Hinder (An Off Track Records Novel)

by Kacey Shea

  Some days, waiting tables isn’t so bad. Serving keeps me busy, moving, and I exercise my mind by memorizing my tables’ orders. But then there’re days like today. It’s bad enough I’m pulling a double, but I can’t complain about that. It’s the least I can do to help the girl who covered for my last minute adventure to San Diego. But this twelve-hour shift and the pulsing ache of feet are only made worse by the fact some celebrity blogger tweeted out my new place of work.

  Wellington son serves burgers and fries for cash #fallfromgrace #ThreeUglyGuysWho #yum #HowMuchForTheMillionaire

  We don’t even serve burgers here. It’s a fucking Italian restaurant. The covert photos she took were even worse. At least use the flash or catch me when I’m not moving. But apparently it doesn’t take much to create a buzz, and being waited on by a music protégé with the last name Wellington is a privilege people will wait hours for.

  I’ve taken more selfies in the last twelve hours than I have my entire life. Oh, and before we close up, my manager practically begs me to pull another double tomorrow. I tell him no, thank you. Today was utter chaos. I can’t imagine tomorrow will be much better.

  I’m so busy, it’s not until I walk back to my apartment that I finally have time to check my phone. Only, when I look at the screen I have trouble believing what I see. It’s too good to be true. My cell is ringing. And on the caller ID: Opal.

  “Hello! Opal.” The words rush from my mouth.

  “It’s Lexi.” Oh.

  My elation plummets and I expect her next words will be to ask me to stop calling. “Oh, hey. How are you?”

  “She wants to see you.”

  “She does?” It’s almost too much to hope. I pick up my pace, ready to jump in a car right this second. “When? Now?”

  “Tomorrow. Eleven o’clock. Come to the house. You remember where that is?”

  “I remember.” I remember everything.

  “Good. You better show—”

  “I will.” I cut off her warning. Nothing could keep me from Opal. “Thank you.”

  “No. Thank you. You were right. About your uncle.”

  Heaviness settles on my shoulders at her admission. I should feel vindicated, but I don’t. “I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah, well, shit happens. See you tomorrow.”

  Tomorrow. She’ll give me a chance. In my heart of hearts, I know she will.

  The next morning, I walk up the street, a bouquet of bluebonnets in hand, and wait for someone to buzz me inside. The gates open before I can ring the bell and there she is at the end of the drive.

  Opal waits on the front step. She’s even more beautiful than I remember. Maybe it’s from the months apart, or the longing that’s grown with each passing day. Regardless, it takes all my effort to slow my steps and not run to her.

  A smile, one I’ve been wearing since Lexi called last night, stretches across my lips, but the closer I get, I realize Opal doesn’t smile back. Her face is tired, wary, and it hurts because I did that.

  “Hi, Opal.” I stop at the edge of the entry, holding out my offering but giving her space if that’s what she needs. “For you.”

  She accepts my flowers, and tucks them to her chest. She drops her chin and breathes them in. It’s only then a gentle smile appears.

  “Beautiful,” I say. I can’t help it. I don’t want to be anything other than truthful with her from now on.

  “Thank you. For coming, and for these.” She glances to the side yard. “I thought we could talk in the garden.” She glances up, her eyes seeking my approval. What she doesn’t realize is I would go anywhere as long as she came, too.

  “I like gardens.” I go for silly, and to my delight she flashes another smile.

  I follow her through the gate and beneath a tree to a circle of chairs. She waits for me to sit before taking the one across.

  I wish she were closer, but this way I’m able to meet her stare. “I’m glad you called. Or, that Lexi called. Did you get my messages?”

  She drops her gaze to her lap and spins the bouquet in her hands. “I . . . well, I . . .” She shakes her head and then lifts her stare. “I deleted them all.”

  “Oh.” It’s hard to not deflate at the disappointment.

  “I was angry. At first.”

  I nod. “That’s fair.”

  “And then I was sad. Really, really sad.”

  I swallow, the pain of her admission hitting me like a ton of bricks. “I’m sorry, Opal.”

  She holds my gaze, not wavering in the least. “But now, now I’m confused.”

  My brow creases and I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “Why are you confused?”

  “Because if you really loved me.” Her chin quivers but her voice holds strong. “You could have told me the truth. You could have fought for us.”

  Emotion clogs my throat and my eyes burn. I can’t stand the space between us. Not anymore. Closing the distance, I fall to my knees so her eyes are level with mine. “I wanted to. God, I wanted to. But I was so scared to lose you. I thought . . . I don’t know what I thought. I was stupid. So fucking stupid. I should have told you right away. Because I loved you, Opal. And I haven’t stopped.” Tears spring from my eyes, but I don’t need to wipe them away.

  She reaches forward, her fingertips brushing away the wetness and caressing my skin.

  I close my eyes and lean into her touch. “Please say you’ll forgive me.”

  “I do,” she says, her voice rough. “I already have.”

  My eyelids fly open and I’m greeted by her smile. The brilliant one that lights up her entire face.

  She leans forward and our mouths practically touch. “I love you, too,” she whispers, and then her lips cover mine. Sweet. Perfect. Her. She pulls back but those lines of worry return.

  “What is it? What’s the matter?”

  “We leave in a few hours. For the next show.”

  I nod, understanding. She has to go. “When do you need to leave?”

  She glances at the flowers and then my face. “Soon. Now.”

  I push to my feet and hold out my hand. We walk back to the front of the house in silence, the reality of our situation settling in the quiet. She’ll be on tour. I have my job here. But I love her too much. We’ll find a way to make this work.

  “I wish I could stay,” she says as we reach the door.

  “Hey, Opal.” I wait for her to meet my gaze.

  “Yeah.”

  “Crazy idea here and it might drain half my bank account, but maybe we could catch a flight tomorrow? Meet up with the band there.”

  “I—”

  The words rush from my lips, honest and true. “I just got you back. I don’t want to let you go, not ever again.”

  “Leighton,” she interrupts, but her gaze falls to the ground.

  “Sorry, that’s ridiculous. Who would go through all of that just for a few more hours together. I’m ridiculous, right?” Me! I would! I would go through all that and more.

  She bites the inside of her cheek as if she’s considering my plan. Please say yes, my heart begs. When she meets my hopeful stare with one of her own, I want to cheer.

  “If I stay, what would you give me?” she asks.

  With her hand in mine, I bring it to rest on my chest. “Everything. My heart. My body. Everything I am.”

  Her eyes shine, but she doesn’t cry. “You mean that?”

  “I do.”

  “I have something to tell you.” Her voice wavers and my mind summons a thousand possibilities for why that is. “I didn’t want to see you because of the interview.”

  “Oh.”

  “I had Lexi call because I–I’m—” She drops her chin and a few tears trickle down her cheeks.

  I step closer and wrap my arms around her. “You can tell me anything.”

  “I sure hope you mean that.” She sniffles into my chest.

  Alarm grows in my gut, and I hold her closer. “Opal, what is it? Tell me.”

  She lifts her
chin, and meets my stare. “I’m pregnant.”

  “Oh.” The breath wooshes out of my chest. In this one moment my world tilts on its axis. Everything changes.

  She licks her lips, watching my reaction. “It’s yours.”

  How? “But we—”

  “Were careful. I know. But not enough.” Our last night together.

  Elation weighs down the shock, and if she weren’t already in my arms I’d pull her close. Opal is pregnant. With my child. I’m going to be a father, and she’s, she’s carrying my child. I cup her cheeks with my hands and take in her expression. I memorize everything about this moment. About the beginning of our family. My lips crash to hers and I kiss her with all my hopes and dreams. I kiss her, not like it’s our last, but like it’s our forever.

  She’s timid at first, accepting my kiss but not taking part. It only lasts a moment, though, before her lips move with the same hunger as mine. Her hands roam up my chest to the collar of my shirt and she tugs me closer, pressing our bodies flush. We’re a perfect fit. This. Us.

  A clearing throat is what finally pulls us apart. I don’t know how long we’ve been standing here making out, but by Opal’s flushed cheeks and plump lips it’s more than a few minutes.

  Lexi leans against the open door frame and stares. Her arms cross her chest, but the hint of a smirk plays on her lips. “I take it you two made up.”

  I grin.

  “I told him about the baby.” Opal takes my hand in hers.

  Lexi gives in to a smile. “Good.”

  “I want her to stay. We’ll take a flight and meet up with you tomorrow.” I squeeze Opal’s hand.

  Lexi scowls and then narrows her glare on Opal. “You didn’t ask him?”

  Opal glances at me. “We had a few things to discuss first.”

  Lexi rolls her eyes, and narrows her stare. “There’s this band. I’m not sure whether you’ve heard of them before, Three Ugly Guys? Anyway, they could really use a permanent drummer.”

  I look from her to Opal, and back again. They’re both smiling, but it can’t be. “I don’t think I’m welcome.”

  “You are.” Lexi steps back into the house and Opal pulls me inside.

  “Fucking finally.” Austin pushes off the wall next to Trent.

  “There he is,” Sean says with a wide smile.

  “My girl’s right.” Trent lifts his chin with a nod. “We want you back. How would you feel about coming back to the band?”

  “You’re serious.” I can’t believe it. I really can’t.

  “Yeah, well, we found out our drummer was an actual musical prodigy. Apparently, he’s loaded, too.” Austin bugs his eyes and shakes his head. “We’d be fools to pass on that.”

  “Oh.” My stomach sinks with his words. “Then I can’t accept your offer.”

  Austin laughs. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  “You seriously don’t want to play with us again?” Trent looks at me as if I’m crazy. Which might actually be true.

  “No, it’s not that. There’s nothing I want more. Well, actually there’s not much else I want more.” I glance at Opal. “But I’m only interested if you’re cool with a guy who really loves music, but cares about his friends more. A guy who doesn’t come with any money or family connections, but promises to give his all on stage or in a recording booth.”

  Trent steps forward and claps my back. “We never gave a shit about your family or where you came from.”

  “Yeah, we didn’t know.” Sean lifts his brow. “Remember?”

  “Don’t be an idiot here.” Austin holds out his hand. “We want you because you’re our brother. You screwed up, but you made it right again.”

  I shake his hand and he pulls me in for a hug. “I’m really sorry.”

  “We know,” Trent says. “That’s why we’re giving you a second chance. Everyone deserves a little forgiveness, don’t you think?”

  My throat tightens with emotion. “Thank you.” Right here, in this room, is everything and everyone I could ever need. I hold my hand out to Opal and she doesn’t hesitate, walking right into my arms. Exactly where she’s meant to be. We’re a family, she and I, and I’m ready to spend the rest of our forever making a future we both love. One with music, laughter, children, and so much love.

  Epilogue

  Opal

  Nine months later

  “We got everything?” I glance at the back of our Yukon, and take inventory for the second time today.

  Leighton crosses his arms over his chest and stares alongside me. “I feel like we packed our entire apartment.”

  I laugh because he’s not wrong. “Yeah, probably.”

  “Ready to go to work?” His arm goes around my waist and he kisses my lips.

  I nod, a smile taking over my face. “Yeah, I am.”

  “Then let’s roll.” He takes the infant car seat from my hands and lifts it high. “You ready for your first day of work, little man?”

  “Don’t wake him.” I groan and open the door so he can place the seat into the base. “I have enough guilt as it is.”

  “No guilt,” Leighton says, his tone stern with no room for argument. “You were meant to write songs. We’re doing this.”

  I nod and walk around the car to the passenger seat and settle in for the short ride. These past months have been a whirlwind, but each step of the way Leighton’s been at my side. He’s been supportive and attentive. But it hasn’t been easy. I challenge anyone else to spend most of their pregnancy on tour with a rock band—one dealing with all sorts of issues, no less, but we’re figuring life out together.

  Leighton’s determined not to let parenthood take away either of our careers, and I love him for it.

  He’s the best baby daddy a woman could want. Yeah, we talked about getting married a few times. Especially during our first few weeks back together, but there wasn’t time or energy to plan the celebration we both wanted. Axl became our priority, not a piece of paper. And while I have no doubt we’ll walk down the aisle at some point, there’s no rush. Not when we’re living our best life.

  We pull inside the mansion gates and then down the long drive. My nerves pick up a little, but before Leighton has the vehicle in park, we’re bombarded.

  “Hey, mama.” Austin’s the first to wrap me in a hug, then he meets Leighton as the lift gate opens. His eyes widen. “Dude, that’s a lot of shit for an eight-pound blob.”

  “He’s almost nine pounds, Gray Bush.” Leighton shoves his friend. “Help me with this shit, will you?”

  Lexi rushes over and hugs me quickly, and then dips her head into the backseat. “How’s my nephew this beautiful morning?”

  “Happy and sleeping.” I grin, settling on my son’s perfect face.

  Lexi pulls his seat from the back, but Trent steals Axl from her. “That’s ’cause he’s milk drunk. Look at him.”

  “Poor bastard never stood a chance.” Austin shakes his head. “Don’t worry, little buddy. I make the same face when I’ve feasted on a great pair of tits.”

  “I’d love it if you’d stop talking about my girl’s tits.” Leighton slaps Austin on the back.

  “Alright, enough shooting the shit.” Lexi claps her hands together. “We gonna make a record or what? Time’s a wasting.”

  Back home after a long day of work, I rock Axl in his room and wait for his eyelids to drift shut. He goes out quickly, and I lay him in his crib. “You be a good boy and sleep all night for Momma, m’kay?” I know he won’t, but that’s okay. My little night owl prefers to make it through the night in three hour intervals.

  “Sweet dreams.” I shut the door and creep down the hall for good measure, because I don’t want him to startle awake. Leighton’s waiting for me and I intend to get laid tonight. It’ll be the first time we’ve been intimate since Axl was born, six weeks to the date.

  “He’s asleep. For a few hours.” I step into the kitchen and release a deep sigh.

  Leighton hands me a glass of wine and dr
ops a kiss on my lips. “Good.”

  I look past him to the candles on the table and the spread he laid out while I was putting our little monster to sleep. “What’s this?”

  “I thought we should celebrate.”

  “Having sex again?” I waggle my eyebrows then laugh when he scowls.

  “No. Your first day back to work. And it has not been six weeks yet. One more day to go. I know, because I’ve been counting.”

  I reach up on the tip of my toes and capture his lips in a kiss that goes from chaste to erotic in less than one minute. “Live dangerously,” I whisper into his mouth and then step back to take a long sip of wine.

  His gaze is hungry as it travels unhurriedly down my body. With that one look, I come alive.

  “Can we skip straight to dessert?” I say, setting the glass on the counter.

  “I bought dessert,” he says absently and tugs me into his arms.

  I laugh into his chest. “I mean sex. Can we skip to sex?”

  “We can most definitely skip to that.” He backs us up, all the way to our bedroom without breaking our kiss. His fingers make quick work of our clothes, and as soon as I climb on the bed he’s right there with me. “I need to taste you,” he whispers into my ear.

  “Yes.” I groan and melt into the soft, cool sheets. The man knows how to get me off. We’ve had a ton of practice. He usually takes his time, but tonight is different. We’re on a race against the baby monitor, and it’s been months. With his focused attention it doesn’t take long before my pulse is racing and my muscles are taut, but I don’t want to come without him.

  “I need you, baby.” I tug him back to my mouth.

  Leighton kisses me and I can taste myself on his lips. He runs his hands over my skin with a greediness that kicks my need for him into high gear. He only stops a moment to pull out the nightstand drawer, grab a condom, and suit up.

  I reach for his length, stroking his hardness before placing him at my entrance.

  “I’ll go slow,” he promises, and he does. Slow. Gentle. Sweet. Each thrust of his hips slides him further inside. The fullness is painful at first, but he strokes my clit and the sensation morphs into yearning.