Georgie looks healthier, but, most of all, she’s been drug-less for nearly two weeks now. It’ll be easier for Helen to direct her with the discipline I’ve begun, so she’ll still be free to put Cassandra back together, my secrets will be safe, and we can all move on.
Although I haven’t worked on Georgie’s foul language, I’ve set her on the path for the most important things. The call from Helen that should’ve happened by now hasn’t, so I placed a call to her and worked out an agreement. I have to get back to the tour, so I’ve decided to leave Georgie in Ocean Springs when my tour ends. I could just as easily send her back to Houston, but that means letting her go forever.
“Why don’t you and Kiln like each other?”
Where did that come from? Though Kiln and I make no secret about our feelings for one another, she’s very observant.
“My feelings for Kiln shouldn’t concern you. For the sake of the band, we tolerate each other.”
“He isn’t even in the band.”
“What he does for now is what I need.”
“But I’m not?” she asks hoarsely, very adept at changing the goddamn subject to suit her needs.
The very reason I limit conversation with her.
No, she isn’t what I need, but she’s fucking what I want. I don’t have any more time for her bullshit. Especially since my cock can’t tell bullshit from horse shit. Fucking brainless maniac. However, if I don’t leave soon, Georgie will be, too, because I’ll fuck her senseless.
“I have to go.”
“Of course you do.” She sighs. “If I ask to leave, will you let me?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because…I don’t know why…but I want to help you.”
“Maybe, I like being addicted to stuff.”
“I don’t believe you. Being addicted to anything isn’t being true to who you really are.” A thought to remember.
“Are you true to yourself?”
“For the most part. Yes.”
She cocks her head. “How do you know?”
“I fight every day to do better.” Mostly in regards to her. “Now that I know better. Knowing better, maybe, I really can become better.”
She gazes at the ceiling and then at me again, considering my words. “Are you saying that’s what you want from me?”
“You should want that for yourself.”
“And you’ll help me? Do you care that much for me?”
I don’t quite know how to answer her. Of course, I care about her enough to help her. I’m already doing it, aren’t I?
I squeeze the bridge of my nose. “Georgiana, I want to know you’re all right.” The real reason I’m keeping her here until the end of my tour. I’ll be assured of her safety, so I’ll have peace of mind and can focus on my tour. “Whatever feelings I have beyond your safety is taboo, so it’s imperative we stay in our respective lanes.”
She lowers her head. “Which means you’ll be fucking other girls.”
“Women,” I correct through clenched teeth. “And, yeah. As many as I can get my dick into. I’m not amending who I fuck one more time to your sensibilities.”
Sucking in a sharp breath, she raises her head. The look in her eyes tears at my soul. But I meant my statement to cut her deeply, not knowing how else to impress upon her that her age is a fucking hindrance. A relationship between us would be too toxic.
I have to leave. Now. I’m glad we had this talk though. When the fog she existed in finally lifts, she’ll be nothing short of awesome.
She needs to reclaim her self-worth, though, and not rely on me, but depend on herself, for herself, without me and my dick lurking too fucking close. After our closeness in Houston, I recognize how much my surly attitude has hurt her.
I need to put distance between us. I have too much garbage that would wear her down.
I’ll cherish our stolen moments when I tasted her pussy. Today, though, was just…conversation. Not pure, but…innocent.
Chapter Sixteen
Sloane
I’m every bit the dickhead that Georgie accuses me of being. Despite my noble intentions, I couldn’t walk away. Leaving her sobbing in her room, Kiln and I ate in silence, then we all had a conference call to make sure everything was set to resume in four days.
To my surprise, the guys remain in Florida, enjoying pussy and sun. Uninspired to join them, I met Mr. and Mrs. Lester and told them to expect to report in two days.
Now, I sit in the living room, drink in hand when Georgie begins to scream. I beat Kiln to her room by a fraction of a second, but he brushes past me, gun drawn. We never know when a crazed fan will find me.
“Stay fucking back, Sloane,” he demands.
“Fuck you.” I get to Georgie who’s thrashing on her bed. Between her screams, she’s making unintelligible noises.
While Kiln searches her closet and bathroom, I take her into my arms. It’s clear her screams are from a nightmare, but he’s protecting his interests and doing his job.
“Georgie, wake up,” I tell her, holding her tight and kissing her sweaty temple.
She clutches me and settles slightly, drawing in a shuddering breath.
“I’m here,” I assure her.
Nodding, she lays her head against me.