Risky Rockstar: A Hero Club Novel, стр. 81

“I’m going to go before I get too bombed on wine.”

Bridget laughs. “God, what I wouldn’t give for a glass of wine right now.”

“I’ll have one for you.” I wink.

“Have two.” She laughs again. “And I love your hair, by the way. I should have said something sooner but…” She waves a hand. “It suits you. Did it help?”

I finger my shorter tresses. “Thanks. No,” I laugh.

“Well, you look gorgeous. I’m jealous of your tan.”

We hang up and I sit with my feet dangling in the pool for another ten minutes before I work up enough courage to call Emily. I have no idea how she’s going to react. After all, I’m asking her to dig up some really painful memories. If she tells me to get lost and refuses to talk to me, I’ll accept it. Hell, I’ll even respect it, but I need to ask or I’ll drive myself crazy wondering.

A butterfly flutters down and lands on my glass, and I take it as a sign of hope. It flaps its beautiful blue and black wings and stares at me before flying off to feed on the banana I set out this morning when I realized just how many of the gorgeous winged creatures lived here.

Finishing off the last of my wine, I take a deep breath and dial the number Sam gave me, hoping against hope Emily will speak to me.

“Hello.”

My heart crashes against my chest. Shit! I probably should’ve had this conversation in person, but I just couldn’t wait the two days it would take for me to get back to the US.

“Is this Emily Walker?”

“This is she. Can I help you?”

“Uh…yes. This is probably the weirdest conversation you’re ever going to have, but I’m Hayley Stephens, and I wonder if I could ask you a few questions?”

I stop myself from face-palming. Holy crap, that must be the stupidest opening line ever.

“Hayley Stephens. As in the Hayley Stephens. The one dating Kade?”

I push the lump that’s forming in my throat down. “Not anymore.”

“Oh…” There’s silence on the other side of the line, and then I hear a door open and close and birds chirping. “Ah, I’m not sure if I should be having this conversation.”

“Please, I know this is uncomfortable. If you just hear me out, I’ll explain, and then you can decide if you want to hang up.”

She sighs. “Alright.” She sounds hesitant, but sweet.

“Do you know Benjamin Pike?”

“Unfortunately, I do. What’s that slimy son of a bitch up to now?”

I laugh, grateful I’m not the only one with that opinion of Benji.

I steel myself—this is the hard part. I don’t know if I want her to tell me what I’m about to say is true or not. If it isn’t, I just threw away my relationship with Kade for nothing.

I tell her everything Benji told me, wincing a little when I bring up the suicide. The line goes quieter the further I get into the story.

“That piece of shit!”

“We can agree on that, for sure.”

A dog barks and Emily’s muffled voice sounds far away as she tells someone to “Fetch.”

She comes back on the line. “Sorry about that. It’s Bruno’s playtime, and he isn’t very patient.”

“What kind of dog is he?” I don’t know why I ask Emily this; I guess maybe I need to ask a neutral question before I get to the real question pressing on my mind.

“He’s a Newfoundland.” I hear the pride in her voice, and it makes me smile.

“Wowzer, that’s a big dog.”

“He’s a beast alright. If he wasn’t so lovable, I’d offer to set him on Benji, but he’d just lick him to death.”

My heart warms at how amazing Emily’s being. She doesn’t know me from a bar of soap, and she’s chatting to me like we’re old friends.

“But you didn’t call to ask me about my dog. I guess what you really want to know is if Kade is capable of doing the things Benji accused him of?”

I close my eyes for a moment, grateful she didn’t make me ask the question.

“Yes.” My voice croaks from nerves.

Emily hesitates and then blows out a breath. “I did try to commit suicide but not because Kade cheated. Kade was—” She cuts off. “Kade was nothing but the perfectly loyal and attentive boyfriend. He loved with all his heart, whether it was me or the guys or his fans. Sometimes to a fault. I couldn’t handle it, the way he gave of himself so freely. We were young, and it ate at me. I’m ashamed to say the problem wasn’t him, it was me. I couldn’t deal with his fame. I was in a dark place and couldn’t see a future where I lived in Kade’s world, such that it was. I also couldn’t live without him, so I decided to end it all. He found me and called the paramedics. They saved my life. He saved my life.”

The line goes quiet, and I don’t know what to say. What can I say to this incredibly brave human being? “I’m so sorry. That must’ve been very painful for you. I’m sorry I made you relive that.”

“Don’t be. I’m not ashamed of my past. It happened and made me who I am today. I wear my scars with pride because it was my journey, no matter how dark at times. It took a lot to get out of that dark space, and I’m proud of myself for making it. There are days I don’t always feel that way, but I have a good life now. I’m married with a baby on the way, and I believe this was the life meant for me. Even if at one stage, I wanted a different one.” I hear the thump of a wet ball on the patio. Emily makes an “oomph” sound. “Bruno, how many times have I told you I can’t bend like that anymore?”

I hear racing footfalls getting quieter and imagine Emily has thrown