Page 38 of One Time Only (One Time Only 1)
Since it’s only two, I head to the gym for an hour of weights while blasting a playlist of new jams compiled by Bethany.
After I down a long drink of water, I fire off a text to my song purveyor.Jackson: Boom. Slayed my afternoon workout thanks to your playlist.Bethany: When do you not slay it?Jackson: Never.Bethany: So it wasn’t really my jams that did it?Jackson: Take the compliment, Bethany.Bethany: I took it, tucked it in my backpack for a rainy day. By the way, how’s everything going with the concert?I’m about to reply when Terrence strolls in. He’s off today, so another guy is filling in. Terrence tips his chin in a hello. “Did you hear the news?”
Groaning, I slip my phone into the pocket of my shorts. “Nothing good ever starts with ‘Did you hear the news?’” I give him a “bring it on” curl of my fingers. “Go ahead. Serve it up, whatever it is.”
The tour has been canceled. My job has ended. There’s a fire. Something.
Terrence claps my shoulder. “Sorry to scare you, bro. It’s just that Stone’s brother showed up late last night.”
I school my expression, like I know nothing about Zane. “Oh, he did?”
But then I want to kick myself, because of course I can know about Stone’s brother. I was with Stone last night as part of my job when the text landed that Zane had a situation.
I guess that situation means Zane is here.
Terrence picks up a fifty-pound barbell and starts biceps curls. “He showed up late last night. Stone brought him on to do lighting. Veronica sent out a note a little while ago. Zane’s doing some extra effects with lights. Some cool new things he wants to try.”
“So that’s . . . good?”
Terrence smiles, big and wide, as he switches to the other arm without a grunt or a groan. “He’s a fun guy. He was with us a few years ago. He’s a lot like Stone.”
I tilt my head to the side, curious to know everything about the rock star. “In what way?”
Terrence taps his sternum. “Big, huge heart. A total softie.”
I smile, turning my face away so it’s not completely obvious to Terrence how much that statement makes my own heart pound a little harder. “Yeah, sounds like Stone. Thanks for the update, man.”
“Anytime. Also, if you don’t want your Hawks tix when it’s your turn, let me know,” he says.
“You’re already angling to snag them?”
He shoots me a serious stare. “I don’t joke about football. And I’ve been on the rotation longer. You should just give them to me.”
“You wish,” I say, laughing. I plan to enjoy one of the perks of working for this rock star—his generosity in sharing his suite with his staff.
“Can’t fault a man for trying,” Terrence says, then lowers his barbells, tucks his AirPods into his ears, and dives into his workout. As I leave the hotel gym, I grab my phone, spotting Bethany’s latest text.Bethany: Did you tell Stone your little sister has a crush on him?I stop in my tracks, cringing. That is such an awful thought for so many reasons. Actually, for one reason that trumps all others. We cannot be into the same guy.Jackson: You do not.Bethany: He’s hot. Like we talked about. Admit it. Haven’t you noticed this?I drag my hand over my chin and make my way down the hall to the stairwell. As I power up the steps, I write back.Jackson: He’s eighteen years older than you.Bethany: I’m not going to marry him. I’m not going to sleep with him. I’m simply admiring his looks, like everyone does. Also, he’s only four years older than you. And I know that he’s a switch-hitter.Jackson: Your math is terrific. And everyone knows he’s a switch-hitter.Bethany: So what do you think about that? Also, what is wrong with us? Why have we never discussed that your boss is a total hottie?Jackson: Because that’s why. He’s my boss. It doesn’t matter how he looks.Bethany: Do you have a crush on him?I swallow roughly.
Crush? No. I’m a grown man.
But my heart did just beat wildly when Terrence said nice things about him.
My smile did just claim all the real estate on my face.
Is that what happens when you have a crush?
It’s hard to say, because the lust is so strong too.
One week after our night together and my desire for Stone has not abated. It shows no signs of stopping. It has its own life force.
As I round the corner of the next landing, I answer her with complete honesty.Jackson: I don’t have crushes.Bethany: Well, that is true. When you fall, you fall hard. There’s no crushing about it.Jackson: Thanks for the reminder. It’s more like I have devastations.Bethany: So no crush on Stone, then? No hope of a #Jackstone in our future?
