Cheyenne’s hair had a “just been screwed” look.
“You didn’t!” Yara snapped at them, her shrill voice carry-
ing on the ocean breeze. David chuckled and she slapped him
hard on the arm. With perfect timing, the priest appeared and
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started babbling in rapid Portuguese, and Phillip nudged Bret
awake.
Ten minutes later when Stephanie climbed out of a white
SUV, Phillip tried to ignore her startling beauty. She wore a
simple lilac dress and her hair was piled high on her head. He
wanted to beg her to change her mind and almost stood to do so.
He nearly fell over when Christopher Hoult climbed out of the
same SUV and handed Steph her camera bag. Christopher placed
his hand on the small of her back, and Phillip felt his jaw clench.
He could tell by the look Bret was giving him that his rage was
blatant. He unclenched his fasts and cracked his knuckles.
“Keep yourself in check, mate.” Bret pulled off his sun-
glasses. He had mammoth bags under his eyes, but the look in
them was uncompromising. Phillip managed a curt nod, but was
too furious to be able to speak. He realized his reaction was il-logical. He’d known she was dating Christopher, so it was hardly a surprise to see them together. Christopher obviously had passionate feelings for her, or he wouldn’t have had the balls to take Phillip on, since Phillip outweighed him by about sixty pounds.
“Phillip, Yara says you are walking down the aisle with
me,” Antonella cooed as she threaded her arm through his. He
was told she was one of the world’s most desired lingerie mod-
els. He thought she looked a little like a piranha, but when he
saw Christopher take Steph’s hand, he made it his mission to be
more open-minded.
They were there for no less than three hours, repeating the
maneuvers expected of them about ten times before Yara was
satisfied that everyone would perform like well-trained show
dogs. Stephanie circled them, looking at them through her cam-
era and dictating to Christopher who punched keys on her I-Pad.
By the time the band climbed in the SUV, Phillip was ready for a drink and perhaps ready to reconsider purchasing a carton of cigarettes.
“Who’s in the mood for a little fun after dinner?” Nathan
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asked, trying to contain a sinister smirk. Everyone groaned. Na-
than was always up to no good, and every night on the island had been a drinking/socializing marathon. Phillip wasn’t sure about
everyone else, but he simply wanted a tiny bit of peace and quiet.
“Quit being such a bunch of nancy boys. It’s David’s last
night of freedom. I decree a good time shall be had by all.” He
exclaimed.
“I’ve nothing better to do. What’s another night without
sleep?” Bret shrugged. Phillip thought he was starting to look ten years older than he had the month before.
Phillip sighed. He truly had had his fill, but he knew that
this was why he’d come. Davey Boy’s wedding was one long
team building exercise. “I’m in for couple of drinks.’
David regarded Nathan with unmasked apprehension. “Tell
me you didn’t hire hookers. I’d really like to keep my wedding
tackle attached to my person.”
“Would I do something like that?” Nathan laughed.
“Undoubtedly,” Scot retorted. Everyone snorted at that—
even Nathan.
“Nothing as untoward as that, Dave.” Nathan slapped him
on the back. “Saffron did hire strippers for the ladies, though.
Cheyenne’s hair whipped around her, and she noticed the
sky was overcast for the first time since they’d arrived on the
island. The wind had picked up considerably since the rehearsal, and she wondered if they were going to have to move the entire
banquet indoors. They were all seated at one very long table, like a hedonistic version of the last supper. Liam was trying to stuff a pea up his nose and Kara saved him from himself in the nick of
time.
“We always do ruin your good time, don’t we, boy?” Scot
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laughed when Liam stuck out his bottom lip. David had run off
after Yara, who’d melted down over the unsatisfactory table set-
tings, so the mood at the table was more relaxed than it would
have been otherwise. Phillip was working on his second bottle of wine and talking too loudly about himself to Antonella. Occasionally he’d glance over in what he seemed to think was a sub-
tle manner at Steph to see if she was listening. She didn’t seem to be. Christopher kept stroking the exposed skin of her neck and they kept whispering into each other’s ears. Cheyenne thought
they made a sweet looking couple and was glad Christopher was
bold enough to show up.
When Yara and David reappeared looking lovey-dovey,
Bret clapped his hands together and stood. “Surprise time.”
Phillip, Nathan, and Scot all joined him and they all moved
toward a piano that was conspicuously placed close by. Scot
pulled out an upright bass from an oversized case and Phillip and Bret produced acoustic guitars. Cheyenne beamed at them. She
had no idea they were going to play. It was a terrific surprise, and she could tell by the look on the faces of the bride and
groom that they were touched.
“Dave. You’re our brother from another mother, and we all
love ya.” Nathan began, as he took his seat behind the piano,
“Yara. You’re just the woman he needs to keep him in line. We
wanted to play a couple of songs from the album for everyone to
celebrate your blessed union.”
Bret piped in. “Phillip wrote this song for Rage. They
weren’t going to let us include it in the album. They said it was too light or too soft or…something. After they wouldn’t pull the
“Fire Woman” video, Phillip put his foot down and we all
backed him.”
Cheyenne and Steph exchanged shock glances at the men-
tion of the video. Christopher rolled his eyes and frowned.
“No one messes with Fury.” Nathan interjected. Everyone
chuckled.
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Bret continued. “We all think it’ll be the biggest single.
This one’s called ‘If Only U Were Here.’”
Nathan began to play a driving melody. Cheyenne thought
he looked very at home behind a grand piano. Phillip stared at
the ground as he began to strum the rhythm guitar, but when Bret started singing lead, Cheyenne nearly fell over. Though all the
guys had great voices, no one ever sang lead but Phillip. As
Bret’s clear voice rang out with the first line, the hair on the back of her neck stood on end.
I wonder what you're up to tonight; you're not where you
said you'd be.
Liam clapped happily as Bret proceeded to sell Phillip’s
song. The lyrics were obviously a regretful post break-up song.
The second verse started, and it seemed to get to Stephanie, who took a long drink of wine.
Well, we both said some things that we did not mean, none
of which were true.
But in the heat of the battle, you blame me, and I blame you.
The melody was stunning, and Cheyenne had to agree the
hook was going to shoot this one straight up the charts. She stole a sideways glance at Steph, whose cheeks were rosy as Bret
launched into the chorus with Phillip harmonizing.
Now I see things different, now the sky is clear.
And how I could make it up to you, if only u were here.
As Phillip strummed the last chord of the song, the tabled
erupted in applause. Yara was crying, and David had the world’s
happiest smile on his face. Cheyenne winked at Scot when he
tossed his hair and shot her a look that seemed to ask “how about that?”
Bret and Scot came back to the table, but Phillip and Nathan
remained by the piano. Phillip put his guitar aside and started to speak the minute the clapping died down. “This is another one I
wrote. It’s called ‘4 U.’”
Cheyenne saw Christopher flop back in his seat with an
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uncomfortable sigh. Steph glanced at Christopher who shot her a
knowing look and shook his head. Nathan launched into a light,
sweet melody. Phillip appeared nervous to perform, which was
about as common as unicorns in Time Square. When his
passionate voice lit out into the night like fireworks, Cheyenne literally gasped.
Many's the time I've wanted to tell you how I feel,
I never had the nerve to say.
Never was sure of what my heart was telling me,
now I know I feel this way.
All my life I've been dreaming of the one I love.
Now you've opened the door for me; you were sent from
above
Nathan harmonized the chorus and when Phillip’s eyes
traveled in Stephanie’s direction, Cheyenne felt compelled to
follow them. Stephanie sat straight as a board, looking down at
her feet. She looked a bit like an animal with its foot in a trap.
Christopher flung his arm around the back of her seat, but she
didn’t seem to notice.
And I just wanted you to know
that I love you.
Can't you feel the fire burn inside?
I've been waiting oh so long just to tell you;
now I know that this feeling just can't hide.
Yara sniffled loudly, and Cheyenne didn’t blame her. The
blatant earnestness in Phillip’s voice and the aching emotion on his face made her want to root for him. Steph’s eyes flicked in
his direction and then quickly returned to her navy stilettos.
By the time they’d reached the last verse, Steph finally
seemed unable to fight against Phillip. She watched him openly.
He sang the last line directly to her and launched into one last round of the chorus. Cheyenne had to disagree with Bret: if this song made it onto Rage, this one would be the biggest hit, hands down.
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I never felt this way before, and I won't again.
I hope and pray you'll hear the message that I send.
And I just wanted you to know that I love you.
Can't you feel the fire burn inside?
I've been waiting oh so long just to tell you;
now I know that this feeling just can't hide.
The tension was palpable to everyone present. Cheyenne
saw the restraint on Christopher’s face, and she felt a sinking
feeling in the pit of her stomach. When the applause began, she
stood to take Liam to the restroom, and Steph was instantly on
her feet.
“Need some help?” Steph asked, her eyes begged Cheyenne
to say yes.
“Sure.”
Once they were a safe distance away, Steph grabbed Chey-
enne by the wrist.
“I don’t know what to do,” she confessed. Liam reached out
for Steph, and she took him from Cheyenne.
“You know I think Christopher is great. He’s top notch,
Steph. But you’re the only one who knows what’s in your heart.”
“I don’t know a goddamn thing right now,” she snapped and
looked over Cheyenne’s shoulder blearily. Cheyenne turned
around and was face to face with Christopher.
“Is everything alright, ladies?”
“Yes, Chris. We’re just going to the ladies room. We can
manage that without an escort. Go on back to the table.” Steph’s exasperation was so over the top that Cheyenne gaped at her.
Christopher seemed less surprised.
“I think maybe it’s me you need to talk to Stephanie. Not
Cheyenne.” His voice was calm and firm. Cheyenne took Liam
back from Steph and hurried to the ladies room with him. She
was in such a rush to get back to them that Liam didn’t even get to dry his hands, and he kept wiping them on his pants. When
they returned, the volume of Steph and Christopher’s conversa-
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tion had grown exponentially.
“You don’t hang up on someone when they tell you they
love you. Unless you don’t feel the same.” He snapped and
Steph folded her arms. She looked tired.
“You promised not to rush me, Chris.”
“It’s really pretty simple, Steph. Do you or do you not love
me?”
“I love Phillip.” She blurted. Cheyenne’s gasp was echoed
by the ominous sound of thunder rumbling. Christopher’s eyes
flew wide, and he stepped toward Steph. He was breathing rapid-
ly. Steph slapped a hand over her own mouth, obviously stunned
at her admission. Cheyenne felt Liam let go of her hand.
“Pip!” Liam cried and ran at Phillip who stood only five
feet away, his unblinking eyes locked on Stephanie. Liam had
almost reached him when he tripped, but Phillip scooped him up
with one arm. Cheyenne rushed to Phillip. His eyes darted back
and forth as he turned to her in shock.
“Did she just say what I think she just said?” he whispered.
“Mmmmhmmm.” Cheyenne replied quietly, pulling Liam
close in anticipation of some unfortunate repercussions. When
she turned back to the arguing couple, she saw Christopher grab
Steph by her upper arms.
“Have you gone mad?”
“No. I’m being honest,” Steph replied with the dazed voice
of a person who’d just made a shocking discovery.
“How can you say that? After he abandoned you? He pub-
licly ridiculed you!” He shook her once-hard. The force of this
rocked Steph’s head back on her shoulders, and Liam launched
into a tantrum.
“Te te!”
“Hey!” Cheyenne shouted her eyes narrowing at Christo-
pher, but Phillip brushed past her before she had a chance to inhale for a second comment.
“Back off, mate.” Phillip said reasonably. He seemed sur-
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prisingly level, considering Cheyenne might have jumped on
Christopher if Liam hadn’t been present. Phillip was inches from the couple, and upon closer inspection, Cheyenne could see he
was ready to pounce, but fighting hard to maintain a cool facade.
Steph’s eyes stayed on Christopher’s, but she blushed profusely.
“Oh, piss off, Kersey. You’re no mate of mine.” Christo-
pher snapped dismissively, without taking his eyes or hands off
Steph. Cheyenne watched as Steph’s eyes shot to Phillip and
then back to Christopher.
“Chris…” Steph’s tone was cautious. “Calm down.
Let’s
take a walk. We can talk about this privately.”
Christopher scoffed as another thunderclap sounded around
them. The rising wind whipped the palm tree canopy above them
and ruffled his fair hair. When he spoke, his voice dripped with sarcasm and hurt. “Why not just talk about it here? You know,
with Mr. Kersey. It seems this involves him, as usual.”
The louder Christopher got, the more upset Liam became.
Cheyenne clung to him and rocked him, trying to settle him
down. She knew she should take him away from the escalating
scene, but she thought maybe their presence would help defuse
the situation. She felt sprinkling drops of rain pelt down on her in random intervals. In the distance, she heard Nathan shout a
request for help moving the piano under cover. Steph seemed
sheepish and embarrassed as she yanked away from Christopher.
She acted as if she were about to speak, but clamped her mouth
shut and turned to retreat onto the trail away from the party.
“Don’t walk away from me, Steph.” He reached out for her,
but Phillip stepped in front of him. He effectively blocked Christopher’s path as Stephanie briskly vanished from sight.
“You need to calm down.” Phillip’s face looked serene.
Cheyenne knew he was anything but.
“That’s priceless advice, coming from you.” Christopher
shot back at him, poking a finger in his chest to emphasize the
word ‘you’. Phillip took a deep breath as it began to rain steadi-187
TAMMY COONS & MICHELLE PACE
ly.
“No matter what she said, it’s over. She was clear about
that. She told me she was with you.”
Christopher seemed to read Phillip’s face for a long moment
and then turned to Cheyenne. He looked defeated, and his shoul-
ders slumped like a wounded soldier’s after a long and fruitless battle. It was hard for Cheyenne to see, and she busied herself
covering Liam with her wrap. Christopher took what seemed like
three deep cleansing breaths and stuffed his hands in his pockets.
He looked at the ground. “It’s pretty obvious that’s not the case.”
“No matter what either of you say or do to each other, it
won’t change anything. Steph’s going to do what she’s going to
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