by Stacey Wilk
“Hey, I was twenty the last time I brought someone here. I didn’t have anywhere else to go. She still lived at home, and I couldn’t exactly bring a girl back to my house when my dad was home.”
He brought a local girl here. “Does she still live in town?”
“Nope, she married her college sweetheart. He played baseball for a minor league team in Texas. They moved away when he got signed. Haven’t seen her in nearly thirty years.”
“She won’t be jealous, then?”
“Probably forgot my name.”
“But you slept with her?” Her nerves were making her lips loose. Did it matter what he did all those years ago?
He took her hands in his and looked down at her. “I didn’t sleep with every woman who threw herself at me. I wanted to be with someone who liked me for me, not because I was in some band.”
“You expect me to believe that as a young man you didn’t hop into bed with every woman who wanted to when there were probably thousands willing? Come on.”
“I wasn’t an angel, no way. I won’t lie to you. Those women never meant anything to me, and after a while I wanted more than waking up next to a woman I wasn’t going to see ever again. That was why I married Melissa. I thought she really loved me for me. I was wrong about that.”
“You know what? None of it matters. What matters is right now. I want to forget about today and all that I lost. I want to gain something. I want to know I’m not the same person who flew down here weeks ago. Can you help me with that?”
He pulled her close and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Grace, I don’t want to wake up next to a woman I won’t see ever again.”
“I don’t want to worry about the morning. Let’s just concentrate on right now. Just the two of us. Nothing else matters.”
“What matters is you’re going back to New Jersey in a few days.”
“You’re leaving on tour soon. How is that any different?” She snaked her arms around his neck. His lines and contours felt good against her curves.
“It’s not different. You’re right. I live my life on the road, and I promised myself I wouldn’t get seriously involved again. It’s not easy being with a music man. I miss special events, holidays. Someone like you would resent me in time. I can’t have you staring up at me with those blue eyes full of hate.”
“I would never hate you, and I would never resent you.” But she would worry and wonder all the time. Who was he with? Was he thinking of her? Could someone else pull him away from her? “Blaise, we’ve got tonight. That’s all I care about.”
“It won’t be. And it won’t be for me. I want more, Grace.”
“What are you saying?”
He held her shoulders and took a long look at her. “Woman, I’m saying I don’t want a one-night stand.”
“So you don’t want me, then?”
“No, I never said that. I’d take you right now on the sand, but I won’t take advantage of how you’re feeling right now. I won’t take advantage of our situation. I couldn’t live with myself if I hurt you.”
“I don’t understand. How are you feeling these things about me? We just met, and I’m nothing special.” She knew he was attracted to her, but there was more and she didn’t know why. Why her?
“Hang on a second.” He ran back to the truck. She couldn’t see what he was doing behind the glare of the lights, but music filled the air. A slow melody of a guitar with the low rumblings of a man’s voice.
He returned and took her in his strong arms, his head close to hers. He smelled clean and masculine, and she wanted to get lost in his scent. “One more thing.” He yanked off the brace and entwined his fingers through hers.
“Your hand.”
“It’s fine.”
He held her hand against his chest. They swayed to the song drifting toward them like a breeze. “This song reminds me of you. I’ve wanted to dance with you to it since I met you.”
“Blaise?”
He interrupted her. “When I first met you, I thought you were a gigantic pain in the ass.” He laughed, and she relaxed against him. “But I saw how you fought for what you wanted even when everyone else told you not to. I’ve never really been able to do that. Fight for what I want. It’s always been easier to follow my big brother around and let him tell me what I wanted.”
She thought of the music he had written. “You can still fight for what you want.”
“After the tour, maybe.” He inched away and looked down at her. “Grace, you showed me how to be a better father and gave me a chance to save my relationship with Cash. Then it was you who fought for my son. You believed in him when no one else had. I knew then.”
He stopped, and her heart caught in her throat. “You knew what?”
He held her close again. The music kept playing, and he continued to sway with her in the glow of the headlights. “I knew how I felt about you.”
Her heart was bursting. She hadn’t planned to feel so much. She just wanted to come here and have sex with him. Prove to herself she could win at taking a risk, but her heart was invested so deeply. The real risk would be believing in her feelings for him, trusting him.
“Blaise, this is what I want. It’s what I’ve wanted for a while now, but I was afraid. I don’t want to be afraid anymore.”
He leaned in and kissed her lips with a gentle ease. “It’s not right. You deserve more than a man on the road all the time. You deserve a man who can wake up next to you every morning and take care of you.”
She pushed away from him. “Who cares about right? And I don’t need a man to take care of me. I let a man take care of me because I thought that was what a marriage was supposed to be, and look how that ended up. I do want to wake up beside someone again, and I should have a say as to who that is. You don’t want to be with me because I’m leaving and you’re leaving. Well, stay then. Don’t go on that tour. Produce your music. It’s good. It would sell. Your fans would trip over themselves to hear new music from you. Stop following your brother around.”
She hadn’t meant to say so much, but the words tumbled out and she couldn’t put them back in. He stared at her, mouth open.
He clenched his good fist. “Stay in Heritage River. Fight for that house. Tell Hoke and Beau you still want it. Forget about Claire Phillips and whoever bought the house for you. Take a chance on me.”
He didn’t understand her at all. “This was a mistake.” She turned and marched up the narrow path and past the truck. The music had stopped. She didn’t know the way back to the house, but she’d manage somehow to find it.
“Grace, where are you going?”
She ignored his shouts and kept going.
The truck door slammed, and the engine growled. The headlights lit up the path in front of her. He eased the truck alongside her on the dirt road. “Get in the truck.”
“No.”
“Grace, get in the truck. You can’t walk back.”
“I can walk back, and I will. I don’t need you—or anyone, for that matter. I’ve been on my own my whole life. Never had parents who really cared, and then I married an asshole. Get away from me, Blaise.”
“Get in the fucking truck, Grace,” he shouted.
She jumped but kept marching forward. He wasn’t going to upset her with his language. He sped up, and her shoulders sagged a little. He was going to let her walk back, after all. Stupid idea of hers. She’d have to call Chloe or a cab once she hit the main road.
The truck veered left and blocked her path on the road. Blaise jumped out of the truck.
“Get in.” He stood with his hands on hips and his feet squared.
The anger seeped out of her. It was a long walk back, and she wasn’t the bravest at night alone. “I don’t want to get in.”
He ran a hand over his face. “Please let me take you home. After that you can be done with me if you want.”
She wasn’t sure what had happened. How did this night get so out of control? She wanted to run to him, tell hi
m she’d stay, but her feet wouldn’t move. They weren’t right for each other. Never had been.
She marched around him, careful not to get within reach. “Fine. Take me home.”
Home. That was a joke.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Blaise pulled into his driveway and cut the engine. He kept his hands on the steering wheel, afraid if he moved, he’d grab Grace, kiss her with all he had and never let her go. Except she wanted to leave, and he couldn’t stay.
She had been right about all those things she shouted at him at the lake. He was following his brother around. Had been since he could walk. He wanted to produce his own music, play in smaller places, maybe even nurture some young musicians. He could squeak out a living if he tried. He had enough connections, but he was afraid to lose what little he had left.
He felt Grace’s stare on him. He turned to see something dark in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Grace.”
She shrugged and fiddled with the hem of her shirt. “When are you hitting the road?”
Did he hear a hitch in her voice? That vulnerable sound squeezed his gut. “I don’t know yet, but sooner than later, I suppose. I still have to talk to Savannah about the fundraiser.”
She swatted at her face with the back of her hand. “Make sure she knows I had nothing to do with your leaving before the event. She’ll think I sabotaged her because I accused her son of bullying Cash.”
He pressed his lips together. “She’ll blame me. Don’t worry. She’s mad at me too right now.”
She reached for the door handle. He wanted to stop her, but he watched as she pushed herself out the door. “Good night, Grace.”
“Good-bye, Blaise.” She went into the house without looking back.
He ran a hand through his hair and scratched the back of his neck. He was an asshole. The night was already ruined. He might as well call Savannah. He slid out of the truck, dragged himself up the steps, and unlocked the front door. He stared at his hands. “Asshole.” He’d left his brace back at the lake. Oh well. Guess his hand was feeling better.
Colton lounged on the sofa, his feet up on the table. He strummed the guitar. A cigarette hung from his lips.
He knocked Colton’s feet off the table. “And put that cigarette out. It stinks in here.”
“Looks like you didn’t get any.” Colton rested the guitar against the arm of the sofa and put his cigarette out in his glass of soda.
Blaise dropped into the leather chair and covered his face with his hands. “Shut up.”
“If your pretty neighbor didn’t come over here to proposition you, then what did she want that she couldn’t say in mixed company?”
He stared at the ceiling. “She was saying good-bye.”
“And that’s a problem? Oh, wait.” Colton slapped his leg and laughed. “I get it. You dig her.”
“Why is that funny?”
“Bro, you’ve got to stop falling like that. Women are trouble. When are you going to learn?”
“Colton, seriously, shut up before I beat your ass.”
Colton held his hands up. “Okay, okay. I’ll quit it. Here’s some good news for you.”
Blaise sat straighter in the chair. “Yeah? What’s that?”
“We’re hitting the road day after tomorrow.”
“What?” That wasn’t good news. He needed more time. He had to get Cash signed up for school. He wanted to make sure his son was settled before he left. Savannah was so pissed at him. Would she even look in on Cash while Blaise was gone?
“It will help you get over your lady friend faster. That’s why it’s such good news.”
“But Cash. I have to explain it all to him.” Where was Cash? Had he come back?
“He’s a grown-up. He’ll be fine. And the best part is we’re getting paid for the first ten shows up front. Joe worked a miracle. That should make you happy. You’ll be able to pay the electric bill and not have to sell your car.”
He was tired of that car. He was still going to sell it. The money would give him a nest egg again. Maybe enough to live on for a while.
“You don’t have to come on tour. I can find a replacement for you without much effort. There’s that Otis Michael guy from Lacerate looking for work.”
Blaise’s insides heated up. “That guy sucks. He can’t play my beats.”
Colton shrugged. “So you’re coming, then.”
Blaise didn’t see the choice. “Yeah. I’ll be packed. I’ve got to call Savannah.”
He took his phone and went out back. The phone rang several times before his sister answered, out of breath.
“You okay?” he said.
“Blaise. What’s up? I’ve got a lot going on here right now.”
“Everything all right?”
“No, if you’re going to ask. Not that you’re going to do anything about it. That’s not your style—or Colton’s, for that matter. Jud and Adam had a fight. Jud stormed out. Adam isn’t feeling well. He’s going to the doctor tomorrow.”
He let the jab go by. “I hope Adam feels better.” He wasn’t about to give advice where Jud was concerned, but he figured Jud was like most hotheaded boys his age. He’d go blow off some steam and be back a few hours later with the whole thing behind him.
“What can I do for you?” Savannah kept the edge in her voice.
“I have some bad news.”
“Oh no. Don’t you dare say it.”
“Savannah.”
“You bastard. How could you ditch me at the eleventh hour? I’ve sold tons of tickets because of you, and now I have to let everyone down. And the library. What about the library?”
“I don’t have a choice. I have to go.”
“You do have a choice, but you’re letting Colton make it for you like you always do. Do you even have a mind of your own? No. You. Don’t. You know what? Forget it. Who needs you? I’ll handle this like I’ve handled every other disaster this family has endured since Mom died.”
“Savannah, I’m sorry. When I get on my feet again, I’ll donate money to the library. I can get those computers for you. Colton will chip in too. I’ll make him.”
“Go fuck yourself.” She hung up.
He couldn’t win. He’d let Grace and Savannah down when they needed him, but avoiding the tour meant financial struggles and standing up to his brother. He wanted a minute’s peace to figure the whole messy situation out.
“Dad, you’re leaving the day after tomorrow?” Cash said from the doorway behind him.
Blaise didn’t turn around. “Uncle Colton told you?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I just found out a few minutes ago. I didn’t even know if you were home yet.” He sagged into the Adirondack chair.
“Do you know that Grace is leaving too?”
“Yeah.” And there was nothing he could do to make her stay.
“So I can’t see Chloe again.”
“Jesus, Cash, I’ve got bigger problems right now than whether you can see your new girlfriend. Can’t you use that camera gadget thing to talk to her? Besides, you’re about to go off to college. So is she. In a month you’ll forget about her.”
“Is that what you’re hoping to do with Grace?”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Neither do you.”
He was screwing up again. He had to make things right with his son. Explain to him. Help him. But Cash didn’t wait for a response. He turned back in the house.
Colton appeared in the doorway. He lit a cigarette and blew the smoke outside. “Sucks to be you about now.”
“Yeah, it does.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Blaise threw the last of his luggage into the back of the town car waiting to take him and Colton to the airport. Cash paced the sidewalk with his arms crossed over his chest. His hair hung in his eyes, and an impatient sneer across his face.
Blaise stepped in his path. “Okay, I’ll call you when we land. You’ve got that job interview tomorrow at t
hree. Don’t forget.”
Cash held up his phone. “I set a reminder.”
“Good. Okay, if you need anything, call Aunt Savannah or Billy Lewis. I left his number on the fridge. He’ll be back in two weeks.”
“Grace will be here for a few more days.”
He looked over at Grace’s house. “Don’t bother her.” Then he changed his mind. “Unless it’s an emergency.” Grace would never let anything happen to Cash. Blaise had been secretly hoping Grace would be the one to keep an eye on his son. He had been foolish to think like that. Colton was right. He fell too hard too easily.
He gripped Cash and pulled him into a hug. “I’ll be a better father. I promise. I love you.”
Cash pushed him away and ducked into the car to say good-bye to Colton. “See ya.” He waved and walked up to the porch and sat on the top step.
Blaise stuck his head into the car. “I’ll be right back.”
Colton jumped out. “We’re going to miss the plane.”
“I’ll only be a minute,” Blaise yelled over his shoulder as he ran across the lawn to Grace’s house. Colton yelled something back, but he couldn’t make it out.
He banged on the door. Banged again. Harder. He drummed out a solo until Grace yanked the door open.
“Why are you banging like that?”
“I’m trying to get your attention.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Okay, you’ve got it.”
“I came to say good-bye.” Even though they had said good-bye the other night. “I couldn’t leave with the last good-bye between us.”
She leaned against the doorjamb. “I’m sorry about the other night. I shouldn’t have come over like that and demanded, well, you know what I was after.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Yes, I do. And I’m sorry it didn’t happen. I’m sorry I hurt you by what I said. It’s your life. You have to do what’s best for you.”
“I guess you do too. Good luck on the road.”
“Call me, okay?”
“I don’t think so.”
