Rise (Rock God 1)

My mom. “Wait, did you say three?” He rubs his chest as he looks out the window. It appears to be gray and snowing slightly.

“Make the call. I need a shower.” He inhales and my gaze drifts to his hard cock.

“Gia.” My eyes dart up to his amused face. “I’m not hiding us anymore. I owe you and your mom more than that. Also, she should not be without you for Christmas.”

I nod because he’s right, I know he’s right, but this could be a terrible mistake.

“The…” My voice cracks, so I clear my throat and sit up straight. “The thing is, Axel could show up. And I’ve been lying for almost a month. Can’t we spend Christmas alone?”

“Call, Gia. We’re having dinner with Janet. Unless you want to surprise her.” He laughs. “And try to focus on something other than my cock right now.”

“Oh my God. You’re unbelievable.” I throw a pillow at his retreating back. “I’m not thinking about your…”

But he disappears into the large bathroom. The sound of the shower tells me he’s serious. If he wasn’t, I’d be in the shower with him.

“God,” I groan and bring the sheet up while reviewing my options. Should we surprise her?

No, that would be bad. I’m gonna have to call and stop acting stupid. Once she sees Rhys, she’ll know that what I did was right and all will be forgiven. Also, I need to break it to her that I have no plans of returning to college. My life is with Rhys now, and he’s a full-time job, along with my photography.

What am I, crazy? She’s gonna freak. I can already hear her tell me no man is worth dropping out of college for.

Rhys is though. He needs me. All that fame and money can’t buy him happiness, but I can make him happy. I love him and I know he loves me.

I’m a little disappointed he didn’t say he loved me back. But he does. I can feel it. If he didn’t love me, there’s no way he’d be getting on his private jet to Los Angeles to have Christmas with my mom.

I pick up my phone and look at the numerous missed calls from her and Julianna.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly as I push on Mom’s number.

“Hello? Gia?”

“Hey, Mo—”

“Oh my God. What is wrong with you? Didn’t you see the 911?” She sounds like she’s been crying, and my mom is not a crier. She also uses 911 a lot so, no, I did not take it seriously. I sit up and start to sweat.

“What’s happened? Is it Axel?” I can barely breathe. My brother is a dick, but I love him, He’s my rock. Being in the Disciples means things could happen to him, more so than with a regular person. I’m always worried about getting the phone call.

“What?” Her shriek is so loud I have to move the phone from my ear. “No, your brother is fine. I just… where are you? I called the cops to try to locate you.” This time she blows her nose loudly.

“Mom,” I yell, flopping back. “You scared me. And please tell me you did not call the cops?”

“What are you talking about? Of course, I did. I called Julianna’s father and he had absolutely no idea where you were, but he did know you were not working with him or staying with Julianna. I demand to know what’s going on. You’re making me sick.”

“Okay, calm down. I’m sorry. I should have told you, but I didn’t want you to be mad or tell Axel.” I bolt up. “Wait. You didn’t tell Axel any of this, did you?” I’m freaking out. I can deal with her calling the police, but not Axel right now. The door to the bathroom opens and Rhys walks out wet with a towel wrapped low around his waist. Taking one look at me, he frowns.

“Of course, I told your brother,” she retorts as I fall back onto the pillows again and cover my face with my hand.

“No, God no. Why, Mom? Why?”

“Well, I think you’re in luck because he hasn’t called me, which means he got another new phone,” she huffs. “I don’t understand why he’s always getting new phones.”

“Stop, Mom.” I blow out air and slap the bed. “You do, you just don’t want to admit it.” I take a breath and look over at Rhys who stands, arms crossed, in his signature black jeans watching me.

“Anyway, I’ll be home for dinner and I’ll tell you everything.” My eyes trail from Rhys’s chest, which has TSM tattooed on it. His muscled arms are covered in tattoos, but I think my favorite one is the microphone on his forearm or maybe it’s the king of hearts. I should get the queen of hearts tattooed on me.