The Rock Star Next Door, a Modern Fairytale by Lily Silver Read Free Book Online

sideways and snorted the offering a white powder by the acquaintance that suddenly appeared with a tray in his hand.  Jack’s eyes watered as he turned back to Lex and their conversation. T he man offered some to Lex as well but moved on when he declined.
    “Everything else is subjective . . .” Jack slurred. “God, truth, love, beauty, salvation . . . sexual preference . . .” His eyes glazed over. “What was the question, Dude . . . ?” 
     

 
    Chapter Five
     
     
    “Oh, Damn. ”  Jack moaned, rolling over in his own bed as Ozzy stood up and began washing his face. “Crimeny dog. W hat did you do, pee in my mouth while I was asleep? ”
    He sat up and bent over from the pain and nausea. It wasn’t the fir st time he’d awakened in his bed not kn owing how he got there. N ot remembering the events of the night before. He reached over to the nightstand and pressed the intercom . “Hey, Jess . . . Steve . . . anybody?  Bring me a beer, quick . ”
    He rolled over onto his back, arms outstretched, staring at the ceiling. Ozzy ’s wrinkled face filled his vision, as the pug stood with front paws on his chest, sniffed him, and then gave a worried moan.
    “Aw, buddy. You’re right. I gotta quit the hard stuff. I will. I promise.”
    Ozzy sat back then, gave a woof of approval, as if he actually understood what his master said. The curly tail wagged affectionately.
    The door opened. Jess peeked in. She entered bearing a tray. The scent of food sent Jack racing for his private bathroom . When he could bring up no more, he rinsed his mouth, grimaced at the ragged image in the mirror and returned on wobbling legs to the bedroom. Jess sat next to Ozzy with the tray on her lap, smiling at him pleasantly.
    “What the hell do you think you’re doing? ” He growled, and then reached up to cradle his aching head from the sound of his voice.
    “It’s called breakfast. I made your favorite, blueberry pancakes.” 
    He had to admit, it looked delic ious. A familiar rumbling grew in his stomach. “I asked for a brew. ” He offered gruffly as he eased down onto the bed and let h er place the tray across his lap. “How did we get home last night?”
    “ Limo, remember? The hired limo for the band. I believe orange juice is the order of the moment. Jack, you have to eat. We have to talk. You’re killing yourself.” 
    He waved her comment away with his fork. Bacon teased his tongue, and Ozzy 's big black nose edged nearer.   “Get out of here . ” He scolded the dog. “Down, Ozzy . ” The dog looked up at him, as if to say, surely you don’t mean it, you’re teasing me.   “Down . He growled, and the little dog withered away with a wounded expression.
    “Jack, we need to talk.”
    “Okay, I admit, I need to cut back on the partying. I will. I promise. Just ask Ozzy , there. He said the same thing j ust before you came in.”
    His sister smiled indulgentl y. “Well, there’s that, too. It wasn’t first on the agenda . I meant about last night.”
    “Hmmmm.” Jack reveled in the sweetness of his sister’s offering, chewing thoughtfully before commenting. “I should take a camcorder with me so I’ll know what I’m guilty of before you start interrogating me.”
    “Damn. ”  Jess stood up and paced the room. “I was hoping you could tell me what you two we re talking about so secretively in the corner of the bar . ”
    “Who was I with ?”  Jack felt the pancakes go solid in his gullet. “I swear , Jess, whatever I said, I didn’ t mean it. I'll call Marty. W e’ll write a retraction for the papers, we’ll find a way to get a round it . ”
    “What are you talking about, Jack? You sat with Lex for over an hour, whispering, and looking me over, like a couple of Russian spies. I’d like to know what you were discussing with him . ”  She looked worried. Too worried.
    “Oh, that . G uy stuff.” He tried to sound casual, so she’d get off his case. After all, he couldn’t remember