They ate mostly in silence, other than the occasional question about today's agenda. She had to work, as did he, yada yada. They finished eating about the same time. Jameson pushed the chair back, grabbed his plate and cup with the intent on cleaning up. He took the plate from her. "You cooked, I'll do the clean up duty. Need a ride to work?" He could go to the hospital after dropping her off, then go to work from there. He caught her nod before he turned back to wash the dishes.
On the way to dropping her off at the inn an hour later, Jameson attempted to get her to talk. He succeeded when he brought up the idea about finishing the song. They'd been working on it all week.
"I'd love to have it finished! I've been working more on the lyrics." Excitement laced her voice. He loved seeing her face light up. So music was it. That's how he could try and work on getting her to converse more.
"But Jameson, you've got so much going on."
"Writing and playing music is my escape, and I need to have that now more than ever," Jameson responded, pulling into the parking lot. "It's just as much for me as it is for you."
"If you're sure..." Mary gripped the door of the car ready to get out. "Then I'd very much like that. Have a good day, and I hope your mom is doing a lot better."
"You have a good day, too. I'll see you tonight if you're up when I get home."
Mary closed the door. He watched her walk off for a minute before driving away. His phone rang. Before he pulled out onto the road, he checked the caller ID. Avery.
"Hey you. What's up?" he answered.
"I heard this ugly rumor that your mom is in the hospital." Concern filled her voice, but he couldn't help but notice she also sounded upset.
He sighed. "Yes, she is. Mary found her last night. She had been drinking again. It was their anniversary. How did I miss that? And how did you hear about it?"
He should have let her know, really. But he didn't want to have to keep running to Avery and Lucas for everything, no matter how much they both said he could.
"Mom told me. She called your house this morning looking for your mom. Mary answered and told her what happened. I got a call from Mom, wondering why I didn't tell her."
"I'm sorry, Baby Stetson. It was late, I freaked out. I- I can't keep imposing on you guys."
"How long will it take to get through your skull that you don't impose? I'm really worried about you, Jameson. You've been going through so much, and you seem to keep everything in. You've never, ever been like that. What's going on? If I'm being too annoying and pushy, just say so. I promise I won't get all emotionally hormonal on you, despite how often I've been feeling that way lately."
Jameson laughed. "I bet Lucas gets the brunt of that. No, you're not being annoying or pushy. You could never be." He took some comfort in how much Avery showed concern for him. She tried very hard to make sure that they still had a good friendship. Even though she was starting a family, she still managed to find time for her friends and the band. He loved that about her.
"I want to ask you something, and I hope you'll be honest with me."
"I'll do that, but hey, I'm actually sitting in the parking lot at the inn. I just dropped Mary off. I can swing by, pick you up if you want to talk. I'm going to visit Mom, and then have to be at the station in a few hours."
"I'd like that." Avery's voice softened. "See you in a few?"
Jameson arrived ten minutes later. Avery waited outside for him, looking content on her porch swing. She loved that thing. He'd helped Lucas put it together when the two rented this house. Sometimes, they would sit out here with the band when they were writing songs. She waved, lifted herself from the swing and slowly made her way down the porch steps to the car.
"So what was it you wanted to ask?" Jameson reversed out of the driveway once Avery settled herself in the seat.
Avery bit her lip, a nervous habit she'd never broken. That meant that whatever she had to ask, it weighed on her mind and wouldn't be easy for her to say. "Well, I haven't felt this way since we first broke up and wasn't sure how we'd manage going back to friends. I keep having this feeling that we're drifting apart, and that scares me. I know this is still weird, and if it's hard for you to be around because I'm about to get married and have a baby-"
"Avery, stop right there." Is that what she feared? Losing their friendship? Had he really been so intent on taking on everything himself that he pushed his closest friends away? Crap! He never meant to push anyone so far. Especially Avery. He'd hurt her, again.
Jameson heaved a sigh. "I'm sorry. It's absolutely nothing you've done. Don't you know how happy for you I am? I'm not pushing you away because I can't handle that you moved on. I accepted that a long time ago. If I didn't, things would be different. Lucas and I wouldn't be as good of friends as we are, and I don't even know how we would have handled the band. Yes, it was tough at first, but I knew I would do anything to keep you in my life."
"It's everything with my mom. Do you know that when Mary and I went to pick her up, she couldn't remember that you and I were broken up? She remembered nothing about Lucas, and even yelled at Mary, accusing her of breaking us up. That's how far gone she is."
Avery gasped, and her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh, Jameson."
"It's like a constant reminder of what I lost. I also ran into Lea. She was with my mom at the house. Talk about a stab to the gut. I didn't mean to keep all this in. I'm more looking out for you. You're already stressed, about to have a baby and I don't want to add any of my drama to it. I'm so sorry that you thought that I couldn't take it, because that's not true at all. You and Lucas are my family, and I don't know what I'd do without either of you, or the band." Jameson ran a hand through his hair. That had been easier to say than he thought.
"You and Lucas both have this thing about trying to shield me from everything. I'm not going to break, you know."
"And you know very well that's what I've always done. Remember eighth grade?"
"How could I forget? I was so mad at those 'cool' kids for saying that crap to me about not being wanted, and I was ready to take matters into my own hands. Then here you came, ready to take them all on and ended up with the bloodiest nose and the worst black eye I'd ever seen."
Jameson grimaced. "Yeah, that hurt. I wasn't about to beat up another girl. Things would have been fine if their boyfriends hadn't jumped in the drama, and I took the brunt of it so that they'd leave you alone. But I'd do it again in a heartbeat if anyone ever messed with my best friend. So it's a little natural for me to want to keep in the bad things. Some days, I feel like I'm the old baggage you can't get rid of." Since he'd already started telling her how he felt, might as well get that one out, too.
"Oh Jameson, no. Do you really?" Sadness crept into her voice. Tears glistened in her green eyes.
He nodded. "I'm not proud of it, but yeah. The feeling has been there."
"Luke thought that might be the case," Avery replied softly.
"He's way too good at that."
That got a laugh out of her. "You think?"
"Been doing a lot of that lately. What's one more thought?" He laughed with her. The tension eased away. "Thank you, Avery."
"For what?"
"Being there. Caring. Not giving up on my crazy ass."
"You never gave up on me. How many times did I push you away when I went into my own world? When I wasn't sure how to handle things. You stuck it out with me even though we both knew things changed. That's what friends do. Stick around. We're both stubborn."
She had a point. They both had gone through difficult times throughout the years, and while they might have not been at their best, Jameson and Avery always managed to stick together.
"Let's go see how my mom is doing, and then what do you say we go sit on your porch swing and write some music until I have to go to work?" He needed a little something for old times sake, and it had been awhile since it had been just him and Avery. They needed to reconnect. Jameson needed to show her that they were going to be just fine.
/> "You've got a deal."
*****
Melody had been putting it off long enough.
As soon as she made it to the house that evening, she pulled up the browser on the computer in her room. Somehow, she had to find out about her family and Anthony. Anything. Being in the dark like this didn't help her nightmares.
She typed in her hometown and last name as keywords. Her heart sank when the first thing that came up was an article stating that her family home had gone up in flames. Both her father and brother were missing. They had ruled it an accident, but Melody knew better. Tears welling up in her eyes, she choked back a sob as she clicked on the link to read more.
No, no!
Wracked with sobs, she pushed away from the desk.
Her house was gone. Her father and brother was missing. They thought she might be dead.
And Anthony, putting on an act. What a liar! And that's exactly what the lying jerk helped the town to believe? That she had died? That her family had something to do with her sudden disappearance? None of this made sense! Acting like the grieving boyfriend, the one that wanted his sweet Melody home so he could marry her. Sick! What a liar!
"I'm sorry, Daddy." Melody jumped up from the chair, but her knees buckled underneath her, and she came crashing down on the floor. How long she sat there, huddled by her bed in tears, she'd never know. It wasn't until she heard a voice and then someone pulling her into their arms that she realized Jameson had come home.
"Mary? Hey, what is it? What happened?"
Allowing herself to get lost in his touch, she sobbed against him. Jameson wrapped his arms around her, talking in a calming voice. She felt his hand in her hair. She couldn't stop the tears. Her entire body shook, and there was no sign of slowing.
"It's all my fault!" she cried. "All my fault."
"What's all your fault, Mary?"
"They are missing because of me." If only she realized before she spoke that first, she wasn't making sense, and second, Jameson had no idea what the hell she was talking about.
"Who is missing? I don't know what you're trying to say."
All he had to do was look up at the computer screen, but Jameson focused on holding her.
"That isn't my name." She whispered. "I'm not Mary." She lifted her head from where she'd been crying on his shoulder and met his confused stare. Deep blue eyes watched her every move. "It's Melody. My name is Melody Roland."
Jameson's eyes widened. Melody wished she could read his expression.
She drew in a shaky breath. Well, here goes nothing. Whatever happened after she told Jameson everything would just have to be dealt with.
"I dated this man for about a year. Things were going pretty good. Until one night, I went to surprise him, and got the biggest, scariest surprise of my life. I walked in on a murder in progress."
Jameson still kept a hand on her arm. He moved to take her hand in his.
"I ran, but I know he saw me. He kept calling and calling. My brother was with me. He'd dropped me off, and I had no idea he was behind me when I walked up to the door. He said he'd take care of me. Little did I know he meant setting me up with a new life and taking matters into his own hands. I wasn't going to do it, but then he- Anthony, or at least, that's what he always said his name was- showed up one night with threats and warnings. I used to think he was the kindest man. How could I have been so wrong? He treated me like a queen. I thought he was the perfect guy for me. Now I second guess everything!"
"My brother and father gave me everything I needed that night and quietly sent me out. I was on my way to Georgia. My brother has a good friend there that planned to meet me."
"Then you ended up here, stranded," Jameson noted.
Melody nodded.
"Damn, Mar- Melody. No wonder you were so shaken up and withdrawn when you came here. I had no idea what to think."
"Why do you think I was so desperate that I attempted to steal Avery's truck? I wasn't thinking. I just knew I had to get out of here, fast. I didn't feel safe, and really still don't. Then I realized it didn't matter where I went, I didn't think I'd ever be safe unless Anthony was dead."
"So what happened?" Jameson brushed his hand against her cheek, wiping at her tears. The gesture sent a trail of shivers all the way down her back. "Why are you so torn up right now?"
"I think he killed my family. The story I was reading made it look like my house 'accidentally' burned down. My father and brother are both missing." Melody pointed to the computer, the article still visible on the screen.
"Why would you think he killed them?" Jameson pulled her to him. He was being really good about this. She'd expected him to toss her out right then and there for lying. How could he be so understanding about this?
"First off, he has to know my brother and dad got me out of town. If he saw me there that night of the murder, then he had to have seen my brother. He could find me and do something to me and have no traces to him. And I know he won't stop looking."
"That's why when the media showed up following Avery, you made sure to hide. And the night they wanted to talk to you about Shelly. You turned so pale I thought you were going to be sick."
Melody nodded. "Jameson, you can't tell anyone about this! I have to keep my identity hidden. I still have to find a way to get out of here. I wish I could go back home. It still hasn't fully hit me. I don't know if I'll see my family again. I hate that I ran. I should have-" Sobs engulfed her voice as she began to quake. Nothing would ever be okay!
Jameson guided her to him again, keeping his arms around her and holding her while she cried. "Why did you run, Melody? Why didn't you turn him in? I don't understand. Why would your brother cover for something like that when you didn't do anything wrong?"
"No one would believe it. His family has a lot of influence in town. His dad is mayor and let's just say I've heard some shady things about him, but I had no idea Anthony was involved in the drama until that night." Melody had to fight to keep from being sick, as the memories crashed into her like an angry wave from the sea. "It would be my word against his."
"Don't get upset at me for this next question, but are you sure you saw what you saw?"
Melody reeled back to glare at Jameson. Then she calmed down. He was just trying to learn about the situation. He wasn't judging her. "Oh, I know exactly what I saw. The gun was in Anthony's hand, the shot had just rang out and I saw the other guy fall. There was no mistaking it. If it were just one person that saw it, maybe I'd question it more. But Chris saw it, too."
"You have nightmares about it, don't you? I hear you tossing and turning at night and sometimes you cry out." Jameson's fingers drifted lightly over her shoulders. For a moment, she felt safe in his arms. She only wished it could be a longer lasting feeling.
"They're very vivid. It's like a rewind button, playing in my mind. Every. Single. Detail." Melody swallowed back another sob. "My brother and dad have always been protective over me, ever since my mom left. I'm the baby of the family, the only girl, so they took it upon themselves to make sure no harm ever came to me. That's when he made his plan to get me out of town. He knew exactly how Anthony's family worked. He said he'd take the rap, that he'd been there to see it and that I was never there. I kept persuading them to let me stay, and just talk to the police, but my brother swore this was the only way to keep me safe."
"I'm so sorry, honey." Jameson's voice went lower.
I should go back. But if Anthony finds me...
She deserved it for cowering. No matter how much her family persuaded her it would be for her best interest, Melody would never, ever forgive herself for hiding. "I don't know why I'm telling you this. I don't mean to let my troubles out on your shoulder. I'm being selfish. How is your mom?" She pulled away from Jameson though he kept an arm around her shoulder. With the tips of his fingers, he wiped her tears from her face, still staring at her.
"You aren't being selfish, Melody. By the way, that name suits you much better than Mary." He shot her a light
smile. "I'm glad you told me. I've been wondering what you were hiding from ever since you arrived. I'm glad you felt you could open up to me. Mom is awake and alert, but they aren't ready to release her. They told me today to really consider a rehab program for her problem."
"You're not upset at me for lying to you?" That surprised her. Jameson didn't seem to get mad about anything! He was upset about the things his mom did, but Melody hadn't seen any anger. If it were her, she would have been very angry.
"I don't like it, of course, but you don't owe me anything. It sure explains a lot."
"You're much too forgiving." Melody didn't mean to say that out loud. She cast a glance at Jameson, wondering what he'd say next.
His shoulders lifted. "That might be. I've learned that it doesn't do any good to be angry. You never know when something will happen." A dark emotion filled his eyes, and he turned away from her.
What was that all about? Something bothered Jameson about getting angry. What, and why? It had to be something that affected him greatly, and maybe that's why he kept things bottled up.
A thought occurred to her that made perfect sense. She hesitated, very much wanting to ask him, but it wasn't her place. Then the words just flew from her mouth.
"Jameson, do you not want to get angry because you were mad at your dad when he died?"
Chapter Ten
"How the hell do you do that?"
Jameson stared at Melody in awe. She'd hit it right on the money.
Her cheeks reddened and she looked away. "Force of habit, I guess."
"I've never told anyone this. Not my mom, not even Avery. Yes, my dad and I were in the middle of an argument when he held his hand to his chest and had a heart attack. I never got the chance to apologize." That day was clear in his mind. He'd never been so frustrated. Then everything changed. So why would he want to get angry anymore? He feared it. Call it crazy or stupid, but he thought if he had any arguments with anyone they might just fall over and die, too. For a short time, he believed his father had died because of him, because they were having such a heated discussion. He got over that a long time ago, realizing that it hadn't been his fault. Sometimes things just happen. No one in the family had any idea Dad's heart hadn't been doing well. Either his father didn't know, or he'd kept it a secret from everyone.
The Melody In My Head (Love and Music in Texas Book 2) Page 11
