Chapter 37: Betrayal

Laura's POV:

The idea of warming up to Jaxon was proving to be a total waste of time. It was as though he had been warned in advance to watch out for Laura Jacobs, the Lady that is going to ruin you to hell or something. Because that was the only logical explanation to while he stopped showing up at rehearsals to pester me.

Although these few Jaxonless rehearsals were peaceful and as good as before he showed up. The thought that I couldn't possibly have my revenge wasn't sitting well with me. And who could have thought he had a girlfriend huh?

Although I didn't take him for a saint, with his money and influence, he could be a man whore for all he cared.

I slid the acoustic guitar from my shoulders and hung it limply in it stand. My hands were already acheing from pulling the chords for too long. Two whole hours of rehearsals.

I dragged my tired ass out of the seat. Another Jaxon-thought hit me. Was he just flirting with me all this while?

I frowned. if that was true, then that suited me pretty well. I was fine with that, but I wasn't fine with the fact that I couldn't hurt him too. I couldn't make him cry and loose everything. Who knew how many other innocent girls were victims of him, just like I was. If for any reason, at least. I wanted to risk everything to avenge those girls and myself.

“I just finished a call with Jenna.” Ryan announced. I dropped the thoughts I couldn't do anything about and caught his gaze.

“What did she say?” I asked, with an eyebrow raised. While placing both hands on my hips.

Ryan stowed his phone away into his side pocket and jabbed a finger at the mixer system. Silencing it in one smooth kill.

“She said to inform you that the producers just finished mastering the beats you gave them.”He paused, his eyes staring at me brightly as I nodded.

“When are we recording the album?”

I gave him a gentle smile. “Tomorrow.”

He sighed, relief flooding his entire face. This few days, I made everyone work round the clock. I couldn't postpone recording the songs anymore. With the outcome of today's rehearsals and the lasts? We were definitely going to deliver above board if we hopped on set.

I turned to the entire band and address them. “Hey, cheer up everyone.”

Carl stiffled a yawn, his hand lazily scratching at the stubs of beards on his face.

“We're done for today, all that's left is recording tomorrow.”

“What?” Carl stopped midscratch. I smiled at him.

“Yeah.”

“Finally.” Collins whistled, dumping his drumsticks back on the left Tom.

“Can't wait for us to finish this helluva ‘album.” That was Kathryn. My solprano singer. I had just two of them, Kay and Elizabeth. But since I'd mostly solo performances, I rarely used them. But things were changing. Vixen was evolving!

“So since, were done here, can we leave already?” Ryan called from behind.

“Sure.”

A minute later, we were walking out of the patio. Chatting excitedly within ourselves. We passed the living room and for the first time. There was no sign of Jaxon or anyone else at home. As I stared at the empty couches, I didn't know if I needed to be happy that he wasn't here or be sad. And that made it twice I'd felt that same way under barely an hour.

Am I okay?

Because this didn't feel a bit like me.

We made our way out of the house still chatting excitedly or rather the band were. Kelvin my main pianist was eagerly telling a story while subtly hitting on Kathryn.

He was ranting on about something that happened after we finish our last performance at Georgetown.

“You never know with all this black bitches.”

Carl chirped in. “That's right. Never fall for any of their lies. Black girls are nothing to take home about.”

If someone else heard this, they did think Carl was a racist, but we all knew. He still hadn't recovered from his last heartbreak with the black American girl, who managed to legally claim off half his money for herself and disappeared into thin air.

We all chuckled as we heard him rush in on the attack, taking the story telling from kelvin. Who didn't look like he was going to back down anytime soon.

“I ran into this chick right after we finish play.” Kelvin paused and shot a glance at Kathryn. “You know a pretty ‘hole, when you see one. Curvy built and busty like our Kay right here.”

He licked his lower lip softly as he finished, his eyes staring hungrily at Kathryn, who shot him a disgusting look. “Do you have to compare a mere slut you met to me?”

“No way.” Kelvin raised his two hands up in mock surrender. “How could I, when you're this beautiful and curvy and…”

Kathryn rolled her eyes, a red blush rising to her neck. Even as she fought to keep a steady face.

I held back the urge to laugh out, at them.

Ryan groaned, he had been focused on his phone since we left the studio.

I glanced at him. “What's up?”

“Can't believe what this crazy bitch printed about you.”

I waved that off. “Never mind that old Hag. I'll put her in her place soon enough.”

My eyes locked on his mobile phone again, my mouth was already watery with curiousity.

Just as he was about showing me the News Report. A car roared and came to a stop in front of us. The driver's glass wound down. Jaxon poked his head out.

My heart hammered loudly as our eyes locked.

“Are you lot done?” He asked, his face broke into a wide smile spreading to his ear.

“Yes, we are about leaving.” Ryan answered, putting down his mobile phone finally.

But Jaxon didn't avert his gaze from me. He Didn't even act as though he heard or saw Ryan. His smile didn't falter even as I glared at him.

“Do you care for a ride?” He suddenly asked. Still looking.

Why was he looking?

“No,” I said firmly, then pointed a finger at the direction of his garage. Where we had packed. “Plus we brought along our own cars.”

He laughed. “Of course, I know you came in a car, alright.”

I raised a questioning eyebrow at him. “So why are you asking me to a ride?

The whole band suddenly went quiet. I could feel the silence. All eyes were on the two of us. Each mouth mouthing several questions. They'd probably never get the answer to.

Ryan too was looking at me, his eyes drawned together then back at Jaxon with a hesitate smile.

“I just want to ride you home.” Jaxon suddenly blurted out.

My eyes bulged. What?

I blinked, I stared back at him with my brain buzzing louder and louder as the murmur of voices from my band members started up. With so many eyes on me and so many persons eager to hear me just say anything. Just anything.

I knew I wanted to get closer to him and all. But the idea of being alone in a car with Jaxon was enough to make me petrified. That couldn't work. It just couldn't.

I was about opening my mouth to decline, when Ryan beat me to it.

“That's fair enough, I was wondering How I would be able to drop you off and then the boys. Then drag my tired ass home to Sally. You're a real life saver Mr. Jaxon.”

“What the crap Ryan….?” I looked him up, my face was drained of color.

“That's right, you two can go along. We’ll just hop in with old Ryan, here.” Kelvin chirped in too.

My stomach clenched.

Holy Crap! Was my band selling me out?

Ryan winked at me as our eyes met in that split second.

Shit, they were..