The Right Notes

Chapter Twenty-Three;

Chapter Twenty-Three;

                “Hey!” Joss was the one to open the door, when she saw my expression her smile fell. “Aw, baby what happened?” she put an arm around my shoulders and pulled me inside, taking me away from Jax. “Was it that bitch Valentina again? Say the word and she’s gone.”

            I smiled lightly at her, knowing she wasn’t as tough as she put herself out to be. “It’s okay, I’ll be fine.” I looked around the room and noticed it was just Joss, myself, and the boys. “Where’d everyone go?”

            “They went to the pool; Sarah made them all leave because she needs to get a tan.” Joss rolled her eyes, but there was a smile in them. It seemed things were going well between the two of them. “What did she do? Tell me, if you don’t tell me I’ll get it out of the boys.”

            “Baby it won’t take much for you to get anything out of me.” Kevin winked and I could tell the bile rose in her throat thinking about him.

            “Kevin, you don’t have even a fraction of a chance.” Jax clapped him on the back before lowering himself on my other side. “Valentina said Layla either shouldn’t be in the cover or to put someone else in her place.” Jocelyn’s eyes hardened and she held my hand tight, sending me comfort through her grip. “She’s a bitch; I really wish we could work with someone else.”

            “It took us forever to find this bitch.” Ryan poured himself a cup of coffee. If this were a cartoon his face would be red with steam coming out of his ears and nose. “She really expects us to replace Layla.” He slammed the pot on the table so hard I thought the glass would shatter. “I can’t fucking stand her.” Ryan lifted his face to look at me, his eyes softening. “Layla don’t listen to her, she’s bitter. Her own brother called her a bitch.”

            “I’m fine.” I mumbled, wrenching Joss’ hand off mine and standing. “Let’s go to the outlet, Kevin still doesn’t have any clothes. Besides,” I gave Jax a small smile, “it’ll be good to get out of here.”

            “Should we wait for the girls?” Ivan pulled his sweater over his head, dropping it on the couch. “Or should we leave them?”

            “We don’t need them, plus Jenna knows how to drive so if they ever wanna go they can go all together.” Joss slipped her shoes on and took my hand. “Besides, we need to get you guys some nice stuff if you’re gonna perform tonight.”

            “I have nice stuff.” Jax mumbled, not in the mood to go shopping with us. He’d known how bad Joss and I were when we saw stores.

            “Not nice enough.” Joss grabbed her wallet and shoved it in my bag. She grabbed my hand then pulled me out of the hotel room, the boys trailing behind us.

            “So tell me everything that happened.” Joss was driving the bus, the boys piled in the back complaining about us.

            “Valentina’s just not nice. She makes me feel like I’m dirt on the underside of a rock.” I hated her. There was nothing about her I could say I like. “She really hates me. I’m ruining this whole thing for Jax.”

            “Shut your fucking mouth.” Joss narrowed her eyes but never moved them from the steering wheel. “I don’t want to hear any of your pessimist bullshit anymore. You are the best thing to have ever happened to Jax. Stop treating yourself like shit because this bitch of a boss can’t be professional.”

            I looked down. There was nothing I could say. Joss was right. She was always right. Jax was my best friend. I’ve saved him more times than I’d like to admit. And whether I’d admit it or not, he needed me. I looked up at Joss, deciding to break through the wave of anger I could see creeping on her. “How’re things with Sarah?”