Rock Star Returns: Carlie's Story (Access All Areas 2)

"I had to sack him. Sorry, Violet." I wasn't sure why I was apologizing to her. "And don't you say anything," I said to Jackson.

Jackson just glared at me.

"I hope he's okay," Violet said.

"So, tell me about the festival," I said, wanting to change the subject. There was nothing I could do about Drew now.

"When are you going to hire Drew back?" Jackson asked. "It's only a matter of time. Poor little bastard. Did you see the hurt in his eyes?"

"Shut it," I replied. "You know what I'm going to say. Are we going to have this conversation every day until the end of time? You need to build a bridge."

Jackson just shook his head.

Then he walked in. This day kept getting worse. All I wanted to do was sit down and have girl talk with Violet, not deal with stuff.

"What are you doing here? You aren't sound checking until tomorrow so there's no reason for you to be here."

He sat down next to Jackson.

"I'm not leaving until I get you back. You need to understand that." His lip curled into that smile as though there was no question that I'd end up going back to him.

Even though he said that, when a girl came over to ask to have a photo with him, he put his arm around her and grinned for the selfie. The sight of him touching her shouldn’t have sent chills down my spine but I shudderED. I flexed my fist and inhaled deeply. It was nothing, just a fan excited about seeing him in the bar.

When she ran off, his attention turned back to me.

"So, what about this big rock career of yours? That's going to suffer if you spend all your time around here waiting for hell to freeze over."

He grinned and my stomach jumped. But I was in charge. I didn't need to fall just because of my stomach's reaction.

"I don't think it'll take that long."

"It might," said Jackson. "She's a very angry woman."

Holden laughed. I didn't think it was a laughing matter. I was still angry that he’d walked away from me when I’d asked him into my house. I’d not cave to him again just so he could reject me.

"Do I need to get a restraining order? Because I will if you keep stalking me."

"Whoa, that's going a bit far," Jackson said.

"You think. I keep telling him to leave me alone but he is constantly here. What does that mean? In my book, that's stalking."

"It might just mean he's got a powerful thirst."

"A powerful thirst combined with telling me he means to get me back. Look, Holden, just spare us both." I glared at him. Screw him, he should get the message. Every word I said to him was to discourage his interest.

"Oh, I'll have you back, Carlie. I'll have you back before this week is out."

The scary thing was that, when he shot me with that smile, I almost believed him.

Chapter 16

THE BAND ROOM WAS PACKED by the time I got there. Violet had been working all day. Alex wanted Sally on the door because Violet had to focus all her attention on managing Holden. I don't know why he needed so much management but Alex wanted everything perfect, even if it meant driving us mad in the process.

I tried to get there as late as possible to avoid seeing Holden and found a spot by the bar.

Violet came out to get drinks for the band.

"What about their rider? They should have a ton of drinks backstage."