by Laura DeLuca
“You’ve got that right.”
As much as Drew agreed, he still felt some doubts when they arrived at the insurance agency. The parking lot was empty even though it was barely a quarter after four. After a few weeks of dealing with the hurricane, it was no wonder the employees took TGIF seriously. There were maybe one or two cars scattered through the lot and none Drew recognized. There was certainly no sign of Lainey’s Fiat or even Erin’s SUV, but he still climbed out of the car and knocked on the door to their department. He found it locked tight, with blinds drawn and lights out. If the girls had stayed late to work without interruption, it wouldn’t be so dark inside. Kicking the pebbles across the parking lot, Drew stomped back to the pink cab.
“Now I know you ain’t about to give up that easy,” Dwayne said when he noticed Drew’s defeated expression. “Call the girl, brother. This is the wireless age, after all.”
“I tried that earlier, but I think she’s avoiding me.” Drew sighed. “I can give it another shot though.”
Once again, Drew punched in the numbers he’d made sure to memorize. After losing his old phone in the accident, which he now knew was part of Paulie’s convoluted plan, Drew made the conscious decision never to rely on speed dial again. He felt a small burst of hope when he actually got a ring instead of the call going straight to voicemail, but it was quickly dashed when after three rings he heard Lainey’s normal message. She had to be ignoring him. That was the only logical explanation, but it didn’t mean Drew was ready to stop fighting.
“How do you feel about driving back to Wildwood?” Drew asked. “I hate to make you drive around in circles, but I should at least check to see if she went back to her condo.”
“That’s what I’m talking about!”
Dwayne peeled out of the driveway, tapping the steering wheel as he drove. For the first time, Drew noticed the radio station was tuned to an oldies station. The deejay played Van Morrison’s song about a girl with brown eyes. It made him think of Lainey even more. Drew sang along under his breath until they passed by a flower shop. Then Dwayne met his gaze in the rearview mirror.
“Not trying to run the meter up, but why don’t you stop for some flowers or somethin’. That always cools off my old lady when I’m in the dog house.”
Drew shook his head. “If I thought it’d do any good, I’d buy out the whole floral shop. But that won’t work with Lainey, especially considering the circumstances. It’ll only make matters worse if she thinks I’m trying to buy back her affection. I have to think of another way. Something that’ll show her I’m sincere.”
“Hmmm.” Dwayne played with the stubble on his chin. “I guess diamonds are out then.”
The two men tossed ideas back and forth as they drove. They didn’t come up with any earth-shattering plans, but it helped the time pass faster. Unfortunately, Drew’s luck didn’t hold out when it came to the drawbridge leading into Wildwood. They were stuck watching the water a good ten minutes while they waited for a fishing boat to pass. Drew felt pretty impatient by the time they reached the condo. That frustration grew when Dwayne informed him he couldn’t park in the underground lot.
“Says right there no commercial vehicles and that’s technically what a cab is.” The cabby shrugged. “I can wait for you out front though. Of course it’s your dime since I’m on the clock.”
“Not a problem for me.”
With that settled, Drew climbed up the walkway of the condo. There were at least twenty steps, and everyone was excruciating to his bruised and battered body. For the first time he had to use the railing to drag himself up the steep incline. He was out of breath by the time he got to the doors and to make matters worse, he didn’t receive the normal friendly greeting from Tom. While the guard ushered him in with all the courtesy required, he scowled at Drew as he passed through the entrance. It was understandable. The paparazzi had probably made his job a lot tougher the last few days. There was a good chance there were still a few of them lurking around, but they could have all the footage they wanted if it meant he got to meet up with Lainey.
“Lainey’s not here,” Tom said when Drew took a step toward the elevator. “She went out with her friends.”
Drew took his cold demeanor in stride and gave the security guard the friendliest smile he could muster. “Did she happen to mention where she was going?”
Tom crossed his arms. “If she had, I wouldn’t tell you, Andy.”
Yep, Drew had obviously made a few enemies with his exaggerations. Not everyone was impressed with fame nor should they be. As much as he wanted to be annoyed about Tom’s refusal to assist him, Drew was glad to see Lainey had people on her side and ready to defend her.
“All right then.” He nodded to Tom. “Thanks anyway.”
Drew found Dwayne right where he left him, parked in front of the building with the cab idling. He was concerned when Drew reemerged so quickly. “Don’t tell me she booted you out.”
Drew shook his head. “She didn’t have to. The security guard did it for her. It appears Andy Palmer doesn’t have too many fans here in South Jersey. On the bright side, I did learn she went out with her friends.”
Dwayne creased his forehead. “You believe that?”
Drew shrugged. “It makes sense. It is Friday night after all, and ... Friday night!” Even as he said it, he figured out what that meant. “Shit, its Woody’s night.”
The driver seemed confused. “Is that some kind of California slang? Cause I ain’t down with it.”
“Woody’s bar,” he explained. “It’s here on the North end of the island. Are you familiar with it?”
“That Woody’s. Whoa.” Dwayne exhaled in relief and wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead. “I thought you were getting all west coast kinky on me for a minute there. Yeah, I know the place. Is that our next stop?”
Drew buckled his seatbelt. “It sure is.”
Before long, they were parked in front of the bar. Drew had been anxious to get there, but now he stalled, staring at the illustration of the woody wagon that was the establishment’s mascot instead of opening the door. Meeting Lainey at home or even in the office with a few co-workers around was one thing. Calling her out in public was something else entirely. It could completely backfire if he walked in blind. He needed a plan of attack.
“You want me to wait on you or what?” The cabby enquired. “Don’t forget I still got your luggage in the trunk.”
“If you don’t mind staying it would be great. Just in case. Here.” Drew dug through his wallet and pulled out all the cash he had. It was at least eight-hundred dollars. “This should cover the cost and a little bonus.”
The cabby pressed his lips together. “Brother, you don’t need to do that. I ain’t asking for no handouts.”
“I want to do it,” Drew insisted. “Save it for the next time you’re in the doghouse so you can make your lady smile again.”
“Man, you all right.” Dwayne reached over so they could bump knuckles. “But I really don’t mind waiting. Not like I have anything better to do. The drunks won’t start calling until after the bars close and that’s the majority of our business this time of year.”
With his bill settled, Drew had nothing else to delay him, but he still didn’t make a move to get out of the car. His hand actually froze mid-way to the handle. He might not have gone through with it at all—he may have simply asked Dwayne to take him straight to the Philadelphia airport, but a familiar face jogging past caught his attention and gave him a sudden burst of courage. All at once he threw open the door, jumped out, and limped as fast as he could to catch up with the woman.
“Sharon!” he called. “Sharon, wait up!”
She stopped mere inches away from the entrance, pulled her jacket more snugly around her chest, and squinted through her glasses to get a better view. “Drew? Is that you? Goodness, you look terrible.”
He chuckled. “An up close and personal meeting with the dashboard will do that to you.”
Sharon
took a tentative step closer. “I’m glad to see you’re well enough to be out of the hospital, but what are you doing here? Everyone thinks you’re on a plane back to California.”
“I figured as much.” Drew checked over his shoulder, suddenly paranoid reporters might be watching. Even if one of Lainey’s other friends caught a glimpse of him, it could ruin his chances if they sounded the alarm. “Can you come with me for a second? I really need to talk to you.”
Sharon narrowed her eyes, suspicious. “I don’t know, Drew. Lainey and the others are waiting for me. Besides, what could we possibly have to talk about?”
“I promise this won’t take long,” Drew pleaded. “But I—I really need your help. I don’t know who else to turn to.”
The fast pace of the evening was catching up with him. Drew knew he sounded winded and tired. Sharon was too soft a touch not to take sympathy on any wounded animal. She offered her arm to help him back to the Flamingo Cab, but she chuckled as they climbed into the warmth of the back seat where they would have some privacy.
“Nice ride.”
“Hey, now. No dissing my wheels,” Dwayne kidded from the driver’s seat after introductions were made. “Is this your lady? Because she’s one fine piece of real estate.”
Sharon laughed out loud, but wasn’t at all taken aback by the odd compliment. “Oh no. I took myself off the market a long time ago. I’m married to my easel and clay and wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“That’s a real shame for all the single gents out there.” The cabby snapped his fingers before turning back to Drew. “What’s the plan then? You going in or not?”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to Sharon about,” Drew explained. “She’s one of Lainey’s friends—the one everyone goes to for advice. I’m hoping she’ll be willing to offer me some of that wisdom. Maybe even help me win Lainey back.”
Sharon seemed unsure. “I don’t think Lainey would like me getting involved in her private life. Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.”
“Sharon, you once told me that running away wasn’t the answer,” Drew reminded her. “I took those words to heart. Right now, I should be on a plane back to Hollywood, but I’m done running away from my problems. I’m facing them head on. If you still believe Lainey and I have a shot, if you believe at all in second chances, you’ll help me. I love her, Sharon. More than Hollywood. More than my movie career. More than I ever believed it was possible for a man to love a woman. I want to fix what I broke, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to accomplish that.”
Drew wasn’t sure at first if his words moved her, but Sharon tapped a finger against her lips thoughtfully. “Nothing?”
Dwayne shrugged. “I told the dude to shower her with gifts but he nixed it.”
“Actually, I think that’s a great idea.”
Drew and the cabby stared at each other in surprise and asked in unison, “Really?”
“Let me elaborate,” Sharon continued. “First of all, what you really need to do is show Lainey she can trust you. Trust is a hard thing to win back once it’s broken. There’s no quick fix. It will take time and a lot of it. But I can think of one very special gift that might break the ice.”
“What is it?” Drew demanded. “Whatever it is, I’ll find it. Money is no object.”
“Not all gifts have a price tag,” Sharon reminded him gently. “What I have in mind won’t cost you a dime.”
Dwayne clapped his hands together and hooted. “That’s my kind of gift.”
“Tell me what it is,” Drew begged. “I’ll do anything.”
“Think about it. There are three things Lainey loves more than anything. Nature, writing and music.” Sharon ticked off on her fingers as she listed them. “She’s still a bit too angry to convince her to go for a walk on the nature trails, and I’m guessing you don’t have a sonnet waiting in your back pocket. But this is the perfect place to give her something she’ll never forget. The perfect gift can be something as simple as....” she paused for dramatic effect. “—a song. Exactly like the one she gave you at the hurricane benefit. And yes, I figured out that donation came from you, probably before Lainey did.”
“B—but I don’t really sing,” Drew stammered.
Dwayne sniffed. “Man, didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s the thought that counts?”
Drew considered that. Knowing Lainey, it might work. Taking a deep breath, he met Sharon’s steady gaze. “So you really think I should sing for Lainey?”
“With Lainey,” Sharon corrected. “She can’t run away if she’s stuck on the stage with you. It’s the best way to get her to listen, but you’ll have to speak with more than words. Let her see the truth in your eyes. Let her hear it in your voice. Tell her you love her in a way she can’t question. That’s my advice. Take it or leave it.” She shrugged. “So what do you say?”
Drew swallowed hard. Sharon was one of the people who knew Lainey the best. If she truly believed something as simple as a song could win his girlfriend back, Drew would sing until his voice was hoarse. He’d sing the entire score of the Phantom of the Opera from the top of the giant Ferris wheel if necessary.
Drew nodded. “I’m in.”
“Me too!” Dwayne declared, pulling the keys from the ignition. “It’s about time for my dinner break anyway, and I ain’t gonna miss this show.”
“Good.” Sharon smiled. “Then let’s all sneak around the back and find Trevor. If we’re gonna pull this off right, we’ll need a co-conspirator on the inside.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Lainey trudged up to the microphone, trying to feign enthusiasm for Trevor’s sake. She felt as though the smile on her lips was stuck there with adhesive glue. The current song in the lineup was winding down, and she was sure Chuck would be ready for her to pick up right where the dance number left off. Normally, she spent the seconds leading up to a performance worrying her voice might crack or she’d trip over the equipment wires. Now she barely even noticed the audience and her only concern was making it through the song without bursting into tears.
“All set?” Trevor laid a hand on her shoulder and gestured to the display at the foot of the stage. “Chuck has your song queued. The words will be up on the screen any second now.”
“I know the words,” Lainey assured him. “I always pick songs I know by heart. I can’t even see that monitor without my glasses on.”
“Ah, but your partner may not be as well-versed in old school country as you are,” Trever reminded her and chuckled at his own pun. “He’ll be over to join you as soon as you reach the chorus. Make sure you give him a warm welcome. I think this is harder for him than you’ll ever know.”
Trevor winked and jogged away, leaving Lainey alone center stage. When her old classmate slunk toward the back of the bar, she wondered where he was headed to. After he twisted her arm to sing for him, he could at least stick around to offer some moral support. Trevor was definitely acting out of character. There must be something in the air because there seemed to be a lot of people doing that lately.
Lainey sighed, inadvertently causing the sound to echo through the speakers. A few people looked up, but most were too involved with their drinks to notice or care. Meanwhile, the bass on the dance number faded out until it was gone completely.
Chuck lifted his microphone and spoke in his best announcer voice. “All right people, it’s time to slow it down. Our first karaoke performance of the evening is a romantic ditty performed by none other than our regular diva, Lainey Riccardo. So sit back, relax, and feel the looooove.”
There were muted cheers in response to the corny introduction, with a few hoots mingled in, mostly coming from Lainey’s table. Elisa had her fingers in her mouth and whistled so loudly she nearly drowned out the deejay altogether. While Lainey waited for the chatter to die down, Sharon snuck in through the side door that led to the kitchen. Trevor stood beside her, and the pair of them whispered and bobbed their heads before Sharon finally scurried to the table. She ploppe
d down in the seat Elisa had scavenged for her, and brushed her hair out of her face nonchalantly.
Odd, Lainey thought. I wonder what Sharon was doing back there. Everyone is acting strange tonight.
Lainey’s curiosity grew when Sharon leaned in and whispered to both Elisa and Erin in turn. Even from the stage, Lainey could make out their shocked expressions. Erin actually covered her mouth in a gasp of surprise. It was possible it was all her imagination. After all, she couldn’t see very well from the distance, and they were all slightly blurry and a little distorted. It still made Lainey wonder even more what was going on, but she didn’t have time to ponder it long. Already the notes of her ballad streamed through the audio system. This particular song had several seconds of instrumentals before the vocals kicked in. It gave Lainey a chance to really feel the music.
It was easy to forget her problems as the notes crept beneath her skin, moving like a living essence that caressed her, body and soul. She swayed slightly in time with the melody, light notes of piano and guitar mingled with a stunning accompaniment of classical strings. Her fingers curled around the base of the microphone. As she lifted the mouthpiece from its stand, Lainey shut her eyes and allowed the music to embrace her completely.
Here goes nothing.
As soon as her lips parted to form the words, the rest of the world vanished. She no longer noticed the pool tables or the arcade games in the corner. The waitresses shuffling their heavy trays, and even her friends watching from the table were all forgotten. Instead, she saw only Drew, sang to only Drew. The lyrics described the feelings she hadn’t been able to adequately convey. She sang of betrayal, of love lost, and perhaps worst of all, feelings too easily forgotten. She pictured Drew on the television screen with Catherine, the two of them smiling as they planned their future. He had walked away from her, walked right by like she’d meant nothing, without so much as flinching, while she was left feeling incomplete without him.
Lainey’s voice wrung with the power of her grief as she sang, stronger than ever because of the true emotions behind her words. Every line conveyed the hurt she’d tried so hard to hide from the world. Yet, instead of feeling weak for revealing that pain, Lainey felt empowered. She’d taken something negative and created something beautiful from it—a symphony she was certain would touch her audience with its sincerity.
