Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
But two days after my return, my cell phone rang.
Amber Calling…
I didn’t answer.
Ping.
I checked the message and after I read it, a small smile broke through the sadness.
Amber: I know you don’t want to talk but you have to! You’ve looked after my child and looked after me when I was pregnant and that kind of makes us sisters. I don’t want to guilt you but look at this face. Tom wants you to talk to me. Please talk to me!!! Sisters For LIFE! :(
Underneath was a photo of baby Tom and he looked miserable.
I immediately called her.
“Hey, honey,” Amber cooed. “Where are you?”
And with a deep sigh, I explained my current shit storm of a situation and where I was staying. Two hours later, Micah and Amber were at Jim’s door. Jim answered the door in security mode and when he turned to me, an adorably firm questioning glance on his face, I nodded to let them in.
The moment they stepped inside, Jim announced, “There will be no upsetting my granddaughter.” He glared at them. “She’s already been through enough. I won’t stand for it, you hear?”
To my amused surprise, both Amber and Micah lowered their heads submissively, and uttered, “Yes, sir.” After Jim was sure the two of them weren’t a couple of ne’er-do-wells, we were left alone to talk.
I showed them to the sofa and we all took a seat. An awkward silence followed before Amber blurted out, “Can I just say that your grandfather is a total fox?”
Oh, God. Amber was so silly. I loved her.
Chuckling quietly, I explained, “He’s more like my adopted grandfather. Jim and I aren’t blood related. He just has a habit of saving me when I need it.”
I hadn’t meant to sound as pathetic as I obviously did.
After a long moment, Micah shook his head. “I can’t believe he did this.” He put his hands to his mouth and closed his eyes before sighing. “I am so sorry, Emily.”
“Don’t,” I said. “Don’t apologize for him. No one is responsible for what Connor does apart from Connor. And quite frankly,” I told them, “I blame myself.” With a humorless chuckle, I uttered, “That’s what I get for falling in love with a rock star.”
Amber face fell. “You loved him?” She recoiled and put a hand to her chest. “That’s even worse.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s over now. Time to move on.” Yes, it was.
“That’s actually why we’re here,” Micah turned to his wife before peering back at me. “You need a job and we might actually have something for you.”
It should have been good news to me, great news, but I instantly cringed. “No more rock stars. Please. I think I’ve had enough to last me a lifetime.”
Also, once bitten, twice shy.
Could you blame me?
At that, Amber laughed fondly. “Well, you know these rockettes, pretty well actually. And they love you to death. Unfortunately, their manager is on maternity leave, and right now, there’s a role to fill.” She tilted her head. “An unusual one but a high-paying job, nonetheless.”
Did she say high-paying job?
Okay. Maybe that got my attention.
I tried to look as blasé as possible. “Tell me more.”
Amber grinned. “The Ultra Violet Vixens want you, and my sister has been trying to get a hold of you for days.” She mock-scowled. “But somebody isn’t answering her phone.”
Her sister? “Your sister?”
“Yeah.” Amber nodded. “Remember I told you all my sisters are assholes?” I nodded and she stated, “I don’t think you’ll be too surprised to hear that Cherry is my baby sis.”
Holy crap. Now that I looked at Amber closely, I could totally see the resemblance, and then it hit me. “You’re their manager.”
She nodded. “Sure am, honey. Started out at the bottom and worked my way to the top, with the help of my adoring husband, of course. But now that Tom has come along, I just don’t have the time I used to. So, here’s what we’re proposing.” She glanced at her husband before explaining. “We’ll manage them together, you and I. You’ll be front of house and I’ll do my part from home.”
My brow furrowed. “I don’t know the first thing about managing a band.”
Micah grinned. “But we do. Between Amber and I, we’ll teach you everything we know.”
I was so confused.
Why? Why were they doing this?
“Guys, what’s really going on here?”
Neither responded a while but when Micah spoke, I felt his words deeply. “I’m partly responsible for what happened to you. I hired you. Maybe I feel beholden. I don’t know. I guess I feel guilty and I want to make it up.”
Amber put her hands up in front of her in silent prayer. “Come on, Emmy. Say yes.”
Had the air suddenly turned itchy in here?
I scratched at my neck as anxiety filled me. “I don’t know. Honestly, the idea of being out in the open, exposed to the public, especially after the song coming out… I don’t know if I can do that again.”