Battlescars: A Rock & Roll Romance Read online

  “You’re fucking with us right? Are we on an episode of Punk’d?” Blake asked, looking around for a hidden camera or something.

  “You are just kidding right?” Derek asked.

  “I wish I was. He attacked her pretty bad man. She’s got a lot of scars. He took a hunting knife to her and pretty much carved her up like a piece of meat. He actually carved his name into her chest. She’s had some surgery to reduce the scarring, but it didn’t go away completely. That’s why she got the tattoos to cover them up.”

  “That’s sick!” Derek yelled, kicking over the coffee table.

  Kevin looked like he was going to be sick. I knew he really liked Aubrey and they’d grown close over the past couple months. He thought she was good for me.

  “I don’t want her to find out if we can help it. He has some vendetta against her, and I want to protect her as best I can. It’s going to be a problem since she’s at every show, and now we have to play with them. I need to try and find a way to get her to stay home from the show that day. I need you guys to help me come up with a plan. She’s not going to be easy to placate.” I cringed.

  “We’ll figure it out bro.” Blake said. “I can’t promise that one of my guitar strings won’t end up wrapped around his neck, but we’ll make sure Aubrey’s safe.”

  “Fuck a guitar string! I’m gonna stab that asshole in the eye with a drum stick.”

  “Kill with kindness.” Kevin laughed. All of us looked at him like he’d grown another head. “Just sayin’.”

  I retreated back to my room and packed up for our next gig. I couldn’t shake this feeling of dread hanging in the balance. I looked at a sleeping Aubrey and tried my best to get some sleep too. Brett was going to start carrying his gun again. He always brought it along just in case, but the instance never came where we felt threatened. Now knowing that Jeremy was out lurking we needed to take extra precautions. There were instances that we could end up in the same town for an overlapping period of time. I was still awake when Aubrey woke up the next morning. She eyed me skeptically. I admitted that I had a rough night because of the interview and couldn’t sleep. She berated me and told me I should have woken her up. I just pulled her close to me and breathed her in. It didn’t do anything to settle my nerves. I knew I was going to have to tell Tim, but I needed to make sure Aubrey wasn’t anywhere within earshot when it happened.

  We showered and headed to the plane. We were due to play in Denver in two days. I was looking through my phone when a reminder popped up that it was Aubrey’s birthday next week. Shit! I needed to think of something memorable. I wanted to make it special for her. I started racking my brain for ideas. We touched down in Denver and checked into a Bed & Breakfast that I picked out. It was off the beaten path, and we would be able to maintain some privacy there. We pulled up to the mini mansion and were greeted by the owner, Ruth. She showed us to our room and left. It was a nice place. Our room was painted red and was exceedingly Victorian-esque.

  “A bed and breakfast.” Aubrey teased.

  “What can I say? I told you, I’m a sucker. It’s even better now that you’re here to share it with me.” I kissed her.

  She started crying. What did I say?

  “Baby, are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” She laughed.

  “Why are you crying?”

  “I don’t know. I’m just feeling emotional today, that’s all.”

  “You’re going to be excited tomorrow when you see who we’re playing with.” I grinned.

  She was going to freak out and go total fan girl on me.

  Aubrey

  We arrived at the Red Rocks Amphitheater and were hanging around back stage. Jake had finished his sound check. I was surprised to find out that they were actually the opener tonight. We were walking when I stopped dead in my tracks.

  OHMYGOD!!!!!! My pulse started hammering.

  “That’s Brian Fallon! From Gaslight!” I screeched.

  “Yeah. You want to meet him?” He cocked an eyebrow.

  I beamed and nodded my head. He took me by the arm and led me over. Jake tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around.

  “Hey Bri.”

  “Jake, how’s it going man? I hear congratulations are in order.”

  “Definitely. This is my fiancée, Aubrey. Aubrey, meet Brian Fallon.”

  I was completely star-struck.

  “It’s nice to meet you.” He smiled.

  “You too. I’m a huge fan!” I chimed.

  He laughed at me. “I’m glad to hear it. It was nice meeting you Aubrey. Good seeing you Jake.”

  “Why don’t you get all fan girl with me?” Jake teased.

  “Shut up.” I teased and pinched him in the rib.

  “Ouch.” He laughed.

  All the sudden I started feeling really icky. I didn’t want Jake to worry, so I didn’t say anything. It was most likely from being on the road for too long and the lack of sleep that went along with it. I still wasn’t completely recovered from the incident either. I watched as he rocked the stage. I begged him to stay so that we could watch Gaslight play. He smiled and pulled up a chair so we could sit and watch. I absolutely loved them, and they were so much better live… if that were even possible. They opened with ‘Handwritten’, and I sang along. Okay, I sang along to the entire set. They were utterly electrifying. I was completely captivated. I felt mildly embarrassed that I was more excited about seeing them than my future husband. At least Jake was a good sport about it. When they finished the set Brian handed me a guitar-pick, and I nearly fainted.

  Jake carted me to the car, and we headed back to the B&B. I pretty much violated him on the way there. Once we were inside our room I all out assaulted him. He didn’t mind. If anything he was right there along with me. Until, I started feeling icky again. I pulled away and ran to the bathroom. Jake was on my heels and held my hair back as I threw up. I was groaning.

  “I hope you didn’t pick up another bug. Kevin said he wasn’t feeling great either.”

  He ran a washcloth under some cold water and held it to my forehead. I stood up and brushed my teeth. Jake called down and ordered some crackers, chamomile tea and ginger ale. He helped me get into my pajamas and put me to bed. He fed me crackers, but my stomach was still feeling unsettled. I spent most of the night puking, so did Kevin and Blake. I was feeling miserable. Jake had to have them reschedule the next two shows. By the time I was feeling better, he got it. Thankfully, it was just throwing up and not the shits. Thank goodness for hotel suites with two bathrooms. I felt bad because he was woozy and we still had a flight to catch. I helped him into the car. Brett closed the door and poured hand sanitizer into his hands. Brett and Derek were the only ones that remained unscathed.

  We touched down in Seattle and decided to stay in and rest. I was still tired from being sick, and Jake was still sick. We got into our pajamas and rented some movies. I was playing nursemaid to Jake who looked miserable. I felt horrible knowing that he was going to have to perform tomorrow. It was a big show too, and there was going to be a lot of press there. I made sure that we both got to bed at a decent time with no hanky-panky.

  The next morning I was thankful that I felt much better. I showered and got all decked out for the big event. I dressed in black leather pants, a slinky silver top and black stilettos. Jake whistled approvingly when I walked into the bedroom. He still wasn’t feeling great, but since they couldn’t afford to reschedule without fucking up the rest of the tour dates he was doing business as usual. He pulled me onto his lap and kissed the top of my head.

  “I want to run an errand while you’re doing sound check. I won’t be long.”

  “Where are you off to?” He cocked an eyebrow.

  “It’s a surprise.” I said coyly.

  I kissed him and climbed off his lap. I headed to the door feeling naked not having my other half. For almost three months straight, we’ve barely been apart. Most people would have killed each other. Not that there weren’t times I felt t
he urge to choke him, but I felt naked without him. I walked out the door and headed to Lulu’s Bridal Boutique.

  I had been doing dress research and Lulu’s designs were unique. I decided since we were already here I would check her out. I walked down the street until I came across a pink and black damask awning reading Lola’s Bridal Boutique. I opened the door and went inside. The store was small and decorated very Parisian chic. There were lots of blacks and whites with pops of pinks and turquoise throughout.

  “Hi. How can I help you today?” A girl asked.

  She couldn’t have been much older than me. She had bleach blonde hair with red and black streaks. She was beautiful and eclectically dressed in designer threads that she probably made herself.

  “I actually wanted to look at some of your dresses.” I told her.

  “I’m Lulu.” She walked from behind the counter and offered her hand.

  “Aubrey.” I smiled. “I’m actually really interested in one of your black dresses.”

  I pulled out my phone and showed her the picture I saw online. She looked at it and grinned. She walked over to the wall and pulled off a black garment bag.

  “One of my personal favorites. It’s probably because it was my first bridal design. This is just a sample. We can alter yours to exactly how you want. We can change colors and ribbons to whatever you want. When’s the big day?”

  “April first.” We both laughed.

  We picked that day on purpose so we could play pranks every year on our anniversary. It would also be an easy date to remember. She produced the black dress from the garment bag. It had a lace corset bodice and a satin mermaid style bottom with a lace overlay. It was simple yet elegant. I wanted to try it on to make sure it didn’t make my hips look too big. Lulu showed me into the dressing room and helped me lace up the corset back. I turned to look in the mirror. I absolutely loved it, and I could totally see myself getting married in this dress. It was the one!

  “Could I order one and have it ready in time?”

  “Absolutely. Let me just take down some measurements.” She pulled out a measuring tape, a pad and a pen. “What’s your fiancé like?”

  “He’s amazing. I’m sure all your brides say that, but he’s really great. Funny enough, I actually hated him when we met. Then he finally convinced me to date him. A month later he proposed and here we are a month later getting ready to get married.”

  “Wow, you guys didn’t waste any time.” She joked. “Wait…Aubrey. Aubrey? As in the one that’s engaged to Jake Parker?”

  “Um, yeah.” I said shyly.

  “You are one lucky girl. That boy is delicious!” She sighed. “All finished. I just need to take some information where to send it.”

  I filled out the contact information and thanked her. I walked outside and grabbed a cab to head to the venue. When we arrived the cabbie looked at me like I was crazy when I told him to pull around back. Event security stopped him from going any further. I pulled out my backstage pass, and they still said that I couldn’t go through. I was going to argue, but instead I pulled out my phone and called Jake.

  “Hey, I’m here and they won’t let me come back.” He hung up on me.

  The security guard eyed me skeptically. Two minutes later Jake was strutting across the parking lot with Brett in tow. He looked enraged.

  “You’re lucky I don’t get your fucking ass fired. She showed you her pass, and she told you that she was with me! I get it. I’m all about being secure too, but come on! Bullshit! Total bullshit! Now you better fucking apologize and hope I don’t see you again.” He yelled.

  “Sorry ma’am.” I nodded and took Jake’s hand to pull him away before he went on another rant. “Sorry.” I said to Jake.

  “Why are you sorry? That asshole should be the sorry one.” He opened the door and led me into his dressing room. “Did you get your errands done?”

  “I did. How are you feeling?” I asked.

  “I’m better that you’re here. I missed you.” He pulled me as close as he could.

  “I missed you too. It’s weird, right?” I laughed.

  “Very. I literally felt like I was missing something. You know when you leave the house and realize you forgot your wallet or your keys? That’s how I felt.”

  He rubbed his nose along my hair. “Me too.”

  I walked over and climbed into his lap and curled up into a ball. He rubbed my shoulder blades soothingly. It was the times when I was away from him that I knew we were meant to be together. I couldn’t imagine life without Jake. He helped me. He helped me heal. He makes me want to be a better person. He gives me strength when I don’t have any. He makes me feel complete. I should write that into my vows.

  Derek came to tell him it was time to go on stage. I reluctantly climbed off his lap and watched him take the stage. After the show, it was more of the usual. They did an interview and signed some autographs. I started not feeling well again. I brushed it off. I grabbed a bottle of water and sat down. I saw Jake look at me concerned. I smiled and waved. I hoped he wouldn’t pick up on anything. As soon as he finished up we headed back to the hotel. He ordered some snacks, but I still wasn’t feeling much like eating.

  “Baby, you feel okay?” He asked concerned.

  “I don’t know. I was feeling better, but now I’m not. One minute I feel like I’m on top of the world and the next I just want to climb into bed and sleep for days. I feel like a basket case.”

  “Maybe we should get you checked out by a doctor tomorrow. Just to make sure there’s not something more serious going on.” He said worriedly.

  “We’ll see.”

  I tried to brush the symptoms off and even managed to eat a couple Buffalo wings. That seemed to appease him. I brushed my teeth climbed into bed. I passed right out. The next morning I woke up starving since I didn’t eat much the day before. I picked up the phone and ordered room service before I even got out of bed. Jake was sitting on the couch laughing at me when I walked in.

  “What? I’m hungry.”

  “You ordered two of everything. Do you have any idea how much that’s going to cost me?” He teased.

  “You can afford it. You have lots of money.” I stuck my tongue out and grabbed my cell phone to call my mom. I stepped onto the balcony and lit up. I told her that I ordered my dress. She was elated. We talked a little more about the wedding and how we were all getting over being sick. One minute I was talking and felt fine, the next my stomach turned, and I groaned.

  “That’s it! You’re eating breakfast and then we’re going to find a doctor.”

  “Fine.” I grumbled.

  Breakfast came and I scarfed down two giant plates of French toast and bacon. After we ate and showered we set out to find a doctor. We walked into the office and filled out the necessary paperwork. A nurse came out and handed me a cup to pee in. I brought it back to the receptionist. I picked up a magazine and waited to be called back. When they called me back, another nurse took some blood and said the doctor would be right in. A young doctor, probably in his mid-thirties, came in. He was tall, dark hair, dark eyes.

  “I’m Doctor Chang.” He offered his hand to both of us.

  “I’m Aubrey, and this is my fiancé, Jake.”

  “Doc, everything in here is in confidence right? There are privacy laws and such.”

  “Of course. We never disclose any patient information.”

  “Please make sure your staff is aware of that. If something gets leaked to the press I will own you, and your practice.” Jake said tersely. The doctor nodded. Wow, Mr. Protective much?

  “What brings you in today, Aubrey?”

  “We’re all just getting over the stomach flu, and since I’m still feeling sick nervous nelly over there demanded I see a doctor.”

  “Let’s take a look.”

  He checked my throat, my ears, my mouth, my glands, and my heart. He had me lay flat and pushed around on my stomach. He grabbed the chart and took a look. He said he would be right back. He
came back into the room wheeling a machine with a paper in hand.

  “I think we might just have an answer.” He lifted my shirt up and squeezed some cold gel on my stomach. He glided the probe across my skin.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Great Expectations

  My heart was in my throat as I looked at the machine. I knew what they were usually used for. I watched the screen as he started hitting buttons. I had no clue what I was looking at, but it looked like a bean.

  “You have kidney stones.” He pointed to the screen.

  “Kidney stones?” I choked.

  “They can be caused by dehydration along with other factors, but they’re right there.” He pointed to the bean. “They generally pass on their own, but I will warn you that when they do they are extremely painful. If it persists you should see another doctor right away.”

  We thanked him and I got cleaned up. I looked over at Jake who was moping.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “More like what’s not the matter. First, you’re sick, and it’s going to hurt you. Second, I thought as soon as he wheeled that thing in that he was going to tell us we were pregnant.”

  This was clearly bothering him. Seeing Jake like this made me wish that it were true too. For whatever reason I felt ready. I was really nervous about what I was going to say next.

  “Why don’t you take me home and try and knock me up.” I cocked an eyebrow.

  “Seriously.” He grinned.

  I nodded. In that moment, something just clicked, and all was right with the world again. We were out of that office like the place was on fire. Jake had me in the back of the car and told the driver to book. As soon as we were back to the hotel we headed straight to the bedroom.