becoming. Dependence on anybody was a weakness, and one that I didn’t want to admit to. “You know that I have no friends, plus Kandace is really stupid. Does she have to come here? I’m way too old for a babysitter, Jace. It’s so degrading.”
“She’s just coming by to drop off Mark’s car and then to check in and see if you need anything. She won’t be staying for long,” Jace stated, returning to his packing.
“And if she does? She has her eye on the movie theater, pool, and the beach. What if she has a party?”
“Why are you always so suspicious? No, don’t answer. You don’t care for the girl. I get it. How about if I lock up the theater since you have your own TV, and secure the beach gate so no one, including you, can go down. Feel better?”
“Hah, I knew it! You don’t trust her either!”
Jace rolled his eyes. “Give it a rest, Missy. I just don’t want to listen to you harp on her anymore. I will remind Kandace, however, that I don’t want anyone in the house. I’m serious about that.”
“Good, and what if she doesn’t listen? Can I lock her out?” I asked smugly.
Jace beckoned to me and, after a quick kiss, administered three quick smacks on the rump.
“Owe! What was that for?” I demanded, rubbing my stinging backside.
Jace grinned playfully. “Two reasons. One, because you are too full of yourself and two, because I felt like it. Go grab my toothbrush, will you?”
The large tour bus carrying the band members and equipment pulled into the driveway as Jace was getting off the phone with Kandace, reinforcing his instructions. Mark hopped out to load Jace’s stuff, and then approached me with a folder of papers. “This is the rest of your assignment for this week. I expect you to email me the completed work each morning, 'kay? Just like you were seeing me for real.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I mumbled, taking the folder. “You’re getting a break from class, why can’t I?”
“No weaseling,” Mark grinned with a strong hug. He had become part of our little family, like a big brother, as well as a teacher and a friend. He and Jace had become inseparable between practicing and recording, watching movies and going on elusive double dates with women who I never got to meet. Jace was trying to talk him into staying in the guesthouse as part of his tutoring benefits.
“Don’t disappoint me,” Mark requested, tugging my hair.
“Never,” I groaned.
Jace came over to say goodbye, and actually looked upset. “Please stay out of trouble. I’m just a thirty minute flight away, but try not to make anything happen that I’ll need to come home. Don’t give Kandace a hard time and remember to do your schoolwork. Call me if anything comes up.”
“Are you sure I can’t come?”
“Are you sure you don’t want a spanking right here in front of the band?” he whispered in my ear.
“Have fun and do good,” I said quickly, shoving him towards the bus.
Once the vehicle was out of site, I tossed my homework assignments on the table in the foyer, grabbed an orange soda and went outside on the deck. Conveniently forgetting about Jace’s instructions to keep the puppies muddy paws off the white carpet, I brought them inside to play and cuddle on the soft leather sofa in the living room that Mark had aptly named the Royal Lounge .
Last thing I remembered was the sound of a snoring puppy on my stomach before being abruptly awakened to the sound of tearing fabric. My two lovely babies were happily shredding a pillow while playing tug of war, and left behind a large pile of poop, a yellow stain and a dime sized hole chewed out of the corner of the Royal Lounge.
“Girls!” I hollered, jumping to my feet. After a useless attempt to look innocent, they were both taken outside to their kennel. I rushed to clean the mess, hoping to finish it before Kandace arrived and started problems. The job was completed, except for the couch… I had no way to hide that damage. A key jingled in