Hearts Collide

by Masters, Ellie

  Ryker jumped up on the stage and looked for a plugin for the bass guitar he had slung over his shoulder. Sure enough, a plug waited for exactly that purpose. Someone had put in a lot of thought into this.

  Bent watched Ryker as he tuned his guitar.

  “Wow, this brings back memories.” Ryker straightened and glanced out toward the empty auditorium. “It’s no aircraft hangar, but damn if this isn’t giving me the chills.”

  “You fucking nervous…bro’?” Bent’s growl gave Ryker pause, but the former special ops medic didn’t let Bent’s sour mood phase him.

  “Nervous?” Ryker gave a laugh. “Not even close. I’m amped. It’s been some time since you and I have dueled bass riffs.”

  “What do you have in mind?” Bent cocked an eyebrow. Ryker’s enthusiasm was hard to ignore.

  Ryker glanced down at the instrument in his hands. “Why don’t you see if you can keep up?”

  “Keep up? You did not just say that?”

  The other guys had fallen silent and watched the interchange between Bent and Ryker. Nerves didn’t seem to touch Ryker, but they fluttered hard in Bent’s stomach. He didn’t like that. Not one bit. He wasn’t a man who got nervous.

  Ryker coaxed out the beginning bass beat of Deep Purple’s Smoke on the Water. It took a moment, but Bent couldn’t help but join in. Deep Purple’s music simply couldn’t be ignored. He gripped the neck of his guitar with hesitation. Smoke on the Water was an iconic piece of Rock history. Like many others, including Ryker, it had been the first piece of music Bent had played. He felt a bit rusty, but that was to be expected. Muscle memory would take over, unless his fingers and hand chose not to cooperate.

  Surprisingly, he made it through the first stanza, matching Ryker’s lead seamlessly. He only fumbled when Ryker switched to a different song.

  Bent closed his eyes and let the music flow over him before joining back in. Unlike many bassists, he didn’t need to see to play. In fact, he did his best playing with his eyes closed. The majority of rock music centered on the lead guitar, not the bass, but there were a few bass riffs which held the power of some of the greatest rock hits.

  Spike and Ash kept their guitars silent while Bent slipped back into play. Ryker had switched from Deep Purple and moved through the intricate bass line of YYZ from Rush. Bent joined in, and lost himself to the deep reverberations of the music.

  Again, Ryker didn’t play the full song. He switched to one of Metallica’s classics, Orion, and then switched again, laying down the instrumental of Master of Puppets. Bash grinned, following along seamlessly. He kept his eyes closed and sank into the deep sounds. Muscle memory took over. He gripped the neck and his fingers flew over the strings, filling the small auditorium with the deep, pulse-pounding, full-bodied sound that only a bass could produce. His body curled around his guitar, becoming one with the instrument, as the driving force of the music filled his soul with the feeling of coming home.

  Bent continued to play, following every switch and change as Ryker led them through hits from Red Hot Chili Pepper. Together, they punched the air with the distorted bass that formed the backbone to Californication.

  This was what had been missing from his life. He wasn’t sure if he was playing the bass, or if the bass played him. Whichever it was, raw, powerful sound rolled through the air, and hit him in the gut with the force of an avalanche.

  Ryker launched into the bass solo from Who’s, My Generation, and Bent’s grin couldn’t grow any wider.

  “Fuck yeah!” He slammed down the sound, feeling a rush of freedom as the music became his universe.

  When Ryker challenged him with the intro verses from Come Together by the iconic classic rock legends, The Beatles, the drop of a drum joined in. They played that one all the way through. Him, Ryker, and Bash, moving through one of the best songs ever created.

  They ran the gamut together. Aerosmith’s Sweet Emotion brought in Spike’s guitar. When they hit Fire by none other than Jimmy Hendrix, Noodles added the melody from his keyboard. Bent’s fingers slammed down on the frets, while he drew out the deep bass vibrations. There was only him, the music, and his dreams.

  The bass riffs of Heart’s Insanity broke next. A few seconds later, Bent joined in, knowing this song better than any of the rest. He’d breathed in this tune, their latest mega hit, and had played it for hundreds of thousands across the globe. A haunting melody filled out the sound, the perfect blend of Spike’s lead and Noodles on the keyboard.

  Bent allowed his eyes to open, and he looked across the stage. Ryker held his bass guitar, but no longer played. The entire bass line was carried by Bent alone, and it was perfection. His fingers flew in perfect synchrony with the deep, throbbing power of Bash’s drum kit. The rich sound of his bass melded with Spike’s guitar.

  And then it happened.

  Ash opened himself to the song, belting out his rich vocal melody to the emptiness of the auditorium. With a cocky grin, Ash gave Bent a wink, while the five members of Angel Fire did what came as naturally as breathing.

  God, but Bent had missed the majesty of playing with his brothers on stage. Ash took over the lead of the song, while Bent held down the bass riff. His fingers never once stopped or faltered, until he suddenly realized what had happened. The part came for Bent to add his harmonizing vocals to the song, but he left Ash hanging. His fingers stuttered then came to a sudden halt.

  Fingers which were whole. That moved. That didn’t struggle, or twitch uselessly at the end of an injured hand. An arm which no longer ached. An arm that had been miraculously healed.

  Because of Piper.

  His lips drew into a huge grin as his heart swelled with what she had done. His sneaky pixie had accomplished the impossible, and she’d done it all behind his back. That girl had tricked him within their VR fantasy world. She’d healed him.

  He was so going to paddle her perky little ass.

  “PIPER!” His bellow shook the walls.

  My Girl

  Piper

  Words failed Piper as she stared at the stage. Beyond incredible, Bent’s playing appeared effortless. He didn’t struggle at all. Not that she was a music expert, because she wasn’t, but he not only held it together, but became the very music he created. She recognized all the classic songs, but her heart soared when he played Heart’s Insanity.

  Ryker Lyons, who played beside Bent, urged him on, almost taunting him, but then Ryker stopped after the first few notes. Bent played the entire song, merging with his fellow bandmates, and created a sound she could barely describe. It wasn’t a song. The music crashed into her and transported her to a different place. Like the song’s title, whatever was happening down on that stage was insane.

  Her heart swelled with joy, but then, Bent faltered.

  His brows scrunched and then a crazy smile spread across his face. He turned his attention to the empty auditorium and bellowed her name, making her jump.

  She stood in the sound booth and barely breathed. Her heart hammered inside her chest, and her lungs screamed as they pulled in air. Terror swirled in her gut, twisting her stomach in knots, and her palms slicked with nervous sweat as her instinct to flee kicked in.

  Forest tapped her on the shoulder. “Looks like he finally figured it out.”

  Bent would never forgive her. She spun around and lunged for the door, only she didn’t make the exit. Forest’s massive hands held her in place.

  “What are you doing?” he asked.

  She clawed at him. “I’m getting the hell out of here.”

  “Do you really think he’ll let you?”

  “Didn’t you hear him?” She spun around and stared down at the stage.

  Bent had removed his guitar.

  “Piper! Where the fuck are you?” His voice rang out loud, demanding, and insistent.

  The harsh tone of his voice had her whole body shaking, and his command had her will bending to obey.

  “Hey, man.” Noodles placed a hand on Bent’s shoulder.

>   Bent spun around and gripped Noodles’s hand, lifting it off his shoulder. “Where the fuck is she? I know she’s here.” His voice ground out his words. “Forest!”

  His bellow shook the walls, making Piper place her hand to her belly. Her stomach churned and twisted.

  “Show your sorry ass!”

  “They’re not here.” Ash made a soothing gesture.

  “Oh, he’s here, and I bet she’s with him.” Bent spun in a circle, his arms going wide. “Pixie, you have ten-seconds to get your ass down here, or you won’t be sitting for months.” He took in a deep breath, then yelled again. “Forest, you’d better bring me my girl.”

  Piper couldn’t help the squeak escaping her lips, or the warmth Bent’s words set to throbbing in all the right places. She gulped, because she didn’t want to face Bent. She didn’t want to stand before him and admit to tricking him all these months, but he said the one thing which sent her heart soaring.

  My girl!

  Those words had her feet moving, and this time Forest didn’t stop her. She made it to the door. She ran down the stairs. She pushed open the double doors to the theater, and stopped dead in her tracks.

  Heart hammering. Pulse pounding. Her entire body vibrated with the intensity of her need the moment his gaze latched on to her.

  He would carry through on his promise. Of that she had no doubt, but what did it mean? Were they still a thing?

  Bent vaulted off the stage and ran to her. His powerful legs pumped, closing the gap between them. His arms swung with determination as he chewed through the distance. A fire lit his stormy gaze, and promised something she hadn’t dare to dream possible. He descended upon her, picking her up by the waist, and then surprised her by spinning her round and round.

  “You did this?”

  As she stared down at him, all she could see were the tears streaming down his face. When he lowered her to claim a kiss, a simmering passion replaced his overwhelming joy.

  “No, you did.” She clasped her fingers tight around his neck and slid down his chest as he settled her on her feet.

  “How?” His gaze shifted between her eyes and her lips. “It was the game right? That glove?”

  Her eyes pricked with her own tears of joy, and then they fell. Her tears mingled with his as he pressed his lips against hers and set her entire world ablaze.

  Nothing existed in that moment except the man she’d come to love. The man she had so many hopes for. His lips skimmed across hers, bringing the dark, sultry taste of him flooding her senses. Someone whistled behind them, but she tuned them out as she clung to the man who had become her everything. Before she was ready, Bent ended the soul-shattering kiss. Her heart tumbled in the absence left behind, spinning outward only to be caught by the love shimmering in his eyes.

  “How did you…”

  “I’m sorry,” she said, bowing her head.

  “So am I.” Bent put a finger beneath her chin and forced her to face him. “You didn’t deserve to be left behind. I’m sorry I ran out. I’m sorry I wasn’t strong enough, but more than that, I’m sorry I didn’t believe in you. I’ll never be able to make this up to you, even if I don’t really understand it all.”

  She swept his curly bangs away from his eyes. “I’ve always had faith in you.”

  “And I had faith in her.” Forest’s deep voice intruded in their moment.

  Bent shifted his focus to Forest and his eyes hardened.

  “I knew she’d find a way to get to you.” He gave a gruff snort, then pushed past them to join the band on stage.

  Ash, Bash, Spike and Noodles all sat on the edge of the stage, their legs dangling. They said nothing, but the expressions on their faces said everything that needed to be said.

  “Unwilling or unable.” She poked the tip of his nose with her finger. “There are only ever two reasons why someone refuses to do something. I knew your body was capable of healing, but your mind refused to believe.”

  “And you found a way, my little pixie.” His entire being lit up with the light of his smile.

  “And I found a way.” She buried her face against his shoulder and hugged him tight. “Please forgive me for not telling you the truth.”

  “I will always forgive you, pixie.” He stroked her hair. “But not for this. There’s nothing to forgive, except for you to forgive me. If you’ll have me, I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”

  She pulled back and her mouth gaped. Had he just…? But no. They still had far to go on their path. He’d introduced her to dark and delicious things, things she wanted to explore before adding in the burden of wedding rings. She looked up at Bent and lowered her voice, so as not to be overheard. Her entire body trembled.

  “And, Sir, if you’ll have me, I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”

  “Sir?” His brow arched. “Are you certain?”

  “Why not?” A tight nod accompanied the fluttering in her belly.

  He barked a laugh. “Well, if you’re not sure?”

  “I’m pretty sure.”

  “You know,” he said, whispering, “Las Vegas is a short drive away. We could make things official.”

  She drew back. “I’m not sure if we’re ready for all of that.”

  “Well, not Las Vegas then, but I have it on good authority Niagara Falls is the place to get hitched.”

  He glanced over his shoulder to where Ash sat with the others, reminding her about the story of how Ash met and married his wife not so long ago. The only difference would be, unlike Skye, Piper would know exactly what was coming. It didn’t scare her at all.

  “You’re going to need to work on your proposal, Mr. Growly Bear.”

  “Well, I’m not sure how long it takes to drive to Niagara, but I had a mind to travel the country. What do you say, Miss Piper Raines? How do you feel about a road trip?”

  “To Niagara?”

  “To Niagara and beyond?”

  “Whoa!”

  Forest’s shout had Bent turning them around, so that he could face the stage.

  “What?” Bent replied.

  “Nobody is going anywhere. You are staying with the band. Angel Fire has a record to put out, and I have a tour to schedule.”

  A grin split Ash’s face and he chuckled. He jumped off the stage and gave a jerk of his chin to the others.

  “I think we all need a little break.”

  “Break!” Forest’s exasperated shout cracked through the air. “We’re months behind.”

  Noodles cocked his head toward Bent. “You know, I was thinking of heading to Maui. I hear the waves are pretty rad this time of year.”

  “You aren’t serious are you?” Bash looked between Ash and Noodles as if they’d both lost their minds.

  Spike joined Ash and Noodles. He shouldered Bent as he passed them in the aisle. “I haven’t been home in a bit. It’s my ma’s birthday coming up.”

  “You’re all just going to let him leave?” Bash looked at them as if they’d grown two heads.

  “Yup.” Ash sauntered past Bent. “We’ll regroup in three weeks and begin production. You think that’ll fit your schedule?”

  Bent clutched her tight to his side. “Yeah, three weeks should be just fine.”

  “Good God!” Bash stomped by. “Is it contagious? Is there a god damn love bug going around? Because if it is, I sure as shit don’t want any part of it.”

  “That’s what everyone says…right up to the moment the love bug bites. Who knows, one day it may even bite you.” Ash wrapped an arm around Bash’s shoulders and thumped him hard on the back.

  “Fuck that.” Bash shoved Ash away. “Fuck ‘em and leave ‘em. That’s my motto. Otherwise, they become cling-ons, and I don’t have time for that shit.”

  Ash simply laughed. Noodles, Spike, and Bash exited the small theater, but Ash paused at the door. He turned around and swept Piper a bow.

  “To an extraordinary woman, who accomplished the impossible. Thank you for bringing him ba
ck to us.”

  Her cheeks heated at the compliment. She hadn’t done anything other than the job she’d been hired for.

  “You gonna hang around and help me pack this stuff up?” Forest’s question had Bent turning around.

  Bent gave one hard look at Forest and one long look at Piper. His lips twisted in a smirk.

  “You couldn’t pay me enough, not when I have a date with my girl.”

  Bent escorted Piper out of the theater ahead of a long string of expletives from Forest. As soon as they exited the theater, Bent scooped her into his arms, and carried her to his sleek 911 Twin Turbo. He set her inside, buckled her up, and had the tires screeching as they left the parking lot.

  Three weeks.

  For three weeks, they had nothing but the open road, a destiny, and whatever lay beyond.

  Piper gripped the hand of the man she loved. A hand which no longer was a withered and useless thing. He returned her gentle grip with strength and the determination of a man deeply in love.

  A Pen

  Piper

  Three week later

  Piper stood before the majesty that was Niagara Falls. The torrential waters pouring over the horseshoe basin thrummed with unrestrained power and filled her with awe. The last three weeks had been nothing but one magical adventure and Niagara simply took the starring role in what surely had to have been a dream.

  Bent stood beside her, tall, proud, and protective as hell. He gripped her hand. With strength and purpose, he promised to never let her go and she believed every word.

  “You’re not going to back out on me, are you?” Worry tugged at the corners of his eyes and marred the majestic beauty of his face.

  “And if I did?”

  She couldn’t help but tease him. Some parts of their original relationship remained. She loved getting a rise out of him, if only to rile him up. He did the same; give and take. They couldn’t be better matched.