CHAPTER 3.5
Jackson
I couldn't wait to call my wife. It'd been a rough tour. Non stop, really, and I was ready for a break. Luckily, we were off for a few days, and I'd be able to take it easy. I wished I could jet home for a bit, but we were on the other side of the world.
Tapping her number, I heard her sweet voice answer. She never ceased to make me happy--just thinking about her put a smile on my face. I was so lucky.
"Hey, Angel," I said.
"Hey, baby!" she sounded so excited. "You called early. I'm glad. Did you have a good day?"
"Yeah, it was great, and we're getting a two day break. I'm kind of glad. Wish I was home with you though."
"Me, too...two months is so long, Jackson. I wish you could make the tour shorter."
"Yeah...I know. I'm going to talk to our manager about it. I just hate being away from my family. It stinks that none of the band has a spouse and kids or they'd understand." Lane had just gotten a divorce. All of us could see that happen from a mile away. Shifting to a stool, I asked, "So, what's been going on with you? Anything interesting happen at work?"
"You're not going to believe this, but I think Tiara Angelista might get fired. That's the word anyway."
"Your nemesis? Wow. Are you happy?"
"Ecstatic. But it's not a done deal yet. Thanks to Pax, too. He was the whistle blower. Oh, and speaking of Pax, did you know he and Luci are having trouble?"
"Yeah...he kind of intimated that the last time we talked. Too bad I couldn't go on that fishing trip with him. I'll have to when I get back. Why? Did he say something to you or did Luci?"
"Oh, well, Pax and I had lunch at that new brewery. Remember we wanted to check it out? It's really neat. We definitely need to go when you get back. Anyway, he told me he doesn't even have sex with her anymore. Do you believe that?"
Winter was speaking so fast, my mind had to catch up. When it did, anger zipped through my veins. "What the hell, Winter? Why were you talking about his sex life with his wife? I don't even talk about that with him."
"God, Jackson, why are you flipping out? He didn't just start talking about it with me like that. No gory details. He just said he was sort of jealous of what we had and how happy we are. That he thinks Luci hates him because she's pregnant. I merely stated that I felt like that, too, sometimes when I was pregnant. Remember, I didn't want sex when I had morning sickness? So, I was just trying to make him feel better."
That explanation just made it worse. "What the fuck, Winter? So you told Paxton about OUR sex life first?"
"Hey, don't cuss at me, Jackson. If you're going to act like this, I'm done talking to you."
I threaded my fingers through my hair in frustration, trying to calm down. "Listen...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to cuss at you, it's just hard being away and then I hear you talking about stuff you shouldn't with another man. Don't you get why I would be upset? I mean, would you like me to discuss our sex life with Luci?"
"Honestly, if it was going to help her out, sure. I mean, don't you trust me, Jackson?"
I guessed she was right. I did trust her. And I trusted my best friend, too. Sighing, I said, "Yeah, of course I trust you. I do...it's just...could you please not talk about that with him anymore? It would just make me feel better. I don't care if you listen to him tell his woes to you, but just don't bring our relationship into the conversation. I mean, it's none of his business."
She didn't say anything for a few seconds then she went on, "Okay...I guess. Maybe since you're not a doctor you don't get that sex is like peeing or breathing. It's a normal part of a relationship. And it doesn't mean anything to talk about it...but if it will make you feel better..."
I smiled. She made some good points. "Thanks, babe. I guess when you put it that way, it sounds fine...well, I just wish I was home, then I could help him out."
"Yeah," she agreed. "He does need a friend now. I'm going to talk to Luci this weekend. We're taking the kids to Pirate's Cove. Maybe I can help somehow."
"Sounds good. Hey, can I Skype you tonight? We have to do a rehearsal on our new song then we're headed to the hotel."
"Sure, baby. I love you."
"Me, too."
Placing the phone in my pocket, Clarke came over and sat next to me. "So...Paxton is chatting it up with your wife? I'm with you, dude. That's messed up. He should know better."
I shook my head. "Yeah, but she made a good point. Sex is just like eating or breathing. Why should it bother me so much?"
"Dude...sex is intimate. And you know Paxton. I wouldn't trust him further than I could toss his skinny ass."
"I trust him. He's my best bro back home."
"Dude, have you forgotten that Paxton has always skirted the edge of shit? Remember how we'd always have to save his sorry ass in high school? If we hadn't, he'd probably be in jail like his bastard best friend, Mickey."
Clarke was making sense which gave me a sinking feeling in my gut. "Fuck. Thanks a lot, bro. You're making me feel so much better now."
Getting up, he patted me on the shoulder and said, "What are friends for?"
Head throbbing, I tried to forget his words and not think about it. I mean, what could happen anyway? So, Paxton talked about his woes with Winter.
And maybe she could help bring the two back together.