Page 42 of Love is a Drum Beat
Jo only had a vague recollection. “How do you remember that?”
“You need to understand something about Dax. He has been considered a prodigy since he was very young. Colleges were throwing scholarships at him years before he’d even graduated high school. For many people, living with constant attention energizes them, gives them confidence and swagger.”
Swagger? Yes, Drew, Noah, and Ben had the swagger down.
“For my boy, it did the opposite. We ended up pulling him from school so he could finish online and not face all the people who wanted a piece of him. All the attention gave him anxiety that only his music could soften. He has always wanted music to be his life, but he wasn’t willing to pay the cost. Before he joined your rockstar group, he didn’t have a single friend in the music industry, in part, because he insisted on anonymity. Then, he met you.”
“Our group has done a lot for me too. The guys are like family.”
She shook her head. “I don’t mean the entire group, though he does value them. But the day he metyou,Jo. It was the first time I saw Dax want to be a part of something. He told me all about you. I can’t remember any other time hearing him speak so much. He’s always been quiet, even with me and my husband.”
Jo skimmed a hand through the bubbles, not willing to admit how great the bath felt. Doctor Lawrence’s words couldn’t be true. “But Dax has never liked me. That’s why I was so surprised he offered to let me live here.”
“I won’t say anymore on the subject, except that maybe you need to look deeper than the stoic face he shows the world. He gives the best parts of himself to his music. I think it’s time someone convinced him to save some of the pieces for life.” She stood. “I’m going to fix you something to eat before I leave. Holler when you want to get out.”
She left a stunned Jo behind.
Look deeper.
Jo sank lower in the water before slipping under the surface, letting all sound fade. She emerged with a gasp, water streaming through her hair, down her face.
Putting a hand over her beating heart, she leaned back, closing her eyes. This was not normal. Having a baby who could never learn his father’s identity.
Living with someone she was starting to think she didn’t know at all.
Ignoring calls not only from her dad, but also from Noah.
Doctor Lawrence returned to help her from the bath, wrapping a fluffy robe around her.
“Knowing Dax, he’s been preparing you very healthy meals—so I figured you could use one night of comfort food.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be a doctor?” Jo laughed.
“Yes, but sometimes we need to break the rules.” She twisted Jo’s wet hair into a bun and tied it before helping her to the bed. A plate sat on the bedside table.
“Grilled cheese?” Jo’s stomach rumbled at the thought.
Doctor Lawrence pulled the blankets up over Jo’s legs and handed her the plate. “I have to get home to my husband. Dax should be back shortly. If you need anything, Jo, call me. Okay?”
Jo nodded. “Doc?”
Doctor Lawrence turned back. “Yes?”
“Thank you.”
She smiled. “I don’t know where you learned you don’t deserve people caring about you, but it’s not true.”
When she was gone, Jo looked at her phone, noting three missed calls from her father. Was Doc right? Did Jo not think she deserved help?
She took a bite of her grilled cheese and powered off her phone. One hand rubbed her belly absently. “I’m going to be better for you, little alien. I promise. You’ll never have to wonder if anyone loves you.”
* * *
Jo was tired of being hungry, but it didn’t stop the cravings. She needed something sweet, no doubt something Dax didn’t have in his house.
The kitchen was dark when she stepped out of her room, her phone pressed to her ear.
“Joey,” Noah started. “You know I love you, but it’s like nine AM here.”
