Chapter Twenty - Scott

Scott stood outside the girls’ apartment. He knew he couldn’t go back in, but he also didn’t want to leave.

That Utah number that had called repeatedly. He’d known it had been the ranch. Sure, he’d said it was probably them just wanting their PR guy back. But he’d wondered if it was Jules—hoped it was. She would have had to use the ranch’s landline, since there was no cell service.

And that had been the real reason he hadn’t answered. Not because he didn’t want to talk to her—he did. Desperately. But he’d thought she’d convince him to leave everything and come back to the ranch—because he would have.

And that scared him. That something, or someone, could ever convince him to walk away from everything he had in California. For a summer fling, and a ranch where he slept in a barn with twenty other guys.

That wasn’t the life for him.

Or so he’d thought.

“Hey, looks like you took good care of that snake,” Penny said, startling Scott out of his thoughts. She walked down the steps toward the apartment, though her voice wavered and she skirted around him, like she didn’t want to get too close.

“Nah, Jules had it under control,” he said. “I’m just the garbage guy, taking it out to the trash.”

“Julianna did that?” Penny asked, raising both eyebrows. “I’m impressed.”

“Yeah, well, people tend to underestimate her. Take her for granted.”

The way he said it—Penny must have known he wasn’t talking about the snake. Her expression softened, and she leaned against the wall. “Look, I like you, Scott. But Julianna had a rough time of it after you left. I mean, she understood why you couldn’t come back, but then it was like—” She paused, like she was trying to find the right words. “The problem with dating a celebrity is that you know what they’re doing when they’re not with you. Julianna saw the pictures of you at the parties, with the other girls—she knew who you were with when you weren’t answering her calls. And then the past week she finally started doing better. Even got in on the prank war and going out for girls’ nights and everything. It’s…not good that you’ve just shown up like this.”

Scott knew that. He knew it wasn’t fair of him. But going home—it had been what he’d needed to realize where he needed to be, and who he needed to be with. And it wasn’t California.

He gave a curt nod and trudged up the stairs, attempting to keep the snake from slipping out from the towel. It was giving him the heebie jeebies, and Scott couldn’t be rid of it fast enough. He paused on the top step, however, and shot a glance over his shoulder. “Will you at least ask Jules to meet me at the paintball field? Tell her I’ll be there at nine o’clock, whether she decides to show up or not.”

Penny seemed uncomfortable as she squirmed where she stood at the bottom of the stairs. “I don’t know, Scott…”

“I’m going to be there one way or another, so you might as well pass on the message.” And then he left to dispose of the rattlesnake.

Handling a dead snake was one thing that hadn’t made it onto his bucket list, and something he hoped to never have to do again.

* * * * *

Scott strummed his guitar as he sat on the edge of the paintball shed. He’d missed it while away—funny the things that take on nostalgic value when you think you’ll never see it again.

He played a few riffs, then began playing a song he’d been working on. Scott was a bundle of nerves, and playing helped calm him. He’d been doing a lot of original songs in the past couple of weeks—songs that his recording studio would never approve of.

When he was halfway through the second verse, he heard the crunching of rocks. He kept playing.

The sun was sinking but not yet completely gone, and in its fading light, he watched as Jules climbed the last of the hill. She walked over and jumped up next to him on the ledge of the shed, though averting her gaze all the while.

When Scott continued playing, she said, “You ask me out here for a private concert?”

His fingers paused, the sound gradually fading. “You were right. I was avoiding your calls. I mean I wasn’t sure it was you, but I thought it might have been.”

Jules’s gaze whipped toward him, and then she slowly shook her head. “Well, at least you get to the point.” She then jumped from the shed and looked like she was ready to take off at a run.

Scott laid his guitar down and jumped out after her, laying a hand on her arm. “You don’t understand. I also returned because of you.”

She stilled but didn’t turn back. “Then you’re lousy at avoiding people you don’t want to talk to.”

Scott chuckled, even as his heart tied itself into knots. “Good thing, too.” His hands were sweaty, but he was too afraid to remove his hand from Jules’s arm. If he did, he might lose her for good. “Otherwise, I might have made the biggest mistake of my life.”

That made Jules turn, but only slightly. “Meaning?”

“Meaning that the life you’ve been watching me lead—the one in California—it’s ridiculous. A show. Something to get me into papers. And it’s not worth it. Not anymore.”

Jules fully turned now, an eyebrow raised in skepticism. “What are you saying? That you’re giving up your career?” Her voice held doubt—and disappointment. Never mind that that wasn’t at all what Scott had intended. Was she only interested in dating him if he was a rock star?

Seeming to sense his confusion, she quickly said, “It’s fine if you are. I just… You love music.”

Scott smiled and moved in close, hoping it wouldn’t scare Jules away. “Yes, I do love music. And I’m not giving up my career. I’m just…taking it in a new direction. And it’s all because of you. And this crazy ranch.”

Jules hesitated, like she was still unsure what his intentions were—his motivation. If he could be trusted.

“Look,” Scott said, deciding he needed to use a different tactic—a more visual one. He lifted his shirt.

At first Jules took a step back and averted her eyes, but curiosity got the best of her, and she glanced at him. All hesitation disappeared, and her eyes widened. “What happened?”

She stepped forward and reached out toward the black and blue bruises that were beginning to yellow. They covered his chest and torso.

“I was dared to do a belly-flop off the diving board. Didn’t want to, knew it was going to hurt like hell. But it’s hard to say no to something when everyone’s chanting your name.”

Jules seemed transfixed by the bruises, not wanting to touch them but unable to look away. “I saw the video.”

“Everyone did. Went viral, as I’m sure my publicist hoped it would.” He paused and lowered his shirt. “Which solidified in everyone’s mind that I’m nothing more than a brainless singer who will do anything anyone asks of him. They think of me as an idiot who only knows how to play the guitar and get plastered.”

“If it’s any consolation, that’s how people see most rock stars.”

That only further solidified Scott’s resolve to change his image. “I don’t want to be that person. I don’t want to do bellyflops because I’m afraid to say no. I don’t want to wake up to a hangover every morning. I’m tired of being spineless.”

He sucked in a shuddered breath and reached for Jules’s hand, desperately hoping she wouldn’t pull away. She didn’t. Scott wrapped his fingers around hers.

“It was when I hit the water, pain shooting through my body, wondering if I had broken all my bones, that I knew I couldn’t go back to who I’ve been for the past three years. The ranch changed me—you changed me. You saw me for who I could be without all the expectations. And when I hit that water—it scared me. I knew I had to get back here. Scorpions included. And apparently rattlesnakes.”

Jules’s lips twitched up at the corners, and she ran her free hand through her hair. “You ran in to save me from that rattlesnake.”

“Yes, I did. And trust me when I say that Blair isn’t going to love the surprise that’s awaiting him when he goes to bed tonight.”

She released a shocked laugh. “You actually did that?”

“You asked me to.”

Jules hadn’t been serious about that? He really was a pushover who would do anything. But when it came to Jules, he didn’t mind so much.

“I know, but…well, I didn’t think you’d actually do it.” She paused, her lips pulling down. “I appreciate the effort, Scott. I really do.”

Scott sensed there was a “but” in there somewhere. He raised an eyebrow, encouraging her to continue.

“But, as nice as it is to see you, I don’t want you back here if you’re just going to leave again. If you’re going to get bored or realize that returning was career suicide. Or that you prefer California girls. I told you that you can’t treat me like the others, coming and going as you please. I meant it.”

Scott tightened his fingers around Jules’s. “I know. And even though going home wasn’t my idea, I didn’t fight it either. I let you down. And I don’t blame you for being mad. You should be.” His gaze met hers. “All I can ask for is your forgiveness.”

He didn’t expect his words to have any effect—too little, too late, and all that. But then Jules pulled him in and laid a long kiss on his lips.

When they pulled apart, he tucked a lock of Jules’s hair behind her ear and gave her a crooked smile. “What was that for?”

“For coming back.”

His gaze fell to the ground. “I’m sorry I avoided your calls. Part of it was guilt. And the other was that I was afraid you’d try to get me to come back—to give up the type of life I was used to. And I was afraid that I liked you so much, I just might do it.”

She tilted her head to the side. “Which you did anyway.”

“Yup. Shows what kind of power you have over me.”

Jules pulled him in like she was going for another kiss, but then whispered against his lips, “I approve of you shedding your bad boy rock-star image, but please don’t give your music up. I don’t want to be one of those girls who breaks up the band.”

Scott laughed, then let his lips land on hers. “Never.” When he pulled away, he said, “I go on tour next month. Want to come with?”

Jules hesitated. Not the reaction he’d been hoping for. “Go on tour with Scott Dallenforth—every girl’s dream.”

Why didn’t she sound excited about the prospect? Was it wrong that he’d asked? It had seemed right in the moment, but it was probably too soon. He’s just gotten her to forgive him, after all.

“You don’t have to. Just thinking out loud,” he said quickly. “If you’re bored and looking for something to do, the option is open.”

“I’m supposed to start college in the fall,” she said slowly. “But I suppose I could take classes online.”

He didn’t dare to hope, but when she didn’t continue, he tentatively asked, “So…does that mean you’ll come?”

Jules’s gaze met his, and she burst into a grin. “Are you kidding? Of course I’ll come.” She paused, and her smile dipped. “But only because I’m going to be mind-numbingly bored at school all semester. I mean, why else would a girl agree to go on tour with one of the hottest singers in America?”

Her grin returned, and Scott couldn’t help but match it. He didn’t know what to expect, didn’t know if this—whatever it was—would last beyond the fall. Maybe she’d realize that dating a rock star wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Maybe she’d find being on a tour bus all day and in hotels every night annoying—maybe she’d find him annoying.

But then Jules pulled out her phone. After a couple of quick swipes, his band’s latest song began playing. It was a love song, and sappy. Not Scott’s favorite. She held out a hand to him, like she wanted him to join her.

“Dance with me?”

Scott took her hand. “All right, but only if we change the song. I really don’t love that one, and I’m going to have to sing it hundreds of times once we go on tour.”

Jules cocked her head to the side and smiled. “All right. You have something better in mind?”

He pulled his own phone from his pocket, his finger hesitating over the screen before pressing play. Slow notes filled the air—the same notes he’d played the night they’d all camped outside—the night he’d shared Jules’s pillow. He set the phone down on the paintball shed.

“I thought you said this song hadn’t been recorded—that it was an impromptu thing,” Jules said.

Scott placed his other hand on the small of her back, and they began to sway to the music. It felt good—right—holding her in his arms.

He shuddered to think it was something he’d almost given up.

“It was,” he said, his voice low next to her ear. He felt her shiver, and he pulled her in tighter. “I thought about what you’d said about how I should do more stuff like it, and I decided to record it in my buddy’s studio. He loved it. Said this was what I should have been doing all along. Figured I’d record a few songs before presenting it to my producer.” He raised a shoulder. “Don’t think they’ll go for it, but I figure it’s worth a shot.”

“So you’d…what…go solo?”

“No,” he said quickly, not wanting to entertain the possibility. Not wanting to think about what that would do to Matt and Jordan. But wasn’t that what he was suggesting? “At least, not if I can get the rest of the band on board with it. I’m just tired of having no say in the creative process, you know? Tired of being synthetic.”

Jules laid her head on his shoulder. “Well, whatever you decide, know that I’ll be right there by your side, keeping it real. I mean, someone has to remind you where you come from, cowboy.”

“And I wouldn’t want it to be anyone but you.”