by Lisa Lewis
“And you were okay with that?”
“Hey, the hardware store’s been good to me. I’ve been working there part-time to help pay the bills the last few years. And it’s not like my father is pressuring me to run the business right away. Like I said, he’s very supportive of my music, and he knows I have to do this now, while Roadhouse really has a chance at making it big. He knows in the end that I’ll always come back home.”
Beth suppressed a sigh. It must be nice to have such a reliable home life. She wasn’t even sure what home was anymore.
“What about your mother? Is she as happy for you?”
Tom’s features immediately softened. “My mom died four years ago. Cancer. She didn’t get a chance to see Roadhouse’s success, but I’m sure she would’ve been happy to see our progress over the years. She didn’t like the instability of a career in music, didn’t think it was conducive to supporting a family.”
How true she knew that to be. Beth felt a twinge in her heart at Tom’s words, but she ignored it. This was not about her.
“But Mom stuck by all my choices and suffered silently while her little boy chased his dreams.” Tom smiled with a bit of melancholy. “I miss her.”
She wasn’t sure how to respond to his comments, so Beth remained silent. The lull in conversation was interrupted by the arrival of their food, and the discussion soon turned to generic topics like the tour, the weather, and seafood.
As they finished the last of their meal, Tom glanced at his wristwatch. “We need to head out in order to get back to the theatre by four. I guess we talked too much and ate too slow.”
He refused her offer of going Dutch for the meal, stating that he’d asked her out so he was paying. As they stood at the register, Beth looked at Tom, thinking once again what a decent guy he was. The fact that he was gorgeous was just a bonus. She decided she wouldn’t mind spending more time with him as the tour progressed. As a friend, of course. That’s all.
He held the door for her as they left the diner and started back toward the parked truck. “What’s that look for?”
Beth glanced up at him but kept walking. “What look?”
“You looked like you were stuck between a rock and a hard place.”
“No, not exactly.” More like she had to choose between what her head wanted and what her heart wanted.
“So what is it then?”
She stopped at the front of the SUV, turned to face him. Better to get this out of the way now. “It’s about what happened earlier. Or rather, what almost happened.”
A small masculine smile curved his lips upward. “You mean when we almost kissed?”
“Yes, that’s what I mean. It can’t happen again.”
The smile instantly disappeared. “Why the hell not? It looked to me like you were enjoying our little flirtation, and I know I certainly was. What’s so different now?”
“Nothing is different. I just lost my head earlier. I don’t know what I was thinking, or if I was thinking at all. I’m sorry, but I have too many things up in the air right now, and I need to straighten out my life. I really can’t get involved with you at this point.”
As she turned to move toward the passenger door, Tom took hold of her arm, stopping her retreat. She looked at him again, noting the hard glint of determination in his brown eyes.
“Sorry to break this to you, honey, but it’s too late. We’re already involved.”
•
The drive back to the Florida Theatre was made in silence. Evidently Beth didn’t agree with his statement about their relationship, but Tom wasn’t concerned. They had plenty of time to interact during the next few weeks on tour. He’d slowly but surely break through whatever wall she was hiding behind. He knew having her would be worth the time and effort.
The rest of the night passed in a flurry of activity. They had sound check and a final rehearsal of particular songs. The set list and lighting arrangements were verified. Wardrobe and instruments were inspected for the last time. Everything appeared to be in order for Roadhouse’s tour debut.
Tom saw Beth here and there in the auditorium, but he didn’t speak to her. He was too focused on making this concert the best performance of his life. His future, and that of his band mates, depended upon tonight. He wasn’t going to let anything, or anyone, distract him.
Finally it was time to go on. They had no opening band for the tour since they wanted all the attention on themselves. Roadhouse had prepared a set list for a two-hour performance, leaving a twenty-minute intermission after the first hour. With only one free night scheduled per week, the band needed to address any flaws in their performance during rehearsals. On stage, they needed to shine.
The pounding of Tom’s heart almost drowned out the audience’s welcoming applause once the band took the stage. He had never seen such a mass of people, all there to listen to his music. Leo immediately signaled for the start of their first number, a tune guaranteed to get the crowd on its feet. And Roadhouse didn’t intend for them to ever sit down again.
The adrenaline was still coursing through Tom’s veins two and a half hours later. He couldn’t believe how great everything had gone. The equipment had all worked perfectly, and not a single note was missed in any song, vocally or instrumentally. The audience had clapped and cheered for multiple encores, but Roadhouse had to finally leave the stage for good because it was getting too late. He felt on top of the world, and the night wasn’t over yet.
George had arranged for an area to be cordoned off for an autograph session. The band members sat at a long table and fans were directed to form a line to have their programs, CDs, and T-shirts signed. Tom wasn’t sure exactly how well this segment of the night was going to go, but he was willing to give it a try. They could always ditch this aspect of the tour if they didn’t draw a big enough crowd.
But it appeared he’d worried for nothing. Once again, he was stunned by the praise and excitement of the many concertgoers who had waited their turn to meet the band. As the half-hour autograph session was drawing to a close, there were still quite a few people left in line. A couple crew members were trying to move the fans along because, even though tomorrow was their day off, they still needed to get things closed up for the night.
Tom returned his gaze to the dark-haired young lady in front of him. She looked to be in her late teens or early twenties. “Who should I make this out to?” He smiled up at her, still feeling the energy of the evening.
“It’s Casey, with a C.” She sent a bright smile back his way.
“Did you enjoy the show, Casey with a C?” Tom wrote a brief message and signed his name across the program she’d set in front of him.
“Oh, yes. It was terrific. I especially love how you and Leo harmonize. Your voice is the greatest, and you play guitar so awesomely.” As he watched, the girl’s cheeks slowly began to burn.
“Well, thanks for coming tonight, Casey, and thanks for the compliments. I hope you continue to enjoy our music in the future.”
“Oh, I know I will.”
As Tom turned to the next person in line, a middle-aged woman who reminded him of his late mother, he didn’t notice the fanatical gleam in the brunette’s eyes as she slowly moved away.
Chapter Three
Macon was a beautiful little place compared to the sprawling metropolis of Jacksonville. It seemed like a nice town to spend a day off in, and, oddly enough—after only one show—today was it. Beth wasn’t going to argue with the illogical concert schedule, but she was too tired to truly enjoy her respite. After eight hours of equipment load-out in Jacksonville followed by a two hundred and seventy mile trip, all she wanted now was a simple meal and a good night’s sleep.
She’d spent most of the afternoon visiting local shops with Hannah and Liz, and that activity had pretty much exhausted her last energy reserves. The other women had just left with some of the roadies, heading out to dinner and then dancing. Beth had declined their invitation to go along, knowing she didn’t have much
time left before she fell flat on her face.
She hunted through the cupboards for anything that would stop her stomach from growling long enough for her to fall asleep, and, thankfully, her eyes landed on a package of snack crackers. They’d be perfect with the sliced cheese she’d seen in the mini fridge. A knock on the door stalled her movements just as she latched onto the box.
Still holding the crackers, Beth made her way to the motor home entrance. “Coming!” she yelled as she opened the box and grabbed a couple of squares. Popping the crackers into her mouth, she opened the door and froze, mid-chew.
“Hi, Beth.” Tom greeted her with another one of his terrific smiles. The kind that made her breath catch in her throat. “I know it’s been a long, hectic day, but I wanted to stop by and see if you had plans for tonight.”
Beth quickly swallowed the remaining crackers in her mouth, knowing she’d stood there staring at him like an idiot while he’d talked. He looked handsome and refreshed in a white polo shirt and khakis while she felt like the walking dead. Of course, he hadn’t stayed up till the wee hours disassembling and reloading equipment, either. That must be why his warm, inviting eyes had no bags under them.
“You’re looking at them.”
He cocked an eyebrow upward. “Huh?”
She wiggled the box of crackers at him. “My plans for tonight. Cheese and crackers and then beddie-bye. I’m beat.”
“Oh, now I can’t allow that to happen. It’s only five o’clock on a Sunday night, way too early to be pooped. Besides, you need more sustenance than cheese and crackers if you’re going to set up for the concert tomorrow. Let me take you out for some real food.”
Beth tilted her head to the side and asked, “How come you’re always trying to feed me? Do I look too skinny to you?” She wanted to take back the question as soon as the words were out of her mouth. But it was too late. Tom’s eyes slowly made their way down and then back up her body. She felt naked beneath his intense gaze, even in her shorts and T-shirt.
“You look terrific to me. Just the right size in all the right places.” His low, sexy drawl and ardent stare captured her, holding her in place for a long moment. Then he casually shrugged, breaking the mood. “But really, I just wanted to spend more time with you, and it seems like the only thing there is to do on tour besides work is eat. And sleep, of course. But I couldn’t invite you to do that with me.”
“Yet,” was his unspoken implication. But Beth let Tom’s comment slide by without taking the bait. “If I do agree to have dinner with you, then it’s only dinner, nothing else. And you have to promise that we’ll be back in a couple hours. I really am bushed.”
“I promise I won’t make you do anything you don’t want to. How’s that?”
“Good enough, I suppose.”
“Great. Now go get ready. I’ll be back in thirty minutes to get you and then we’re off to get a big, juicy steak.”
•
Tom opened the SUV’s passenger door so Beth could step up. He watched as she swung her legs into position, admiring the sleek, toned shape of them beneath the short skirt of her navy blue sundress. He was a sucker for killer legs on a female. Of course, on Beth, all her body parts were outstanding.
Closing the door while she buckled in, Tom moved around to the driver’s side and took his place behind the wheel. Once they headed out of the parking lot, Beth asked, “How come you’re always driving this SUV? Is it yours?”
“No. Marty rented it for the whole band and crew to use along the tour. He figured we’d get sick of being cooped up in the RVs during our down time, and we might want to get away for a while.”
“But you seem to be the only one using it.”
“There’s a sign-up sheet in our trailer. Whoever wants to use the truck can sign it out ahead of time. Turns out no one but me has wanted it so far.”
“A bunch of the guys went out tonight, and Hannah and Liz went with them.”
“Yeah, I talked to them earlier. They’re just headed to some clubs in walking distance of the auditorium. If they plan to have a few drinks then they made the right choice in hoofing it. And a taxi won’t cost them too much if it turns out they really need one later.”
“So we’re going more than a few blocks away? Remember, I don’t want to be out that long,” Beth cautioned.
“Yes, Cinderella, you’ll be home before the coach turns back into a pumpkin,” Tom agreed in a resigned tone. He knew he’d change her mind before dinner was over. Because of last night’s consecutive performance and traveling, they hadn’t seen much of each other since their lunch together. This suited Tom’s purposes fine, because he wanted to let Beth think he was backing off. She’d been so skittish at the beach yesterday, determined to avoid any kind of relationship with him.
They soon arrived at a steak house near the river, and the hostess escorted them to a candlelit table overlooking the Ocmulgee. Tom pulled out a chair for Beth, leaning close to breathe in the subtle fruity remnants of her quick shower. He took his time pushing her chair back into place before taking a seat opposite her. A companionable silence surrounded them while they perused the menus.
“Would you like some wine?” he asked.
Beth glanced up and shook her head. “No thanks. It would only make me more tired than I already am. But you can go ahead and order it if you want some.”
“No, I’m fine with a tall glass of milk.”
“Milk?” The incredulous look on Beth’s face conveyed her disbelief.
“Of course,” Tom insisted. “Salad, meat, and potatoes was the standard dinner in my household growing up, with a cold glass of milk to wash it all down. It does a body good, you know.” He grinned, wondering how she’d respond to his last comment.
“You must’ve drunk gallons of it, then,” she mumbled beneath her breath.
“What was that?” he asked innocently.
“Nothing. I’m just deciding what I want for dinner,” Beth lied.
“Okay.” Tom let the fib pass since he already knew Beth was as attracted to him as he was to her. His problem was getting her to admit it.
The waitress returned to collect their menus and take their dinner orders. Just as he’d said he would, Tom ordered a large milk along with his prime rib and baked potato. Beth ordered a steak and shrimp combo plate and a diet soda. Tom returned his gaze to Bethany’s face as they were left alone once again, intent on discovering more about her.
“So. Tell me something about yourself. You learned quite a bit about me from our conversations, but I still know next to nothing about you. What was your childhood like? What’s your favorite color? Your favorite ice cream flavor? Come on,” Tom cajoled. “Give me something to work with.”
Beth lifted her water glass and took a sip. Then she replied with a small smile, “Forest green and chocolate. How about you?”
“Light blue, like your eyes, and strawberry. But don’t try to turn it back to me. What’re your favorite movie and book?”
They spent the rest of dinner trading innocuous tidbits of information. Having noticed right away how Beth ignored his question about her childhood, Tom decided not to ruin the mood by pressing the issue. He was interested in any information she wanted to disclose about herself, but he wasn’t going to truly understand her without more in-depth sharing … and it appeared that would have to wait for a later time.
•
By the time they were finishing their coffee and pecan pie, Beth felt better. The lethargy that had consumed her earlier seemed to have dissipated. Tom’s presence always energized her, which raised concern. She didn’t want to feel anything special when she was around him. She just wanted to do her job and get through each day as peacefully as possible.
Beth knew Tom was curious about her. He had tried various times during dinner to draw her into a more intimate conversation, but she’d always backed off, keeping to general topics. It’s not that she was trying to be mysterious or tease him in any way. She simply wanted to avoid discussin
g any painful and humiliating incidents in her life. And there seemed to be too many of them, especially recently.
“So. Be honest. Do you really want to go back to the RV now? Or do you want to check out some of the local scene?” Tom’s smooth voice interrupted her thoughts and drew her gaze back to his face. He hadn’t shaved since that morning, and his five-o’clock shadow served to accentuate the handsome masculine features beneath. The soft candlelight reflected in his deep brown eyes as he awaited her answer.
“Well, I hate to admit it since you seem awfully sure of yourself, but I wouldn’t mind going out for a while. Nothing too physical, though. I have muscle aches in places I’d never dreamed. Maybe a short walk along the riverbank?”
“I have a better idea. Something more fun.”
Beth narrowed her eyes and asked, “This does involve staying in a public place, right?”
Tom made a tsking noise, shaking his head. “A little suspicious, are we? Have no fear, sweetheart. I will always be a perfect gentleman around you. Unless you prefer otherwise?” he asked hopefully.
Beth rolled her eyes and shoved her chair back to stand up. “Come on, lover boy. Let’s go.”
Once again Tom paid the check, reinforcing the idea that this was an actual date. They returned to the truck and headed away from the restaurant.
“That was an excellent dinner. The food and service were both great. Thanks for suggesting it, and for taking me.” As they drove down the road, Beth glanced at the variety of local businesses. “How did you know about that restaurant? Or did you just pick the first one in the phone book that had the word ‘steak’ in its name?”
“Actually, Mike told me about it.”
“Mike, my fellow roadie?”
“Yeah. He’s originally from Macon. I saw him earlier and asked if he could recommend a nice place for dinner in the area. He also told me about the place we’re going to next.”
Beth was silent a moment. “You planned ahead of time that we were going to dinner?”
