Bad For Me (My Forbidden Rockstar) (9 page)

“What the hell is this?”

A smile spreads across his face.

“It’s our next number one hit.”

“Ha ha, very funny. Want to explain why the two girls over
there are telling me that I’m the one being featured?”

“Because you are.”

His smug, matter-of-fact tone is annoying the hell out of
me, and I get the urge to knee him in the balls again.

“Since when?” I growl.

“Since you signed off on it in the contract.”

His eyes stare into mine, challenging me, and I feel anger
start to flood my system. How can I be so physically attracted to someone who
pisses me off so damn much?

“The contract?” I ask stupidly.

Shit, shit, shit. I knew I should have looked that over, but
once again, Dom had worked his magic. That’s why he had brought the contract
over himself; he knew that if he managed to piss me off, he could distract me
and get me to sign without any questions.

“It was all in there,” he says simply. “You’ve also agreed
to shoot the music video.”

“What?” I yelp.

Everyone around us stops to stare.

“You’ve agreed to be in the music video,” Dom says slowly,
lowering his voice “And you could act a little more grateful. This is going to
do wonders for your career.”

“You tricked me!” I accuse. I can feel my face redden, I
probably look like a tomato right now.

“I did nothing of the sort! I told you we should go over the
contract.”

He’s right but I was too furious to think clearly.

“Yeah, well I’m sorry but I was too busy trying to make it clear
that I didn’t want to kiss you!” I shot back. “I just wanted you to get the
hell out of my apartment as quickly as possible.”

“Well, you’ve signed it already, so I suggest you learn your
part.” He gives me his famous, cocky Dom Dresden smile. I don’t know if I
should melt, or scream.

“Whatever,” I hiss, I can feel everyone’s eyes on me. I
stalk back to the women and throw the sheet music down.

“Let’s learn this.”

Liz is looking at me with a newfound respect, and even Mel
seems to regard me with some awe. I guess they aren’t used to seeing anyone put
Dom in his place. Oh well. It’s about freaking time somebody did.

 I straighten my shoulders, nod at the piano player to
start, and I begin to sing the shit out of my new song.

Chapter Nine

Dom

I listen to Annie singing at the piano, and I can’t help but
stare. Neither can the other guys.

“She can sing,” Avery says, clearly impressed.

I don’t even respond, I just keep watching Annie. She’s
practically making love to the piano as she sings the lyrics, and it’s all I
can do to not run over there and kiss those beautiful lips.

“Hello? Earth to dipshit?”

Startled, I turn and see Jenner smirking.

“You have a hard-on for her, don’t you?” He asks.

“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”

“Don’t lie, Dom. We all see it. You’re dying to get into her
panties.”

“Of course, we don’t blame you,” Johnny says, and I notice
his eyes roving over her gyrating body. “I would certainly want a piece of that
ass too.”

“Hey shut the fuck up!” I growl. “Let’s get back to this
song, so we can start putting it all together sometime this century.”

The guys leave Annie alone, and we start working on our
song. I flub the lyrics three times, because I’m so busy thinking about Annie,
and the dumb fuckers in the band who keep glancing over at her. Why the hell
did she wear those tight little legging pants? And whenever she bends over the
piano, her shirt rides up and I can see the way the stretchy material hugs her
fine ass.

Christ, I’m losing it!

I force myself to concentrate, and we manage to get through
the song.

That’s when our musical director, Richard, calls everyone
together.

Annie stops singing, and she and Liz walk over with Mel
trailing behind them. I can tell Mel doesn’t like Annie already, and I really
don’t care. Mel is a stuck up bitch, and I know she’s pissed because she didn’t
get bumped up to lead backup vocals. Maybe she would have had a chance if she
could pull that stick out of her ass.

Richard drones on about production quality, and rehearsal
space, and I only half listen. I can’t help but watch Annie, who is rapt with
attention, and I think back to my mother’s phone call from earlier.

Mom had just called to make sure that I do everything I can
to make Annie feel welcomed. I didn’t tell my mom that I could think of all
sorts of ways to make Annie feel welcomed that she wouldn’t approve of, and
Annie would never agree to.

I know my mom means well, but sometimes I feel like I’m
still a sixteen-year old boy who she’s constantly checking up on. It only makes
things more complicated when I think of how Annie’s father is marrying my
mother.

The other reason my mom called was to tell me that she had
been contacted by one of her friends who said they spotted my dad in San Diego.
I feel my adrenaline kick into overdrive at just the thought of my dad being in
the same state as my mom and I.

I know my dad has business all over the country, but last time
I checked, he was living in Colorado. I’m not sure what he was doing in San
Diego, but if that fucker so much as emails my mom, I’m going to punch his face
in. The last time he was in town, he called my mom up and asked her to lunch. 
Being the sweet and forgiving person that she is, she agreed. They only got
halfway through the lunch before my father was calling her a gold-digging
whore, and that he hoped she got hit by a car.

I shudder as I think about how my mom had called me that
day, sobbing, telling me she had seen my father and he had scared her, again.
My mother comes off as strong, but deep down, she’s still the frightened,
battered woman my dad had turned her into during their abusive marriage.

After their lunch date, I tracked my father down at his
hotel, kicked his door in and found him lounging casually in his boxers as if
nothing had happened. I shoved him against the wall, with my forearm on his
throat, and told him if he ever tried contacting my mother again, he wouldn’t
live to tell about it. He tried to act all macho, but I knew he was scared.

The next month Diesel hit it big and we haven’t seen or
heard from my dad since.

“Dom, you got that?” Richard is looking at me now, and I see
everyone’s eyes on me.

“I’m sorry,” I mumble, “Can you say it again?”

“I was just saying we’re going to work the top of the set
list now and go over things very roughly.”

“Yeah, yeah. That’s good.”

I catch Annie’s eyes, and she’s looking at me with a mixture
of curiosity and something else. I can’t read the other emotion and I turn away
from her before I do something stupid.

The next few hours fly by, and soon we’re breaking for
lunch.

I smell a familiar scent of lemons and mint and turn around
to see Annie behind me.

“Hi,” she says quietly.

“Hey.”

“Is everything okay with your mom?”

What is she a fucking mind reader? And I guess she’s already
forgiven me about the song and music video, this chick is a roller coaster
ride.

“Everything’s fine,” I snap.

I see I’ve upset her.

“Fine. Whatever. I was just trying to be nice. She is
marrying my dad, after all.”

She turns to walk away.

Great job, dick head.

“Annie! Wait!”

She turns back around, the long necklaces around her neck
jingle softly, and I notice the ends are nestled in her cleavage.

“Sorry for snapping at you. Everything’s fine. She just told
me to be nice to you.”

Annie’s eyes widen.

“Geez, sorry.” She says, looking at her feet.

I can tell she’s embarrassed.

“No worries. I told her I would try not to be as big a dick
as usual.”

I see Annie half-smile at my self-depreciating joke.

“How’s it going over there?” I ask, nodding in the direction
of Liz and Mel.

Annie bites her lip, and plays with her hair. I’m starting
to pick up on her nervous cues. Hell, she’s sexy when she’s vulnerable. So much
sexier than the trashy pieces of ass I’ve been seeing lately.

“Liz is great, but Mel…” she trails off.

“Is a first-rate bitch, huh?”

She snorts in surprise and then quickly collects herself.

“You said it, not me.”

“I’ll say it again. Mel is a bitch. She’s hard to get along
with, I know. Don’t take it personally.”

“I think she’s mad that I came out of nowhere and got the
lead backup vocalist spot over her.”

I nod in agreement; Annie is pretty perceptive.

She narrows her eyes and lowers her voice. “Do people know
my dad is marrying your mom?”

“No. Why?” I ask surprised.

Relief washes over her face. “Well, I just thought that
maybe everyone thinks I got this gig because of our parents.”

I’m a fucking fool. I didn’t even think of that.

“No one knows yet, but I’m sure they’ll find out soon
enough. It’s not like it’s a big secret. Anyway, everyone has already heard you
sing, so no one should think otherwise.”

Annie beams, and I feel good making her smile like that.

“Alright. See you around.” She says, as she turns to walk
away.

Then she hits me with a hard gaze. “And just so you know,
I’m still pissed off about the song.”

I watch her tight ass swish away; I’m so mesmerized that I
don’t hear Avery coming up behind me.

“I’m serious, Dom. If you don’t want to bang her, I will.”

“Fuck you.”

“Well, obviously you’re too busy with groupie pussy to
pursue Annie, and the rest of us guys are more than happy to make a move.”

“Leave her the fuck alone, and stop worrying about what tail
I’m getting.”

“Touchy, touchy. She seems too good for you anyway.”

I shove Avery and he laughs at me. Avery has a way with
women, and he’s certainly pickier than I am. The thought of Avery and Annie
makes me see red, but I don’t know why I’m acting like I have some kind of
claim over her.

And Annie has nothing to do with the fact that I’ve ignored
three texts from Brittany in the last twenty-four hours. She’s going to be my
fucking step-sister in a few months.

Roberto is supposed to be out of town for the next few days
and I know Brittany is dying to come spend the night with me. That poses two
problems. One, I never actually spend the night with women. I always leave
afterwards, or make them leave. Second, the thought of her big fake tits, in my
big, cold house just leaves me feeling sick now.

I go back to the guys and see all of them staring at Annie
again.

“Seriously bro, I’m going to make a move on tour,” Jenner
says, licking his lips.

“Whatever.” I say, trying to save face.

I stalk off to the food table, and make myself a heaping
sandwich. After two big bites, and a full thirty seconds of not thinking about
Annie, I see something that stops me cold.

I toss my plate down, and stride across the rehearsal space.
I don’t see Annie anywhere, and for once I’m glad. I’m going to take care of
this shit before she reappears.

I shove the muscular, dark-skinned guy hard against the
wall.

“I don’t know what the hell you’re doing here, but this is a
closed rehearsal, and you’re not welcome.”

Sid looks me over with contempt. “Chill out, Dom. I’m just
here to drop something off to my girl.”

My eyes are wild as I swivel my head and look for Annie. How
could she be back with this douche bag?

Mel comes hurrying over.

“What is going on?” she screeches.

I still haven’t let go of the unwelcome prick.

Mel?

“Are you here for Mel?” I ask stupidly.

“Of course,” he scoffs. “Who else would I be here for?”

And then I know the shit has hit the fan, because Sid’s eyes
focus on something behind me, and I see the look of sheer surprise on his face.

“What the fuck?” he whispers.

I don’t need to turn around to see that Annie is standing
behind us now.

I turn around anyway, and see Annie standing twenty-feet
away, her face is pale and she’s visibly shaking.

“That’s right asswipe. So, I suggest you give Mel whatever
crap you have for her, and get the fuck out. And I’m warning you now, to never
set foot in our rehearsals again. Do you fucking understand me?”

Sid is still staring at Annie, and it’s like I can feel
Annie breaking to pieces behind me.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Good luck with that crazy bitch on
your dick.”

What happens next feels like slow motion. I release Sid, and
Mel sighs with relief, but they don’t notice as I draw my arm back. I hear
Annie gasp with surprise, and then I feel smug glee as I punch Sid right in his
surprised fucking face.