Rocking Esme (The Rocking Series Book 1) (10 page)

“Just getting you some blankets, the bathroom is right across the hall. Do you need anything else?” I asked, looking up at him as he was a much taller than me, six foot one inch, to my five foot five inches.

“Just one thing…” He said as he walked into the bedroom towards me. He grabbed the blankets out of my hands and tossed them on the bed. He then started to move closer to me and I could feel my heart beating faster and my tummy swirling.

He reached his hand up to me and ran it through my hair. He held my face and tilted it slightly as his lips drew closer to mine. I closed my eyes and felt a light brush of his lips on mine, my mind flashed back to the night we were song writing. I whimpered slightly and he must have taken that as a green light because the next thing I knew, he was kissing me, passionately.
I felt his tongue brush against my bottom lip, I opened my mouth and his tongue was instantly entwined with mine.
I pulled back, I was a little breathless. Jax looked into my eyes and said;

“It was you, I was talking about you.”

“Oh.” Was all I could manage in reply.

“I want you.” Jax whispered in a low sultry voice, I felt my knees go weak.

I opened my mouth to speak but no words would come out, I just looked into his eyes and nodded.
“Not tonight.” Jax murmured.

I felt my face drop and started to back away from him; he reached out and grabbed my hand. “I really want to, but it wouldn’t be right, I’m drunk. I don’t want you to think this was a rebound. I’m crazy about you, Esme, but I want to prove it to you when I’m sober.”

I nodded my head again, not sure what to say. I handed him the blankets, he took them from me turned around and headed towards the living room. I still couldn’t believe what he had said to me, I desperately hoped it wasn’t the drink talking.

Jackson

I felt bad for leaving Esme’s before she woke up this morning; she looked so peaceful, asleep in her big bed with her hair fanned out over her pillow. I was finding it difficult to keep my distance, I really wanted to crawl in behind her and pull her body as close to mine as it could get. I couldn’t do that, I needed to take it slow, she wasn’t like other girls, she was special and there was definitely something there between us already. I was looking forward to exploring that. So I had to leave before I did something that I would regret. I left her a note hoping that she wouldn’t be mad that I had left. I needed space, time to sort out my head. I had to find somewhere to live and had to face the band – that was not going to be easy. I wouldn’t let Cindy ruin everything we had worked for. If Will and Frank didn’t like what I had to say then Rick and I would have to replace them. It wouldn’t be easy but it could be done. Firstly, I needed to straighten out another piece of this shit that Cindy had created, I was headed to the hotel to pack my stuff.

Esmeralda

I woke up feeling nervous and excited to see Jax after our kiss last night. I jumped out of bed, got dressed quickly and made my way into the living room, quietly, as I didn’t want to wake him. I had already planned to make him some coffee and breakfast to cure the hangover that he would wake up with, he was pretty drunk last night and who could blame him after he found out the truth about Cindy.

I turned around the corner of the hallway and glanced at the sofa to see the blankets folded neatly on the end. My stomach dropped and I wanted to cry at the thought of him leaving without saying goodbye. Why did he? Was it because he regretted kissing me? Then I noticed a piece of paper on top of the blankets, it was a note he had left for me and it said;

‘I meant every word, just need some time. Trust me. J x’

I smiled as I read the note, glad that he didn’t leave without saying goodbye and that he meant everything he said last night. The kiss was amazing and I couldn’t wait to kiss him again.

Jackson

It was just after eleven in the morning. I was sat at one of the outside tables at The Coffee Bean. I needed to get my head straight and the only way to do that was to spend some time alone.

I had been there about thirty minutes when yet another text came through on my phone; Cindy had been texting me all morning, she just didn’t seem to get the message. I picked up my phone ready to delete the text without reading it, when I noticed it was from Esme

Thank you for the note x

I smiled to myself, relieved she wasn’t mad with me for leaving before she got up. I replied saying

Glad you liked it x

How’s your head? x

No hangover, but my head is a mess x

I’m here if you want to talk, it will all be ok x

Could be a tricky few days but you’re right, it will be ok x

I smiled to myself, Esme had a way of making me feel better about things, I hoped she realised how much she meant to me, I just needed to get a few things sorted first, before starting anything with her. I wanted it to be right, without complications and crazy ex-girlfriends ruining things for us. My head was telling me to keep right away from her until everything was sorted, my heart was in control of the text messaging today :

Band meeting at The Archer on Monday. Dreading it, will you be working? x

What time?x

1PM x

My shift starts at 12, so I will see you there x

Dreading it less now I know you will be there x

I finished my coffee and decided to head to the hotel, I needed to move out and couldn’t put it off any longer.

I got to the hotel and made my way to the room I shared with Cindy, I just wanted to get in, get my stuff and get out again. I didn’t want any more drama. As I got to the room, the door was slightly ajar so I walked on in. I was surprised as to what was in front of me; Cindy was sitting on the floor in front of the glass coffee table, she was still in last night’s clothes and she was snorting a line of coke. I had always had my suspicions that there was more than alcohol to blame for her recent behaviour, but I had never seen it with my own eyes. She knew how I felt about drugs, but now it was over, she could do whatever the hell she liked.

“Hey, baby.” Cindy called out to me as she got up and stumbled over to me. “I knew you would come back.” She slurred.

I stepped away from her and said; “I’m here to get my stuff.”

“No! Come on, Jax, we are so good together, don’t let this come between us. I’ll be good.” Cindy was begging me; “All I need to do is remind you.” She pulled her top off and started undoing her skirt.

“Stop! Cindy, I don’t have time for this, I’m getting my stuff and getting out of here.”

“Jax, please… Wait.”

“NO! You are not a person I want in my life… My friends, Cindy? You disgust me.”

As I started making my way towards the bedroom, I heard a noise and looked back at Cindy and she just shrugged her shoulders. I made my way into the bedroom just as a guy stumbled out of the bathroom.

Cindy

I was so happy when I saw Jax walk in through the door. I knew he wouldn’t be able to stay away from me, we were meant to be together, him and me.

I was shocked when he said he didn’t want anything to do with me and that he was actually leaving, I thought I would be able to convince him to stay, to show him just what he was walking away from. I did what I thought he would like, I started removing my clothes. He told me to stop and he walked away from me. I followed him still half-naked when I saw someone stumble out of the bathroom.

“Jax… It’s not what it looks like… I don’t know who he is.” I didn’t remember getting home last night, I guess I’d brought the guy home with me, I didn’t remember. I rubbed my forehead as if to try to clear the fog.

“Seriously, Cindy? You can’t even remember taking a guy home now?”

“It was a mistake… Jax, please, it’s you I want.”

Jax then looked at the guy stood in our bedroom and said; “You’re welcome to her.”

“Whatever, I’m outta here.” The guy mumbled and left.

“This is entirely your fault, you know.” I told Jax

“My fault? How’s that?”

He started packing up his clothes; “We were so in love, we didn’t want to be apart, so I went on tour with you. Then I got caught up in the rocker lifestyle.”

“You just couldn’t help spreading your legs for anyone or everyone.” Jax replied, he wouldn’t even look at me; he zipped up his bag, walked past me and out of the door.

Esmeralda

It was Monday lunchtime and it was quiet, I always liked Mondays after working such a busy weekend, it gave me time to think. I heard the door go and looked up to see Rick walk in, I smiled at him and he made his way over to the bar.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” I asked him.

“Jax has called a band meeting, it may just be a bit awkward.” He looked sad, this would be really hard for him, Jax and Rick were really close.

“Oh... Is he ok?.. Well, as ok as he can be?”

Rick just shrugged his shoulders and told me he would catch up with me later and made his way over to a table. I then saw Frank and Will walk in and head over to him.

“Hey.” I heard, as I was crouched on the floor filling up the fridge with the alcopops. I looked up and saw Jax peering over the bar at me.

“Oh… Hey. You ok?” I stood up and started to straighten the beer mats on the bar in front of him.

He just shrugged his shoulders and looked over towards the guys at the table and said; “I better go have this talk with the guys.”
He looked down at my hands and took them in his, rubbing his thumb across the back of my hand. I wanted to comfort him more but I knew he needed to be strong for this.

“I’m here for you.”
He gave me a sad smile and walked away.

I was watching the guys all sat around the table and things seemed awkward, I couldn’t hear what was being said. I was a bit worried about Jax, I hadn’t seen him for a couple of days, not since he broke up with Cindy, and he spent the night sleeping on my sofa.

I’d heard he had moved out of the hotel and was sleeping on Rick’s sofa, I knew today would be hard for him but I needed to take a step back and let him sort things out, he knew I would be waiting for him once things had settled down.

Jackson

I walked in to The Archer ready for my band meeting with the guys.
I saw Esme was behind the bar so I went over to say hi, while trying to get my head together. I hadn’t seen her for two days but so much had happened and it felt like it was much longer than that. We said hello, she asked me how I was feeling and I just shrugged my shoulders as I wasn’t really sure. I held her hands not wanting to let her go, she made everything feel so easy and so simple, she was just what I needed in my life.
I made my way over to where the guys were and sat down.

“Hey, man.” Rick said squeezing my shoulder.
I didn’t answer him, I just looked straight at Frank and Will and said; “If you want Flix to continue you have to stop sleeping with her, seeing her, talking to her, everything… I can’t believe you have done this, you knew she was mine… MINE.” I slammed my closed fist down on the table in anger. No one said anything so I continued with; “You were like brothers to me. I sat back and watched you screw anything in a skirt, but I never thought you would betray me like this.”

“She came on to me, man.” Will said.
My head shot up and I growled;

“And you couldn’t say NO?”

“I’m sorry, dude, I am. There is no excuse… I don’t want to end the band.” Will pleaded.

“Yeah, me neither. I won’t have anything to do with her… Are we cool?” Frank asked.

“Cool?.. Cool? We are not cool, you slept with the woman I was going to marry. I will not forget this in a hurry. I will put my differences aside for the band.”

“Will, are you going to stop seeing her?” Rick asked him.

“Yeah, totally. For the band.”

I couldn’t sit around and be friendly with them, not yet, it was too soon. I felt like I had been stabbed in the back.

“I’m gonna get out of here, see you all later.” I told them as I stood up walked away.

Esmeralda

“OMG! I can’t believe you kissed! And I can’t believe you waited until now to tell me!” Marcy screamed as we walked into the tenth clothes shop. Marcy rang me this morning and asked if I wanted to go shopping with her as she wanted a new dress for our girl’s night out this weekend. I agreed and then remembered that she would be on a mission - how could I forget what Marcy was like on a serious shopping trip? I needed coffee if I was going to keep up with her.

“Well, at least I am telling you… It’s complicated, Marce, he has only just split up with Cindy. He said he wanted to be with me, but he needs to sort his head out first. What if he realises that he doesn’t want me? Shy, book worm me?”

“Don’t be silly, you know Jackson. He is genuine… Honest… HOT… And if he said it, he meant it. Things will work out.”

“Yeah, I guess… So, how are things with Rick?” I asked trying to steer the conversation away from me, I knew it would work as she loved talking about herself.

“It’s good… No, it’s great. We are taking things slowly, but I really like him, so much. I haven’t told Danni and Kate yet, but I think we have something special, being with him just feels right.”

“Marce, that’s great, I’m so happy for you… So, what you looking to get?” I asked as we were looking around the little shop.

“Oh, you need to try this on.” She told me as she shoved a LBD at me.

“What? No, I don’t need anything new.” I told her as I pushed the dress back towards her.

“You’re trying it on, while I try on these.” She said, holding up about five different dresses.

“Ok, fine.” We walked over to the dressing room and we shared a large cubicle to try on the dresses together. Marcy had picked out a little black dress that fell just above the knee and was strapless. It felt lovely on and looked great too.

“Oh, that is perfect; let me take a photo of you.” Marcy said, taking a picture before I could even object.
She was then typing away on her phone and I smiled at her and asked;

“What has Rick said now?”

“What? Rick?.. Oh… Yeah, just that he looks forward to seeing me later and asked if you were ok.”

“Oh, that’s sweet of him, I will text him and tell him I’m ok and he doesn’t need to worry.”

“NO!” Marcy yelled, then continued with in a softer voice, “I will tell him later, we need to find me a dress.”

“Ok, but I’m pretty sure you are going to be going home with all five dresses.” I said as I laughed at her.

Jackson

We were at The Archer doing our rehearsal for our gig at the weekend, we were taking a break and my phone went off alerting me to a text message. I was hesitant about reading it as Cindy was still texting me constantly, asking for forgiveness. I decided to read it and was surprised to see it was from Marcy. I opened it and a picture message came up of Esme in a little black dress, and a little caption saying; ‘Don’t I look hot!’ She really did look hot. My stomach fluttered and a smile appeared on my face. The next thing I knew my phone was grabbed out of my hand as Rick said “What’s that bitch sending you now?”

I laughed and he looked at me and said; “Why is Marcy sending you a picture of Es?”

I shrugged my shoulders and looked away as he carried on with; “Wow, she looks amazing in that dress.”

I glared at him and said; “Yes, she does… And don’t you have a girlfriend?”

Rick put his hands up in defence and said; “Just saying what I see.”

“What is it?” Will asked

“Just Marcy playing matchmaker.” Rick told him.

“Oh yeah, with who?” Frank asked.

“Esme and Jax.”

“That’s cool bro, she’s real nice.” Will told me.

“Come on, guys, let’s get back to it.” Frank said as he picked his guitar back up.

I grabbed the phone back from Rick, looked at the picture again before sliding the phone into my back pocket, I grabbed my microphone and counted the lads in.