by Jane Jamison
“You can’t see her tomorrow because we’re going to a dance.”
“A freaking dance? That’s your reason for keeping me from her? Are you fucking kid—”
She hung up then grinned as Beckett made a final spin. “That’s the only thing good about knowing that bastard. I get to hang up on him.”
But she had another discussion to finish. “What was it you wanted to talk to me about?”
They glanced at each other then let Rent take the lead. “We can talk about it later. Right now all you need to know is that we’ve got your back. Yours and Jazz’s.”
Was she turning into a crier? She fell into Rent’s arms as the moisture made her vision blurry. Ty and Beckett closed in, rubbing her back to comfort her.
* * * *
Rent watched as Ty crossed from the side of the stage, pausing to thump his hand on the top of one drum. They’d arrived at Jackson Carr’s barn an hour ahead of the starting time of the dance and had spent most of that time helping out wherever they could while Beckett checked the setup for the band.
The barn had already been transformed into a dance hall with long tables that ran the length of one wall while a makeshift bar sat catty-corner to the portable stage. Women on the dance committee had the decorative lanterns strung from the high wooden beams while small circular tables rested off to the side of a dance floor that had been quickly constructed by the Carr brothers and others. Other women were arriving with large platters of food as well as an enormous punch bowl for those who wanted non-alcoholic drinks. Murmurs of an approaching storm drifted through the barn, but like most Texans, the people of Forever were used to storms that would pop up without warning in the hot summer months. If the weather became severe, they would leave the dance early, but they weren’t going to let a rain shower dampen their fun.
The Malone brothers had come lugging in a large keg of beer. That was their contribution to the night’s activities along with Beckett’s band. His song was climbing the charts and getting air time on radio stations around the country. His friends and neighbors were thrilled for his success. Although they would’ve understood if he’d become too busy to play at the dance, they appreciated the fact that he’d kept his promise to play for free.
“I say we find this C.J. jerk and give him a taste of what will happen if he bothers Stormy or Jazz.”
Although Rent sympathized with Ty’s feelings, he had to remain the voice of reason. If not for them, then for Stormy. “Great idea, bro. We beat up the bastard that she considers controlling to show how controlling we can be.”
Beckett sat on the edge of the stage, settled his guitar on his right leg, and strummed the strings. He worked the tuning heads to get all six strings sounding just right. A clap of thunder brought everyone’s attention to the outside, but so far the rain had stayed away.
“Rent’s right. We have to hang back and see how this works out. We know she’s felt the connection between us. Otherwise a woman like her would never have had sex with us. That alone has to have her confused. Why make more problems for her?”
“I’m not making any problems.” Ty tracked a hand through his hair. “I’m trying to fix them.”
“We need to take this easy. If not, we could blow the whole thing. C.J. has shown up before and left. He’ll do it again this time.” He reconsidered Ty’s suggestion. “Of course, if he does anything to hurt her, then I’ll tear his head off.”
“Get in line, man.”
Rent studied his youngest brother. Beckett acted cool and collected, but he could tell by the way he fidgeted with his guitar that he was as nervous for Stormy and Jazz as Ty was. Hell, as he was.
“But what if he wants her back? What if she takes him up on it for Jazz’s sake? You know she’d do anything for her daughter.”
“Think, Ty. She won’t go back to him. She wouldn’t have done that to begin with, and she sure as hell won’t do it now that she’s met us.”
“You don’t know that.” Ty jumped off the stage. “She didn’t say anything about loving us back.”
“Well, I guess we’ll find out soon enough.” Beckett stood up as his band, followed by a large group of people, came into the barn. He waved and followed his fellow musicians onstage. Within a matter of minutes, they’d started the dance with a lively tune. People quickly got the dance going to full steam.
“Holy hell. I think an angel just walked in.”
Rent followed the direction Ty was looking and saw Stormy and Jazz at the entrance of the barn. At any other time, he would’ve made fun of his brother’s romantic statement, but he had to admit Ty was dead right. She was a vision in a simple blue dress that was cut to a low, but still respectable, vee in the front. The hem hit at her knee but flared out from the waist to flow around her. She’d pulled the front of her hair back from her face and pretty blue earrings dangled from her ears.
When she noticed him watching her, she smiled, took Jazz’s hand, and walked toward them. Jazz wore jeans and a sparkly purple top. She took her hand away from her mother as she spoke to her then darted toward a group of teens congregating in the area nearest the refreshments.
“Hi.”
He wouldn’t have believed that one word could sound so great. Her voice fit her, soft yet firm with the perfect amount of lilt to it.
“Hi.” He took her hands, beating Ty to the punch. “You are a sight and a half.”
“Is that a good thing?” Her brown eyes twinkled with merriment.
“It’s the best.” He cleared his throat. “I want to apologize for not picking you up. But when our mare decided to have her foal, we didn’t have much choice except to stay. We were lucky it went faster than we’d thought it would or we might not have made it here at all.”
“That’s all right. It gave us girls more time to get ready.”
Ty butted in, taking one of her hands away from him. “Before we get to dancing and forget, we’d like to invite you on a picnic tomorrow.”
“That’d be great. But I’m afraid Jazz has a party to go to.”
“That’s okay.” Rent hoped she’d understand his meaning. “We were kind of hoping it’d just be the four of us.”
“Oh. Sure. Should I bring anything?”
“Nope. We’ll handle it.” Rent tugged her away from Ty and onto the temporary dance floor. “Dance with me.”
She laughed as he twirled her around before getting them in line to do the Tush Push. He hadn’t danced in years and he hoped he didn’t look like a bull trying to step over china. He fell into step, trying to keep up with the moves while watching her. She was light on her feet and graceful. Her hair moved around her shoulders like it was dancing along with her and the flower at the back of her head bounced with the rhythm.
Two songs later, Ty took his place, pushing him out of the way. Stormy took it in stride and fell into Ty’s arms for the slow dance.
Damn it. I should’ve guessed that a slow song was up next.
He strode toward the stage, caught Beckett’s attention, then jerked his head toward Ty and Stormy and grinned. His brother understood, cutting the slow dance short, and went into another quick country song. It threw the dancers for a loop, but they recovered and fell into another group routine.
Ty would realize that he’d wanted to separate them, but that was okay. He and his brothers had no problem sharing her as their mate, but that didn’t mean he didn’t want more time than they had with her. He wiggled his fingers when Ty shot him a glare. His brother would pay him back later, but until then, he’d won the first battle.
A man with black hair and gray eyes came to stand next to him. He nodded a greeting then kept his gaze fixed on the dancers while he took several swigs of a beer. “Nice little dance you have here.”
Rent tried to place the man. He wasn’t from Forever or any of the neighboring small towns. Was he a visiting relative? But he didn’t remind him of anyone he knew and most people announced whenever they had a friend or family member coming to town.
&nb
sp; “Yeah. We like it.” He shifted a little, not enough to show any outward signs other than bits of amber in his eyes but enough to heighten his senses. The man’s scent left him uneasy. Everything about him put Rent on edge, from the way he spoke with his East Coast accent, to the expensive slacks, silk shirt, and expensive shoes he wore, to the way he held himself, as though he were the most important man in the world. His whole demeanor shouted cocky, rich, and self-entitled.
“I’m not a big fan of country rock, but the music’s not bad. That’s your brother, Beckett, on stage. Am I right?”
Rent squared himself with the man. “Yeah. It is. I’m Rent Malone.”
The man didn’t take the hand he offered. “I know. I’m C.J. Chandler.”
* * * *
Stormy couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much fun. Raising a child on her own hadn’t given her much of a chance to have a good time, much less with two men to whirl her around the dance floor while the third one sang love songs. Although it was probably her imagination, she couldn’t help but think Beckett was singing to her.
He had the star charisma people talked about when they said names like Enrique Iglesias or Usher. His voice had an incredible range going from very deep to a falsetto that the preteen fans loved. But it was his delivery that showed he was a true performer. He sang rock and roll songs as well as he did love songs, changing his tone, his attitude, and his expressions to match each song’s meaning.
The music ended and she clapped along with the rest of the crowd. She hoped Beckett would play a slow song again. That way she could catch her breath and get another chance to have either Ty or Rent hold her.
“Is everyone having a good time?” Beckett held the microphone toward the spectators. They shouted a resounding yes along with hoots and cheers.
“Then let’s keep the fun going.” His blue eyes locked onto her and took her breath away. “This next song is dedicated to a very special woman in my life.”
Stormy kept her eyes on Beckett even though she could sense everyone looking toward her. Ty slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer, giving her the satisfaction of seeing the women’s jealous reactions as well as making her feel protected.
“He’s talking for the three of us.”
She leaned closer but didn’t dare respond. Not with so many people watching. Was Jazz watching, too? And yet, she couldn’t force herself to push him away.
The strains of a love ballad poured out of his guitar and through the speakers set on the edge of the stage. Beckett’s voice rang out loud and clear.
“I was lost until you came along. You found me and brought me home.”
Beckett kept his gaze on her as he continued to sing. Her heart fluttered in her chest at the expression of love on his face. Was it real? Or just for the show? Yet hadn’t they told her that they loved her? Hadn’t she seen that same expression on his face as well as his brothers’? She hugged herself and tried to hold the thrilling tingle that came to life inside her.
“Baby, you’re the one for me. Take my heart, my everything. Take me.”
Ty tightened his hold on her and she leaned her head against his shoulder. It might’ve seemed strange for her to be with one man while another sang to her, but Forever was different. The people around her didn’t judge her. Instead, they remained quiet, letting her have her moment.
Beckett ended the song, speaking the final lines instead of singing them. “You’re mine and I’m yours. Always and forever.”
How did these guys always make her cry? She wiped away a tear as it trailed down her cheek. She thanked him for the song with a smile that was meant only for him.
It was incredible, but somehow she’d found love. A real, true, always-and-forever kind of love and not the young girl silliness she’d had for C.J. Another rousing country song came next, but she had to see Rent. She wanted both Ty and Rent with her after hearing Beckett’s song.
The people started moving to the beat of the song. Two men danced with one woman while other multiple couples flowed around them.
“Why is it that Forever has so many combinations of people?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.” Although it was a fast song, Ty kept his hand on either her wrist or her elbow. It was as though he couldn’t stand to not touch her, and she loved every second of it.
“What I meant is…why are there so many men with one woman between them? Is Forever like Alaska, where the men outnumber the women?” She studied the stubble running along his jaw and, for once, didn’t resist the urge to skim her palm along it. It was soft, not prickly.
“You’ve noticed, huh? Yeah, it’s kind of the thing to do in our town, and we prefer it that way. Maybe it’s because only strong women live around here and it takes more than one man each to handle them.”
“Oh, sure. Because all the men in Forever are such wimps.” She laughed. “If their teeth are any indication, they could take a chunk out of a woman.”
“The teeth are a hereditary thing. But you know what they say.”
“No. Tell me.”
“A man with big teeth has a big cock.”
She paused, dumbstruck. “I can’t believe you just said that. Besides, I thought it had more to do with his hands. Or was it his feet?”
“Naw. Trust me. It’s his teeth.”
“Get the fuck out of here.”
As one, the crowd pivoted toward the angry voice. The words hadn’t been shouted, but the intensity commanded attention. Stormy turned on her heel along with Ty.
Rent stood toe-to-toe with C.J. Chandler. His face was red and his fists clenched as though trying not to strike out. Yet he was as close to C.J. as he could get without touching him.
She could see the fear on C.J.’s face. He’d never been a brave man, but he still stood his ground against the larger, taller Rent. “I came to see Stormy, so stay out of this. It’s none of your business.”
“Stormy is my business.”
Ty left her side and stalked over to the men. The music stopped as Beckett put down his guitar and hopped off the stage.
Oh shit.
She rushed toward them. “Stop it. You’re making a scene and ruining everyone’s fun.”
The Malone brothers gathered around her, providing a physical and emotional protective wall. She pushed against Rent’s and Ty’s chests to get more room. When they wouldn’t back off, she did the only thing she could think to do. She pulled away from them then gestured for C.J. to follow her. Without checking with them, she dashed out of the barn. A light rain sprinkled from the dark clouds above.
But the Malone brothers weren’t about to leave her alone. They were on her heels and calling her name as she walked outside with her head held high. Once she’d gotten far enough away from the barn, she whirled on them. “Back off. All of you.”
“Stormy, sweetheart, I came to see you.” C.J. edged past the brothers.
“Sweetheart? We’ve never been sweethearts. Not then and certainly not now.”
He stopped moving toward her and nodded. “Okay, we’ll play it your way. You’re right. But I want to change that. I want to make a family with you and Jazz.”
“What? Are you insane? I don’t want you. Not for myself and certainly not for my child.”
“Be reasonable, sweetheart. Think of the life I can give Jazz. You can move back to the city and quit playing farmer’s daughter to these bumpkins.”
She came at him and stabbed a finger against his chest. “That is what I’m thinking about. I don’t want her growing up like you. I don’t want her growing up anywhere near you.”
He took her hand, but she jerked it away. Growls erupted from the men behind him.
“Don’t you ever touch me again.” She narrowed her eyes. C.J. Chandler didn’t do anything without a motive. She hated to find out, but she had to. For her sake as well as Jazz’s. “Why now, C.J.? What’s going on? Why the sudden need to get me and Jazz back in your life?”
“You’ve got me. You al
ways were a smart girl.” He tried to take her hand again but gave up when she yanked it away a second time. “Okay, here’s the deal. The board of our company wants me to take the chairman’s position. But our stockholders have always preferred a chairman who is married. Particularly if he has kids. See? You can have your wildest dreams fulfilled. Come back to New York with me, marry me, and I’ll set you up in a life you can only dream of. Jazz can go to the best schools and meet the right people.”
Horror filled her, followed by shock. “Oh, my God. First you and your father want to buy me off to get me out of your life, and now you want to do the same thing to bring me back into it? You’ve got more gall than even I gave you credit for.”
“Damn it, Stormy, you think too small. Put the past behind you and consider your future. Think about Jazz. This is a win-win situation for both of us.”
“Stormy, let us kick his ass. We’ll get him out of your hair and he’ll never come back.”
She held up a palm, keeping Rent back. “I can handle this. I don’t need you guys taking over.”
“Who are they anyway? I heard you’d taken up with a Malone brother, so which one is it? The singer with the sappy song?”
“When are you going to learn to stay out of my life?” She pushed C.J., wanting to do a whole lot more than that. “Hell would have to do more than freeze over for me to go back to you. Money can’t buy me and it sure as hell doesn’t buy my daughter.”
“You mean our daughter. Jazz is mine, too.” C.J.’s body language changed. He was no longer acting nice. He was angry and ready to get what was his.
“No, she isn’t. You show up, think you can buy her affection with presents and promises you never keep, then split again. That’s not a real father. That’s a benefactor, and she doesn’t need one of those. We do just fine without your money.”
“You call squatting in a run-down rental shack doing fine?” He reached out to her, but she would have none of him. “Look, Stormy, I’m going to get Jazz even if you’re not willing to listen to reason. With or without you.”
