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

by Rhonda James

  "It was your grandmother's. My father gave it to her on their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary." Dad stared at it lovingly. "He had been too poor to give her one when they'd gotten married. I remember when he gave this to her. The look on her face is still burned in my memory. It was a look of pure love and adoration. My parent's loved one another fiercely. They worked hard on their farm, raised two children, and still managed to find time for one another." He fingered the ring, staring as if he remembered seeing it on his mother's hand.

  "I vaguely recall playing with this ring when she would hold my hand. I remember tracing my nail over the etchings." I mimicked that same motion. "Why are you giving this to me?" I asked, feeling completely overwhelmed by this act of trust.

  "Because I see the same love between the two of you. From the very moment I met that girl I knew she was the one for you. I could see it in your eyes. The light that shined in them told me that one day you would marry her and she would make you the happiest man in the world. This ring spent twenty years on my mother's finger before she passed away. She never took it off. She loved you very much, and I know that she would want you to give it to the love of your life."

  I looked at him, there was moisture in the corners of his eyes. I pulled him to me and hugged him hard. We cried for a few minutes, remembering my grandparent's and their love for each other. I stepped back, running the heel of my hand over both eyes.

  "I couldn't think of a better symbol of my love for her. Thank you."

  Dad held me at arms length, giving me a stern, fatherly look.

  "Son, you love that girl with everything that you have to give, and then some. Never let her forget that she is the most important thing in your life. And if one day you are blessed with children be sure to let them see just how special their mother is to you. Make sure that they know she is someone to be treasured. With an example like that, they'll grow up and do the same for their spouse."

  "Just like you did with Mom." I whispered.

  "I've tried my best."

  "Trust me, you've been an excellent example." I slipped the ring in my pocket and we headed home.

  Twenty minutes from my house, Dad's phone rang. Mom was calling to see where we'd gone off to.

  "We’ve been gone over an hour, are you just now noticing I was gone?" Dad teased. We both knew that once the girls had begun their wedding planning, they would be oblivious to anything else around them. I could hear her giggling on the other end, but I couldn't make out what she was saying. "We had to take a little trip. We're almost home. I know, sweetheart, I love you too." They spoke a few minutes longer and then Dad hung up.

  "Aw, is she missing you?" I gave him a wink.

  "Son, just shut up and drive." He gave a half-laugh and shook his head, it was all I could do to keep from laughing.

  "Yes, sir."

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Brooke~

  When I opened my eyes this morning I was aware of three things. My wedding was only a month away, I still didn’t have a dress, and Sebastian was in bed next to me, staring at me and smiling.

  "Good morning, sleepyhead."

  "Ahh. Good morning." My body went rigid as I stretched out my muscles. "How long have you been awake?"

  "Not long. I've just been watching you and thinking."

  "Thinking about anything specific?" I questioned, sleepily.

  "That's so cute," he chuckled, softly. "I love the way you sound first thing in the morning." He angled his body so that he was closer to me. "I can't wait to marry you. I have something I want to give you." He clambered over me, reminding me of a young child excited about a new toy. When his feet hit the floor I heard Gibson nose his way into the room. He jumped up on the bed with me and kissed my face, making me giggle uncontrollably. Sebastian came back into the room and shook his head. He snapped his fingers and pointed to the floor. Gibson hopped down and settled on the floor beside the bed.

  "Good boy," I whispered.

  "Brooke, I love that dog, but I am not sharing my bed with him." He gently admonished.

  "Duly noted." I replied, fighting to keep a straight face. Gibson's tail thumped against the hardwood floor, sounding like a beating drum. "You hear that? I think someone wants to join the band." I giggled, again.

  "I'll be sure to let Travis know." He quipped, sitting down next to me as I moved to rest my back against the headboard. I could see that his mood had turned serious and I couldn't help but wonder what was going on.

  "Babe, I've wanted to do this for quite some time. Then, when I finally was able to propose, I didn't have a ring." He opened his palm to reveal a gorgeous diamond ring. My heart fluttered uncontrollably. "Sweetheart, I know you've already said yes, and this is just a formality, but would you do me the honor or marrying me next month?" He slipped the silver band over my knuckle where it came to rest at the bottom of my finger. It was a perfect fit.

  "Where did you get this? It's exquisite." I held my hand in front of me, admiring the way the sun caught the pattern in the band.

  "It was my grandmother's. Dad and I thought that you should have it now." He stared at me with those soulful sapphire blue eyes. "Dad said that our love reminds him of the same kind of love that his parents shared. They were married for forty-five years before she passed away."

  "I don't know what to say. I'm honored to receive this family heirloom. I'll treasure it always. Thank you." I threw my arms around his neck, pulling him down to me.

  "So I take it that's a yes?" He laughed, just before I felt the brush of metal against my lips.

  "Oh, it's definitely a resounding yes." I purred, melting into the kisses that I loved so much.

  "That one is just as gorgeous as the other seven you've tried on." Natalie rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Seriously, Brooke, do you have to look good in everything you try on?" I laughed at the dig.

  "You've obviously never seen me in white jeans." I quipped. "They make my butt look huge."

  "Everyone's butt looks big in white, try again." She bit back playfully. "Here, go try this one on. I'm sure you'll be stunning." She trilled, walking off to find another dress.

  We had been to three stores already, still trying to find the perfect wedding dress. I had to find something today. Sebastian knew a seamstress that had promised to have my dress altered and ready by our wedding, but I needed to hand it over to her by tomorrow. I had managed to narrow it down to three so far, but I still hadn't found one that made me feel as special as I did when Sebastian looked at me. I stepped into the next dress and pulled it up. This one felt amazing. I loved the way the bodice was strapless and form fitting. There wasn't a mirror in the small dressing room so I stepped out into the dressing lounge for Natalie to fasten the back. She wasn’t in the room yet, but the attendant was. I asked her to attend to the back of the dress. The tiny buttons seemed to take forever to complete, but once she finished I turned around and stepped onto the small stage before the five-way mirror.

  Wow! It was perfect.

  "Brooke, I can't seem to find another strapless with a decorative bodice. I think this one will--." She stopped dead in her tracks, staring up at me with her mouth hanging open. Her eyes blinked a few times, and her mouth tried to form words, but she said nothing.

  "Do you like it?" My eyes pleaded with her. "I think this is the one. Don't you?" I couldn't contain my happiness. Tears slipped over my lashes and landed on my cheeks. Natalie came over to me and hugged me, squeezing tightly.

  "I was wrong. Your butt doesn't look big at all in this white dress." She gushed, also crying. "I don't think I've ever seen anyone more beautiful, and I was a gorgeous bride."

  "I'm sure you were even more beautiful." I smiled. Nat held my hands in front of her and looked down at the ring on my finger. Travis had given her an engagement ring that had belonged to Tracy's mother.

  "I'm so happy that he gave this to you. Now we'll both carry on the families history of life long love." She wiped her eyes and smiled at me. "I think this is definitely
the one."

  "I'll take this one." I told the attendant, who was also crying now.

  "Excellent choice. Let me know when you've taken it off and I'll prepare it for transportation." She turned and left the room.

  "Transportation? She makes it sound as if it's going to drive off somewhere." We both laughed, then I turned to allow her to help me take it off.

  "Tell me about you and Travis. What was it like when you first met?"

  She sighed, dreamily, and began unfastening the first tiny button.

  "He was so shy. I first laid eyes on him during our freshmen year of high school. We lived in different neighborhoods so we never went to the same school until then. I remember it was in Mr. Bishop's health sciences class. We sat next to each other, and I thought he was so cute, but he wouldn't speak to me. He was always so quiet. Anyway, that class went on to be one of my most favorite because every time we learned something embarrassing about the human body I would naturally giggle and he would scoff at me like I was an immature little girl." She smiled at the memory.

  "Why would that be a good memory? It sounds like he was rude to you?"

  "You would think so, but it was just his way of trying to act cool around me. I found out three weeks into the class that he thought I was cute. He didn't tell me directly, but I found out from one of my friends who was friends with one of his friends. Once I knew he kind of liked me, I milked it for all it was worth. I flirted shamelessly with him. Then, one day he asked me to the homecoming dance. We went out on a few dates that year, but nothing really happened between us. We were both too young and couldn't drive, but we would talk at school. Then, summer came and I didn't see him or hear from him."

  "That must have been hard."

  "It wasn't too bad, really. I spent most of my summer at the beach with friends and by the end of that summer we were all completely boy crazy. I also had gotten my driver's license and my parents had given me a car for my birthday. I remember driving my car to school on the first day back. I pulled into the parking lot and when I tried to park I accidentally hit the car parked next to me. The guy jumped out to yell at me and it turned out to be Travis. Now remember, I hadn't seen him all summer, but I'd thought about him an awful lot during that time apart. He stepped out of the car and what I saw took my breath away. He'd grown at least four inches, and his muscles had filled out in all the right places."

  "So it was a great way to kick off the school year." I jumped in.

  "Exactly. I remember our eyes met and anything he may have been about to say was cut short. He never said a word about the dent. We started dating three days later. We've been together ever since." She sighed again. By now we were sitting in a restaurant, getting ready to enjoy lunch.

  "How did he ask you to marry him?" I propped an elbow on the table, resting my cheek against my palm.

  "We were twenty, and he was so nervous. I'd been away at college and it had been hard being away from each other. The band had just started to play gigs in nearby towns and they were beginning to get recognized and make some money. One night after a performance he drove to my dorm and got down on one knee, right there in front of my suitemates. It was the bravest thing I'd ever seen him do. He was always painfully shy. The minute I agreed to marry him all shyness seemed to disappear. From that point on he exuded this confidence that I found so appealing. I remember I couldn't wait to marry him. He was, and still is, my best friend. I would be lost without him."

  "Were you ever nervous about getting married? I mean, did you ever have second thoughts?" I asked, pushing the contents of my Caesar salad around on my plate.

  "Never. Travis is my best friend and soul mate. He completes me. Why?" She leaned toward me and whispered. "Are you having second thoughts?"

  "No. No. Not at all. I guess I'm just afraid that Sebastian will." I set my fork aside. "I don't know. He's gone out of his way to assure me that his world revolves around me, but ever since I heard Rachel talking about him… I guess it just made me realize how easily someone else could take him away from me. You know, I caused him a lot of pain. Maybe that is a hard thing to let go of."

  "I don't think you need to worry about Rachel." She assured me.

  "What makes you so sure?"

  "Because, he doesn't look at her the way he looks at you. He treats her more like a sister. You know, maybe Nikki being away has something to do with that. I know he misses her." She stated with authority.

  "I know. You're probably right. I'm just being paranoid."

  "Yes, you are, and once he gets a look at you in that dress… He'll think that he died and went to Heaven."

  "Thanks Nat. I truly hope Sebastian and I will be as happy in our marriage as you are with Travis."

  "Sweetie, something tells me you don't have anything to worry about."

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Sebastian~

  Brooke and I were standing in our bedroom. She had been in the shower so I had taken it upon myself to sit on the counter and keep her company while she washed her hair. The conversation centered around the wedding, as per the usual discussions we'd been having lately. Now that she had a ring on her finger, and her dress had been sent for alterations, all we had left to do were the customary bachelor and bachelorette parties before we finally stood before God and everyone we loved to profess our undying love and commitment to one another.

  If anyone would have told me a year ago that I would be getting married I would have told them they were crazy. Before my stint in rehab I had spent nearly three years being a womanizer. And then I met Brooke. Many times I find myself thinking back to the day we first met, and the way my heart beat faster when I touched her hand for the first time. Hell, who am I kidding, my heart still skips a beat whenever she's near.

  When the topic moved to seating arrangements at the reception, I let it slip that Dek had made plans for us to go on a quick adventure. I didn't want to pass it up.

  "You're going skydiving with Dek?" She stuck her head around the fabric curtain, and her voice was elevated just a touch.

  "Well, yeah. It's just a quick jaunt. There's a skydiving school right here in L.A. We've been there before and it's an easy jump." She turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around her.

  "I thought that was something you only did before a show. Why do you have to go now? We're so close to the wedding. What if something happens to you?" She stuck her bottom lip out and pouted, turning away from me. I know I probably shouldn't have laughed, but I couldn't help it. She looked so damned cute, with soaking wet hair and dressed in nothing but a towel. "It's not funny Sebastian."

  "You're right. I'm sorry. Why don't you come with me?" I came up behind her and settled my hands firmly on her slender hips. "You know, we were supposed to do this a few months ago. I have to admit, the thought of you strapped to my body, falling out of the sky together, gives me a warm feeling." I nuzzled her ear.

  "I remember our plan," she hummed as I trailed my tongue along the outer shell of her ear. "I suppose if something happened at least we would go out together." She conceded.

  "Yeah, that's the spirit." I chuckled, turning her around to face me.

  "So, when is this jump going to take place?"

  "This afternoon." I cringed.

  "That doesn't leave me much time to try and talk you out of it." She hooked her index fingers through the belt loop of my jeans.

  "Afraid not."

  "Then I guess we're going skydiving," she smiled.

  I had been waiting for months to experience this rush with the woman that I loved. In fact, I'd dreamed about it for years. Now that we were in the air, and Brooke sat across from me with a look of terror on her face, I was starting to second guess my crazy idea. We'd sat through the instructional class before suiting up, and she seemed to pay attention. She was a willing participant when the instructor had asked for a volunteer. I watched as she slipped into the harness and was strapped to the instructor for demonstration purposes. She laughed as h
e grabbed her hips and mimicked soaring through the air, her arms stretched out like an airplane. When we were in the locker room suiting up I could sense her nervousness. I reached over and zipped up her flight suit, before kissing her lightly on the lips. "You're sure about this?" I had asked her. She'd nodded and gave me a jaunty wink. Dek teased us about no foreplay being allowed in the locker room, and I'd chased after him, breaking the moment. Now I wished I had spent a little more time making sure she wasn't having second thoughts.

  "You doing okay there darlin'?" Dek slid in next to her.

  "About as okay as one can be before hurling themselves out of a perfectly good plane that's 13,000 feet in the air." She gave a nervous laugh.

  "Honey, it's not too late to change your mind. You don't have to do this if you don't want to." I reminded her.

  "No. I'm doing it. I'm here and I want to be able to say that I soared through the sky with Sebastian Miles strapped to my back. Besides, how many girls get to say that?" She replied with a cocky grin.

  "Only you baby!" I stepped over and gave her a reassuring kiss.

  "Guys, how many times do I have to tell you there's a time and place for all of that mushy stuff, and it's not now." Dek chastised, playfully.

  "Admit it, you're just jealous that Jade isn't here to be strapped to you." I teased.

  "I've got news for you, you'll never get Jade up here. That girl is terrified of heights." Brooke stated with certainty.

  "She would do it for me. She's crazy about me." He smiled the famous smile that had won many girls over.

  "Now that I would love to see." She shook her head.

  "Okay, first jumper on deck." The instructor announced. There was only one other jumper on the plane so we motioned for them to go before us. Brooke watched as he launched himself through the opening and immediately went into position, with his arms out in front of him and his knees bent.

  I stood and held my hand out for her to take. "We need to lock our harnesses together. Don't worry, I've done this many times." She raised an eyebrow in question. "I've had new jumpers tandem with me, none of them were girls." I gave her a quick kiss. "I'll make sure to have the instructor double check the connections before we jump." She stood and turned her back to me. I locked in the side hookups first, then snapped the shoulder set in place. When I was finished, I motioned for the instructor to inspect it.