and if it gets too heavy, you just hand the phone back to me, ok?”

She nodded and he walked back over to the phone. Nora and Connie excused themselves to go get dinner ready.

Jane took the phone from Danny and said, in a tiny voice, “Hi Mommy.”

Danny sat next to her and held her hand as she spoke.

“Everything’s fine... Yes, I’ve been seeing Misty every day... Just swimming and watching movies. We went to see Romeo and Juliet at the theater.” She was silent then for several moments and then her eyes shot to Danny. “Ok. I’ll give you back to Dad... I love you, too.” She handed him the phone with shaky hands and looked at me. I stood up quickly and wrapped her in a hug. She held onto me for support and we sunk down together on the couch. I rocked her in my arms as Danny’s face turned red and he stood and walked away from us to continue talking to her.

“You ok, sweetie,” I asked her quietly, not letting go. I smoothed her hair back and she took in a deep breath.

“I’m ok. She told me she’s coming back to pack up our house, that she’s selling it and moving permanently to New York to live with her producer, Oliver. I didn’t even know they were dating!” She sounded so calm for someone whose life was just upheaved.

“That’s a big step. I’m sure you and your dad can go over and get all of your things. There’s plenty of room here.”

She laughed. “I don’t know. I’ve got a lot of stuff,” she joked.

I gave her a squeeze and said, “How do you feel about her moving in with this man?”

She shrugged. “Fine, I guess. As long as I don’t have to stay there. He’s kind of creepy. Not in a pervy way. He was just always trying to be super nice to me, like fake kind of.” I sucked in a breath. I prayed she’d never think that about me. “He’s nice, but I kinda don’t like how she is around him either. And I totally didn’t think New York was all that cool. Plus, the weather sucks there.”

“You can’t beat our weather here, that’s for sure. I’m sure she will visit. Will you be ok with that?”

She shrugged. “I guess so. I feel better here with you guys, anyway. Besides, I can’t wait to get a dog,” she said conspiratorially. “I started looking online,” she whispered. “There are so many cute ones!”

I squeezed her and kissed her on top of the head. “You are too cute, Jane.”

She laughed and said she was going to go in and help Nora with dinner.

I watched Danny end the call with his shoulders up around his ears. I knew this was going to be a tense situation for him and I was ready to be there to bring him down. He hung up, took a deep breath and shoved his phone in his back pocket of his jeans. He stalked over to me looking shell-shocked.

“You ok,” I asked him as he flopped down next to me.

He ran his hands back over his hair. “Jane tell you?”

I nodded. “She said Brooke is selling her house and moving in with her producer.”

He exhaled. “They’re getting married in September.”

“She didn’t tell me that,” I said, as shocked as he looked.

“No, she didn’t tell Jane that much,” he bit out. “She’s coming out here in two weeks and wants to meet with our lawyers to switch full custody to me, sell the house and settle affairs.” He shook his head. “She didn’t sound right, like too happy. I hope she knows what the fuck she’s doing. She was with him that night she fucking left Janey alone, you know. That son of a bitch. There’s no fucking way Jane’s ever staying with them. Over my dead fucking body.”

“Danny, Jane already said she doesn’t want to stay with them. She said he’s nice, but that her mom is different around him. I don’t think you have to worry about any flack from Jane.”

He grunted. “Fucking Brooke. Well, I hope she’s happy. Less for me to worry about. Thank God for Nora. I’m going to give her a fat raise and buy her a new fucking car.”

I laughed. “I’m sure she’ll appreciate it, but you know she’d do it just because she loves that little girl.”

He laughed. “She would, I know. Nora’s great.” He squeezed my thigh. “Have I told you how much I fucking love you,” he asked and I squeezed back.

“A few minutes ago, but I never get tired of hearing it. And you know I’ll help however I can, right? Whenever Nora needs me, I can be here with Jane.”

He smiled gratefully. “That’s great, Jesse. Thanks. I know you’ll be here. That’s what makes it all go down easier, you know? Ok! You ready for some dinner and a massage? I know I’m going to need it now,” he said and I kissed his cheek.

Dinner was baked chicken, asparagus and steamed red potatoes. Danny and Jane talked logistics of picking up her stuff. He said they’d go over and get her things before her mom came back. He also asked her to go with us on our road trip and she got really excited.

“I haven’t seen Grandma and Grandpa Black in forever! And I get to meet your parents, too, Jesse?”

I nodded. “You do! They live about a half hour away from your grandparents.”

“When do we leave,” she asked, excitedly.

Danny took a drink of water and grinned. “I’ll be in the studio until Monday. I thought we’d get up and leave Tuesday, that sound good?”

Jane nodded, bouncing excitedly in her seat. “I remember going to their house when I was little! Do they still have that really cool garden upstairs behind their house?”

Danny shrugged. “I guess. I haven’t been there since you were eight or nine, the last time I took you probably.” He frowned and spooned in more food. I wondered if he was nervous about going. He had so much on his mind right now. After that phone call, I figured I’d ask later.

“So when will you find out whether you have a job for next year,” Nora asked me.

I finished chewing my food and shrugged. “If I don’t hear from Gloria in a week or so, I’ll register to be a substitute. I’ve been checking the district vacancies, and even the nearby districts. There's just nothing available. Worst case scenario, I substitute teach and possibly teach night classes the days I’m not at the dance studio.”

It got really quiet around the table. I looked up at Nora, who was looking at Danny, who was staring angrily at his food. Jane looked between the two of them, confused, and Connie murmured under her breath, “Mmm, mmm, mmm. This ain’t gonna be good.”

“Can we please cross that bridge when we come to it,” Danny said through a clenched jaw. He wiped at his mouth and looked at me, incredulously.

Startled, I said, “What? Sure, I’ll deal with it when the time comes. I can survive on sub-pay.”

Danny looked dangerously close to losing his shit. Thankfully Jane must have felt the tension and said eagerly, “Are you teaching at the studio tonight? I thought we were going to start classes.”

“Oh! I forgot to tell you! I’m sorry, Jane. I got a call from the studio. They're shutting down for the month to remodel. I thought you and I could get started on some basics between now and September, when classes start up again. Give me a couple more days and I’ll be ready-”

“You guys can dance when Jesse’s feeling better," Danny snarled. He took a drink, put his glass down firmly, then stood up to start clearing the dishes. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but his mood seemed to have darkened even more.

“Who am I working on first,” Connie asked as she helped clear dishes from her side of the table.

I looked to Danny, who was rinsing dishes in the sink.

“Can you take Jesse first? I have a couple things I need to do,” he said, irritably.

She smiled at me and said, “I’m going to set up in Nora’s spare room again. Come on over when you are ready.” I thanked her and carried my plate over to the sink.

Danny snatched it from me, rinsed it, and put it in the dishwasher. “I’ve got a couple of phone calls to make and then I’ll be over.” He kissed me on the cheek without making eye contact and went into his office. “Janey,” he called over his shoulder. “You going to be ok for a bit while Connie works on us?”

“Yep! I’m doing some research with Nora on my computer,” she said and Nora laughed.

“Yeah. Top secret stuff,” Nora said and the two of them headed into Jane’s room, leaving me alone in the kitchen. I took in a deep breath, feeling uncomfortable with how things went at dinner. I wasn’t going to disturb him in his office, but we certainly weren’t done talking about this. I hadn’t seen this side of him for a while. I guess I had forgotten about his temper. I had a feeling he was angry with me for trying to make a living when he just wanted me to move in with him and let him take care of me. I couldn’t do that. He was going to have to work with me on this. I rolled my shoulders back and walked out to Nora’s, hoping he would cool down before he came over. I was going to enjoy this massage!

Connie had the relaxing music going and a yummy smelling candle burning when I arrived. “Hey girl, you ready for me?”

I nodded. “I am. I should warn you, before you start getting on my case like the others. I lost a bit of weight with this flare-up, but I talked to my doctor and I plan on trying to put on some weight. I’m going to pick up my medicine tomorrow and she’s prescribed some supplements for me.”

She raised an eyebrow at me and said, “I don’t need to see you with your clothes off to know you’ve lost weight, Jesse. But I’m not here to get on your case. That’s my sister’s job.” We both laughed. “I’m glad you’re taking care of business, though. It will certainly make Danny easier to work on.”

“Yeah, I can see that.”

She left so I could undress, and after a few minutes I felt hands on me that were much larger than hers.

“Hey! You’re not Connie,” I said, startled.

He kissed my back. “I snuck in so I could give you a kiss.”

I turned my head and he kissed me softly. “Mmm, thank you! I feel better already,” I sighed and he chuckled.

“You just relax. I’m going to run out for a bit, but I’ll be back in an hour or so. I love you,” he whispered against my ear, giving me a chill and causing goosebumps to break out on my skin.

“I love you, too, Danny.” I heard the door close and him talk in a soft tone to Connie. She came in a moment later and got started.

“I’m going to go easy on you again tonight, but starting next time, I’m going to keep adding to the pressure so we can start making a difference.”

I nodded. “Ok. I appreciate it, Connie. This was a pretty bad episode. I feel better, but I’m still really stiff.”

She worked on me for a long time and we were quiet for most of it. When she had me roll over so she could finish my arms, hands, and neck, she broke the silence.

“I know it’s none of my business, but I hope you know that Danny was just upset at dinner because he doesn’t want you working yourself to death when he is perfectly capable of taking care of you.”

I exhaled. “I know, and we’ve talked about it. I told him I’m not comfortable with him supporting me. It’s hard enough letting him have you come over and now he and Nora want to take care of acupuncture,” I paused.

She worked quietly for a minute and said, “You’re an amazing woman, Jesse. Either that or you’re ridiculously stubborn.” We both laughed.

“Thanks, I think.”

“No, I’m serious. I admire that you aren’t taking advantage of Danny. Not many women would have told him no. I already knew you were good for him, but this confirms it for me. I just hope he doesn’t start doing his temper tantrum thing.”

“Me too,” I said quietly.

Connie’s hands felt so good, I could barely keep my eyes opened. When she was finished, she suggested I crawl into bed, and when I tried to argue that I needed to go home, she insisted. She brought me some water, which I downed. I couldn’t even hold my head up enough to stay awake.

I woke with a start much later and I was alone in Nora’s spare room. Waking up in strange places was happening too often lately. I got up to use the restroom and when I returned, I noticed a note in Danny’s handwriting on the bedside table. I turned the light on dim, so I could read it.

Jesse,

I’m sitting here watching you sleep while I write this. Do you have any idea how beautiful you are? Your skin in the candlelight looks soft and inviting. I want nothing more than to wrap myself around you and never let you go. Your hair catches the shadows from the candlelight, and I want nothing more than to bury my face in it, breathe you in and take you inside of me to hold you close to my heart. I allow myself to pull the covers back just enough to gaze at your lovely back, so graceful and elegant, the way your spine curves delicately down towards your hips. I know I should leave you be. You stir and I cover you up, but not before I am reminded of what your poor body went through this weekend.

I’m not going to apologize for my behavior at dinner. I told you the only way you would be a drain on me was if you refused to take care of yourself. I heard you talking about putting yourself through all of that work to support yourself and it nearly broke me. I’m trying so hard to respect your wishes, but dammit, Jesse! I don’t want to watch you kill yourself working so hard when I can so easily take care of you, when I want to take care of you! I want to be reasonable about all of this because I don’t want to scare you away. Please promise me we can talk more about this before you commit yourself to working so much? Can we try to come up with a plan together?

Please stay the night, either here in this room or somewhere in the house. I want to see your unbearably beautiful face before I leave tomorrow for my last exams. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for all you have done for me, for all you have given me, and for being a part of my life. I love you so much, Jesse.

Danny

I wiped the tears from my cheeks, smiling at his note. Suddenly, I needed to be near him. I couldn’t stand to not touch him. I dressed quickly and left Nora’s cottage as quietly as possible. I saw on her clock that it was one in the morning and I wondered if Danny was sleeping. I padded across the patio and into the kitchen that was thankfully still unlocked. I wondered about Danny’s security if he was leaving doors open like this.

I crept down the hall, saw Jane sleeping in her bed on my way past, and heard soft music coming from Danny’s room. I entered the short hallway and I could see Danny reflected in the mirrors playing guitar in the corner. He was shirtless in a pair of jeans, and his feet were bare. I stood and watched him for a few minutes before he caught my motion and looked up. His eyes were full of emotion, and pain. This precious man was so strong, yet so vulnerable. I walked slowly towards him and stopped in front of him. He stared at me for a long time before putting his guitar back on the stand. He stood and took my hand in his, leading me to his bed. I hesitated when we stopped there and looked at him questioningly.

“I needed to see you, Danny. I’m-”

“Hold me, Jesse? Please?”

He crawled in bed and held up the covers for me to follow him, which I did with no qualms. If this would ease him, I would hold him as long as it took.

We curled up in each other’s arms and Danny closed his eyes. He let out a shuddering breath and I held him tighter. Would his roller coaster ever slow, so he could catch his breath? Would I keep causing him to feel unsteady? Would I have to give up my comfort zone to make him feel secure? I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep resolved to come up with a solution that would ease us both.

When Danny’s alarm sounded the next morning, he leaned over me to turn it off and then settled back to gaze into my eyes. We faced each other like that for a few minutes before he finally said, “Thank you for coming in last night.”

I smiled. “After I read your note, I had to see you. I’m so-”

He kissed me to shut me up. “One day at a time, remember? Yesterday is over. Let’s make today a fresh start. And mine needs to start right now so I can go finish my test!” He hopped out of bed and trotted into the bathroom. A moment later I heard the shower going and I allowed myself to just lie there and relax, picturing what he looked like covered in suds...

“Jesse, I’m heading out. Will you wait for me? We’ll go get your medicine and then go see the acupuncturist?”

I nodded. “Sure. I didn’t mean to fall back asleep. Good luck today, baby. I love you.” He kissed me again, biting my neck before he took off. I must have fallen back asleep because the next thing I knew, Jane was sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Good morning,” she said. I was instantly sorry I’d allowed myself to fall back asleep. At least I still had my clothes on. “Nora wanted to make breakfast for us before taking me to the ranch. Are you up for it?”

“I am. Sorry I slept so late! My internal clock is a mess! I’ll join you in a minute.”

She smiled and got up to go back out. “Hey Jesse,” she asked from the doorway.

“Yeah, sweetie?”

She just looked at me for a minute. “Thanks for being there for me yesterday. And I’m glad you are feeling better.”

I frowned. “Of course, Jane. I’ll always be here for you. No matter what, ok?” That seemed to make her feel better. She bounced out the door and out to Nora.

I pulled my hair back and used the restroom. When I emerged into the kitchen, Nora was just putting out plates for us on the bar.

“Hey there, sleepyhead.” She was joking, but I was feeling pretty uncomfortable about the whole situation.

“Thank you for breakfast. I meant to get up earlier. I’m just totally off my schedule.”

She waved a hand at me. “That’s what happens around here. Don't you worry. It took me a long time to figure out when Danny was going to want food and how to work my sleep schedule around his almost non-existent one. He finally told me that I wasn’t here to wait on him hand and foot, that if he was hungry, he’d find something to feed himself if I wasn’t awake. It’s a good thing. Those 3:00 a.m. nights were killing me!”

“I think I’m going to run home after this,” I said, noting a raised eyebrow from Nora. “I need a change of clothes and I want to pick something up for Danny.”

She smiled and nodded. “Ok. But I’ve made an appointment for you at the acupuncturist at 2:00 so make sure you are here before then.” I assured her I would be.

She and Jane got ready to head up to the ranch and I ran a quick brush over my teeth, put on a bra, and tried to gather up my belongings. I’d been all over the house for the past few days and had no idea where everything was. The drive back to my place went quickly. I was glad to see my apartment was still in one piece. When I got to the top of my steps, I found a visitor.

“Hello little one. What are you still doing here?” The puppy from the other day was still here! There was a little bed set up with food and water behind a wire fence that ran the length of the “free” line.

“Hey Cosmo! Is this your puppy?”

He came out of his open door in his usual uniform and walked straight to me. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes, Jesse Baby! How are you feeling?” He took me in a huge hug and it felt nice to be welcomed home until I realized that it was a little far from Sunday Shower Day to be this close to Cosmo.

“I’m better. Not great yet, but better. I’m going to try out the medication the doctor has been after me to take. Hopefully it will help. What have I missed around here?”

He gestured to the pup and said, “We have a new tenant, I guess. Jinx can’t remember which chick brought her over so we’re kind of stuck with her. She’s cute, but none of us are really qualified to take care of a puppy.”

The leggy girl was trying to paw me through the wire so I bent down and picked her up. She immediately whined and licked my nose.

“I might have the perfect place for her, if you’re sure she’s available,” I said, thinking there was no way Jane was going to be able resist her charms.

He shrugged and said, “Sure. She’s been here over a week and no one has come for her. Frankly, I feel bad for her and don’t want her to get hurt when these jackasses start getting wild. You wanna take her?”

I nodded, cuddling her. “I do. Jane has been asking Danny for a puppy. I hope they won’t mind, but if they do, I’ll make sure she goes to a good home. One of the teachers I work with is involved with a rescue organization. She’ll help me, I’m sure, if I need it.”

He smiled. “Getting domestic over there, I see. When are you moving in?” He was genuinely asking, there was no hidden agenda there.

“I don’t know, Cosmo. Am I being difficult if I tell Danny we should wait for another two months until he gets his diploma? It has nothing to do with him actually getting the piece of paper. I just thought it would be a good length of time. I don’t know, everything’s been so intense, and then I got sick and he’s worried about me... I don’t know what the hell I’m doing,” I laughed.

He took the puppy from me so I could step over the gate. We sat on the ground and she crawled all over me.

“I don’t think you are being difficult, baby, but why do you think you want to wait?”

I shrugged. “No reason other than trying to do what’s right. I don’t want to set a bad example for Jane, which I did this morning when she found me sleeping in his bed!"

"Were you naked," he whispered.

I groaned. "Cosmo! No! That's not the point! Her mom is moving in with some producer in New York and they’re getting married. I don’t know. She says she wants me to be with her dad, but I don’t want to cause problems. It's a lot for her at once."

He nudged my shoulder. “That sounds like a whole lot of what’s best for everyone else. What do you want?’

I sighed and cuddled the now-sleeping puppy to my chest. “I want to be with him. I feel like I'm part of the family over there. I just hate it that he has to take care of me. Being sick in front of him was terrible, although he was super sweet about it. He says he wants to take care of me, but I don’t feel right not supporting myself.”

“Are you afraid that something will happen and you won’t be taken care of?”

I looked up at him, his dark eyes so sincere. “Not really. I know I’ll survive somehow, but moving in with him just feels like taking the easy way."

He burst out laughing. “Jesus, Jesse! Life doesn’t always have to be about struggle! But I guess you’ve been doing that for so long, it feels normal, doesn’t it?”

He was right. I think I was so used to having to do everything myself, having to fight for everything, that being loved and wanted felt like cheating.

“I’m a disaster, Cosmo. What should I do?”

He laughed. “You’re really going to ask me? You know I will miss you terribly, but fuck it, baby! He loves you. If you guys can avoid having sex at the dinner table in front of his daughter, I’m sure you can manage to provide her with a positive influence. It’s not like you are walking around in latex with a whip and shit.”

My eyes bugged out at him. “Where did all that come from,” I asked with a laugh and he rubbed his stubbled jaw.

“Guess I still have some fantasies." He wiggled his eyebrows at me and I elbowed him in the ribs. "I'll behave, I promise! But if you go, you need to promise me something." His tone grew serious.

"What is it?"

He took my hand in his and said, "Promise me that if he ever treats you badly, or you decide to leave, or if you just need someone, you'll always call me? Your best friend?"

"How did I get so lucky to pick this piece of shit apartment and end up with such a good friend? I don't deserve you, but I promise, you will always be a part of my life, ok? Even if I go, I'm not leaving you"

Cosmo smiled at me and kissed my hand. "I'm glad to hear it."

I leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Did you guys name this little girl yet?"

He laughed and shook his head. "What do you think? We call her Legs."

"Of course you do." I rolled my eyes. "I'm going to go in and grab some things. How about I take her with me when I go? Like I said, if she doesn't end up with us, I'll make sure she gets a good home."

"She will. I have no doubt you will all be happy together." He winked at me, stood and helped me to my feet.

"Thanks. You're the best!"

He shooed me over to my place. I hurriedly showered and changed into capris and a tank. Next I made what I needed to for Danny and grinned at the outcome. I packed what I needed: clothes to get me through the weekend, my two swimsuits and necessary toiletries, some reading material, and before I left, I made sure I unplugged things that weren't necessary to leave plugged in. The last thing I needed was to cause a fire in this old place!

"Hey Cosmo, I don't suppose you have a leash for this girl, do you?"

He handed me a rope with a slipknot. "This is what we've been using. Let me grab this bag of food and her bowls, and I'll load them in your car."

I thanked him and we chatted as we packed my things into my little Honda.

"Did you call Patricia yet about recording with Danny?"

He nodded. "That I did. We have a meeting with him in two weeks and he got us a rehearsal space that we can move into starting Monday."

"That's great! When did this all happen?"

He pulled his hair back and thought for a minute. "Over the weekend. Maybe while you were laid up? Anyway, things are finally happening for the Tragedy it seems!"

I hugged him again, careful not to breathe deeply. "I'm so happy for you guys! Thanks again! I'll let you know what happens with Legs."

He laughed and kissed the top of my head. "Let me know what happens with both of you. Now get back to your man," he said and closed me into my car.

Legs looked up at me from the passenger seat happily. She was pretty mellow for a puppy so young. I didn't know a ton about dogs, but she couldn't have been more than a couple months old. She was wire-haired with deep golden eyes. Her black and grey coat reminded me of those giant Wolfhounds that marched in the St. Patrick's Day parades, but she was so small. I doubted it was possible she would get that big.