Chapter 2
Riiiiiinng
Riiiiiinng
Riiiiiinng
"Mmmmm" Bella groaned hearing the sound of the house phone chiming.
Riiiiiinng
Riiiiiinng
"God stop torturing me" she mumbled into the pillow.
Opening her tired eyes she looked over at the clock and saw it was...gasp!
"Shit!" Bella screeched bucking it out of bed to grab a clean set of clothes.
Ten thirty! How the hell could that be? She'd set her alarm for seven for fuck sake!
Unless...
"ROSALIIIIIE!" she screamed whilst throwing off her pajamas.
She placed on her red crop top black leather boot cut trousers and knee high boots.
Right then Rosalie walked through the door and before Bella could think of yelling at her friend she saw the perky blonde holding the house phone to her ear.
"Yes I understand completely sir, I'll just pass her over now" said Rosalie.
'Oh crap' thought Bella. This could only be bad.
Rosalie then holding the phone out to her mouthed 'your in trouble' before backing out the room with a smug grin on her face.
'The bitch is dead' thought Bella wishing she had the ability to make Rosalie's head explode at that moment. Taking a deep breath she held the phone to her ear preparing for the roasting of her life.
"Hello" she said.
"Kid where the hell are you? You were supposed to be at the Bourbon Room for nine o'clock, it is now ten thirty five. What's going on?" asked the pissed off manager.
"And a good morning to you too Gill. I'm afraid I'm running a bit late but rest assured I'm on my way" assured Bella wincing at the mans tone.
"Are you doing this on purpose? You know full well that tonight's important, of all the days to screw up why now? Hmm?"
"Gill I'm sorry I didn't mean for this to happen. I'll be there soon okay?" said Bella rolling her eyes feeling unappreciative of the accusation he was throwing.
"You better be or else consider yourself fired".
Paul then rudely hung up the phone leaving Bella to grit her teeth in utter vexation, not just at the piss ass manager but Rosalie too.
Slamming down the phone on the dresser she grabbed her silver hoop earrings and placed them in along with her red and gold nose stood. Going to the bathroom she quickly did her teeth and applied her make up, which was black eyeliner mascara and red lipstick. As for her newly graduated blonde bob hair she left that alone but just tussled it about a bit making it look like sex hair.
Grabbing up her leather jacket and bag from the chair Bella departed the bedroom to find Rosalie and Riley sat cuddling on the sofa watching the TV. Pulling a dirty look as she passed them by Bella had just gotten to the front door when the sound of Rosalie's voice stopped her.
"Your slacking today aren't you? What would the famous Stacee Jaxx say about this?" asked Rosalie sarcastically.
"About that loan I said I'd give you?" asked Bella still facing the door.
"Mm hm"
"Your not getting it, I'm moving out" spoke Bella plain and simple.
And with that she left the apartment managing to catch a cab in time heading straight to the Bourbon Room.
Once she arrived outside the club she spotted Stacee's limo parked at the back and swallowed a lump in her throat. Oh boy he was gonna kill her.
Upon entering the club Bella saw Dennis Dupree sat at the bar working on what looked like a load of paper work with his back to her. She was about to go over and say hello but just then saw Paul approach the man and quickly dodged behind stage before he could see her.
Walking down the corridor she saw Stacee's two bodyguards Derek and Rick standing outside the dressing room doors.
"Hey guys" she said smiling at them.
"Hey Izzy" spoke both men returning the gesture opening the doors allowing her through.
Yeah that was her nickname here, Izzy. Stacee was the one who came up with it, don't ask her why he just did.
Speaking of Stacee she walked in and saw him laid out on the couch with his head resting on one of the back up girl's laps while his cowboy hat was covering his face.
"I'm so sorry I'm late Mr Jaxx" spoke Bella.
She waited for a response but got non. That's when it occurred to her.
"Is he...?"
"Yep" spoke the brunette whom Jaxx was laid on.
Typical Stacee sleeping at a time like this, but then again she could sleep for an entire day herself thanks to Rosalie's indiscretions last night.
Just then she yelped feeling a tiny hand give her ass a smack. There could only be one responsible.
"Hey Hey Man" she said smiling down at Stacee's smartly trained pet monkey who was wearing a little leather studded jacket and pants.
Hey Man took her by the hand and led her to a chair beside Stacee. Taking a seat the monkey then went off only to return moments later with a magazine in hand for her.
"Thanks Hey Man" smiled Bella appreciative of the little guy accepting the reading material.
She sat there quietly along with the rest of the gals flipping through the music magazine just enjoying the peace and quiet. That was until Paul walked in with a tall curly haired blonde woman wearing a set of glasses a red pinkish leopard jacket a pencil skirt that had black stripes and was just above the knee a white shirt with a little black tie to go with it and black boots that stopped just below her knee caps.
"Stacee..."
"Shhhh, don't poke the bear unless you wanna get bitten" shushed Bella.
"Ooooh well look who decided to grace us with her presence, only an hour and forty five minutes late" spoke Paul sarcastically glancing at the watch on his wrist.
"I already apologized for the tardiness, it's not gonna happen again. And anyway I'm here now so relax" said Bella getting seriously tired of the fucker disrespecting her.
Nearing her Paul laid his hand on the chair and leant into Bella.
"I'll relax sweet cheeks when I damn well please and not before. Also I meant what I said earlier, one more slip up like today and your out. Got that?" he whispered.
Bella wanting nothing more than to rip the sods head off simply nodded holding her tongue doing all she could not to loose her temper.
The man walking past her then bent down to Stacee's level intending to wake rock star.
'Worthless piece of shit' thought Bella throwing daggers at the moron.
"Hey Stacee, there's someone here I'd like you to meet. This is Constance Sack, Rolling Stone" spoke Paul.
'Rolling Stones?' thought Bella with interest looking the woman up and down.
Paul not getting a response gave the stars shoulder a little shake.
"Stace? Wakey wakey superstar" he said.
Stacee groaning awake gave a mumble that sounded along the lines of 'wmmm hmm'.
"Constance Sack. Rolling Stones" repeated Paul.
"Stones? The Rolling Stones" asked Stacee in a still tired yet Bella knew drunken manner.
The rock star lifting the hat off his face shifted to sit up getting a good look at Constance before turning his gaze to Paul.
"Where's Mick?" Stacee questioned.
Paul laughing at this simply shook his head. "No the magazine. She's a reporter here to do a story about you going solo man" he said.
Bella rolling her eyes at this knew this was a dumb shit move on the manager's behalf. Stacee wasn't an open type of guy so what made Paul think he was gonna open up to some reporter who was probably out to spout lies about the rock star much like the press do.
"Idiot" she muttered behind the magazine.
"What was that?" asked Paul sounding almost skeptical.
"Nothing I didn't say anything" said Bella pretending to be non the wiser.
"I thought I told you to give her the day off" said Stacee pointing to Bella not taking his eyes off his agent.
'Errr what?' thought Bella snapping her eyes to the star.
"Yeah I did, but she was persistent to come" Paul lied.
'You rat mother...'
"Is that so? Funny, I don't seem to recall that conversation. As a matter of fact I distinctly remember someone saying that it was either come or be fired? Or you know maybe it's just me? I don't know" Bella mocked shrugging her shoulders.
"Is that true?" asked Stacee of his two faced agent.
"Technically it's not not true, but..."
SMASH!
Just then everyone apart from Stacee jumped as a glass was thrown across the room barely missing Paul.
"Holy shit!" gasped the agent with wide eyes.
All eyes fell onto Hey Man who was standing on the bar with an empty bottle in hand staring sinister like at Paul as if daring him to say another wrong word.
"Okay okay, yes it's completely true" spoke Paul nerves getting the better of him.
"Huh. Well that didn't take much. Thanks Hey Man" said Bella grinning at the monk who then blew her a kiss.
There was a moment's silence as Stacee turned his gaze to Bella capturing her eyes and as he did he slowly but surely removed his glasses, his eyes never once leaving hers.
"Get. Out" he spoke with a dangerous tone.
"Me?" Bella questioned frowning at him.
"You heard him. Out" spoke Paul in self-satisfaction.
Bella clenching her jaw was about to get up and leave the room when Stacee spoke up again.
"No. Not her. You" he said pointing at Paul. "All of you".
"But what about..." Constance started but was cut short by Stacee's security guards who had walked up behind her and hoisted her up by the arms so she was off the ground and took her out the room.
The four girls back up girls then left as well as Hey Man and finally Paul who looked between both Stacee and Bella with frustration before leaving the two alone.
Bella not knowing what to say at this point could do nothing but sit there feeling quite skittish to say the least. She'd always wished for Stacee's company alone but now that she had him she found it rather hard to breath.
"W-why did you ask them to leave?" questioned Bella.
"Because...I see something" he told her.
"What?" asked Bella.
"A change...in you" said Stacee.
Not knowing what to say to this Bella watched as the star got off the sofa to stalk up to her like a sexy predator.
"A c-change?" Bella stuttered.
She felt her heartbeat increase as Stacee then rested his hands on the chair arms trapping her as he leaned down so they were now face to face.
'Holy crap what is he doing?' Bella asked herself feeling the anticipation running through her veins.
"There's something in your eyes that I've never seen before" said Stacee looking deep into her eyes.
"What?" asked Bella swallowing a lump in her throat.
"A spark" whispered the rock star.
Bella then sucked in a breath as Stacee then placed a hand on her chest.
"You have such a peppy heart" spoke Stacee in a flirtatious manner. "Is there something you want to tell me?" he asked leaning in closer so there mouths were just seconds away from brushing.
Fearing what would happen if she aloud this to continue out of nowhere Bella got up and shot passed Stacee going over to the dressing room mirrors leaning her hands on the table.
"I want to be a song stress" she spoke practically breathless. "I want to dance. I want to give humanity something to live for when the sound of rock n roll touches their ears. I just..." Bella trailed off looking in the mirror staring at her own reflection with sad eyes. "I want to be someone".
Bon Jovi - It's My Life
(Bella)
This ain't a song for the brokenhearted
No silent prayer for the faith departed
And I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd
You're gonna hear my voice when I shout it out loud
Bella then spun round to face Stacee who just stood there staring at her in complete shock.
It's my life
It's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just wanna live while I'm alive
It's my life
She then jumped on the counter top and begun swaying and grinding her body about running her fingers through her hair.
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, I did it my way
I just wanna live while I'm alive
It's my life
(Stacee)
And it's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just wanna live while I'm alive
It's my life
Stacee preying up to Bella went to reach out to her but at last minute she teasingly twirled away from him.
(Bella)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, I did it my way
I just wanna live while I'm alive
Bella slowly and seductively knelt on the counter in front of Stacee.
(Stacee)
Cause it's my life
You better stand tall
When they're calling you out
Don't bend, don't break
Baby, don't back down
Stacee placing his hands on her hips suddenly lifted Bella off the counter top wrapping her legs round his waist and spun them about.
(Both)
It's my life
It's now or never
Cause I ain't gonna live forever
I just wanna live while I'm alive
The rock star laying the girl down on the sofa crawled up her body like a hungry lion.
It's my life
(Bella)
Just then Bella who then ran her hands over his bare god like chiseled chest flipped him on his back.
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, I did it my way
Stacee then shot up placing a hand on her back to bend Bella backward as he ran his hand between her breasts with their hips grinding together as one.
(Stacee)
I just wanna live while I'm alive
(Both)
It's. My. Life
The two sat there for a moment breathing heavily as their releases came at the same time.
Knock knock
Went the door snapping both individuals out of their current state.
"Stace? You alright in there?" they heard Paul ask.
It was then it occurred to Bella what she'd just done and quickly detached herself from Stacee.
"Oh my god" she gasped getting off his lap. "I'm so sorry, that shouldn't have hap..."
"No. Don't be sorry. I'm not" said Stacee cutting her off.
Knock knock knock
"Hey rock star! You dead in there or what?" called Paul.
"He's not gonna go away any time soon, might as well see what the prick wants" said Bella about to go open the door.
"Wait" spoke Stacee gently grabbing her wrist halting Bella in her tracks.
"Yeah?"
"How long have you been able to do that?" questioned Stacee.
Bella sighed knowing he was talking about her singing.
"Since I was six years old" she told him.
"Your voice, its like nothing I've ever heard before. In the two years you've been working for me you never said a word. Why?" asked Stacee frowning at her.
"It's not that I didn't say a word, you just weren't listening" said Bella shaking her head.
She slipped her wrist from Stacee's grasp and went over to open the door allowing everyone back in the room including Rick and Derek.
"Okaaay if you two are done canoodling or whatever it is you were doing, could we get down to business?" asked Paul referring to the interview.
"We were just talking Gill, no need to get your man panties in a twist" spoke Bella rolling her eyes at the man.
Stacee Derek and Rick sniggering at this comment could do nothing but admire the girl for the way she stood up to Paul, whatever shit the man threw she gave back in the form of a canon. She was one feisty kitten that was for certain.
"Yeah well anyway, Stace about this interview?" asked Paul.
Stacee sighing in utter misery knowing he wasn't getting out of this pointless interview so easy placed his glasses back on picking up a half empty bottle of scotch off the table beside him and sunk back into the sofa.
"Fine" he said uncapping the bottle and taking a swig.
"You won't regret this man" said Paul clapping his hands together looking entirely pleased with himself. "Well I'll leave you guys alone, err Swan could you..."
"Izzy stays put" instructed Stacee interrupting the man.
"I've just gotta make a few calls so I've got a couple of jobs for her to do..."
CRASH!
Went a metal cocktail mixer that Hey Man threw making Paul flinch.
"Okay she can stay" agreed the agent.
Bella high fiving the monkey watched in amusement as Gill tripped over his own feet departing the room. God she loved how afraid he was of Hey Man, it made her bloody day.
Taking a seat at the mini bar she listened on to the conversation between Stacee and Constance.
"Okay five minutes" said Stacee looking at the watch on his wrist.
Constance taking a seat swiftly removed her jacket placing down a tape recorder on the table preparing to take notes.
"Annnd go" said Stacee.
"Ok Stacee Jaxx..."
"No no no no wait. Now go" spoke Stacee tapping his watch.
"Er at the Bourbon where it all started. Your first album Stick Meat gave birth to some of rocks greatest anthems. And now a solo career. Why?" asked Constance.
Stacee sitting up reached for the tape recorder holding it up to his mouth.
"Well err I think due to the changing nature of the music industry the change in cultural trends and when you think of blah blah blah and blah blah blah. You make sure that you wanna take in blah blah blah" Stacee sarcastically spoke.
Bella shaking her head in amusement watched as the rock star burst into laughter at his own immaturity was unable not to find this funny herself, especially given the look of fury on Constance face.
"Four minutes" said Stacee through his grin.
He then held the tape recorder toward the reporter allowing her to move on to the next question.
"You know some people have said that you've become quite difficult to work with. That you're constantly late, you're reclusive and sometimes even nonsensical" spoke Constance with irritancy in her voice.
'Heeeere we go' thought Bella clenching her jaw.
"Well I wanna ask you this. Have these people even met themselves?" asked Stacee into the tape recorder before turning it back to the reporter.
"Well I'm talking about your band" said Constance.
'Oh the bitch did not' thought Bella.
"Let me tell you something. I know me better than anyone because I live in here" said Stacee pointing to his head.
'And that's telling you' thought Bella smirking at the rock stars come back.
"Eight minutes" said Stacee.
"You just said four" said Constance.
"Three" corrected Stacee into the recorder.
"But you..." Constance trailed off watching as Jaxx leaned back into the sofa taking a swig of the bottle in his hand. "Do you think its possible that you've shut out or alienated so many people that you had no other option but to go solo?" she asked.
There was a moment's pause as Stacee finished off his scotch making sure to get every last drop out of it before returning his answer.
"You gotta be true to the muse. Hey Man! Scotch me little buddy!" he called to his ape pal.
Hey Man hoping down from the bar grabbed a bottle of scotch carting it over to Stacee.
"And who is your muse?" asked Constance.
She lost her train of thought for a moment though watching as Stacee approached the cart to grab the bottle but in doing she couldn't help but stare at the mans bare chest and...yeah.
This didn't go unmissed by Bella who noticed that Stacee was staring directly at her the whole time. Why? She had no idea.
The rock star sitting back down uncapped the bottle but noticed how little contents there was left in the bottle and glanced back at Hey Man at the bar.
"Are we out?" Stacee asked him.
Hey Mans answer was tapping his ass making Bella chuckle.
"Born Steven Jackson in Detroit Michigan. Raised by a single Mom, Doris now deceased. Dropped out of Woodrow Wilson High in 11th grade. Your first concert was Aerosmith. When you were 17 you hitchhiked with your high school sweetheart..."
"Time" said Stacee cutting her off.
There was no doubt about it to Bella that this chick had done an awful amount of homework on Stacee to the point it almost seemed like obsession. In fact if she didn't know any better she'd say Constance had a bit more than some interview in mind.
"You know you're not so weird. You're just another lonely guy with many regrets" pushed Constance.
"I said time. You can go now" repeated Stacee getting off the sofa to switch the recorder off.
"Final question" Constance said standing up to follow Stacee. "What happens when you realize you can't get rid of Stacee Jaxx?" she asked.
This caused the rock star to freeze and turn on the spot to face the snob nosed reporter.
"You have no idea what its like to be me" said Stacee.
"Well then here's your chance. What's it like to be the Stacee Jaxx?" asked Constance.
Bella biting her lip didn't have to see Stacee's face to know he was pissed off.
'You've asked for it lady' she thought to herself.
Stacee removing his glasses held up five fingers counting down as he slowly approached Constance till he reached zero.
Bon Jovi - Wanted Dead or Alive
(Stacee)
It's all the same, only the names will change
Everyday it seems we're wasting away
The back up girls along with Bella all walked out the room moving to the beat with Stacee following not far behind.
Another place where the faces are so cold
I'd drive all night just to get back home
Derek and Rick carrying Constance trailed after the group just as Stacee jumped on a cart carrying a beer barrel dragging himself along the pipes as it went along.
I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted dead or alive
Wanted dead or alive
Jumping off the cart he allowed Derek and Rick to brush passed him until they came to a stop at the stairs with Constance watching Stacee's every move.
Sometimes I sleep, sometimes it's not for days
And the people I meet always go their separate ways
The back up girls leaned up against the walls groped the rock star as he walked by them.
Sometimes you tell the day by the bottle that you drink
Stacee grabbing a bottle of bourbon from a case of bottles before chucking it behind him with the girls following him hot pursuit.
And times when you're alone all you do is think
"Dalai Lama" said Stacee passing a man who was doing a crossword puzzle.
I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
Stacee jumping over the metal banister turned to face Constance with a cocky grin before walking toward the stage where Bella was standing with a guitar in hand.
I'm wanted
(Derek and Rick)
Wanted
(Stacee)
Dead or alive
(All)
Wanted!
The back up girls removed Stacee's leather jacket as he walked up the stage stairs.
Dead or alive
(Stacee)
Ooooooh and I ride
- Bella guitar solo -
And I walk these streets, a loaded six string on my back
Stacee approaching Bella circled the girl raking his eyes up and down her body.
(Bella)
I play for keeps
(Stacee)
Cause I might not make it back
I've been everywhere
(Bella)
And still I'm standing tall
(Both)
I've seen a million faces and I've rocked them all
(Stacee)
Cause I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted
(All)
Wanted!
(Stacee)
Dead or alive
Cause I'm a cowboy, I got the night on my side
I'm wanted
(Bella)
Wanted!
(Both)
Dead or alive
Bella and Stacee now facing it out looked upon each other with lust filled eyes.
(Stacee)
And I ride
(Bella)
And I ride
(Both)
Dead or alive
(Stacee)
I still drive
(Bella)
I still drive
(Both)
Dead or alive
The two were so caught up in the moment they hadn't noticed someone else had been watching the entire show.
"Bella?"
She heard a familiar voice call out snapping Bella out her hypnotized state to narrow her head round and see...
Author's Note: Phew, that was alot going on in this chapter ay? Like what's going on between Stacee and Bella so far? Let me know.
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