Needing Forever VOL 2: Part of The Rocker... Series Universe Read online

  My hands started to shake, and I couldn’t quite keep my voice from cracking when I asked, “You used your one call to make sure I wouldn’t worry about you?”

  “Are you crying?” he demanded, sounding more upset at the thought of me in tears than the fact that he was in jail.

  I dashed at the stupid tears that were leaking from my eyes. “I’m fine. It’s you I’m concerned about. I’ll get you out of there somehow. I don’t know exactly how right now, but I’ll figure it out. Are you okay?”

  “Got some sore ribs from the fight, but I’ll live. Stop worrying about me. I’m going to be okay.”

  “Riley, is everything okay?” Cindy asked, bringing me back to the here and now and making me realize I was having this conversation while everyone close enough to overhear it watched in open-mouthed fascination.

  Seeing all those faces while they shopped made me want to cry even more. I wanted to kick everyone out and lock the doors so I could go see with my own eyes that Nate was okay, but that wasn’t going to happen. I needed to make a plan. Taking a long, deep breath, I nodded at her. “Nate, I’m going to get you out. Just watch your back and stay safe, okay?”

  He laughed. “Riley, I’m in a cell alone. Nothing you’re probably thinking right now is going to happen.”

  “You don’t know that,” I said with a pained exhale. “I’m going to call Kin. Hopefully, she can help.”

  “Whatever you think is best, love. I’ll see you when I can, okay?”

  “O-okay,” I got out shakily and quickly hung up. On autopilot, I finished taking care of my current customer before running into the back and calling Kin, praying she could help.

  Chapter 6

  Nate

  Lucky for me, when Riley called Kin, she was with Emmie Armstrong. Jace wasn’t nearly as lucky, even though Emmie was his manager and there specifically to get him out. His raging at her didn’t exactly go as expected for him, and she ended up leaving—without working her magic to get him out in record time.

  As I walked down the steps in front of the police station, Riley was running up them. I stopped, taking her in as she practically sprinted up the steps like an Olympian. Seeing me there, she gave a little cry and threw herself into my arms.

  I wrapped them around her, breathing in the scent that was totally Riley and everything I associated with peace and perfection. Closing my eyes, I took a moment to savor her slight weight against me. “Missed you, baby.”

  “Are you okay?” she choked out, her voice muffled by my chest before she was leaning her head back to examine my face. “Are you hurt anywhere?” Tears filled her eyes. “You have a huge bruise on your jaw.”

  “I’m good. Just some sore ribs but nothing’s broken.” Brushing away one of her tears with my thumb, I bent my head to kiss her trembling lips. “I don’t like you here, Riley. It’s a dangerous, ugly place that I don’t want to touch you.”

  “Shut up,” she snapped. “You shouldn’t have been in there in the first place. My neighbor is a total dick for arresting you just because you woke him up while he was sleeping in. I’m going to make his life miserable from here on out.”

  I grinned down at my stubborn little spitfire. “I don’t doubt you will, but please don’t get yourself arrested in the process. I’m serious. It makes me shake to think of you in that place.” Lifting her hands from around my waist, I brought them to my mouth, kissing the backs of each one. “Let me take you home. There’re a few hours left before I have to be at work.”

  “Are you sure you should go to work? Maybe we should go to the ER and get your ribs checked out, just to be safe.”

  The worry shining out of her blue eyes was killing me, but I shook my head as I walked with her down the steps. “No, love. Nothing is broken. All I need is a little time holding you. That’s enough to make anything better.”

  It didn’t take much to get her back in bed once we got to her place. But no sooner were we getting comfortable than she was groaning like she was in pain. Before I could ask what was wrong, she was running to the bathroom.

  Concerned, I raced after her, only to find her on her knees in front of the toilet, puking. A helpless feeling hit me watching her like that, and all I wanted to do was hold her, but I doubted that would be appreciated at the moment. Instead, I got a washcloth out of the little linen closet beside the shower and dampened it with cold water.

  Placing it against her forehead, I held it there while she vomited until she was dry heaving. “Damn stomach bug,” she panted when it seemed to be over for the moment.

  “You done for now?” I asked, wiping the cloth over her face.

  She closed her eyes, nodding weakly. “I think so.”

  Grabbing the glass on the sink, I filled it with some water and let her rinse out her mouth before picking her up and carrying her back to bed. Once she was comfortable, I picked up my phone and called work. Harris was out with Lucy and the baby this week, but Barb would be there.

  I rarely called in, and Barb didn’t give me any shit about it when I told her why I wouldn’t be there. We had backup bartenders just in case someone got sick. The only thing about covering for me was, for the night to run smoothly, she was going to have to call in all the bartenders who were normally off. The tips would be good, though, so they wouldn’t complain.

  Riley was sweating as I tucked the covers around her and placed a fresh damp cloth on her brow. “You’re going to get this if you’re not careful. You should go home.”

  “I’ve been kissing you all day. The chances of my getting this are already high. I’m not leaving you while you’re sick, babe.”

  “But…work?”

  “Already called Barb and told her to call in extra help because I wasn’t going to be there.” Walking back into the bathroom, I found a usable sick bucket and returned to her. “What can I do to make you comfortable?”

  “No use in trying to force any water or Gatorade down yet. I’m only going to throw it right back up.” Moaning weakly, she turned onto her side. “Will you lie down with me? We can watch Netflix or something. It helped distract me last time I was sick.”

  “Whatever you want, beautiful.” I slid into bed beside her and reached for the remote on the bedside table. “What you want to watch?”

  “Meteor Garden,” she answered instantly.

  Frowning because I didn’t know that show, I found it and nearly groaned. “Really? Subtitles?”

  “You’ll like this, I swear,” she promised with a tired smile. “Give me two episodes, and if you aren’t addicted to these characters by then, you can watch Avengers or something.”

  Shooting her a skeptical look, I hit play and then pulled her head down onto my chest to cuddle her. The first episode was slow to get into, but she was right. By the end of the episode, I was invested in the cute little chick and how much I wanted her to kick that guy’s ass just as her foot connected with his face.

  One episode turned into three before I realized Riley had fallen asleep. She hadn’t had time to eat much at work, which was probably a good thing, but I could actually hear how angry her stomach was. Even in sleep, she grimaced in discomfort.

  I stayed awake all night just in case she needed me, watching the show she seemed to love and listening to her stomach. By the time the sun was coming up, she was resting better, though, and I finally let myself drift off to sleep.

  “Nate.” Riley murmured my name so quietly, I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming or not. “Are you awake?”

  I grumbled something not even I understood in that half-awake, half-asleep state.

  “I need to tell you something,” she whispered. “Can you hear me?”

  “Babe.” I blew out a breath. “Whatever it is, it can wait a few more hours. Sleep. You need to rest.”

  “It can’t wait,” she continued to whisper. “I really need to tell you this.”

  Groaning, I scrubbed the hand that wasn’t holding her against me over my face before opening my eyes and looking down at her. “What?”

  “I love you.”

  Those three words woke me up faster than anything ever had. I jolted upright and turned on the light so I could see her. For once, the sight of Nancy out of the corner of my eye didn’t even faze me. I was too focused on Riley and what she’d just confessed.

  “Say it again,” I ordered, cupping the side of her face in one hand.

  She nibbled on her lip for a moment before repeating those three little words. “I love you.”

  Hearing them for the second time was just as powerful as the first. “One more time,” I begged, making her giggle softly.

  “I love you. I know it’s kind of fast because we haven’t been together long, but I realized it yesterday sometime around when I was offering you a key to my apartment, and I had to keep it bottled up all day. I wanted to tell you last night, but the puke fairy made a visit and—”

  I brushed my thumb over her cracked lips. Even dehydrated and still recovering from the stomach flu, she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid eyes on. “I love you too.” Fuck, it felt good to say those words to her. “I’ve loved you for a lot longer than we’ve been together, if I’m being honest. My heart started getting involved months ago. Seeing you at First Bass, sparring with you verbally… I started looking forward to those times.”

  “If I’m being honest too, I started having strong feelings for you then as well. I was just…scared.”

  I stroked my hands down her sides. “There isn’t anything to be scared of now, baby.”

  She sighed contentedly, arching into my touch. “I know that now. Otherwise, I never would have told you how I feel.”

  “I would have told you how I felt sooner rather than later. When it got to be too much to hold it in any longer and just spilled out, but fuck, I would have told you.” I was thankful she’d said it so soon, though. Now I could tell her I loved her whenever the hell I wanted.

  “Do you have to work tonight?” she asked, looking at me through those thick, dark lashes. “Or could you stay home and take care of me some more?”

  “For you, Riley, I’d make anything possible.” Rolling her under me, I kissed my way down her throat.

  Epilogue

  Riley

  Putting the last stitch in the skirt of the final model, I sucked in a deep breath and held it as she stepped out onto the catwalk and worked her magic, while cameras flashed in every direction. My hands were still freaking shaking with nervousness even after almost a full hour of adrenaline from rushing around making last-minute alterations to nearly every outfit that was in the Fashion Week showcase.

  In the last two years, things had changed so much for me and my mom. She’d gotten her contract and opened a New York shop, turning over full ownership of the LA store to me. This year, however, she’d been offered the chance to be featured front and center at Fashion Week, and she had given me the spotlight.

  Some of the biggest names in fashion were out there, studying and judging every design, every freaking stitch I’d poured sweat, tears, and physical blood into over the last three months. This was the thing dreams were made of—but also nightmares.

  Because I knew the critics were going to tear each item apart with their opinions and leave me open and exposed for the universe to judge and find wanting.

  In the blink of an eye, the last model returned, stepping behind the curtain where I was having a mini freak-out.

  “Riley!” My mother shouted my name, pulling me out of my stupor as I imagined everyone laughing at me for thinking I had even an ounce of talent.

  “What?” I shouted back.

  Mom, who looked like an older version of me, gave me a kind, knowing smile. “Darling, they’re screaming your name. Listen to that applause. Get your ass out there and take a bow.”

  Tears of relief and lingering fear flooded my eyes. “Will…you come with me?”

  I saw the look that flashed in her eyes. She wanted to go out there with me, wanted to hold my hand and protect me from the world at large like the amazing mother she was. But she shook her head, because she, more than anyone, knew how much I needed to do this on my own.

  “Go,” she commanded, pushing me none too gently through the curtain. “Soak up all that adoration, my darling. You deserve it.”

  Holding my breath, I turned around and put on my best smile, while my knees shook so badly, I doubted I could walk to the end of the catwalk and take my bow. But then I caught Nate’s gaze from where he was sitting front and center right beside Kin and Amara. He gave me a wink and mouthed “I’m proud of you,” and I felt my strength return.

  Straightening my spine, I lifted my head and walked down the catwalk like I fucking owned it and took my bow. Behind me, the models wearing my collection did one more walk-out, standing behind me like an army of fashionistas, and waited for me to turn and walk back down the wooden walkway before they, too, turned and followed me.

  As soon as I walked back through the curtains, I let out a little squeal because I’d done it. And not a single person had laughed or heckled me.

  Success.

  “Riles!”

  I turned just in time for Amara and Kin to engulf me in a group hug, and I welcomed my two best friends’ support.

  “That was amazing!” Kin gushed. “I knew you were talented, but that blew me away. I need one of everything, and I best be the first one to get it.”

  “Excuse you?” Amara said with a laugh. “I’m the best, best friend. I get first dibs on everything.”

  “You can both have whatever you want. Back at my shop in LA, in five to six weeks,” I told them with a grin, earning me pouts from them both.

  The sound of a throat being cleared loudly had all three of our heads snapping up to find Nate standing there with a proud smirk on his face. Mom had her arm linked through his, loving her soon-to-be son-in-law almost as much as I did. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to kiss my fiancée now.”

  Kin rolled her eyes, but she and Amara both stepped back. But before he could even move, I was throwing myself into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist as I kissed him for all I was worth.

  For the last three days, I hadn’t even left the warehouse where I’d been working with a full team of seamstresses and the models to turn all my sketches into reality. I’d slept there on a futon, surviving on takeout and caffeine, afraid a new idea would come to me and I wouldn’t be able to make any adjustments before I forgot all about it. My fingers were sore, my head was cloudy, and I was dog-tired.

  But as soon as my lips touched his, all those aches and pains disappeared, and all I could think about was how much I loved this amazing man who’d stood behind me through all of this chaos. There were times in the past few weeks I knew I’d been so batshit crazy, I was surprised he still climbed into bed with me each night.

  Yet he’d only seemed to love me more. Supporting me through it all. Encouraging me when I thought I couldn’t succeed. My biggest fan. My voice of reason. My light in the darkness of all the doubts and uncertainty in my abilities.

  When I lifted my head sometime later, we were both breathing heavily. “There she is,” he murmured in that sexy as hell voice I loved so much. “There’s my Riley.”

  “I love you so damn much,” I whispered, my chin trembling. “Thank you for loving me through this.”

  With one hand under my ass to keep me in place, he cupped my face with the other. “Always, love. No matter what. Always.”

  Jenna

  Prologue

  Jenna

  The knocking on the door didn’t even faze me as I sat on the couch in the dark.

  Nothing mattered when you had nothing left. Food held no appeal. The mere thought of going outside made my skin crawl.

  I felt lost and alone. The darkness was my only friend, the only one not to judge me for what I’d done.

  Natalie was right. It was all my fault. I’d brought Tessa into our lives, let her live in this apartment with Harris and me. I’d made him promise to let her stay while I went to rehab to get clean. And I hadn’t kicked her out when I finally broke up with her. Instead, I’d just gone to bed, leaving her in the living room to sleep.

  She’d said she would leave the next morning, but I shouldn’t have trusted her. Tessa had been too calm, when she was anything but that any other day. The drugs made her manic at times, and I should have been instantly suspicious when she’d taken my breaking things off without so much as a blink of her pretty doe eyes.

  Waking up to Harris’s overdose was what nightmares were made of. Nearly losing him had devastated me, and I still hadn’t fully accepted that he was okay now. Because he wasn’t okay, not when Tessa’s actions had lost him the love of his life.

  And I’d lost everyone else.

  My brothers didn’t trust me anymore. Not that I could blame them. I’d actually babysat their kids high a time or two, and I still hated myself for letting the drugs have more power over me than anything or anyone ever had or ever would.

  But what hurt the most was that I’d lost my best friend and the only person who’d always had my back in the past. Natalie had disowned me. To my big sister, I was basically dead. She blamed me for nearly losing her stepson, and again, I couldn’t blame her. But now I had no one to confide in. No one to turn to when our mother started ranting about me moving back to Ohio, getting a real job. And settling down with a husband.

  A husband. She still hadn’t accepted me for what I really was. All the neighbors and her friends couldn’t ever find out I was a lesbian. The shame it would bring Stella Stevenson would do irreparable damage to her reputation as a God-fearing, upstanding citizen who had the perfect world at her fingertips. Having a homosexual daughter just would not do, ever.

  She still hadn’t acknowledged Trinity, Natalie’s daughter. All because dear old Mom hadn’t wanted Natalie to marry Devlin Cutter, the long-haired rocker who was far too old for Nat in Stella’s eyes. His son was closer to Natalie’s age than Devlin was, but age was just a number, and the heart wanted what the heart wanted. Yet Stella couldn’t accept that her eldest child had fallen in love with a man she didn’t approve of. Meaning she couldn’t accept her own grandchild.