The table was manned by a tall teen with thick black glasses and a younger looking girl with her hair hiding half her face. They looked to be around the same age as my friends and I had been when we first started our band. I had seen them play before, so I knew he was the keyboardist and she was the lead singer.
"Food and drink can be bought with cash," Jessie continued. "We've got a bake sale with treats the kids have made. If you're hungry for more than just cookies and brownies, a few local restaurants donated some catered food."
"You've really got this whole thing planned out," I said.
"It's not the event of the century, but the kids had a lot of fun putting it together." A fond look spread across Jessie's face. "We're hoping to raise some money to buy more supplies for our art programs. Paintbrushes, blank canvasses, things like that."
"This place only runs on donations?" Liam asked, surprised. "There's no government funding or anything?"
"The government funds standard programming," she said. "Early morning day care, after-school tutoring, things like that. But as for the non-traditional stuff—"
At that, Jessie's brow furrowed.
"Local politicians don't always see the point in giving away tax dollars to painting classes or music lessons," she finished.
"Really?" Liam frowned. "That's complete bullshit."
"It is," Jessie agreed. "Those are some of our most popular programs. But—" she shrugged. "Funding for the arts is usually the first to go, I'm afraid."
Liam's nostrils flared, as if he'd been personally offended.
"How much money are you looking to raise?" he asked.
I had a sudden vision of Liam whipping out his checkbook, right then and there.
"Why don't we go play some games?" I interjected as I linked my arm through his. "You can be all macho and win me a toy."
The frown on Liam's face melted into a soft smile as he looked down at me. "I thought you hated all that macho-caveman stuff?"
"It's for a good cause."
"That game over there has some donated stuffed animals as prizes." Jessie pointed to a wall with dozens of balloons taped to it. People were using plastic darts to try and pop them. Her eyes drifted over my shoulder. An alarmed look appeared on her face. "Stop—!"
"Oomp," Liam huffed as a teen boy rammed into him from behind.
"Shit, sorry, man," the kid said as he righted himself. He looked to be fourteen with long, gangly limbs.
"Language!" Jessie admonished.
"Whoa, hey, you're Gael's sister!" the kid gaped at me. "You're the lead singer of his band!"
"That's me." I hid a smile. I recognized the kid as one of the guitarists in the youth center's rock band.
The kid's eyes flicked to Liam and the awe faded a bit.
"Who invited Douchebag and Gabbana?" he asked.
I nearly burst into laughter. I'd told Liam not to wear that shirt.
"Zain!" Jessie scolded the kid, exasperated. "Be careful who you call names. You'd kill to one day be as successful as Liam Knight."
"Who?" the kid asked dismissively.
I held back a snicker. Liam's expression was hilarious, both confused and affronted at the same time.
"Whatever," Zain continued, ignoring Liam. "I just came by to tell you that Gael said we're almost out of bottled water at the bake sale."
"Tell him I've got some more in the trunk of my car."
He nodded and hurried off to relay the message.
"Sorry about that," Jessie apologized for the second time. "Kids these days."
"It's cool," Liam said, although his lips were twisted into a frown. "I was a little shit disturber when I was his age, too."
"He's actually a really sweet kid," she said. "He's just at that age where he thinks he has to play it cool."
"Do boys ever grow out of that stage?" I asked.
Jessie and I shared a grin.
"Why don't we go get some tickets?" Liam asked, still looking vaguely disgruntled.
I agreed and kept my arm looped through his, tugging him out of the way when stray children ran by us.
"I've never been around so many little tiny humans in my life," Liam said. "How does Jessie deal with it?"
"With great patience, I assume."
"No wonder she's able to handle Gael," he said. "She's used to putting up with bratty kids."
I laughed.
"That's exactly why Jessie and Gael are together," I explained. "My brother's antics had been putting our chances of getting a recording contract at risk. No one wanted to sign a loose cannon. Since Jessie's job is to wrangle unruly youths, I essentially hired her to "babysit" him until we'd sealed the deal. I hadn't expected her to fall for Gael. I certainly hadn't expected my wild, playboy brother to fall for her, either."
"Makes sense," Liam said.
"How so?"
"What boy doesn't dream of getting it on with the hot babysitter?" he grinned.
I snorted. "That's exactly what my brother always says. But Jessie's been good for him. He's been a lot less out of control lately."
"He does seem to have taken on a lot of responsibilities," Liam agreed.
"If I didn't know his girlfriend was the cause, I'd worry it was alien bodysnatchers."
"Surely he hasn't changed that much?" Liam asked.
I thought about it. "I suppose not. He's always taken care of me, always tried to be the mature one when it came to the two of us. He just never took anything else seriously. Our mother was never around to discipline us so he could get away with anything."
"And now Jessie's made him realize that actions have consequences?" Liam guessed.
"I think that's exactly it."
We reached the table selling tickets. The tall boy in glasses was already reaching for a roll of tickets and the cash box.
"Thank you for coming to our fun fair," he said politely with a nod.
"How much are the tickets?" I asked.
"They're a dollar fifty each," the girl piped up. "But you get one extra ticket for every ten you buy."
"How many games are there?" Liam asked, already pulling out his wallet.
The boy paused, seeming to count in his head. "I think we've got twelve booths, between all the different games and activities."
"I'll take three hundred tickets," Liam said.
I nearly choked on my own tongue. Both kids went wide-eyed and gape-mouthed.
"Three… hundred?" the girl asked slowly.
Liam took a handful of bills from his wallet. I tugged him aside as the kid continued staring.
"What are you doing?" I hissed under my breath.
"Buying tickets?" Liam said carefully, as if unsure of what set me off and not wanting to repeat it.
"You're buying more than four hundred dollars worth of tickets."
"It's more like four fifty, I think."
"What the hell is wrong with you?" I couldn't help burst out.
"It's a fundraiser, isn't it?"
"That's not the point," I said. "You don't go waving that kind of money around in a place like this."
His forehead creased into a confused frown. "It's a kid's fun fair."
I wanted to smack him. So I did. I smacked him lightly in the chest with the back of my hand.
"Do you really want to go flashing those bills around?" I said. "Do you not remember the abandoned buildings and broken windows we passed by? Most people don't even make that much money in a week's worth of work. Most people here are probably never even seen that much money in one place. The only people who have are drug dealers."
Now it was Liam's turn to look like he'd bit his tongue.
"Are you saying people are going to think I'm a drug dealer?" he asked under his breath.
"No." I scanned the room with a furtive eye. I couldn't stop myself from picking at my nails, flakes of polish coming off under my fingers. "I'm saying people are going to think you're a rich asshole and some of them are going to want to get a piece of that."
A look of under
standing finally crossed his face. Understanding and chagrin.
"I thought this place had been cleaned up since you last lived here…?" he trailed off.
"Cleaner, yes. Spotless, no."
"So you're saying I might get jumped and shanked in an alleyway?"
I nearly reeled back. Liam words were like a bullet through my chest. A bullet that shot through the almost-healed fissure inside me, cracking it wide open. Dark tendrils oozed out, slithering between my organs, wriggling their way between my ribs. They congealed in one big mass around my heart, threatening to clamp down and squeeze the life out of me.
Liam couldn't have known how close to the truth he was.
"I didn't even think of it like that." His eyes weren't focused on me. They were now scanning the room warily, just as I had done.
I forced myself to breathe, taking a slow, shallow lungful of air. My fingers and toes tingled, my body both chilled and boiling hot at the same time.
"I'm sorry I'm an idiot." Liam returned his attention to me. His face turned concerned. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
I hadn't meant for the words to sound so curt, but it was hard to talk through my tight throat.
Liam took both my arms gently in his hands, making me face him. I didn't know what he saw in my expression, but his own turned pained.
"I'm sorry," he murmured again. "I should have realized."
His green eyes were so soft, caring. They were like a beam of green light blasting through the darkness.
The dark tendrils writhed and squirmed, fleeing that glow, disappearing back into the fissure. My breathing evened out. I pressed my hands against my thighs, stopping my fingers from picking at the red lacquer on my nails.
"I'm fine," I said. "I just want you to be safe."
"I'm sorry I made you feel otherwise." He leaned forward and tilted his head down.
I put a hand up to still him. "No PDA in front of the children."
He paused, then tipped his chin up and pressed a kiss to my forehead instead of my lips.
I heard a burst of high-pitched giggles from behind us.
"Someone's got a booooyfriend," came a chorus of voices.
I groaned and thumped my head forward onto Liam's chest.
"Great," I said. "Jessie's going to get a hundred letters from angry parents appalled at the inappropriate behavior their children were subjected to."
"Kids gotta learn the birds and the bees sometime."
I stifled a snort of laughter, looking into Liam's eyes again to meet his gaze. He cracked a grin and gestured to one of the booths with a nod of his head.
"Want to go get your face painted like a cat?" he asked.
"I'd much rather see you as a cat," I said. "Cute pink nose, whiskers and all."
"Only if you swear to not take pictures."
"No promises."
Liam took my hand in his and squeezed. I returned it.
The crack inside me began to close. Not completely, and not quickly, but it was closing, growing smaller. Small enough to keep the darkness from escaping.
For now.
27
After Liam went back to buy us tickets — only thirty this time, ten times fewer than he'd originally asked for — we wandered through the center, taking part in the various games and activities the kids had put together.
Despite our teasing, neither Liam or I got our faces painted. He did win me a small stuffed giraffe at the balloon dart game, and in return I won him a large stuffed polar bear. I'd played darts at Jessie's dive bar often enough to clean up nicely.
I wondered if Liam would turn disgruntled after I one-upped him at the game, but he accepted his prize with a delighted grin. All afternoon he pecked the bear's button nose to my lips and cheeks.
"If I can't kiss you directly, at least I can give you polar bear kisses," he said.
It was such a cute, childish gesture that it warmed my heart. For all that Liam called himself a sex-god rock star, he was also thoughtful and sweet.
I supposed I shouldn't have been surprised. Even from the start, when we'd first met behind those concert tents, he'd taken the time to reassure and encourage an insecure young women, a complete stranger.
After we'd spent about an hour playing games, we stopped to buy some food from the bake sale. There were slices of cake and pie, lemon tarts and cookies, along with a host of other sugary treats. I was torn between a slice of blueberry or cherry pie when I saw something that made my mouth water.
"Oh my god, they have double chocolate fudge brownies," I moaned in one breath. I slammed a handful of bills on the table, picked up a large square and took a bite. I moaned again, closing my eyes at the burst of chocolate on my tongue.
"Do you need a moment with that brownie?" Liam asked. "Should I leave the two of you alone?"
I didn't answer, just swallowed and sank my teeth into the soft deliciousness again.
"I suppose it's useless to ask if I can have a bite," Liam said.
"No sharing," I said in between mouthfuls. "Get your own."
"So that's your weakness, is it? Chocolate fudge brownies?"
"Mm-hm," I mumbled.
"Good to know."
The wicked glint in his eyes had me wondering what he was going to do with that knowledge. I had visions of chocolate sauce and naked skin. I hoped that was where his mind was going, too.
I'd just finished the square and wiped my mouth and sticky fingers when a familiar deep voice spoke up from behind me.
"Should've known I'd find you here."
Morris appeared next to me with his girlfriend Natalie by his side. A little stab of pain shot through me, but it quickly passed. I gave the two of them a bright, genuine smile.
"It's good to see you guys," I said. "Are you here for fun or to volunteer?"
"I'm technically working." Natalie clung to Morris's beefy arm. Her long hair was pulled back in a sophisticated braid, which suited her classical, feminine features. Last I'd heard, she'd gotten a part-time job working at the center. "Morris is here for moral support."
Morris cocked his head. "How many brownies you eat so far?"
"Just the one," I said. "But give me time. I only found them thirty seconds ago."
We both went in for a hug at the same time. Natalie beamed, overjoyed that her scheme to reunite us had worked, and that we'd stayed in touch.
When we pulled back, Liam held his hand out to Morris. Morris took it with a careful nod, no doubt remembering Liam's curt behavior. I eyed their clasped hands to see if they either one of them squeezed too tightly in a show of aggressive dominance, but it was simply a firm handshake.
"Natalie, this is Liam," I introduced, knowing that she hadn't yet met him. "He's my new guitarist and—"
I paused there, wondering whether to say it.
Liam held his hand out to Natalie as well. "I'm her boyfriend," he completed for me.
I bit my lip to suppress a giddy smile from spreading ear to ear.
As our two lovers shook hands, Morris stared at me, his eyes inscrutable.
I had to wonder what he was thinking. Was I betraying Harper's memory by dating someone else? Was he worried I'd get hurt just like last time? Was he happy for me, proud of me, that I'd finally moved on?
You could rarely tell with Morris.
"Fraternizing, hm?" was all he said.
"Guess so." I met his stare head on, not backing down. Everyone knew sleeping with a band member was a bad idea, but I didn't care. It was different with me and Liam.
Morris's lips quirked into the barest of smiles. "Good for you."
I returned his smile, relieved he approved. Not that I needed his approval, but he was one of my oldest friends. His support meant a lot to me.
"Ohmigod," Natalie said, eyes wide with recognition. "You're Liam Knight." Her breathing turned labored and heavy.
"Nat's got a thing for rock stars," Morris said wryly.
She let out a small squeak. "I don't mean to freak out. I just real
ly really liked your band." All traces of sophistication left her as she gaped at Liam.
"Thanks.” His smile almost sad. "It's good to meet a fan."
"I was so upset when you guys broke up, I think I cried for three days while playing your albums on repeat a billion times—"
"Nat," Morris said gently.
She snapped her jaw shut with a flush.
"She gets a bit exuberant sometimes," Morris said with an indulgent look. "That's why I love her."
They shared a sappy smile. Normally it would have made me blanch with discomfort. Now, with Liam by my side, I only felt happy for them.
"The concert is starting soon," Morris said once he pulled his attention away from his girlfriend. "You three go ahead. I'm helping the kids backstage."
Morris looked directly at me, capturing my gaze.
"Make sure Nat gets a a front row seat?" His voice carried a heavy weight.
"Sure." I blinked at his odd tone. "Front and center."
He nodded and left.
"Let's get going," I said. I assumed Morris was up to something, even if I didn't know exactly what, and I wanted to take my duty seriously.
The youth center had a small gymnasium with a raised platform at the far end they used for events like this. Some volunteers had set up rows of cheap and dented aluminum folding chairs to face the stage. People were already trickling in.
I hurried to snag four chairs right in the middle of the front row, three for us and one saved for when Morris got back.
“Morris really loves those kids,” Natalie said as we took our seats. “I think that little rock band did more for him than he even realizes. He’s such a caretaker type, you know?”
He always had been. Morris and Harper had been the self-appointed mom and dad of our neighborhood. They would take neglected kids under their wings, make sure to keep them away from trouble like gangs and drugs.
They used to joke about which one of them was the mom.
“Yeah,” I said, a lump forming in my throat. “He is.”
I caught sight of the ticket girl, Anya, the one hiding behind her hair. Her little face peeped out from behind a makeshift backstage curtain hung between two rolling coat racks. The poor thing looked nervous, still ducking her head so her hair covered half her face.
Hard Rock Crush Page 14
