CHAPTER NINETEEN
“You’re dying?”
Ashley pulled the phone away from her ear, irritated by her sister’s frantic voice. “I didn’t think so, but let me check my vitals. Okay, my heart’s still beating. And I’m still breathing. All signs point to living another day. Sorry to disappoint.”
“Entertainment Weekly says your character is dying.” She stayed quiet for a moment. “And it doesn’t get much better from there. You better check it out.”
Ashley turned on her tablet and pulled up the Entertainment Weekly website. The headline at the top of their page made her stomach drop: “Revelation shocker: Ashley Lawford Reveals Surprise Ending, Gets Canned from Show!”
With a thunderous heartbeat, she scanned the article, hoping that she’d misread the fine print, but Kiske had promised he would bury her, and he had followed up on that promise. He didn’t even respect her enough to inform her or her agent, relying instead on the press to convey the message.
“Gayle Hart is such a bitch,” Kelsey said.
“But who knows? She could have been right in saying that I stole Scott from her.”
“I told you, Scott wouldn’t have done—”
“I stopped by his room yesterday, and I saw one of your waitresses hiding in his bathroom.”
“Brittany?”
“No. The beautiful one.”
“Nina? That’s ridiculous. She has a boyfriend. But she wants to get in the music industry, so maybe Scott was giving her some pointers?”
“If that was the case, why was she hiding in his bathroom?”
Kelsey didn’t respond.
“See what I mean?”
“What’re you going to do now?”
“Well, I’m out of work, so I’ll have to get back home and look for something.”
“Oh. I was hoping you’d stay awhile. So we could catch up. But that’s pretty far-fetched since I’ll be spending most of my time getting my restaurants back in shape. Subject change: Mom and Dad are having Christmas dinner, and I’m sure they’d love to see you there, especially since you missed Thanksgiving.”
The idea of seeing her sister again so soon lifted her spirits. “I’ll give it some thought.”
“You do that. All right, I better get going. Love you, Ash.”
Those endearing words made her heart clench. “I love you, too.” She hung up.
Ashley packed up her belongings and booked a flight back to LA. Six hours later, she entered her small townhouse feeling disorientated, simply because she had nothing to look forward to and no one to chat with. She hadn’t spent much time with Kelsey, but reconnecting with her had roused an excitement in caring about someone and having that same person, in turn, care about her.
In addition to that, Ashley felt a lot of pride in her sister’s success and in the woman she’d become. Kelsey ran two successful businesses, and although The Witching Hour was currently sidelined, Ashley knew that her sister would get it back in operation sooner rather than later.
As for herself, Ashley tried not to think about her lack of employment, although she’d allowed for a six-month safety cushion when it came to expenses. That let her mind drift to matters of the heart. She’d never met anyone who made her feel as alive as Scott. He understood her. He accepted her flaws. And he still loved her.
Or so she thought. After all, a gorgeous woman doesn’t come included with every room rental at Winter in Serenity, so how could he expect her to accept the same explanation twice? And yet she just couldn’t believe that Nina was purely interested in learning more about the music industry.
Yet every time she closed her eyes, Ashley couldn’t drown out memories of kissing Scott. In her entire life, she’d never been so hot for a man. That she had such strong feelings for him made it difficult to just forget about him and move on.
To set her mind on another path, Ashley took out the teleplays of her paranormal series and began revising them, giving the heroine a love interest, one that had an uncanny resemblance to Scott Mettle. As much as Ashley didn’t want to go there, she had to get him out of her mind, and if it meant turning to her life to invigorate her fiction then so be it.
For the next two weeks, she planned to spend every waking moment working on what she hoped would become a television series. Nothing might come of it, but before Christmas, she wanted to have every script perfected. Afterwards, her agent would book her pitch sessions to various broadcast and cable networks. She had no idea if anyone would pick up her series, but she had no intention of giving up.
* * *
Later that day, Scott walked over to Kelsey as she poured a cup of steaming black coffee into a mug at the counter of her ’80s era diner, Forever and Always. “Not bad,” he said, acknowledging that customers occupied more than half of the booths in the restaurant. “Is this a good crowd for breakfast?”
Kelsey nodded and addressed an elderly gentleman reading the Chicago Tribune. “There you are, Mr. Steinmetz. Let me know if I can get you anything else.” She turned to Scott, glared at him, and wiped off some toast crumbs from the counter with a white rag. “What do you want, Scott?”
“I guess Ashley misinterpreted the truth for you. Just an FYI—you shouldn’t be mad at me.”
“Oh, no?” Her stare deepened with animosity. “Nina’s my waitress. She’s also a good person. Who happens to have a great guy for a boyfriend.”
He fought to keep his blood pressure from rising. “And she’s a talented singer and a decent writer. I know because I invited her over to work on a song… about me and Ashley.”
Kelsey gave him a dull look that made it obvious she didn’t quite believe him. “I thought you were different, Scott. I truly wanted you and Ashley to get back together. But she can’t trust you. Not after this.”
“So you believe her?”
“I’m not perfect, so I have no right to judge. Besides, it’s not my business. I’ve got work to do, so I can’t talk.” She spun around.
“Did you tell me the truth? About liking my songs?”
Kelsey faced him again, clearly a sign that she still respected him. Otherwise, she would’ve walked away without acknowledging him.
“Why do you like them?”
She dropped her hands to her sides. “I don’t have time for this.”
“Because they were great songs? Or because… I wrote them about your sister?”
“Both.”
Scott stepped so close to the counter that his chest bumped into it. “Look into my eyes, Kelsey. And tell me what you see.”
Nonplussed, she took a few steps toward him. “They look red. Like you’ve been drinking. Are you drunk?”
“No, I’m not drunk.” He tempered his frustration. “My eyes are red because I haven’t gotten any sleep. Go ahead, look again. Am I the same guy who wrote those songs?”
Kelsey’s annoyed expression gave way to compassion. She tossed the rag on the counter and inched closer to the counter to speak with more confidentiality. “Then what are you doing inviting Nina to your room?”
Scott cracked a smile. “I’m getting the band back together. Me and Gabe, at least. We’ll figure out the rest soon enough.” The weight of having disbanded the group so many years ago finally unleashed its hold on him. He hadn’t expected that saying it out loud would feel so uplifting. And the thought of working with Gabe – without his brother’s addiction dividing them – had Scott thinking that they could finally create the type of music that would allow them to claim their spot in popular culture as one of the great rock bands of the twenty-first century.
“Really?” Her voice boomed throughout the restaurant, drawing attention from every person in the vicinity. They either stopped mid-chew, cutting off their words mid-sentence, or looked upset that her quick outburst gave them a jolt of shock.
“I apologize, everyone,” she said, addressing the patrons in her diner. “Just got some good news.” When most of her customers returned their attention to their meals and conversations, Kelsey
met Scott’s gaze with a bright smile.
“Have you written anything together?” she asked. “Or will you be getting on stage again to work up that old Mettle Magic? Have you booked studio time?”
“Whoa,” Scott said, backing away from the counter and raising his hands to ward off any more questions. Still, her excitement was infectious. “We haven’t talked about it yet. But I’m thinking we should play some of the old tunes. You know, get that familiarity on stage again.”
“Awesome! Then I’m booking your first gig at The Witching Hour on New Year’s Eve.”
“Hey, wait a minute—”
“You can’t say no,” Kelsey said with a large grin. “There’s absolutely no way you will say no.” Seeing him about to object, she raised one finger. “First, I loved your band before anyone even knew about you.” Kelsey lifted another finger. “Second, if you hadn’t performed at my restaurant, you wouldn’t have had tens of thousands of people check it out. And who knows, maybe Gabe wouldn’t have thought about getting the band together again.” A third finger went up. “And finally, I’m going to help you get Ashley back. This time for good!”
A shot of energy charged through Scott, but he didn’t want to get ahead of himself. “How does that work? What’s your plan?”
“You’re now officially invited to your first Lawford family Christmas gathering. Stop by around 3:00 p.m.”
His hopes sunk. “Now you’re just being ridiculous. Your dad hates me. We had words at your restaurant last month.” He released a heavy sigh. “I kind of told him off.”
“Really?” Kelsey swished her hands together with devious delight. “This is going to be so much fun. It’ll be the best Christmas ever!”
“He won’t even let me in the house. He didn’t last time.”
“Last time? But you never came to the house before.”
“I sure did. Senior prom. He wouldn’t let me so much as step into the house. And he wouldn’t let Ashley go with me.”
Kelsey’s expression faltered. “I never knew that.” She lowered her gaze for a moment, pensive. But a second later, she waved off her concern, “It doesn’t matter. I’ll handle him.”
Scott didn’t want to place odds on that bet, but if anyone might have success at changing Glenn Lawford’s mind, he had to admit that Kelsey would top the list. Then he considered another line of thought. If Ashley had blown him off the first time she saw him with another woman and hadn’t wanted anything to do with him in fifteen years, only to once more “catch” him with another woman, how would Kelsey convince her sister to give him yet another shot?
“Okay,” Scott said, “let’s say you manage to convince your dad. How do you plan on convincing Ashley?”
She opened her mouth to speak, but then thought better of it and closed her lips, unable to hide a sly smile. “I have my ways.”
Scott eyed her with suspicion.
“Don’t trust me? It worked last time, didn’t it?”
He had to concede that point. Besides, misunderstanding or not, he had to give Ashley some space, and it would be helpful to have Kelsey in his corner. That left him almost two weeks before seeing them again for Christmas. “Fine.” He extended a hand across the counter for her to shake. “Deal.”
Kelsey grasped his palm and shook it.
When she tried to pull away, Scott tightened his grip a little, holding her in place. “I’m serious about this, Kelsey. If I lose her again—”
Her grin dipped for a moment, until she noticed the impression it lent, so she perked up again. “It’s guaranteed.” But she winced as though she had a hard time believing she could deliver on that promise.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Two weeks later, in the mid-afternoon on Christmas Day, Scott arrived at the Lawford residence. He lifted a hand to knock on the hard wooden door, but nerves got the best of him. He chuckled out of both humor and fear. Humor that he was frightened of meeting “the parents.” And fear because he’d met the parents, or at least one of them, fifteen years ago on this same doorstep and had been turned away with a disapproving glare.
Scott Mettle had written number-one songs, scored platinum albums, and toured the world. But he stood on the wrong end of a door that might soon slam in his face for the second and final time. Nonetheless, Scott rapped his knuckles on the door.
Moments later, the door opened, revealing Kelsey, wearing a giant smile. “Hey, Scott.” The smile disappeared, and her expression became unreadable. “Did you come to wish us a Merry Christmas? Oh, no, you being a singer and all, I bet you came to sing us a Christmas carol!” She swiveled toward the other room and said: “Hey everybody, Scott Mettle dropped by to sing a Christmas carol.” She turned back to Scott, her face still unreadable.
“What are you doing?” he asked in a low, tight voice. “You invited me. Remember? Two weeks ago. You told me to come at this exact moment.”
Puzzled, unblinking, Kelsey noticed the vegetable plate he held. “Do carolers normally bring treats to those they serenade?” She drew back with uncertainty. “Would you consider vegetables a treat? More importantly, do carolers… serenade? Or is there another term I should use?”
From the other room, Scott heard Kelsey’s brother, Alex, say, “Scott, caroling? I’ve gotta see this,” followed by Damon Durant, who said, “Dude, I’m going to record it and put it on YouTube. What hard rock fan wouldn’t want to see him rock out to…’Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.’”
Kelsey shook her head and turned to Damon, who slid up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her cheek. She said, “It’s actually called ‘The Christmas Song.’” Grinning, she turned back to Scott, who nodded at Damon then Alex, who appeared a moment later.
“What’s going on?” asked Glenn Lawford in a stern voice, his thundering footsteps approaching as he headed towards the door. “Close the front door. It’s cold out there.” He made his way behind Alex and, upon seeing Scott on his doorstep, came to a stop. A menacing growl rumbled in his throat.
And just like that, Scott turned into a seventeen-year-old kid again. Looking back to their meeting at the concert last month, he realized that he’d spoken so assuredly because performing wound him up and gave him more confidence than any person had the right to command.
Glenn’s eyes narrowed. “What’s this I hear about a Christmas carol?”
Kelsey laughed without sound, trying to stifle a smile, making it evident that she recalled inviting Scott, but decided to have some fun with him first. “Yeah, Scott. What’s on the set-list tonight?”
Scott was overcome with so much relief that he broke into a wide smile. “Well played. And thanks for the invite.”
Glenn’s nostrils flared at Kelsey. “You invited him?” He shook his head so rigorously that his jowls trembled. He turned his glare onto Scott once more. “You will not step one foot in my house. The invitation is null and void.”
Annoyed by the man’s bluster, Scott did his best to maintain his cool and found that his nerves broke once Kelsey revealed that she’d put one over on him. “That’s really too bad. I heard your wife makes a scrumptious Christmas dinner.” Dejected, he shrugged, reached in his pocket, and extracted a receipt. “I’m afraid I’ll have to ask for a refund.” He gestured to the vegetable platter. “It’ll be $9.40.”
“Take it back to the grocery store,” Glenn said, irritated. “You didn’t open it. Just return it.”
“I could, but that won’t happen. I bought this plate with good intentions. The same good intentions that Kelsey put out there by inviting me. So if it’s going back to the store, you’ll be the one returning it. Oh, I almost forgot the tax.” He scanned the receipt. “The total comes out to $10.01.” He smiled at Glenn. “And yes, I want that penny.”
“What’s all the hub-bub?” asked a female voice. A moment later, Glenn’s wife, Loretta, appeared at his side. “Scott,” she said, stretching out his name as it exited her mouth. “What a pleasant surprise.” A kind-hearted smile touched h
er lips. Ignoring her husband’s gruff stare, she tapped Alex’s shoulder then Damon’s shoulder, urging them to part.
Once they did, Loretta slipped between them. “Welcome, welcome.” She extended an arm toward him with the intention of drawing him closer. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you for so long.” She took the plate from Scott with a gentle nod of appreciation. She turned and handed it to Glenn, forcing him to lift his arms to accept it, although he gnashed his teeth so hard his jawline protruded.
Thrown off by her warmth, compared to her husband’s chilly greeting, Scott allowed himself to get ushered into the house. He caught sight of Alex’s girlfriend, Marisa, and smiled at her before placing his full attention on Loretta. “Thanks for having me. I’ve heard you’re a wonderful cook.”
“Thank you,” she said, leading him toward an enormous dining room table, decked out with plates, glasses, and cutlery. “We were just about to sit down. Glenn, honey, will you bring out the turkey?” She turned to her son and daughter, followed by their significant others. “Everyone, please lend a hand and get our side dishes from the kitchen.” She turned back to Scott with a gentle smile and led him to a spot at the table. “Please have a seat.”
The dichotomy between husband and wife made Scott uneasy. He didn’t know what to expect next. He scanned the room for Ashley but found no trace of her. He quickly put aside all thoughts of her, however, and focused on her mother as the others returned from the kitchen and placed dishes of cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and rolls onto the table, followed by a huge platter with a golden turkey.
Scott stood behind the seat Loretta motioned to until Kelsey and Damon sat down, followed by Alex and Marisa. Just as he took his seat, Loretta did the same, while Glenn glared at Scott and held a sharp knife that flashed from the light overhead.
One More Chance (A Bedford Falls Novel Book 3) Page 23
