Page 3 of Spring Break with a Rockstar

“You need to sign this.”

“What is it and where is Jax?”

“He’s gone. Like most men, leaving the women to do all their dirty work.”

“I don’t understand. What do you want me to sign?”

“You can’t be that naïve, can you? It’s a nondisclosure agreement. Jax has all his one-night stands sign them.”

“I-I want to talk to Jax.”

“Oh, honey. Don’t tell me you’re in love with him? This is the life of a famous rock star. A different woman each night, and I’mleft picking up the pieces of their broken hearts when he’s too cowardly to do the dirty work himself.”

The words Amber said that next morning, when I found Jax missing from our bed, still hurt me just as much today as when she first said them to me. But one look at his handsome face, and I fear I can’t lie to myself any longer.

I’m in love with Jax Shepard, the father of my baby.

three

Jax

“Did you design allthese tattoos yourself?”

“Yes. I’ve always loved to draw. Becoming a tattoo artist was the only logical step for a career. To have people love your work and trust you so much that they let you mark their skin with something you created that will stay on them forever is the greatest compliment you could ever receive.”

“You’re amazing, Serena Blake. I could spend a lifetime tracing the tattoos on your skin with my tongue.”

“I might have to get some strategically placed, where I want to feel your tongue the most.”

The woman with the light, playful banter was gone when I returned with bagels and pastries from the local bakery. Only a note thanking me for our one night together remained on the bed.

“Are you even listening to me, Jax?” The sound of Amber’s screechy voice cuts through my thoughts of Serena.

Serena, my muse.

Heartbroken by her sudden departure from my life, I immersed myself in writing songs about her. For months, I secluded myself in my home studio, poring over verse after verse and chord after chord until each song was as perfect as she is.

All my hard work earned me a Diamond Award for selling over ten million copies in the U.S. alone, along with multiple Grammys. But it never won me the woman for whom the songs were written.

I didn't reach out to Serena after that night. The note she left made it clear it was just one night. If I hadn’t taken her virginity, I might have thought that was a lie, given how her note was worded.

It’s time I found out the truth. Is the real Serena the warm, passionate woman I made love to all night, or the cold, distant woman the note portrayed her to be?

“I’m listening. But I think instead of extending my tour, I'll take a break.”

“What? You can’t be serious. Your fans will forget all about you if you don’t continue the tour.”

“Then they’re not my fans if they do.” I’m tired of this constant fight with Amber. And even more tired of the continuous tours and public appearances.

It’s time for me to settle down and start a family, and if she'll have me, there’s only one woman I want to do that with.

“Have you lost your mind?”

“No, Amber, for the first time in my life, I think I finally know what I want. And I’m going back to Love Beach to claim her.” A calmness settles over me as I say those words out loud.

Amber’s harsh laugh breaks through the calm, “So, this is all because of that little tramp I found in your hotel room all those months ago. Unbelievable, you get you dick wet with some groupie, and now you want to throw your whole career away for her.” A darkness fills Amber’s eyes, making my skin crawl. “I knew I should have been more forceful with the wording of that note.”

Anger washes over me, replacing the sensation on my skin. “What note are you talking about?” I clench my teeth, unable to say another word as the realization of what Amber just admitted dawns on me.

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