I was really hoping he knew something, but I’m not going to push it since he was nice enough to break me out long enough to talk to my brother. “I appreciate you coming down here this time of the morning so I can see Beau.”
“No problem.”
Steve punches in another code and a set of doors opens. He motions for me to walk into the small room, and once inside, I see my brother immediately. He’s leaning against an oblong table near the far wall with his hands shoved into the front pockets of his jeans.
“I can only give you two about ten minutes. I don’t want you out of your cell for too long because someone may notice you’re gone,” Steve explains.
I nod. “Thanks again, man.”
“I’ll wait behind the door to make sure nobody catches the two of you in here. Because if we get caught, they’ll have all of our asses.” He makes his way back through the doors and they close behind him.
Beau moves quickly in my direction until he’s standing directly in front of me. He rubs the back of his neck and shakes his head. “What the hell, Leo?”
“I don’t know how this happened. One minute, I was with Blue at Redwood Park celebrating her birthday, and the next, I’m in handcuffs being tossed into the back of a police car.” I slide the chair out from underneath the table in front of me and sit down. “No one has told me what the charges are or anything. It’s completely fucked up.”
“I want you to sit tight and don’t do anything stupid. I’m going to get you a lawyer and see if he can figure out what’s going on.”
“Can we afford a lawyer? I mean, I know business isn’t good right now, and I don’t want you to have to borrow any money.” I drop my head back and stare up at the ceiling for a few seconds before bringing my focus back to my brother.
“We don’t have a choice. Don’t worry about the money. I’ll figure something out.”
I know he means it. Since our dad died a couple years ago, Beau has been the only stability in our lives, the one person my mom, my sister, and I can always depend on.
“Thanks, man. I’ll pay you back eventually. You know that, right?”
He nods and glances up at the clock hanging on the wall to the right of us. “I’m not sure when I’ll be able to get in touch with anybody, so just keep your mouth shut and do whatever you’re told.”
“That’s what I’ve been doing. Do you think I want to cause problems for myself?”
“No, but I wish someone would tell you why you’re here, and then maybe they’d also fill you in on why they won’t let me bail you out.”
“It’s fucking ridiculous. Every time I ask, they just blow me off.” My damn blood boils just thinking about it. “How is it even legal to keep me locked up without giving me a reason?” The more I talk about it, the angrier I get. I drag my hand through my hair before slamming my fist on the table. “Fuck!”
“I know you’re pissed and I don’t blame you, but you’re going to have to keep it reined in a little better unless you want to be stuck in this place indefinitely.”
He’s right, and this is the first outburst I’ve had since I got locked up, but fuck.
“I know. It’s just hard to not want to hit shit.”
Beau nods toward the door behind me. I look over my shoulder, locking eyes with Steve.
“I need to get you back to your cell,” he says.
“Yeah, okay.” I push out of the chair and stand before making my way over to him.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Beau says, his gaze meeting mine. “Thanks again for all your help, and let me know if you hear anything,” he tells Steve.
“I’ll ask around later and see what I can find out. I’m sure he’ll be out of here in a few hours.”
Beau nods and then looks over at me. “I’ll be back later. Just…” He hesitates and rubs the back of his neck again. “Just sit tight and remember what I said about keeping your mouth shut.”
“Whatever, man. Just get me the fuck out of this place.” I turn away from Beau and follow Steve through the doors and back down the hall toward my cell.
4
Leo
Pain shoots through my right hand as I pound my fist against Blue’s front door. It seems like I’ve been here for-fucking-ever trying to get somebody to at least acknowledge that I’m standing on the front porch. I can hear voices coming from the other side of the door, so I know there are people inside.
It’s the middle of January, and I’m sweating like it’s August. My heart’s pounding in my chest and my breathing is fast and erratic like I ran ten miles to get here. I was only released from jail less than an hour ago, and I immediately climbed into my truck and drove straight here to check on Blue.
I bend over and rest my hands on my knees before hanging my head down, trying to catch my breath. Somebody needs to open the damn door.
There’s a click as the deadbolt is turned, giving me hope that Blue’s smiling face will be standing in the doorway to greet me. My reflexes snap into overdrive, and I’m suddenly standing up straight with my eyes focused on the door. My chest tightens as it swings open, and I’m met with a set of dark green eyes, flaring nostrils, and grimacing lips.
Blue’s father—not the person I wanted to see.
“Are you done?” His voice is deep and unwelcoming.
I’m confused. Done with what?
“Done?” My voice is shaky because I’m nervous as shit. Mr. Kincaid is not a big guy, but he doesn’t have to be. Just his presence is enough to intimidate a grown man. He radiates discipline and authority. I’ve never been comfortable around either of Blue’s parents, even when I was a kid, and now it’s so much worse since we’re dating.
“Yes. Are you done slamming your fist against my front door?” The tone of his voice indicates he’s probably about two seconds away from telling me to leave.
I take a step back to distance myself from the man glaring at me like he wishes I’d vanish from the face of the earth.
“You haven’t answered my question.”
“I’m looking for Ella Blue. Is she here?”
Mr. Kincaid slaps his meaty hand down on my shoulder, and I don’t like it—not at all. I sidestep away from him, trying to break free from his hold, but his grip only tightens and his fingers root deeper into my skin beneath the long-sleeved T-shirt I’m wearing.
I pull in a heavy breath and search for the courage I’m gonna need to say all the things I want to say to this asshole, the first being: “Let go of me.” My voice comes out rough, more like a growl. I twist and pull until he finally releases me. Then I turn to face him. “Where’s Ella?”
He laughs then looks away for a beat. When his gaze returns to mine, his green eyes have grown even darker, and the smile that accompanied his laughter is gone.
“She’s not here.” He speaks with finality.
“When will she be back?” My voice comes out a little more cheerful and a little less angry, because pissing him off more than he already is will do nothing to help me find my Blue.
He shakes his head. “She won’t.”
“She won’t? What’s that supposed to mean? Is she okay?” My chest tightens as I wait for him to answer.
“She’s fine.”
This time it’s me who laughs, or at least I try to, because he’s gotta be fucking with me. There’s no way she’s not coming home.
“I’m glad to know you think it’s funny my daughter isn’t coming back home. Thanks to you, her mother and I are losing her for her last year and a half of high school.”
“I don’t believe you.”
Mr. Kincaid takes a widened stance and folds his arms across his chest. His nostrils flare and his small eyes protrude from his face. “Believe what you want, but after a few days, you’ll see for yourself. Ella is not coming home, and I don’t want you looking for her. She doesn’t need you ruining her life. My daughter is smart, comes from a good home, and deserves more than being stuck in this town tied down to someone like you.”
&nb
sp; After all the years I’ve spent with Blue, why am I suddenly not good enough? There’s got to be more to this picture, and I still don’t believe she’s gone for good.
I look into his eyes one last time, hoping to see a glimpse of something other than the anger that’s being directed at me, but there’s nothing else there, so I turn away from him and head down the sidewalk toward my truck. I’m not even five steps away from him before he calls out my name. Well, fuck, I guess he’s not done.
“Did you enjoy your night in jail? Were your accommodations adequate?” He laughs so fucking loud, and it’s intensely irritating, like squealing brakes on a bicycle or nails on a chalkboard—piercing, penetrating, ear-splitting.
My teeth clench as tension radiates through my body.
“I take your silence as a yes…or maybe it’s a no.”
He walks up behind me and clears his throat.
I don’t move.
I can’t breathe.
I refuse to speak.
“If you liked spending the night in jail, I can have your time extended indefinitely. All you have to do is search for Ella, and if you find her and convince her to come back to Idlewood, you can kiss your freedom goodbye.”
I swallow around the wad of emotion lodged in my throat. This is bullshit. He may be the mayor, but he doesn’t have that kind of power.
Mr. Kincaid clears his throat again. “If you would rather be free to graduate high school in May and then do whatever it is you plan on doing with your life, I’d advise you not to attempt to find her. I promise she won’t be looking for you.”
I drop my head and stare down at the brick sidewalk. Did she want to go? Did she agree to this without a fight?
She would never leave like this. Her dad did this. He had me arrested and shipped her off to God knows where while I couldn’t get to her, and now she’s gone. My best friend, the only girl I’ve ever cared anything about is gone, and I can’t do anything about it.
“Let her live her life and do something great. She deserves better than anything you can offer her.”
He moves closer to me and puts his hand on my back. I immediately come to attention and jerk my head up. My fingers curl into a fist as my mind races through every reason I shouldn’t turn around and knock the shit out of him.
“Did I ever tell you I knew your father growing up?” He chuckles, and I whip my head around to look at him. He nods. “So you see, I know where you come from and where you’re going, and I can assure you it’s not a place I want my daughter to end up.”
All the years I’ve known Blue, this man has never mentioned knowing my dad. I mean, I know our parents knew each other, but they’ve never had any sort of friendship. I don’t remember ever seeing either of our parents engage in even a casual conversation, and I’m not stupid—I know the Kincaids don’t run in the same circles as the Matsons. I just always assumed Mr. Kincaid grew up in Dallas and went to private school, but I guess that’s not the case. I refuse to let him make me feel ashamed of who I am or where I come from.
“You’ll stay here in this town, uneducated and barely getting by for the rest of your life, just like your father did. My daughter deserves better, but she can’t see that now, so it’s my job to protect her from a life that will include—”
“Me.” I cut him off, because I know where he’s headed, and he’s right—to a certain extent, my life will always be here, with my family.
I run my hand through my hair. I’ve gotta get out of here.
“Yes, Leo. You. Because at the end of the day, you’ll be just like your father and your brother, trying to keep that piece-of-shit car shop afloat, never doing anything to better yourself.”
Red-hot anger rushes through me as I spin around with wide eyes and clenched fists. My gaze meets his, and only then do I come to my senses. If I hit him, the only thing I’ll see for a long time is the inside of a jail cell.
“Turn around and walk away, Leo. Get off my property and don’t come back. Ever.” His eyes never leave mine. There’s no emotion, just a dark, dead gaze looking back at me. “Be smart for once in your life and let her go. Ella’s gone. She’s already let you go.”
It doesn’t matter that his last statement is probably not true; somewhere deep inside my chest, those words crush me. Ella’s gone. She’s already let you go.
5
Ella Blue
Present day
“Welcome to Idlewood, Texas, population nine thousand five hundred and sixty-four,” I mumble to myself as I lay my head against the window of the tour bus. The rest of the band gives a celebratory yell as we cross over the imaginary line bringing us into my hometown.
A shiver of uncertainty rushes through me. This is either the best idea I’ve ever had or something I’ll be regretting by morning. Either way, I’m here—back in the town I was banished from eight years ago. God, it feels like a lifetime since I’ve ridden past that city limits sign, I think, pulling myself off the window. I sit up straight and do a few stretches as I take in every storefront, gas station, and house on the short journey across Idlewood to our destination. The twilight sky allows just enough light to see all this small town has to offer, and from the looks of things, nothing has changed.
“Hey, girlie, are you ready to rock this town?” Gracie giggles as she slides into the seat next to me.
I quickly pull my mind from where it was headed and force a smile. “This little town’s not gonna know what hit it after we’ve been here.” I laugh. It’s forced just like the smile, but apparently it works because Gracie’s still grinning from ear to ear.
Gracie has been my best friend since freshman year of college, and her dad is Dane Phillips, the famous lead singer for the band Reckless Fury. Thanks to her and her connections, I was thrown together with Babs, Cherry, Gia, and Joni to form the Velvet Dolls, an all-girls rock band. We’ve been opening for Reckless Fury during their U.S. tour for the last six months, and tomorrow night, the Reckless Days and Sleepless Nights tour will end at the Bait Shack here in Idlewood.
“So, what are we going to do first?” Gracie shifts in her seat until she’s facing me.
I look over at her and shrug. “I don’t know, maybe go check out the rental house and unload our stuff. Then tomorrow we can sleep until midmorning and work out before heading to the bar for our last show.”
“Ha! Ha! Very funny, smartass. You know what I mean—afterward. You know, for the three months we’ll be hanging out in Texas.”
Nerves flutter in the pit of my stomach as thoughts of being in Texas for the next few months infiltrate my brain. Wow—I’m really doing this. Gracie makes it sound like so much fun. If she only knew the real reason we’re here…but that discussion is for another day. As far as Gracie’s concerned, it’s a vacation without any worries or responsibilities other than the occasional hangout session with my grandmother. Don’t get me wrong, I love my grandmother and haven’t seen her in years, but she’s not the real reason I’m back in Idlewood.
It’s something I have to do, even if it breaks me. I’ve gone too many years not knowing if he’s okay. I need to see him. I need closure.
“Anything! Everything! There’s not a lot to do here except for visit Gramma, but the rental we’re staying at has a pool, and we’re in the Dallas area so there’s always a lot to do.”
“What about your parents? Are they going to be in town?”
I groan internally because just the thought of seeing my parents makes me want to hurl. “No, at least I don’t think so. I haven’t seen my mom since graduation and that was—what? Three years ago?” Damn, time really does fly. “And my father…hmmm, I think the last time I saw him was earlier this year before we left for the tour. Remember?”
Gracie nods. “Oh, yeah. He was so pissed you were taking off from your teaching job to travel with the band.” She throws her head back and laughs. “I’m sorry, Ella, but your dad is kind of a jerk.”
“Don’t apologize for calling it like you see it. I’ve called him
much worse over the years.”
The bus rolls to a stop in front of the Countryside Hotel. It’s the nicest place Idlewood has to offer. According to Gracie, this tour has been different from previous ones. Her dad and the other band members wanted to play in places similar to where they started, so there haven’t been any big city venues. It’s all been small-town bars where the crowds are smaller and the hotels are definitely not five star. But what do I care? I’m just happy to be living out my dream.
“Are we staying here tonight?” I ask as I stand and grab a couple of my bags from the floor beneath my feet.
“No, Dad texted me a few minutes ago and said he already had a car rented for us so we could head over to the house and unpack—unless you want to stay one more night in a hotel.” Gracie smirks as she slings her backpack over her shoulder.
“Not a chance. I’m ready to unpack and actually stay in the same place for more than a couple of days. I really need a break from hotel hopping.”
“Agreed. I’ve always loved touring with my dad, but sleeping on a tour bus or in a different hotel every other night is the only pitfall. I guess over the years I’ve mostly gotten used to it.”
The driver opens the door, and I quickly scan my seat and the surrounding area since this will be the last time I see this bus, at least for a while. I have no idea what the future holds.
I look over at Gracie as she patiently waits for her turn to exit. “Hey, I forgot to ask—do you have to meet with your dad’s band tonight?”
“Nope. Just have to make sure everything goes as planned tomorrow night and then I’m free for three months, too. God, it feels good to know I don’t have any plans for the entire summer.”
Gracie’s been filling in as Reckless Fury’s manager during the tour because their last guy quit two days before we hit the road. So, her job is a lot different from mine. I basically just have to show up and sing. She has to organize everybody and everything and then be sure it all runs smoothly. It’s not an easy job, but she’s great at it.
My Blue Page 4
