A FILTHY Enemy - Jaxson Kidman Page 0,37
wedding, and probably in movies and TV shows.
All the money they were going to make…
I collected my thoughts and got through the recording session.
We sang the song three more times.
Then the band went into the other room and Toby came to get us.
“You’re free to go,” Toby said. “I think that’ll be it for the recording sessions. We may need you to come to the practice area to run through the song for the live shows. Nothing is set yet. And before anyone asks, we will talk about money later.”
“I’m just happy to get the exposure,” Dawn announced.
Screw you, Dawn. I want money.
“Well, you’ll get plenty of that,” Toby said.
He walked us to the door like we didn’t know where to go.
I left the studio, got into my car, and drove away.
Without a word from Reed.
I hated myself that I felt disappointed.
Disappointed that Reed didn’t talk to me, look at me, nothing.
Like I was some dirty secret.
The rest of the day I had nothing but time.
Something I had been begging to get for a while.
Now that it was there, I felt uneasy.
I called Jess and asked if she wanted to meet up for an early dinner and a drink or two.
She was always down for that.
Unless the eggplant emoji was being shared.
I met her at a place with outdoor seating.
I just wanted to be outside for some reason.
The first thing Jess did was look around.
“It’s just us,” she said.
“Yeah. Why?”
“That’s never a good thing. Or a good sign. What’s going on?”
“Nothing. Why?”
“It’s never nothing when you do this,” she said. “Something happened.”
I panicked and told her the story about Don.
She made a fist and hit the table. “Fucking perv. Goddammit. Why didn’t you say something then? We could have beat the shit out of him?”
“It’s nothing. Just a horny, married man. I don’t know. I shouldn’t have told you. I shouldn’t have let it get to me.”
“No way,” she said. “Fuck that. That guy is a piece of shit.”
“I know. And he has a family. That part bothers me the most.”
Jess nodded. “I’m so sorry, Abby. I want to go slash his tires. Can we do that?”
“After a few more drinks, okay?” I asked.
“Deal. And don’t think I won’t.”
I laughed, but my heart raced.
Jess was serious.
And to me, it wasn’t the worst idea either.
“We may need to call for a ride home,” Jess said.
“Can we leave our cars here overnight?” I asked.
“No choice. I think we’re one too many into this night now.”
Jess’s phone vibrated on the table again.
She smiled.
“That’s been going off all night,” I said. “Who is it?”
“Just a friend.”
“Ah. A friend. That’s always nice to have.”
“Oh, this friend is really nice to have,” Jess said.
“So why are you here with me?”
“Because you called me.”
“Jess, if you have a chance to-”
“I’ll call him when I get home. He’ll come over. I’m good for it.”
“You should go now,” I said. “You don’t need me bringing you down.”
“You know, this is the drinks talking, but the story you told me… the ass grabber… I believe it and all… but that’s not the only thing on your mind.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I just know you.” Jess stood up. She wavered for a second. “I’m going to text my friend and see if he’ll come get me. As long as you’re okay with that.”
“Definitely okay with that,” I said.
“Good. And you… what’s going on?”
Jess kept standing.
“Just the studio stuff,” I said. “It’s bringing back memories. That’s all. And I’m pretty sure it’s already done and over with. I had a distraction for a little bit. It was nice.”
“Shit. I’m sorry, Abby. You deserve so much more than singing happy fucking birthday to spoiled kids.”
“Well, we all do,” I said. “But it’s a job.”
“Oh, he texted me again,” Jess said. “I’m going to go call him. How do I look?”
“For a call?” I asked.
“Shut up.”
Jess scampered away.
I sat alone.
It was slowly becoming night again.
I checked my phone.
I was one text away from a wild night myself.
What would a night with Ven from RAUNCHY RECKS be like?
My phone buzzed in my hand and I gasped.
I looked at the screen.
No strings attached bullshit, honey. I have something for you. I’ll pick you up in thirty-ish. Where are you?
I studied the text.
My eyes moved from the text to the name above the text.
Reed.
He had something for me, huh?
What were the odds it was going to be an apology?
I knew the answer to that one…
Slim to fucking none.
When I heard the distant rumble of a motorcycle, I