Page 71 of Indescribable Love
“I think you’re all forgetting something,” she said and watched as all three seemed confused. “I didn’t agree to any of this, and I’m not going back to LA. That’s not my world and…it’s just better for everyone if we just let this story die, okay?” Then she stood. “I’m sorry that you all came this far for nothing, but next time I promise to answer my phone and save you all the time.” Walking to her door, she pulled it open. “Safe travels.”
Jax’s jaw dropped. “But…”
Noah looked disappointed.
Mick stood with a serene smile and handed her his card. “I’ll be in touch. Take care of yourself, Jules.”
They were gone a minute later and she had to wonder if they’d ever really been there at all. She was expecting a long, drawn-out back and forth before kicking them out. Once she was alone, however, she found she suddenly had a lot to think about.
But answers still eluded her.
It was the pounding on the door that woke him up. The blackout curtains were drawn because he wanted to keep the world out, but apparently the world had found him.
Bastards.
Sluggishly, Simon made his way across the room and yelled, “Go away!” His voice was raw from lack of use, and it hurt to clear it. When the pounding continued, he repeated his command. He’d never done that before, and hoped it worked.
“Open the door, Simon!” Jax yelled.
It was pointless to argue. His brother was far too stubborn to give up and go away, so he had no choice but to open the door. “How’d you find me?” he asked as he shuffled back to the bed and flopped back down on it.
Jax turned on the lights. “Dude, we’ve been looking for you all over town. Why didn’t you go to the house in the hills? That’s where Nikki said you were going.”
“Didn’t want to go there. Too many memories,” he murmured. “I just wanted to be left alone.”
Sitting down beside him, Jax was quiet for a moment. “Look, I get it. You fell in love and it didn’t work out.”
“It didn’t work out because of me. This was all my fault. I hurt her—me and my…my crazy life hurt her. What the hell was I thinking?” The shuddery breath was out before he could stop it. “She’s suffered so much in her life and just when she was seeing she could trust people, I totally betrayed her. Worse, I accused her of betraying me!”
“Okay, to be fair, that whole situation was a shitshow. Have you tried calling her and apologizing?”
He shook his head. “I’m so ashamed of myself, Jax. I have never hurt anyone. Ever. The look on her face when I told her to leave will haunt me forever.”
“Yeah, I get it, but…maybe you should tell her that. Tell her you’re sorry. Hell, go to her and tell her face-to-face. Sitting in a hotel room and smelling like you haven’t showered in days really isn’t helping anything.”
“It’s helping me. I just needed the quiet. I’m so tired of people being around me all the damn time. I was enjoying sitting in the dark and sleeping.” He paused. “Until you showed up and ruined it.”
“You’re sitting in the dark in a two-star hotel. Seriously? You couldn’t pick a better place than this?”
Groaning, he said, “Are you done? No one asked you to come here.”
The muscular hand grabbing the front of his t-shirt got his attention.
Then, getting yanked up to a sitting position definitely held it.
“Don’t you get it,” Jax said heatedly. “We’re all worried about you! Nikki’s freaking out that you’re not going to go back to the tour, no one’s known where you’ve been, and it’s been impossible to get in touch with you! They had to postpone your studio time for the new album, so people are freaking out.” Releasing him, he stood up. “You made a mistake, Simon! But that doesn’t have to be the end of everything!”
“I made a mistake and then, in typical Dad fashion, he swooped in and ruined my life again! I put my foot down and I won’t be giving him another dime. I’ve got my lawyer involved and if Dad comes near me again, he’ll be arrested for extortion. I’m done!”
“Okay, okay…I get it. And you’re well within your rights, bro, but…don’t let him ruin this for you. Don’t let him ruin what you have with Juliette.”
“Had. I don’t have anything anymore.” Closing his eyes, he silently willed his brother to leave.
“Oh my God…would you stop?! You’re being far too dramatic and freaking wimping out here! A real man would get up and fight for his girl! A real man wouldn’t take this shit lying down—literally and figuratively—like you are! This sad shell of a person isn’t who you are, Simon, so stop it! You’re stronger than this. Hell, you’re the bravest, strongest guy I know, and that’s why it really pisses me off that I have to stand here and remind you of it.”
“Then leave.”
He heard Jax’s huff of annoyance.