Hearts Divided

by Masters, Ellie

  The afternoon picnic is a spontaneous event. Skye overheard Bash talking with Noodles about heading down to the beach. Next thing he knew, the whole gang is gathering to watch the sun set below the waves. It’s one of their last get-togethers before the tour starts. It’s going to be epic, a throwback to their earlier days. Ash and Bent will be touring without their wives. Noodles and Spike remain free of female entanglement. Where does that leave him?

  Holly isn’t his—well, she will be once she gets her head out of her ass—and he’s no longer interested in the after-concert fuck-fest Noodles and Spike will indulge in. Maybe he’ll gather with Ash and Bent at the bar while Noodles and Spike indulge in the perks of being a rock star? Who knows?

  What’s certain is he needs to fix things with Holly before the tour starts. An idea percolates in his head. It could be epic: epic win or epic fail. Hopefully, Forest can help out.

  Duke chases the ball dozens of times until he collapses at Bash’s feet. Bash tugs the backpack off his shoulder and reaches in to retrieve the collapsible water bowl. It’s a trick he learned from Holly. Duke’s ears perk up as Bash fills the bowl. As Duke laps up the water, Bash turns his attention to the ocean and tries to pick out Noodles from the surging waters.

  In his element, Noodles catches a swell. His powerful arms stroke until the wave catches him. Then he’s up, balancing on his board, cutting left and right down the face of a wave. At the end of the ride, Noodles looks to the cliffs. Instead of heading back out, he brings himself in. The gondola is making its return trip to the beach.

  Bash waits by the water’s edge for Noodles to paddle back while his friends pile out of the gondola and drag chairs out of the gondola house to gather around the fire ring.

  “Looking good,” he says, grabbing Noodles’s board while his friend shakes free of water.

  “Felt good too. I really need to get you out there. You gotta unload the stress you’re carrying.”

  “There’s no way you’re getting me out there. Duh…sharks. And no way in hell am I going to wear a nanny-minder from Forest.”

  Noodles huffs out a laugh. “Yeah, ain’t that the truth, but you know he tracks us on our phones, right?”

  “Yeah, figured that one out. He’s one nosey manager.”

  “True, but way better than Tuttle ever was. You have a chip on your shoulder for him, dude, and it’s not healthy.”

  “I don’t like what he’s doing to Ash.”

  “He’s doing nothing to Ash.”

  “Maybe you haven’t picked up on the tension between him and Skye.”

  “Look, Ash may not be happy with Forest’s plans, but don’t think for a minute Skye is going to sit back and do nothing. You know what those two went through.”

  He does and doesn’t. Seems like Noodles knows more. “I just don’t get it.”

  “It’s retribution dude. You know their work with foster kids. This is the other piece of it.”

  “What other piece?”

  “Dude? You seriously need to talk to Ash and Bent more. It’s all connected.”

  “How?”

  “The dude who took Piper’s brother is involved with the dude who tried to do the same thing to Forest when he and Skye were kids. They’re taking out the whole operation.”

  Bash takes a step back, shocked by what Noodles says. He really is living under a rock.

  “I’ll talk to Ash.”

  “You should talk to Forest. You’ll understand why Skye’s involved, why Ash is pissed, but also why he’s not doing a thing to stop her.”

  “But it’s not like Skye can do anything. She’s preggers.”

  “Not forever. Look, I’m not involved in the whole thing, but Forest, Tia, Ryker, and Skye are invested. Piper too.”

  “But she’s not risking herself like Skye.”

  “Ha! Bent would never allow it. You know how they are.”

  Yeah, they’re all aware about the uniqueness of Bent’s and Piper’s relationship. Bash plays around with kinky shit, but Bent and Piper embrace it. In general, he ignores the whole thing.

  “Hey, y’all coming over to join us?” Piper’s high-pitched voice cuts through the wind, calling them to join the others.

  “Looks like the whole gang is here,” he says to Noodles. “When did Spike get back? I thought he wasn’t due for another couple of days?”

  “Dunno.” Noodles shrugs and retrieves his board from Bash. “Let’s find out.”

  By the time they join the others, the chairs are all set out. Spike piles wood into the fire pit, prepping for one hell of a blaze. Looks like they’re going to be here for a while.

  “Hey,” Bash grabs a piece of driftwood and lays it on the stack. “How you doing, man?”

  “Good.” Tight-lipped as always, Spike economizes his words. He puffs out a breath and pours lighter fluid onto the dry wood. “It was good to get away.”

  “And…” Nobody knows exactly where Spike went, only that he announced he was taking off to deal with shit. What that might be is something Bash hopes Spike shares soon. They don’t keep things from one another. For him to be tight-lipped about it brings a lot of questions.

  “It was good. I needed to clear my head and it’s clear now. I’m ready to hit the road.”

  “All right. If you’re good, then I’m good. I was worried about you.”

  “Don’t be. I had shit to take care of, and it’s taken care of. You’ve been busy.” Spike turns the tables on Bash, taking him aback.

  “Says who?”

  Spike grins. “Everyone’s talking about it. Evidently, you’ve been bit.”

  “Bit? What the fuck! Nobody’s said shit to me, and I haven’t been bit.” He twists around, thinking everyone is staring at him, but no one is concerned by him at all. Bent holds Piper in his lap, tight and possessive as always. Ash’s entire focus centers on his pregnant wife. Skye stands with Tia unpacking the coolers brought down from above. Ryker hovers by his wife, arms overloaded as she piles more food onto his outstretched arms. Forest is sitting in a chair. The glow from his phone gives his face an eerie blue glow, outlining a severe frown on his face.

  “Nobody but Ash would ever say anything to your face.” Spike turns to the fire pit and pauses. There’s more he wants to say, but Spike isn’t ready to divulge his secrets.

  “You certainly aren’t holding back.” Bash lays another log on the pile. “What’s up with you?”

  “The last couple months have changed my perspective.” His answer is cryptic, leaving much unsaid, but Spike isn’t giving clues and if Bash pushes, his friend will push even harder back. “I hear you found a girl, then left her behind.”

  “Not exactly left as was asked to leave.” He’s willing to talk about his crappy love life and will deal with whatever secret Spike is hiding later.

  “And you’re just going to do nothing about it?” Spike gives him a long appraising look. He’s always been a man of action, which makes Bash feel foolish.

  “I’ve got some ideas.” One idea. There’s one epic idea rattling around in his head. If he can make it work, it’ll be beyond amazing and Holly won’t have an excuse to cut him out of her life. There’s only one problem. The execution requires the skills only Forest can provide.

  “Look, we leave in just a few days,” Spike says. “If you don’t get out there and grab her now, who knows what’s going to happen over the next few months. She may get tired of waiting for you.”

  “Well, it would be nice if she answered my calls or responded to my texts.”

  “Since when have you let that get in your way?” Spike shakes his head. “Only a wuss waits on a girl to answer a text. Man up and go get her.”

  “Fine!” He leaves Spike to man the bonfire and heads for a conversation with Forest. Asking for help isn’t his strongpoint, but Spike is right about one thing. Once this tour starts, he’ll lose Holly unless he can tie her to him.

  Forest leans back in his chair, the hardness of his gaze latches tight to his sister. They�
�re not related by blood, but bonds thicker than blood tie them together. Skye leans against her husband, and Forest rubs his palm against his knee. He doesn’t like Ash touching his sister, but is helpless to do anything about it. The guy has issues.

  Bash takes the empty chair beside the imposing figure that is Forest and plops down. “You need to relax.” Engaging with Forest is always a gamble, but Bash takes the challenge head on. He needs to, because there’s a favor he needs to ask.

  “I’m fucking relaxed.” Forest looks to his sister and his mouth twists.

  “Right. You know you can’t do anything about that.”

  “About what?”

  “About the baby he put in her.” Skye’s pregnancy is a testament to the love she shares with Ash. It’s going to change everything: Bash’s relationship with Ash, the makeup of the band, everything. Piper will probably be next. Everyone is moving on. Forest needs to make room for the new life ready to take center stage. Nothing will be the same after the birth of Ash’s and Skye’s son.

  “Shut up,” Forest says.

  “Not going to happen. Ash loves her and whether you like it or not, you need to get used to it.”

  “I’m fucking used to it.” Forest shifts in his chair.

  “Right.”

  “Shut up, ass wipe.”

  “Ass wipe? Really? What is this? Are we in kindergarten? Are you using your scary words on me?”

  “You’re a dick.”

  “I may be, but when are you going to realize she’s happy? She loves him, and he’s obviously head over heels for her. Relax why don’t you.”

  “Easy for you to say. You don’t know…”

  “You know what, you’re right. I have no idea what it was like for the two of you growing up. I have no idea what you endured, and I don’t want to know how bad it was. You two walked through hell and came out the other side. I get that.” He made an expansive gesture. “We all get it. And Ash is doing his damnedest to support Skye and this crazy scheme you have planned.”

  “It’s not crazy.”

  “Perhaps not, but the point is that he loves her enough to trust her with you. You should do the same and trust her with him.”

  “What the fuck does that mean?”

  “It means stop looking at Ash like you want to rip his head off. Skye belongs to him now. It’s time to hand over the reins.”

  “Asshole.”

  “Perhaps, but you know I’m right.”

  “What do you want? You didn’t come over here to talk about Skye and Ash.”

  “True. I need a favor.”

  “I’m all ears, although I already know what you want.”

  Forest is perceptive, but not that perceptive.

  “Doubtful…”

  “You want a way in with the redhead.”

  “Well—”

  “And you want my help.”

  “Yeah…”

  “And you want to use the kids to get to her.”

  “Wait! What?” How the hell did Forest know? Is he a fucking mind reader?

  “Yeah, I got your number. And it’s a can do.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means, I’m already on it.”

  “I don’t…”

  “You’re a fucking loser. All of you are. You see a girl, get love struck, and go stupid.”

  “I’m not stupid.”

  “If I waited for all of you to figure stuff out on your own, none of you would figure anything out. I did it for Ash. I did if for Bent. I guess I’m fucking Cupid on steroids for you too.”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about your grand gesture.”

  “I don’t have a—”

  “Shut up. It’s taken care of.”

  “Do you mind cluing me in?”

  “Where’s the fun in that?”

  30

  Holly

  Nearly a week and a half since Holly asked Sebastian to leave, he’s still in her thoughts. His kisses fill her dreams. Soft caresses dance across her skin. Promises of a forever she can’t envision whisper in her thoughts. Everywhere she looks, things remind her of Angel Fire’s drummer; the sound booth at Grady’s, Ranger’s favorite park, even the beach where they sat and had lunch. Each sunset brings an ache to her heart, and every sunrise is filled with the taste of him on her lips. She told him to leave. It was the right thing to do, but hurts every second of the day.

  Angel Fire’s tour begins soon. They’re starting down in San Diego, heading inland, then working their way up to Seattle. From there, they head back down the coast, veering in to hit Vegas before stopping in LA. The tour continues from there, working eastward across the states. Countless texts fill her phone, missed calls she refuses to answer, but what’s the point? When he’s going to be surrounded by knockout women throwing themselves at his feet, her insecurities rise to the surface. She hates that about herself.

  It’s a Wednesday, which brings her to the community center to practice with the kids. Their first official event is tonight and they’ve got this one last practice to nail down their songs. The kids squirm on the gymnasium floor. They seem overly eager and she’s suspicious they’ve got something up their sleeves.

  Trina sits between Jeremy and Randall, whispering to the boys. A few of the other kids gather around them, and they keep looking over their shoulders at Holly, smiling, giggling, and smirking. The kids definitely are up to something. It’s probably something small, like a clutch of flowers for the end of the performance.

  Just last week, Trina mentioned how orchestra conductors sometimes received flowers at the end of a show. The boys called her stupid, and Holly had to step in to explain common traditions in the performing arts. It was a good lesson for the kids. She wonders if they didn’t take it to heart and is eager to see what they plan.

  She claps her hands, getting their attention. “All right!” It’s loud and she pitches her voice to be heard. “Let’s settle down. We’re going to do one run through before tonight’s show, beginning to end, just like we’re doing it for real. No stopping. No goofing off.” She directs her last words to Randall whose attention tends to wander. “Got it?”

  “Yes, Miss Holly!” The kids respond in unison.

  She points to the front of the gymnasium and the kids take their places. They’re playing five songs: AC/DC’s Thunderstruck, Ozzy’s Crazy Train, the Beatles Come Together, Rush’s YYZ, and Angel Fire’s Insanity. It’s an epic line up of some of the best drum sets throughout rock history, and the kids are rocking it in rehearsal. This will be their last run through before their parents and friends get to see it all put together.

  Her guts are a twisted mess. She’s excited for the kids, but worried too. What if they mess it up? What if their friends tease them? What if their dreams are crushed before they begin? What if they can’t hold it together from beginning to end?

  Whatever her fears, she can’t let the kids see her nervousness. That’s the wrong kind of energy. Although, as she sets them up, her fears ease as they blow through each and every song. The last thunderous sounds of Insanity rumble through the gymnasium and she brings stunning silence to the room with her hands.

  Tears pool in her eyes as she looks out on the youths. “Wow! That was amazing!”

  Jeremy rises to his feet and looks around. “We did good, didn’t we, Miss Holly?”

  “Jeremy, that was beyond good.” It is brilliant actually. All the cacophonous noise from weeks of rehearsals disappears as the kids brought everything together.

  The door to the gymnasium opens and Bill from Grady’s enters. “Am I too early?”

  She ushers him in. “No, you’re just in time. We finished our last rehearsals. Kids, this is the manager from Grady’s who donated all our instruments. Why don’t you introduce yourselves, and you have fifteen minutes for bathroom breaks and a drink of water. Once the show starts, we’re not stopping until the end.”

  The kids hop up with her enthusiastic words. M
ost of them come to greet Mr. Bill and give thanks for the instruments. A few race to the bathrooms to take care of business. They have less than half an hour before their guests arrive. Bill says Hi to all the kids, even takes the time to let the kids show off their instruments. Her heart is full for what the kids accomplished, and she’s even more determined to find other venues for them to play.

  Randall comes over and pulls at her sleeve. “Miss Holly.”

  “Yes?”

  “We sounded good, right?”

  She bends down and pulls him into a hug. He no longer pulls away, but instead wraps his arms around her and tugs tight.

  “You were all amazing. Brilliant in fact.”

  “Good! We’ve been practicing so hard. You’re going to be so proud of us.” He’s grinning and stumbling over his words. “I can’t wait for you to see.”

  “See what?” She straightens and rubs his head, teasing him. “Wait for me to see what?”

  “Randall!” Trina jogs up to them. “Don’t you dare spoil it!”

  Randall ducks his head and his cheeks flush. “I wasn’t going to…”

  Trina grabs his hand and drags him away. “Not. Another. Word. You know we can’t…” Trina looks to Holly and lowers her voice. Whatever else Trina says to Randall is beneath the threshold of Holly’s hearing. At least now she knows the kids are definitely up to something.

  Which is wonderful.

  She loves how music brings the kids together. With the difficulties they face on the street and the troubles many have at home, this is a good place for them to develop solid, and safe, social ties.

  The next twenty minutes brings a slow trickle of eager parents, teachers, school friends, and local shop owners into the gymnasium. There’s easily ten times the number she expects. She asked the kids to get the word out, worked with them on the fliers to distribute through the neighborhood and at school, but expected only family to show.

  A buzz builds in the stands as eager friends and family settle in. The kids mill about, running from their friends to their teachers, and even receiving last minute hugs from parents and guardians. This community hasn’t seen something like this in years, and Holly is proud to be a small part of this event. Her nerves are back, churning her stomach into knots. The minute hand on the gymnasium clock nears the top of the hour. It’s time to get this show on the road.