Feta and Freeways

by Baganz, Susan M. ;

  “She bought me a fedora.”

  “What?”

  “She told me she thought I would look great in a fedora and maybe it could be a ‘look’ for me.” Niko frowned. He’d never been one to wear hats. Playing music was hot anyway, and he always had a towel of some kind to wipe the sweat off his face and out of his eyes. He’d often see drops form on the end of the curls on his forehead and plunk onto his guitar. He couldn’t image wearing a fedora.

  “You going to wear it?”

  “I’ll give it a try if it pleases her.”

  “You are so owned, coz. I’m happy for you. Did she come up with anything for me?”

  “She got you a new pair of shades so you appear cool. And a grey knit hat to keep your practically shaved head from casting a glare.” Niko grinned.

  “Oh, I see how it is—she doesn’t want me shining brighter than you.”

  Niko shoved his friend off the path and took off faster with Johnny running to catch up. Soon they were back at the bus and ready to hit the road.

  Niko freshened up and sat alone with his journal and pencil. He read for a while out of the Bible and jotted some notes. Niko prayed and dabbled with lyrics. Nothing came, though. He wasn’t too worried. They had several months to get new songs together.

  * * *

  The afternoon was productive. Tia approved edits on her book and had managed to work on the next story. She journaled, but this time in a password-protected application on her tablet, which allowed her to write with a pen. It was weird, but she figured she would get used it. She glanced at her husband with his journal and pencil. That was her preference. She finally put her tablet away, grabbed her own notebook, and started to write.

  I didn’t know what to expect with the guys as we began this trip, but they’ve been great. I’m not sure how this will work out in the long run, but it is nice to be here, wanted and, yes, even loved. I feel more a part of the group now, although as the lone female, I am kind of outside the male bonding and brotherhood that exists. I longed to join in but didn’t think they’d let me. Sigh. I’m still kind of the Mamma Bear, keeping them all in line. But who’s going to keep me in line? I’m sure Niko will try. Lord, I do love that man and don’t know why he puts up with me. But I’m glad he does.

  Later that afternoon, they pulled into town to the hotel they’d stay at for the next two nights. The guys unloaded and wouldn’t let her carry more than her purse and laptop bag. She didn’t complain. This kind of courtesy was nothing new. Their mothers trained them well. Niko came to the room and collapsed on the bed. Within minutes, he was asleep. How did he do that? He always tried for what he called a ‘power nap’ on show days. Tonight they only had an evening interview on the local station. Tomorrow morning, there was another one with a broader listening audience. Later in the afternoon, they were booked for a radio interview. The day after that—their first concert of the tour.

  Shaking her head at her sleeping husband, she removed his shoes, grabbed her clothes, and hit the shower. Once she was done, she gazed out the window to the James River a few blocks away from their hotel. A pool sat unoccupied in the parking lot, but it was fall and even though warm in Lynchburg, she wouldn’t venture into any water today beyond her shower.

  She finished dressing, and the brilliance of the sunshine reflecting off the river in the distance called to her. She put on her shoes, grabbed her notebook, pencil, and phone, and headed out the door. Niko could be out for at least another hour—she might as well get some space from the confines of the room, especially after being cooped up in the bus.

  She stepped into the warm air and inhaled deeply. There was nothing wonderful about the air in their hotel or on the road. She’d open the windows later. She had booked a less expensive hotel to save money. The guys didn’t care as long as they could shower and sleep in full beds. She walked across the parking lot, crossed a street, down a block, and to the river. She found a shady spot to sit in the grass and listen to the sounds of the birds and the water moving along the bank. She pulled out her journal to doodle and pray.

  Lord, I am grateful for all You’ve done. The dreams You made come true. The prayers You answered. I still long for the healing of the pain inside. To be able to be all Niko deserves in a wife. Heal me. Please? Work through the guys on this tour to show Your love and truth to those who listen to their songs. Protect them and their relationships with each other—

  A riff of Niko’s guitar playing came from her phone. She picked it up and swiped the screen.

  “Where are you?” Niko’s sleepy voice held a tinge of anger and…fear?

  “I took a walk to the riverfront. It’s beautiful down here.”

  “You’re not to go anywhere without one of us with you. It’s not safe.”

  “I agreed to a security guard for the concert venues. I didn’t realize you expected me to be babysat every second of the day and night.”

  “Come back, please?”

  “I’ll return soon.”

  “Now.”

  “Nikolos. I am your wife, not a dog to be called on a whim.” She hung up the phone, rose, and walked to the bank. Her heart pounded. Demands like that reminded her of….She closed her eyes and let the sun caress her face. He doesn’t understand I’m never alone, does he? Lord, You go with me, and You were even present when I was a child and again during the attack. It was You who kept me from getting killed, while sparing Niko’s life and the lives of others who might have gotten hurt. You were there. You are there in every nightmare even when I don’t realize it. Help me rest in that truth.

  She took deep breaths and counted to calm her heart. As peace returned, she turned to head up the bank and walk back only to discover her husband running toward her. She stood and awaited him. The moment he saw her, he slowed, gasping for air. Hands on his hips, he walked her way. She couldn’t tell if he was angry, hurt—or why he had come. He strode forward now with purpose. He came to her, toe to toe, and put his hands on either side of her face.

  “Tia,” he gasped as he bent down to kiss her till her bones became mush. He pulled back as she swayed toward him, and he caught her in his arms and hugged her close.

  “Niko?”

  “I was so afraid. Afraid something had happened to you and I didn’t know if I could handle it again.”

  Tia pulled back and gazed into his dark eyes. “Oh, Niko. I never considered how it affected you at the time. I mean, we struggle now because of what happened, but then…? You only mentioned it once.”

  Niko wrapped an arm around her as they started walking toward the hotel. “I was overwhelmed with guilt. I indulged in the ego-stroking provided by all those women over the years while you stood by and watched. Yet you fought to save me? Me? I’m nothing special, and the world would go on fine without me, but you, Tia, are a treasure, and if I am to stay here on this planet, I need you here with me. You can ask Johnny what I was like. I bawled like a baby. He rocked me like my mother used to as a scared little kid.”

  Tia wrapped an arm around his waist as she held her notebook and phone to her chest. She leaned into his side as they walked the rest of the way in silence.

  When they entered the room, Niko hit the shower as Tia got her bag together for their trip to the television station for the interview. She would be offstage supervising like a proud mother hen. Tia preferred to be in the background, basking in the wonder of what God did in and through the men, their unique relationship with each other, and the music they created.

  Soon the crew was in the bus and headed to the studio. They did a minimal set up and were ready to perform and answer questions. A cute blonde named Daisy eagerly approached the band with quick steps, a wide smile, and a sashay to her hips.

  Tia ground her teeth as she watched the reporter get close to Niko. Why was it always the buxom blondes who pursued him? Johnny got a mix, as did Sam and Rocco. Wayne and Marc hung together trying to avoid the ladies, and as a result, got stuck with most of the teardown after a concert. Wayne was m
arried, and Marc had a girlfriend back home. Tia pitched in as well. She had become proficient in wrapping up microphone cords and getting guitars stored the way the guys liked it. She doubted Niko, Johnny, or Sam even knew it was her who took care of their stuff as they flirted.

  For now, she sat back in the shadows and observed the playful banter. The guys played a musical intro before a brief interview.

  Daisy the Sexy Reporter: I’m thrilled to be in the company of the handsome men of Specific Gravity fame. They won a Dove award for Everywhere You Go several years ago. Why did you all stop touring?

  Nikolos: Johnny was sick, and we didn’t want to tour without him.

  Daisy: What kind illness was it? You’ve never spoken of it before.

  Johnny: Cancer.

  Daisy: Oh, I’m sorry. Are you well now?

  Johnny: As well as they can make me. They call it remission. I label it a reprieve. We all die sometime. It just wasn’t my turn yet.

  Daisy: But you are touring now and with a new single on the charts, but this is not recorded with your label Jazzy Records. What’s the story?

  Sam: We are grateful to Jazzy Records for the work they did with our last album, but we made a choice to do this one on our own to maintain more creative control over the process.

  Tia smiled. They had rehearsed and prepared for that kind of question. The last thing they wanted was a bad relationship with their former label.

  Daisy: What are you going to play for us this evening?

  Nikolos: We thought we would go back a few years and perform our old hit, Everywhere You Go.

  The band played a truncated version of the song, and Tia smiled and tapped her foot. She’d heard it a hundred times or more but never minded hearing them perform it live.

  Daisy: There you have it, folks. Specific Gravity will be performing tomorrow evening. Would you mind taking us out with your latest hit?

  Nikolos: Sorry. You’ll have to come to the concert for that one—it’s a special song to us.

  Daisy: Okay. Back to you, Dan.

  The cameraman indicated they were clear, and the reporter sidled up to Niko. “For me? Not on tape?”

  Niko shook his head. “Sorry. No can do. I hope you enjoy the concert tomorrow night, though.”

  She whispered in Niko’s ear, and Tia saw his brows knit together in concentration. He shook his head and spoke in tones too low for her to hear. Fine. I’ll go tear down. Men. They can’t turn off the charm, can they?

  * * *

  Niko couldn’t seem to escape the forward reporter. She asked more questions, and he gave vague answers. It was all stuff in their publicity package and available on the web. He had to admit she was attractive. If he weren’t married—oh, craptastic. Tia was probably watching as this blonde version of a clinging vine was acting all sweet and innocent with him.

  Johnny rescued him. “Come on, Niko. The band is ready.”

  “We’re packed and loaded?”

  Johnny nodded and regarded the reporter. “Thank you for having us on your show.”

  She blinked and gave him a broad smile.

  Johnny grabbed Niko’s arm, disengaged the hand of the woman, and drew him off to the alley door and the bus.

  “You remember you have a wife now, right?”

  “Of course. I couldn’t get Daisy to leave me alone.”

  “You didn’t try very hard.” Johnny followed Niko into the bus.

  Tia sat off in a small cubby with a journal, her face turned away from him. He plopped down in the closest available seat for the short drive to the hotel. How bad had he erred tonight?

  The band poured out of the bus, with Tia last. Niko walked side by side with her. “Wanna get some dinner?”

  “Call for a pizza to be delivered. I really don’t want to go anywhere tonight.”

  Niko nodded and talked to the guys. They were going to walk to a nearby spot to eat. He let them leave and caught up with his wife.

  “You can go with them if you want. Once I’m locked in my room, I promise not to leave.”

  He frowned and followed her into the room, found a local delivery, and ordered for them both. By the time he got off the phone, Tia was in the bathroom. She came out dressed in sweatpants and a baggy t-shirt.

  “It’ll be here in about thirty minutes, give or take.”

  She nodded and pointed to her purse. “There’s cash in there. Make sure you include a good tip.”

  “When have I ever not…” He stopped at the way her eyebrows rose. “Fine.” He pulled out the bills needed and set them on the table.

  Tia turned on the television and started flipping the channels. She found an old movie and sat. Niko sat on the bed to watch.

  “What is it?”

  “Sabrina. But this isn’t the original. It’s a remake but well done. Julia Ormand is sweet.”

  “What’s it about?”

  “You really don’t want to know.”

  “I do.”

  “It’s about a young woman who is in love with the younger playboy son of a wealthy man her father works for as a servant. A chauffeur, as it were. She takes off for a year in Paris to learn about the fashion industry, and when she returns, she is transformed. The wealthy young man is now engaged to someone else but is instantly attracted to this fashion plate. Now he wants his cake and dessert on the side, but his older brother is determined to stop him and tries to seduce Sabrina away.”

  “Does it work?”

  “You’ll have to watch it to find out.”

  “So he only liked her for her looks?”

  “It seems to be what men generally go for at first anyway.”

  “That’s not true.”

  She glared at him but said nothing. A knock at the door forced him to rise and get their dinner.

  They sat and ate in silence as the movie played. Tia finished and rose. She clicked the television off.

  “Hey. I thought I had to see the ending.”

  “It’s all fictional mushy romance anyway—what’s the point?”

  Niko stood, hands on his hips. “You’re angry.”

  She glanced at him with raised eyebrows and a silent, “no duh!”

  “Listen. I did not encourage that reporter. I couldn’t get her to stop talking. I tried.”

  “It’s okay, Nikolos…”

  Her voice clearly indicated otherwise.

  “Blondes gravitate to you. Something about your dark, brooding eyes and those soft curls attract them. You’re as helpless as a flower attracting honeybees. Flowers can’t get away from the attention either. The more beautiful the more sought out they are. And you possess a poet’s soul. What girl wouldn’t want you?” She pulled back the blankets, climbed into bed, and tugged them up to cover most of her face. She had already turned off the lamp on her side of the bed.

  Niko climbed onto the bed on his hands and knees. “This is an occupational hazard, and you can’t pretend you didn’t realize this would happen. You’ve been on tour long enough. I’ve never done anything inappropriate, even before I had a wife. You knew this…”

  “It’s my fault?” She rolled over with tears coursing down her cheeks. “I should just accept another woman hanging all over my husband as he soaks up the attention?” She threw the blankets off and stood to pace. “You really are too much, you know that? Turn this on me? Maybe I’ll catch a flight home tomorrow and wait for you to come back in six months. You don’t need me. It’s all done, and you have the itinerary.”

  Niko sat back on his feet. “You would leave me?” he growled, and his hands were fisted.

  “I’m obviously not as important as I thought. I don’t know what I want.” She grabbed a sweatshirt, threw it on, and slipped on some shoes.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Out.” The door slammed before he could respond. He scrambled to his feet and tripped over a chair in the darkened room. He pulled on his jeans and slid into his chucks. He grabbed his phone and called Roger.

  “Rog. I need you. T
ia took off, and I’ve no clue where she went.”

  “The guys and I will help you find her. Does she have her phone?”

  “No. She didn’t even grab her room key. No purse. Nothing.”

  “We’re at the restaurant but finishing up—we’ll meet you back at the lobby of the hotel.”

  “Okay. Hurry. It’s getting dark.”

  “Take a deep breath, Niko. And pray. God knows exactly where she is.”

  He ended up in the parking lot trying to find any indication of where Tia had run. He turned to walk to the lobby, sighting the guys coming from the other direction.

  Johnny frowned and got in Niko’s face. “What did you do?”

  “I was an idiot. Okay? Go ahead and punch me if you think it’ll help.”

  “No time. We need to find Tia.”

  The men split up in pairs except for Johnny, who ran to the river alone while the rest went in different directions.

  Niko accompanied Roger.

  They walked in silence as they occasionally called for Tia. The wind started to pick up.

  “Smells like rain.” Roger scanned the clouds. Lightning flashed overhead, followed by a large crack. “We better return. She’s a smart woman. She’s not going to be out in this.”

  “But what if she’s been hurt or ran into trouble?”

  Roger shook his head. “It’s too dangerous for us to be out here with the way this storm is developing. For all we know, she’s back at the hotel waiting for us.” He grabbed Niko’s arm and pushed him forward as they sprinted to the hotel.

  The rest of the band had arrived, everyone was wet, and Johnny glared at Niko.

  “I’m going to take you up on your earlier offer.”

  Sam growled. “I’ll hold him for you.”

  Roger stepped in front of Niko. “I don’t think you need to beat him up more than he has himself. Go to your rooms, get dried off, and rest. Pray for Tia’s safety. If she doesn’t show up by tomorrow, we can contact the police.”

  “Call them now.” Niko insisted.

  “She’s not a missing person until at least 24 hours have passed.”

  Niko stormed off to his room, stripping off his wet clothes once he was inside. Once dry and dressed, he sat in the dark by the window, staring outside. He watched the storm and prayed Tia was safe. Was he being overprotective of her? He’d almost lost her once and couldn’t imagine going through that again.