Before answering, he does a quick scan of the surrounding area. While it’s crowded, no one’s paying attention to us. “We have to keep a closer watch over Jacob. If he looks like he’s about to fall, we need to catch him.”
“How’s that work long-term?” I’m not trying to be a dick. I genuinely want to understand Alvin’s thought process. “We can’t help someone who doesn’t want our help.”
“I think we should get him to see a doctor about his throat. Maybe hire a vocal coach to go on the road with us.”
Why hadn’t that occurred to me? Kyle doesn’t have one but we’ve played with other bands who kept a vocal coach around. While we’re not rolling in money, yet, we’re certainly making enough to cover that expense if it means we preserve Jacob’s voice.
“Let’s talk to Thom about it before we approach Jacob,” I suggest.
He holds out his fist and we tap knuckles. “Deal,” he agrees.
At least it finally feels like we have a plan.
Mallory
“How was the show?” I ask Chaser as soon as he calls.
“Fucking horrible at first.”
He gives me a rundown of the rocky beginning and how Andrew saved the night.
“Is he going to have to do that every night?”
“Probably. At least until word spreads and people stop believing the stupid gossip.”
“I didn’t want to say anything but, yeah, half the tabloids here are running a story about our torrid love triangle.”
“Fuck,” he mutters. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. It’s no one’s, really.”
“Well, that’s not exactly true.”
“How is Jacob?”
“Off the junk for now. Seems like this incident scared him straight but I don’t know…” He trails off and pain wraps around my chest. I wish I could be there for him.
So, I tell him exactly that.
“Hearing your voice helps. I miss you,” he rasps.
“I miss you too.”
He groans and I can almost picture him stretching out on his bed. “I can’t stop thinking about waking up with your mouth around my cock.”
My breath hitches. “Really?”
“Fuck yeah.”
“I can’t wait to do that again,” I whisper.
“You’ll get your chance soon enough.”
Chapter Six
Mallory
It’s been a busy couple of weeks—busting some moves for the strange Jazzercise video, a handful of random auditions, and filming the increasingly weird Shallow End storylines. I am so ready for some alone time with Chaser.
“Let’s go!” Pamela yells.
“I’m ready!” I rush out of the dressing room, almost knocking her over.
“We’re going to miss our flight.”
Somehow, my flight to New York to meet up with Chaser ended up being a girls’ trip with Pamela. I guess she’d been planning to visit Andrew for the final show all along. No one told me we’d have to fly out together.
All my luggage is already in her car so we can go straight to the airport when we’re done filming for the day.
“I’m so excited!” Pamela squeals as we hit the freeway. “I haven’t been to New York since I was a little girl.”
“You must be excited to see Andrew too.”
She lifts one shoulder. “Sure. It’s always weird after he’s been on tour for a while, though. You know?”
I can only imagine. I wonder if she packed a can of Lysol to spray over his nether regions.
A thousand times, I wanted to tell Pamela what I’d witnessed on my last visit—Andrew nailing groupies backstage by the bucketload. But his warning that Pamela already knew but didn’t want to be confronted with the information kept my mouth shut. Things are tense enough when we work together. Half the time I get the feeling she doesn’t even like me. Telling her about Andrew’s unfaithfulness won’t improve our relationship. At least that’s the excuse I keep giving myself for being a coward.
I’m almost tempted to give her the advice I was once given—make him wear a rubber—but I doubt that will be appreciated either.
Instead, we talk about the episode we just finished filming.
“I’m so happy we’re on break. Landon keeps asking to suck my tits between takes.” She pulls a gagging face. “I want to knee him in the balls every time I see him.”
“Eww. He’s old enough to be your grandfather.” Thank God I rarely have any scenes with him.
“I know.”
“Have you complained to anyone about it?”
“No way. You know who will get kicked off the show if I make waves.”
“That’s ridiculous.” But even as I voice the complaint, I know she’s right.
“That’s Hollywood. Hell, that’s everywhere.” She parks