Page 9 of Beautiful Noise
Why did my stomach pick that exact moment to agree by growling so loudly I was sure the neighbors now knew how hungry I was.
Oh good Lord.
Her smile expanded. “Looks like that’s settled, and as for you not staying, you’ve already mentioned you have nowhere else to go, yeah?”
“I don’t but…” My head shook softly. “I just don’t know why you care.”
I was emotional all over again and her rushing toward me, throwing her arms around my unsteady frame in such a comforting and loving manner, didn’t help. I was sobbing again. I hadn’t been hugged in so long and missed feeling as if I mattered.
“I care because there was a time when I needed someone to be a shining light for me. Consider this my way of paying it forward.”
“But…”
“No buts. Just say thank you.” She pulled back, holding my hands in hers as she stared at me waiting.
“Thank you.”
“Use this as a reset. A chance to exist and be at peace even if it’s a temporary fix. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Good, now that that’s settled, I have to be going. Groceries should be here in a few hours. You finish cleaning, maybe this time with your clothes on…”
I barked a laugh.
“Definitely with clothes on.”
“And relax later. I assume you can cook?”
“Enough to survive,” I admitted.
“Good then. Cook yourself something special, open a bottle of wine, and enjoy one night of not worrying about what’s next. Promise me you’ll do that.”
“I promise.”
She walked over to the table and removed her phone from the purse sitting there.
“Give me your number so I can get in touch if I need you.”
“Uh, sure.”
I rattled off my number, she left me hers, then she was gone. For the first time in months, I felt like I could actually breathe. Even if it was temporary, I’d take what I could get.
CHAPTER FOUR
Ezren.
“How does it feel to be back in The States?” Clay turned in his chair to face me. I lounged on the leather sofa with my head back and hands shoved in the pocket of my hoodie.
“Good as hell but you already know that. I hate touring.”
Clay chuckled and I rolled my head lazily to the side so I had a partial view of him. “Yeah you do but those checks look really good though. Good enough to hop your ass on a plane whenever the demand is there.”
“The demand is always there. The fans love me, Clay. You know this.” My ego responded because well shit, the fans did love me. I was that guy. Talent unparalleled with the looks and persona to land myself in the number one spot with each album I released. I was most women’s fantasy, and with my smooth voice and gritty passionate lyrics, they paid top dollar for theEccentricexperience.
“Don’t be humble now, E.” His sarcastic tone had my smile expanding.
“I’m just stating facts, but you know how I get down. I’m grateful and humble as fuck because I’m blessed for where I am in life and what I have but not crazy enough to believe thatthings couldn’t change in a matter of seconds. Even still, I will always be my biggest hype man. I’m the gotdamned truth.”