Miles Apart (The Not So Bad Boys of Rock Book 2)

by Rhonda James

  I’m currently standing off to the side of the kitchen, observing Victoria as she expedites the brunch orders. We’re busy this morning, which isn’t unusual, but today we have a large crowd in from the states. I heard a rumor about a pharmaceutical convention being held nearby so maybe that’s what brought in the crowd.

  “Order in!” Victoria called out, and everyone behind the pass turned their attention on her voice. “Three covers. Two full English breakfasts, eggs poached. One eggs Benedict, extra hollandaise.”

  “Yes, Chef!” The crew turned back to their stations and continued to crank out plate after plate of delectable looking food. After a flurry of activity, Victoria made the last swipe over a plate and placed it on the pass.

  “Service, please!” I smiled, proud to see that she was in complete control.

  I made my way out through the bar, pausing to say hello to the bartender, James, before I did a circuit of the dining room. I greeted customers, asking them if they were enjoying their food. I addressed a few concerns about eggs that were poached too long, some not long enough. After seeing that each guest was satisfied, I made my way toward the back offices. I moved forward, through the French doors and past the coat room. That’s when I saw him leaving the men’s washroom.

  Him being my father.

  I hadn’t seen him in thirteen years, but I was sure it was him. I wasn’t sure what to do or say. I stood their mute, obviously looking like a complete lunatic. He looked over at me, his gaze lingering longer than your standard glance, before offering a polite nod and moving on.

  He hadn’t recognized me.

  But how could that be?

  I looked so much like him.

  His hair was blonde, and still cut short, like I remember it when I was younger. My dad and I had been close once. When I was in first grade he would pick me up from school three times a week, and we would always go out for ice cream, and then to the park. I remember he used to read me bedtime stories and I would make him change his voice as he read different characters. There were memories of when he would take me to work with him and show me around his office, always introducing me to his co-workers in a silly way, acting as if I had never been there before.

  Then, one day it all stopped, and he and mom began fighting more frequently, until one day he just didn’t come home.

  To this day I still don’t understand why he never said goodbye.

  I stood there staring after him, turning my body so that my eyes could follow where he went. He joined a table of seven and immediately began laughing at something that someone must have said. I watched him with his friends, acting comfortably as if nothing had happened. Maybe for him nothing had happened, but for me, time seemed to be moving backwards and suddenly I was that little girl again. The girl who sat by the door night after night waiting for her daddy to come back home. Only he never did.

  I felt a nervous flutter in my stomach and shook my head violently, trying to snap out of the trance. Just as I was about to turn around he looked my way and gave an uncomfortable smile, followed by a small wave.

  I started to lift my hand to return the wave but then thought better of it. I stood up straight and turned away quickly, making my way back to my office, and fighting like hell to hold back the tears threatening to escape.

  Damn him and his little wave. He didn’t deserve my return wave. Why couldn’t he have just gone on ignoring me? Why couldn’t I have just walked away? And what did it matter anyhow?

  I had long since accepted the fact that he had probably forgotten about me. Never once had he tried to contact me. I asked my mom that very question every day for nearly two months straight until she finally got angry with me and told me to never speak of him again.

  I couldn’t really say why any of it mattered, other than the sheer curiosity of finding out how it was that he could walk away so easily. I wanted to know if he’d ever thought about me and wondered how my life had turned out. Well, part of me wanted to know the answers, another part of me was terrified to hear that he left because he didn’t love me anymore.

  I threw myself down into the chair in the corner and focused on taking deep, cleansing breaths. In through the nose, out through the mouth. In through the nose…

  “Brooke?” I heard the hostess, Mary, call out just as a soft knock hit my door. “Are you in there?”

  “Just a sec. I’ll be right out.” I answered carefully, pulling myself together before I went out to meet her.

  “Great. There was someone asking about you at the front desk, so I brought them back to see you.”

  “What?” I frowned, yanking the door open. “Someone was looking for me? Who was it?” I snapped, suddenly irritated that she would bring a complete stranger back to my office without checking with me first.

  “I’m sorry,” she stammered nervously, and began to back away. “He said that he might be your father. I thought you would want to see him.” Her lips pursed tightly together and she gave a small squeak as she turned and bolted for the front of the house.

  With her out of the way, he suddenly came into view.

  So, he had recognized me after all.

  “Hello, Brooke. Guess you’re just as surprised by this as I am.” He offered a half-laugh, trying not to appear uncomfortable.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” I demanded. No obvious love lost between us. Nope.

  “Honestly? I’m not sure. When I first saw you, I thought it could be you. But as I watched you, staring at me, I knew that it had to be you. You haven’t changed, not even after all these years.”

  “Please.” I bit out. “I was eleven years old when you walked out on me; I think it’s safe to say that I look a little different.”

  “Fair enough.” He raised his hands in mock surrender. “May I?” He indicated to one of the chairs that sat behind me. But I wasn’t letting him off the hook that easily.

  “What do you want, Richard?” I dared him, unwilling to call him Dad just yet. After all, the man had dropped me like a rock. As far as I was concerned, I owed him absolutely nothing.

  “I was hoping that we could maybe talk.” He shrugged, noncommittally.

  “Gee, now really isn’t a great time for me. I have a lot going on, maybe some other time?” I crossed my arms over my chest, doing my best to appear like I was completely in charge of this crazy situation.

  “Look, I know that this must feel awkward for you.”

  “Awkward?” I huffed.

  “And I’m sure that you have a lot of questions for me. I get that. Here’s my number. I have something important to tell you.” He opened his wallet and pulled out a business card. As the wallet lay open, I couldn’t help but catch a glimpse of a photo of a young girl, smiling broadly for the camera.

  My fifth grade school photo.

  Ms. Davidson’s class.

  I remembered how kind she had been to me after my dad had left us. The way she always ate lunch in her office and kept the door open for me to quietly hang out with her, instead of the noisy cafeteria. Back then it had all been too much for me to handle, and she always seemed to understand.

  Why did he still carry that photo if he had forgotten about me? He held the card out for me to take. I wrapped my fingers around it tightly, trying to mask the slight tremor in my hand.

  "I have nothing to say to you. You made your choice when you walked out thirteen years ago. Please leave." I turned myself away from him, opening the door for his exit.

  “Call me, please. If you want to talk, or anything. I’ll be in London for the rest of the week.” With that, he turned on his heel and walked away.

  I stuffed the card in my back pocket and called Sebastian. I needed to hear his voice right now. My heart was racing, and I felt a panic attack coming on. I quickly moved over to the chair and sat down. I just needed to hear his voice. The deep timbre of his voice always calmed me. I heard a click on the other end and then his voice asking me to leave a message.

  “Hey, if you get this message can
you call me back right away? I need to hear your voice. Something happened and it kind of freaked me out.” I sighed heavily, brushing away a tear that had escaped. “Please call me. I really need your advice.” I hung up and pondered what to do next.

  I needed to talk to someone, and I really wanted that someone to be Sebastian. We used to share everything with each other. Now, it seemed as if neither of us were making the effort to go the extra mile and keep in touch, the way we used to. I checked my watch and contemplated calling Jade. She would be a good sounding board right about now.

  Then, I got a text from Reid.

  He wanted to know if I was still at work. He was just leaving the restaurant and offered to walk me home. He might be a great person to talk to about the surprise visit I’d just encountered. He would be an impartial party, having never heard stories of my upbringing. I guess he would have to do.

  Me: Leaving now. Meet you out front?

  Reid: At the door now.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Sebastian~

  Two hours after our meeting with Davis, we were settled in on the tour bus and on our way to London. In a few short hours I would finally be holding Brooke in my arms, and I could hardly wait. It had been just shy of a month since we’d seen each other, and that visit had been far too brief. This time around would be even shorter, but I intended to make it special. I was bringing her to watch us perform, and I couldn’t wait to look over and see her standing there as I sang for her again. This separation had been harder than either one of us had anticipated. Sure, I knew it would be rough, tours were always hard on relationships. At first, Brooke had just assumed that it would be the way it was after we’d first met. Back then we’d made time for one another. Hell, back then we both had time to offer. Now, with me on tour, and her running a restaurant, we barely made time to even text.

  That needed to change, fast, before things fell apart.

  “Hey man.” Dek came over, clapping me on the back. “You getting excited about spending time with Brooke? You’re all quiet and keeping to yourself over here.”

  “Just doing some thinking.” I gave a tight-lipped grin, casually slipping the ring I’d been holding back in my pocket.

  “What was that?” He squinted his eyes, tipping his chin up.

  “Nothing.” I replied, casually. “What are Chris and Travis up to?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

  He wouldn’t have any part of it.

  “No, I saw something in your hand a moment ago. Something that sparkled. Anything you want to tell me?” He prodded, being his usual nosey self. Ever since we were little kids, no matter what it was that I was trying to hide or keep secret, Dek would keep poking until he got it out of me. I swear, the guy could nag worse than a woman. Worst thing was that I gave in to him, nearly every time, which only kept the vicious cycle repeating. Maybe one day I would learn to ignore him.

  However, today would not be that day. Today, he brought in reinforcements.

  “Hey guys, come over here.” He beckoned to Chris and Travis. “Sebastian is hiding something in his pocket.”

  “What the hell.” I snapped, as the guys made their way over to see what was going on. “You guys really need to start learning how to mind your own damn business.” I groaned, inwardly, knowing they wouldn’t let up until I’d told them everything.

  “So what’s the big secret?” Chris asked, clearly not following the looks being exchanged by Dek and Travis. They more than likely had a pretty good idea of what I’d tried, unsuccessfully, to keep to myself.

  “The mighty hipster king has some pretty big news he’s trying to keep from us. Come on buddy, spill it.” Dek grinned wickedly while straddling the arm of the slippery leather sofa.

  “If you already know what’s up then why are you making such a scene?” I asked, shoving him back, just enough to knock him off balance. He rolled his eyes and slipped into the far corner of the cushion, so as not to be knocked off again.

  “Cause I want to hear you say it. Come on, we’re family here. We want to know when something big is about to happen.” All cockiness disappeared and his smile was now one of warmth and support.

  I took a deep breath and pulled out the ring.

  “I’m going to ask Brooke to marry me.”

  “Seriously?” Chris smiled.

  “It’s about damn time.” Travis winked.

  “I hope this doesn’t mean I’ll be forced to listen to another member of this group talking about married life.” Dek shuddered. “Totally not cool.”

  “Hey. What’s uncool about married life? I happen to think it’s pretty sexy.” Travis countered.

  “Yeah, well your wife is pretty sexy.” Dek quipped.

  “Watch it buddy. That is not cool.” Travis gave a threatening glare, which Dek clearly ignored.

  “You’re the one that brought her up.”

  “Guys, enough. Can we please get back to me? What do you guys really think? Is this a bad idea? Is it too soon?” I was incredibly nervous. I’d never done anything like this before. Brooke had been proposed to three times by her first boyfriend. Each time she’d turned him down, saying it wasn’t the right time. I wasn’t so sure that I would have the same tenacity that Devon had maintained. If she shot me down today then I may not be up for a second go-round. The longer we were apart, the more I realized that I wanted our future to start now. I didn’t want to wait any longer. Yes, I wanted her with me. I couldn’t help being selfish in that way. I knew it may mean that I would be asking her to trade her dreams for mine, but I also knew that if she’d asked me to do the same I would in a heartbeat. During the past two months on tour I’d learned that even though I loved performing I loved Brooke more. At the end of every performance, even surrounded by thousands of fans and the crew, I was lonely.

  And that feeling had grown old.

  “So, do you have a plan? Is she even expecting this?” Chris asked, suddenly getting excited.

  “We’ve talked about our future together, but I don’t think she’s expecting me to propose. We were supposed to meet tomorrow morning, but since we’re early I was thinking I would surprise her by showing up at her apartment today.”

  “What if she isn’t home?” Travis asked.

  “Then I’ll hang around until she is.”

  “Sebastian, I think this girl makes you happier than you’ve ever been. She’s brought a sparkle back to your eyes that I haven’t seen since we were teenagers. I love Brooke, and if she makes you happy then I think you’d be a fool not to propose. You two will be great together, especially once you’re back together.” Dek threw his arms around me and gave me a manly thump on the back before letting go.

  “I agree, little brother. She is perfect for you. She completes you. I see the way you look at her, the way your eyes light up when you talk about her. Even when she makes you angry, that light is always there. She’ll make a great addition to the family.” Travis pulled me from Dek’s grasp and repeated the gesture.

  “Hell, you know how I feel about Brooke. I know she loves you. You two make a great couple. Congratulations.” Soon I was engulfed in two hulking arms that nearly squeezed the life out of me.

  “Chris.” I wheezed. “I can’t breathe.”

  “Oops. Sorry.” The big guy grinned, sheepishly.

  Soon, we were passing time by listening to loud music and singing along to our favorite bands. Dek took the lead whenever Maroon 5 played, mimicking a perfect Adam Levine. Then, Daughtry came on and I bellowed out the lyrics to “Losing My Mind.” I connected immensely with those powerful words. This girl had become my whole world, in such a short time. Being without her, thinking about her day in and day out, it had nearly done me in.

  We pulled into the hotel lot just after four, and after unloading our suitcases, the driver relocated the bus to a lot thirty minutes out of town to throw off the scent of potential reporters.

  The long ride in the elevator did nothing to help my nerves. Once I made it to the room, I threw my s
uitcase on the bed and grabbed a quick shower. I toweled off and stepped over to the mirror, wiping away the steam with my hand. Large blue eyes stared back at me. In spite of the fear that threatened to pull me under, I felt alive. I was really going to go through with this. In less than two hours I could be an engaged man. No longer an “eligible bachelor” as most online reviewers had called me. Hell, as far as I’d been concerned I hadn’t been eligible from the moment I’d met her. From the first spoken word between us she had captured my heart. I’d never gotten it back, and I was okay with that.

  Yeah, I was pretty much a love-sick fool. But I was a lucky fool.

  I dressed quickly and headed for the door. My phone rang just as I opened the door and I saw that it was Natalie. I also saw that I had missed a call from Brooke. I wouldn’t call her back, since I was planning to surprise her I figured it could wait.

  “Hey Nat. How are you and Liv holding up?” I greeted, happily.

  “Oh, we’re fine. Everything’s good here.”

  “How’s Gibson treating you? Is he behaving himself? You know I had a long talk with him before we took off. I told him there would be a pretty good-sized bone for him if he stayed off the furniture and only went to the bathroom outside.” I chuckled.

  “He’s growing so quickly. He’s already big enough to knock Olivia down. They are great friends though, he sleeps with her every night.” I could almost hear her smile through the phone. I knew Olivia must be loving having a puppy around. “But the bed doesn’t count as furniture, so he should still get a bone.”

  “Oh-kay,” I laughed. “Whatever you say momma. I miss you.”

  “I miss you too, sweetie. I just wanted to call and wish you good luck. Travis told me what your plan was and I thought you’d like to know that I’m over here rooting for you.”

  “Thanks Nat. I need all the cheering I can get. I’m pretty nervous. Never done this before, you know.” It felt so comfortable to talk with Natalie. She’s been a part of my life for so long now, it's only natural I can easily open up and be vulnerable with her. She never judges, she's a great listener, and she always knows just what to say to make me smile.