Chapter 29

Rick tried for the third time to call Jason on his cell phone since he wasn’t at home and failed. He closed his cell phone with a loud snap and cursed.

AJ was passing by and was obviously surprised to see Rick sitting at the bar cursing at his cell phone.

“Something wrong buddy?” AJ asked him, taking the bar stool next to him.

Rick sighed.

“What makes you think that?”

AJ turned to his friend.

“One, you never drink before a show and two, “AJ said lifting a second finger, “You were talking to your ‘closed’ cell phone. What’s the matter? You and the super model had a fight?”

“She’s not a super model!” Rick said quickly before realizing what he’d said.

“No?” AJ asked cocking an eyebrow, “Then who is she?”

Rick sighed again and ran a hand through his hair tousling it.

“Rick, you may have everyone else fooled, but I know you’re hiding something from us.” AJ said, accepting the drink the bartender laid in front of him.

“AJ, man, I would love to tell you but I promised Abby I wouldn’t.” Rick told him, “Besides, you can’t keep a secret so no point in telling you unless I want everyone else to know as well.”

“Know what?” AJ persisted.

“Nothing.”

AJ paused, looked at his friend and narrowed his eyes.

“You two aren’t getting married or anything like that are you?”

Rick’s eyes widened and his lips curved amused.

“No AJ. Where the hell did that come from?”

“I dunno. I’m just guessing here.” He said shaking his head, “She isn’t pregnant is she?” he looked at Rick again.

“No she’s not. Will you stop?” Rick told him, “You’re never going to guess.”

“Fine. So what is wrong? You two really had a fight?” AJ asked before taking a sip of his drink.

“Not a fight. A .. disagreement.” Rick said shrugging.

AJ rested his glass on the counter.

“You can dress it up anyway you like, a fight’s a fight.” AJ told him. “What about?”

“Do you remember that thing I’m not supposed to talk to you about?” Rick asked.

“Yeah?”

“It’s about that.”

“Oh.” AJ said disappointed. “Then I guess I’m no help here then. If you can’t tell me what it is then I can’t help you.” He hopped off the bar stool then, drink in hand.

Rick put his hand on his shoulder to stop him as he turned away.

“It’s not that I don’t want to tell you AJ, I do. I just can’t”

AJ put up a hand.

“I know, I know. You promised your girlfriend.” He said not really bothered anymore, “Believe me, I know how that goes.”

Rick nodded.

Tony walked up to them then and told them that the bus to the venue was leaving in fifteen minutes and to get ready.

“Just give me a minute Tony.” Rick said, dialling Jason’s number again. He let it ring six times before snapping it shut.

“Damnit Jason! Where the hell are you?”

He knew Abigail was lying about her relationship with Jason but he couldn’t help being bothered a bit. He knew after talking to Jason, he would feel better knowing the truth. Besides, he needed to tell him about the latest note and how Abby was now a target. He figured Jason wasn’t going to be happy with that fact either. If only he could get a hold of him.

Abby, he noticed, wasn’t playing hard to get. She just didn’t want to get involved with him. And he, being used to women literally throwing themselves at his feet, wasn’t going to take ‘No’ for an answer. But the fact that that was all she kept saying was driving him crazy. He decided he was going to play the game a little differently from now on, and see just what the little detective was going to do about it!