chapter sixteen
Trace is throwing me a party today even though my birthday was two weeks ago. I spent it with my family and Summer in Memphis, but now were celebrating it in New York. I haven’t had sex with Summer in I don’t know how long and I don’t know how to bring it up without pushing her. I do know one thing though, I love her. I love her.
I’m going to tell her tonight because not only are we celebrating my birthday, but it’s also Valentines Day tomorrow. I’m getting my baby. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me.
I got a call from Jenna today saying she needs to make some adjustments on the recorded single Timbaland and I did, so I have to meet her at the local recording studio since I don’t want her on my property.
I pull up to the studio and go inside. Jenna is sitting in the chair and I sit down.
“And?” is all I say.
Jenna looks upset, not that I care, “Justin, there’s something I need to say to you.”
“Make it fast.” I say impatiently.
“I didn’t call you for work, I called you to apologize. I was wrong to do what I did to you when I was younger and I was wrong for hitting on you now because you have Summer and she seems pretty great.”
“She is, not that you’d know after trying to sleep with me. And after interrupting our night at the slots.” I snap.
Jenna looks down shamefully, “I wish everything had never happened. I do want you to know that I really did care about you and despite what you think, want the best for you and Summer.”
“Look Jen, I don’t have time for fucking apologies right now. You have never said an honest word in your life.”
I hear her call my name as I storm out of the studio, but I don’t stop, instead driving over to the house I own in the Hampton’s that Summer and I are staying in. I walk in and she’s trying on dresses for tonight. Trace is downstairs setting up and I jog up the stairs as guests start arriving.
“I like the blue one.” I grin, watching as she bounces from the blue dress to the green one, trying to decide which one looks better.
“The blue one huh?”
“It brings out the color in your eyes.”
Summer smiles and I pull on something to wear as well to the party. She puts on her shoes and I put a necklace around her neck.
“It’s beautiful Justin.”
“Like you.” I say in her ear.
“How long is this party supposed to last anyway?” Summer asks.
“Not too long. I want to spend some time with you tonight so we’ll make an exit before midnight and Trace said he would end the party.”
She smiles and kisses me as I look down at her, “Let’s go.”
We go downstairs to where the party has already started. I go downstairs and start greeting people with Summer accompanying me. I say hi to everyone and finally make it over to Trace and Stephanie.
“Great party Justin.” Stephanie says.
“Don’t thank me, thank Trace. He made the whole thing happen.”
Trace hugs Summer hard before making his way over to me, “I’m not going to take all the credit. Party planners help everything, so now it’s your job to enjoy your birthday party.”
“I am man, I am.”
Timbaland comes up to me and Summer starts talking to Stephanie, “Happy birthday man. Can you believe were the fucking kings of the world?”
I laugh, “I’ll believe it when I see our names in the number one slot on the billboard charts.”
Timbaland tugs on his diamond necklace hanging around his neck, “So you and Jenna were getting close at the recording sessions. Have you broken up with that girl you were dating?”
Summer whirls around and I silently curse, “No, I’m still with Summer. Jenna and I used to date and it’s awkward when were together.”
I feel her eyes bore into the back of my head and I see her run inside out of the corner of my eye, “I got to go man, but we’ll talk soon.”
“Sure man.”
I smile at my guests as I run upstairs to my bedroom that Summer is in. I open the door and find her staring out the window.
“Baby?”
Summer turns around, “Something you want to tell me?”
“Listen, what he said downstairs was wrong. I didn’t do anything with Jenna, I swear.”
Summer gives me a sad smile, “Why didn’t you say anything about her to me?”
“Because it never occurred to me. I’m sorry.”
“It never occurred to you to tell your girlfriend you’re working with your ex?”
“We started working together before we got together and I just didn’t really think about it, she’s my pain in the ass, not yours. You have to know I would never hook up with her. Can you forgive me?”
Summer shakes her head, “It’s fine. I’m just a little emotional.”
I go over to her and kiss her hard. My hands go over her body and I push her against the bed. I tug up her blue dress and start to go up it when Summer pushes my hand away. I go back under.
Summer starts to squirm, “Justin, not right now.”
“Baby I need you so bad.”
“Stop.” She says as I kiss her stomach.
I try to undo her dress when she screams, “Justin stop!”
I jump off her as fast as I can, watching her as she sits up and fixes her dress, wiping a few tears away from her check.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes… I just… Don’t want to have sex right now, alright?”
She’s shaking and I go over to her, “I’m sorry baby. I didn’t mean to push you.”
Summer comes over and hugs me which I reciprocate, “I’m just tired. Can we postpone the sex?”
“Whatever you want. It’s Valentines Day tomorrow after all; we can hang out or go for a moonlight walk.”
Summer puts her hand to my cheek, “I forgot. I’m sorry Justin.”
“Sum, the next time we do anything intimately, we’ll be making love. I wanted to save this for later, but I think now is the right time. I love you Summer McKenzie.”
“What?” Summer’s face turns white.
“I said I love you.”
Summer pulls away from me, “No you don’t.”
This is not the reaction I was expecting, “Yes I do. Summer, you’ve changed everything. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”
Her breath becomes ragged, “Stop saying that.”
I become annoyed with her and snap, “There is something wrong with you, you know that? I pour my heart out to you and the most you can say is “don’t?”
Summer tries to put her hands around my head, but I back up, “No. I should have slept with Jenna when I had the chance. I don’t know what I’ve been doing wasting my time with you.”
“You don’t mean that. I care about you Justin.”
“You show it well.”
“Justin, you don’t know everything that’s going on. You deserve-“
I cut her off, “Who’s fault is it that I don’t know what’s going on? You never let me in to your world.”
“That’s not fair Justin. I’m trying to let you in. I need to tell you something, but I need a little time.” She implores.
I grit my teeth in anger, “Time’s up.”
Summer starts to cry, but I refuse to break, “Under contract, shouldn’t I get sex when I want it?”
Summer looks up angrily, “Is that all I am to you? A contract?”
“You are a hooker. What else are you supposed to be?” I ask, knowing it’s a rhetorical question.
I slam the bedroom door on my way out, making my way downstairs and grabbing a beer and downing it. Trace comes over to me and takes the bottle from my hand, “What are you doing man? Where is Summer?”
“Probably robbing me blind upstairs.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“I told Summer how I felt about her and she threw it back in my face.”
Trace pulls my hand away from more liquor, “You need to be good to her Justin. She is just going through some things and is sorting them out. She cares about you.”
“Pssh, you don’t know what you’re talking about.” I slur.
“Yes I do. Summer needs help and you need to be there for you.” Trace insists.
I go for another bottle but Trace takes it away.
“Get the fuck out of here Trace.” I say, his presence really starting to piss me off and Trace never does that.
“Fine, I’m leaving.” He says in a huff, “But I’m taking care of Summer tonight. When you’re ready to call her and apologize, you know my number.
I see him go upstairs and I emerge with Summer, putting her in the car. Stephanie comes over to me as Trace pulls away, “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to take care of you.” She says as she turns the music off and people start leaving the party.
I don’t care. My heart is floating away with the drinks I’m consuming and I don’t care. At least until tomorrow morning. I love her. And I hate myself for it.
17