Sweet Solace (The Seattle Sound Series Book 1) by Alexa Padgett Read Free Book Online

Jessica.”
    “I have better things to do with my life than sit around and wait for you to drop by,” she said. “Mason was fine. He was playing that stupid game you got him.”
    Neither of us mentioned that our neighbor, who Jessica had been “visiting” instead of watching our son, was a forty-something single man with an easy smile. He was fit, a runner.
    I bit my tongue, refusing to point out that I’d cut back on my travel schedule years ago because I wanted to spend more time with them. After a year and a half of long weekends and extended weeks home between gigs, Jessica demanded I go back on tour. She wanted to put Mason in private school and she wanted a new car.
    I opened the fridge and pulled out a beer. Not the kind I liked, but it’d do.
    “Come with me on the next leg this summer,” I said. Not because I wanted Jessica with me. I really didn’t, especially since I got her list of requirements from her lawyer. I’d told Pete to hold off until Monday to forward over my counteroffer. I still had time to pull some of the demands if Jessica let Mason come with me. And I’d even put up with her to get more time with my son.
    “It’s easy, up and down the coast. Lots of beaches for Mason to play at and for you to relax on. What’s the name of the fashion designer you like? Doesn’t he have a store in LA?”
    Jessica crossed her arms over her breasts. I noticed she wasn’t wearing a bra under her thin, green camisole. She probably hadn’t worn it to see if I’d get angry. I took a large gulp of my beer and wished I hadn’t given up the harder stuff.
    “I don’t want to travel with you, watching women throw themselves at you. How many do you plan to screw while I’m in the hotel room with Mason, waiting for you to come in after the show?”
    Jessica wouldn’t give me what I wanted with Mason—tonight had proven that. I closed my eyes and fought to find some serenity. Dahlia’s eye’s reflected in the water slid into place behind my shut lids. “I don’t screw any of the fans.”
    Jessica sniffed.
    “Look, we’ve beaten this horse past death and into dust. Mason will never completely believe in stable, loving relationships again. The least we can do is ease the transition.”
    “You signed the separation agreement, and we have the trial date set.”
    “Let’s give our kid a chance to get used to the idea,” I said. I set the bottle down before facing her. “We haven’t told him anything, Jessica. He’s not going to understand. Especially with you screwing Car Wash Dale.” I waved my hand. “And the neighbor.” Jesus. Two different men.
    She slammed her hand against the counter. “I’d rather have any life except this one. Any other life!”
    “You’d go back to that trailer?”
    She glared, eyes burning with anger. “You are such an asshole. I’ll never be poor again. Ever.”
    Fear flitted through her eyes. I didn’t know what it was like to be hungry and scared. Jessica had never told me much about her mother, but from the little she’d said, Jessica’s childhood was filled with traumas I could barely grasp. Her fear was deep-rooted, a demon she struggled to overcome.
    “If you won’t provide me with the lifestyle you promised and make sure I have everything I need to be happy, then I’ll find someone who can,” she said. She was petulant but also combative.
    “Fine,” I said, relief replacing the brooding depression I’d felt since I pulled into the drive. At least I could tell Dahlia I’d tried without it being a complete lie. “I’ll have my lawyers get in touch with your lawyers. Guess I’ll see you around.”
    Sadness and fear swirled through her eyes. She looked like a lost puppy. She straightened and smirked, thrusting out her chest. “Enjoy your little apartment. I have things to do.”
    I turned to go. I should have just left. I knew it, but I couldn’t keep my mouth shut. “What about Mason? Do you care what this does to his life?”
    She picked at