Avery shook her head. “I don’t want to lose you either, Jameson. As a friend, as a band mate, at all.”
That was the truth. The fact of the matter was, they took a chance taking their relationship to a new level. Now they had to brace themselves for the fall out.
“Okay. Then we won’t. Let’s both promise to do what we can to keep things going smooth. I’m sorry I ran out the other day the way I did. I was being a coward and I’m pretty pissed at myself. I knew what was coming, and as usual, I didn’t want to hear it.” Jameson squeezed her hand, then let it go. He leaned forward in his chair, his gaze never leaving Avery’s face. His deep blue eyes were filled with sorrow and pain. Avery hurt for him. Jameson endured a lot in the past few months.
“I agree,” Avery said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Oh, damn it. She wasn’t going to cry again, was she?
Jameson stood, grabbing his guitar case. “I’ve gotta go. I promised Mom I’d help her out today.”
Avery walked in sync with Jameson. “How is she doing?” Jameson’s mom didn’t take her husband’s death well at all. They were worried for awhile that they might lose her, too.
Jameson sighed. “Not well. Hanging on, but not well at all. I’m scared for her, Baby Stetson.” The use of her nickname sent a chill down her spine. The way Jameson said those words, he sounded so defeated.
“You let me know if there’s anything I can do, okay?” Avery’s heart broke for him. They stopped outside of Avery’s truck. Jameson’s sunglasses hid his eyes, but his lips were in a thin line as he nodded.
“Thank you. I really appreciate that.” He leaned in and swiftly hugged her for a moment before pulling away again. “I’m glad you don’t hate me. I was really afraid you did. I can’t bear to lose another person in my life.”
“I know, Jameson. I know. We’ll make it somehow, okay? You’ve been my best friend, besides Laura, for so long. We’ll get back somehow. We’re both stubborn. I know we can do it.” Avery wasn’t sure, but she had to give it her best shot. For Jameson. For herself.
“I’ll see you later.” With a wave, he turned, retreating to his own truck. Avery climbed into hers and watched as Jameson disappeared into the horizon. Why did it hurt so much to see him? Why did she suddenly want to cry again? And why did she kiss another man just a few nights ago when she was still obviously reeling from the pain of the breakup with Jameson?
*****
Avery couldn’t help it, but she watched her mother like a hawk all afternoon while working a shift at the inn. She was on front desk duty, and her mother came in and out, asking questions about guests and other information. Every time she was near, Avery searched her face for any signs of too little sleep or stress. There had already been too many losses this year, too much change. Yes, it was a part of life, but lately it seemed there had been an upswing in life’s curve balls. Like a roller coaster ride that Avery couldn’t wait to get off of. She hated roller coasters. No wonder the ups and downs of life drove her nuts lately. They reminded her of the wretched, creaky ride that always freaked her out.
Comparing roller coasters and life, well yeah, there ya go. That’s enough to send anyone over the edge. Grip. Get one. She needed to, now.
“Avery? Avery, are you listening to me?”
Whoops. Mom looked at Avery strangely. She’d gone off in her own little thoughts again.
“Yeah, I hear you, Mom.” Or at least, mostly. The last five minutes, she wasn’t so sure.
“Okay, so you’ll do it?”
Avery blinked. Okay, she’d definitely missed something. Shit.
Her mother laughed. “By the sheer confused look on your face, I was right. You did go off in your own little world. Are you okay?”
Mom knew her too well. Avery could never get away with lying. Not that she ever wanted to lie to her mother, but if she ever did, she would know. Avery wore her emotions on her sleeve, even without intending to, and her mother knew that all too well.
“I’m worried about you, honestly,” Avery said, watching her mother’s face. If only she could read Mom’s mind the way Mom could do to her.
“Why are you so worried about me? I’m perfectly fine,” her mother insisted firmly. “So I fell the other day. It happens all the time.”
Then why are you getting so defensive?
Not very convincing.
The bell jingled, signaling someone coming in. Avery turned around to face the desk and put on a happy smile as the middle aged man walked up to the desk. “Hi! How may I help you?” Avery asked, feigning cheerfulness. The man studied her for a second, his jaw slack, eyes full of curiosity. He had tan skin, a faint hint of a mustache and beard, and his sandy brown hair kept short. He stood straight, at a little over six feet tall. His clothes were casual, wearing blue jeans and a plaid long sleeved shirt that he wore tucked in.
“Do you have any rooms available for about a week or so?” he asked in a gruff tone.
“Sure do. Is it just you?” Avery asked, pulling up the registry on the computer screen.
“Yes ma’am.”
“Name? And I’ll need to see a credit card and identification, please. Oh, and here’s something you’ll need to sign.” Avery handed him the forms.
“Rodney Morris.” Two cards were shoved across the desk. Avery blinked, took in a sharp breath. “Excuse me?” Her head whipped up, staring at him. What did he just say?
Oh my God. It’s him.
That’s my father.
Or at least, according to that letter, he thinks he is. What’s he doing here?
Well, that was a stupid question. He was here to see her. He must have been. No wonder he’d kept watching her the way he did. He knew she was Avery, didn’t he?
Avery had to keep moving to keep from fainting. Heart racing a mile a minute, blood pounding in her ears, she managed to get all of his information just fine. She knew his gaze was on her, along with her mother’s. Oh, Mom! Her worst fear! And she had no idea this man could possibly be the one that fathered Avery. With all the things going on with her mother already, this was the last thing she needed. She had to get Rodney out of here quickly before he said anything.
He was saying at their inn!
“Are you all right, Avery honey?” her mother asked. Avery looked up at her for a brief moment and nodded.
“I just need to eat soon is all,” Avery said quickly, handing Rodney his card and ID back. Well, now he knew who she was for sure. When her gaze met his, he sent her a knowing look. His eyes were wide as he watched her.
“I’m going to see what your dad is doing.” Avery’s mom smiled at the man. “Enjoy your stay, and thanks for choosing us.”
How ironic that her mother chose those words. Avery’s gaze snapped back to Rodney, expecting a hurt look or something, but there was none.
“I take it you got my letter,” he said softly, leaning over the desk.
“I did. I’m sorry I hadn’t responded ... I don’t know what to say. I think I was still processing the information.” Avery stammered, her heart still hammering in her chest. She looked him over, searching for any signs that she looked anything like him. To her surprise, there were many similarities. Did that mean anything? No, but a quick DNA test could. As much as she wanted to believe ... she wasn’t going to take that chance, get her hopes up without concrete proof.
“I don’t mean to barge in on your life. I’m just so curious about you,” Rodney said. “I want to ... hug you or something, but that would be too weird right now. I hope this next sentence doesn’t offend you, but I’d really like some affirmation ... I’d like to proceed with a DNA test, if that’s all right with you.”
“I don’t mind at all. I was just ... actually thinking that myself,” Avery said, in awe. She finished entering the last of his information in the computer and reached below the desk, opened the lock box and handed him a key card. “You’re room 305.”
Very close to Lucas, actually. Great. She hadn’t meant to do that. Now, if she went t
o see Rodney, Lucas wouldn’t be too far away. She could change Rodney’s room, but that would just be a pain. Oh well.
Suck it up and get over it.
“So, can we meet up somewhere and talk? It looks as if you are having a good life. Your mother- she seems very wonderful,” Rodney said. He straightened, picked up his cards and key, but made no attempts to move yet.
“She is. Both of them are wonderful. I had a great childhood. Yes, I want to meet up and talk. I’ve had my own curiosities. I get off at five, if that’s not too bad for you. We can go eat something and talk.”
Rodney nodded. “That’s great with me. I’m looking forward to it.”
So was she. More than she’d like to admit. “Okay. That sounds good. And, enjoy your stay. If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to let us know.”
As Rodney reached for a duffel bag and a rolling suitcase and turned away, a song by Avery’s idol, Belinda Wainscott played on the radio. Her old soul voice crooned a song about love, reuniting, and connecting. How fitting. It took a half hour for Avery’s mind and heart to stop racing so much and go back to normal. But this was surreal. She may finally learn about her biological father. She couldn’t keep her hopes up too high until the DNA testing had gone through.
Who was she kidding? The excitement, the fear, the nervousness, it was all there.
Today turned out to be better than she’d imagined.
“Hey.” Lucas’s voice pulled Avery out of her thoughts. From one stranger in town to another. Lucas looked like he had something on his mind. He shifted as he stood behind the desk. Or in front of it, however one wants to think about it. Wow, her mind must really be a jumble if she contemplated which side of the desk was front or back.
Okay, anyway.
“Hi, Lucas,” Avery said breezily. What could he want now? To kiss and run, as he had the other night?
“I hope you’re not upset with me,” Lucas started.
“Why would I be upset, Lucas?”
He sighed. “You’re not going to make this easy on me, are you? For kissing you and then bolting, Avery. That’s what.”
Hurt flashed in his eyes.
“I’m not upset. A little confused, but definitely not upset.” That was the truth. Confused at how much she liked it, yet how wrong it was. How the timing could be so off for sparks like that. For the guilt she carried over Jameson right now.
“You’re not?” Why was he so surprised? Why would he expect her to be upset? That’s strange.
“Of course not. Why would you think that, Lucas?”
He opened his mouth, then shut it again, as if he couldn’t find the right words to say. “I guess I’m used to upsetting people,” he admitted and shrugged.
“That’s not something you should get used to, Lucas. That’s ... sad, actually. Did you purposely upset someone?” Avery asked. What an odd conversation. Lucas appeared very agitated about something. But what?
“Of course not!” he protested. His voice rang out, and he quieted down, frowning. “Sorry. No, I don’t go and purposely upset anyone. It’s- well, it’s just the way it’s gone so many times. I didn’t want you to wig out on me or something.”
Avery lifted her eyebrows. “What, you thought I’d come to your room in the middle of the night, a raging lunatic and demand to know why you kissed me and ran off?” The image caught her off guard, and a giggle escaped her throat.
The corners of Lucas’s lips lifted, then he looked down, chuckling. “Well, if you’d have done that, we could have finished what we started.”
Zing! Heat brewed in her belly, sending her into a fit of odd sensations.
“I’ll have to keep that in mind.”
“Oh? Is that a threat, or a promise?” Lucas grinned, leaning closer.
“You know, you probably shouldn’t be flirting with an innkeeper’s daughter. Because if you mess with me a little too much, I may have to clog your toilet or something,” Avery teased. She loved it, but if anyone walked in right now and saw this...
Lucas reached out and clamped her hand in his. “Bring it on, and you’ll see if you won’t end up in my bed, suffering my wrath. Or enjoying it, whichever comes first.” His eyes bore into hers, an intensity so strong it gave Avery goosebumps. Lucas noticed this, took advantage and trailed a finger up her arm, only agitating the goosebumps and making them grow bigger. Avery pulled her arm away and backed up, still watching Lucas. He licked his lips, his tongue darting out as if he was trying to tease her. Oh, good gracious this man was like the devil!
“You know where my room is. Consider that an open invitation. See you around. Oh, and, glad to know you’re not mad.” Lucas made a beeline for the exit, whistling as he left.
Holy crap that man had an affect on her.
And Avery liked it!
Chapter Seven
The hours seemed to fly by fast. Avery glanced at her watch. Already five, and her shift was over. Once she found her mother, Avery let her know she was off for a little while, and that she was going to go grab a bite to eat. Hopefully, tonight wouldn’t be the night that her mom would want a family meal at home. Those were rare these days, since all three of them busied themselves with the inn, and Avery with her music, but there were still times the three sat down together to eat.
“Have a good evening, honey. I’ll see you when you get home later,” Mom said, smiling.
Alice walked in for her front desk duty, so Avery took that moment to duck out, so she could get ready to meet with Rodney.
Avery ran to the house to shower and change. In record time, she was ready. It felt good to be in comfortable shoes and jeans, instead of the slacks she wore when she was on the clock at the inn.
At least Avery didn’t have to go through the front of the inn to meet up with Rodney. Prying eyes like Alice’s would be watching, and if that girl saw her leave with an older man, the rumors would be flying. Hell, she thought by now the whole inn would know about her kisses with Lucas.
And speaking of Lucas ... how did he always end up on her radar? There he was, walking down the hallway as Avery stepped out from the elevator. His eyes lit up when he noticed her.
“So, you took that invitation after all?” Lucas gapped the distance between them in a heartbeat. He leaned in, teasing her neck with soft kisses.
“Lucas...” Avery moaned. She wanted nothing more than to give into him. But she regained her composure, and pushed him away gently. “I didn’t come up here for you,” she blurted.
Okay, not the best way to say that. But there it was.
Lucas reeled back as if he’d been slapped. “Okay.” His voice trailed off. Damn it, there went that look of his again.
Avery sighed and ran a hand through her hair. “It’s complicated.”
“You’re seeing someone?” Lucas raised his voice.
“No! No, nothing like that.”
He looked relieved as he blew out a breath.
“I haven’t told anyone this, but my possible biological father is in town, and he wants to meet with me. He’s up on this floor, too.”
“Your biological father is in town? Do you know it’s him for sure?” His hand lingered on her shoulder. Why was it that his touch, even the lightest one, sent chills down her back?
“Well no, but we both agreed to a DNA test. I know it’s not much to go on, but I look a lot like him.” Looking like someone didn’t mean a thing, really. To some degree, everyone had some of the same features.
Her hopes were already set so high.
Lucas seemed genuinely interested in this.
He still stood so dangerously close. Avery could feel his body heat. “Did you go looking for him?”
“No. He actually sent me a letter, then showed up.”
“Ah.”
Ah? Just ah? What did that mean?
“So if you’ll excuse me ... I’m late to meet him already.” She shot Lucas what she hoped was an apologetic look.
“Why don’t I walk with you? You never know wh
o this man could be. I just want to make sure you’ll be safe.” Lucas took her hand.
Wait. Do what? Seriously?
“Lucas, I’ll be fine!” Avery protested. His gesture was sweet, but this was something she should do on her own, right? “I don’t know you really, but yet I’ve already been kissing you and have an open invitation to your room,” she pointed out.
Lucas sighed. “Exactly. We’re strangers. As is this man. Humor me. Once I see him and get a good reading of what kind of guy he is, I’ll leave you alone. What could it hurt? I bet your mom and dad don’t know. That’s kind of dangerous, and not the smartest move, Avery.”
Wow. Who did he think he was? The nerve of this man.
What could it hurt? Lucas actually did have a point.
Still, Lucas’s attitude could stand to be knocked down a few notches.
“Lucas, I’m not a child,” Avery protested.
He silenced her, with his lips. They crashed on hers, and he wrapped his free hand around her shoulder.
Whoa.
When he pulled away, he looked into her eyes intensely. “I know you’re not a child. I just have this feeling. And though I don’t know you, you’re right, I care about you. I’m having feelings that I don’t know if I should be having about you. So, please, let me walk with you and check him out?”
“Damn you, Lucas,” Avery muttered. “I don’t understand you. You toy with me. Kiss me like that and then beg for a favor? You’re inhuman!”
Lucas smiled, kissing her full on the lips. “Yeah, I am. But I got what I wanted, didn’t I?” He cupped her face. “In seriousness, I just don’t want anything to happen to you.”
Avery pulled away and wagged her finger. “I think you’ll owe me,” she warned.
“I aim to please. What do you want?”
“I’ll make a list,” Avery said slyly. She pointed to her watch. “Now, I really don’t want to be late. I’m nervous as it is. So stop distracting me with those sexy lips and walk with me if you’re going to.”
Lucas snickered. “Sexy lips? Okay, I’ll take that.” He followed her down the hall until she stopped in front of Rodney’s door. She drew in a sharp breath. This was it.
Baby Stetson (Love and Music in Texas #1) Page 6
