Beautiful One

by Mary Cope

  Kara was eyeing me. I pulled my hand from his and placed it under the table.

  “Hey, hey, hey.” Spencer’s soft words broke through the haze of my panicked emotions. He stood up, leaned over, and whispered across the table, “Come with me.”

  Melissa must have seen our intimate exchange because she nudged my leg with hers before I got up to leave.

  I rose and followed Spencer. I didn’t look back at the table, but it seemed like our absence hadn’t fazed them. Everyone was still talking when we left.

  Spencer clasped my hand in his and led me through the venue. I glanced over my shoulder before we turned down a small hallway. Aidan’s fiery blue eyes were the last thing I saw before I was whisked into Spencer’s strong arms. He held me for a moment and pulled back. He snaked his hands from around my back and rested them on my hips.

  I blinked up at him a few times, trying to decipher my frenzied thoughts.

  “You were getting that deer in the headlights look about you. I had to get you out of there.”

  Lost in the intensity of his eyes, I was speechless.

  “You think you’re gonna be okay?”

  I realized my hands were holding his muscular arms. To anyone looking at us, it may have seemed like a couple in love trying to steal a few quiet moments. I allowed my hands to fall away then stepped from his grasp. I cleared my throat before I answered him.

  “Yes, I’ll be fine.”

  Spencer glanced down the hallway and looked at the exit sign. “Do you want to go outside and practice a bit?”

  “Sure.” The small confines of the hallway were getting to me, and I could definitely use some air. I walked down the hallway, and he held the door for me.

  The change of scenery and fresh air helped clear my head a bit. Spencer glanced around then motioned to the side of the building.

  “This will do,” he said with a smile.

  He began tapping out the beat of the song on his thighs and nodded for me to begin. I fiddled with the hem of my dress and sang the words. When it was time for Spencer to join in, he stopped tapping and grabbed my hand. He gave me a half-smile and shook his head, as if to chastise me for pulling on my dress. His fingers were intertwined with mine while we belted out the song together.

  “Now you’re ready.” He winked. I felt myself blush as we walked toward the exit door. Spencer was just about to open it when he leaned in close to my ear. “After you, beautiful one.” His voice was barely above a whisper.

  “Thank you.” I glanced back at him.

  We walked down the hallway and were soon back in the chaos of the crowded venue. My eyes shot to the table, and to my surprise, my parents were there. I glanced at Spencer and mouthed “My parents.”

  His eyes crinkled when he smiled, like he already knew about it.

  I approached the table and was immediately greeted with a bear hug from my father, and when I was free from his grasp, my mom kissed my cheek. My confused expression had my mom answering me before I had even asked the question.

  “What? Did you think we’d miss your first official public performance?” She hugged me before she sat down and started chatting with Spencer’s mom.

  “I just hope I don’t disappoint you all.” My nerves were starting to get to me. I began nibbling my thumbnail. Spencer was still behind me. I felt him brush up close to my ear as he reached around and pulled my hand away from my mouth.

  “You won’t,” he whispered.

  Melissa suggestively raised an eyebrow at me. I ignored her and sat down at the only empty seat at the table, next to my dad. Simon and Shawn had moved to a table of their own, and they were both eating burgers.

  Spencer stood behind Kara and had his hands resting on the back of her chair. He leaned over and whispered something in her ear. She smiled and nodded.

  I was surprised at how much watching their small exchange bothered me.

  Mason let the crowd know the band was going to take a fifteen-minute break. My eyes followed Spencer as he made his way to the stage. Mason set up our mics while Spencer tuned his guitar. My eyes shifted from Spencer to Aidan. The look he gave me chilled me to the bone. I could almost feel the animosity radiating from his piercing eyes. It made me wonder if he’d ever truly loved me at all. I turned away from his heated gaze and leaned over toward Melissa.

  “Bathroom?” I asked.

  Melissa was up in a heartbeat as we made our way back toward the small hallway. Of course, there was a line. We jockeyed for position and leaned against the wall as the line slowly inched forward.

  “Finally,” she said. “I’ve been trying to get your attention since you got back to the table. What happened? You both were gone for a while.”

  “He saw I was starting to freak, so he took me outside, and we ran through the song once.”

  “Is that all?” She raised an eyebrow.

  “Stop it!” I pushed her forward as the line moved a bit.

  “How was Kara? When we left… did she seem… upset?”

  Melissa thought about the question before she answered me. “She watched you guys leave, but she seemed okay. I wasn’t watching her though. That’s when your mom and dad came in.” She shrugged.

  Finally we made it into the bathroom. I ran my hands through my hair as Melissa grabbed a tube of lipstick from her purse.

  “Here, put this on. You know what your mom always says.”

  In unison we both giggled as we mimicked her words. “Lipstick is to brunettes as mascara is to blondes.”

  After I applied a sheer coat of pale red, Melissa looked me in the eye and held the door. “Ready?”

  “No, but it’s too late now.” I smiled.

  “True.” She smirked and playfully slapped my butt when we walked out the door.

  ****

  Melissa and I sat back at the table, then the band started up again. The dance floor was abuzz as Mason sang his heart out. I kept trying to distract my thoughts, knowing I would be up on the stage soon. I glanced around our table. Melissa was enthralled watching my brother. My parents were still talking to Spencer’s mom, occasionally glancing up at Mason. Kara was twirling her long hair around to make a bun, but she ended up twisting it into a knot, and it actually held. Spencer nodded in approval when she finished. His eyes caught me watching them, and I bashfully turned away. Simon was playing with straws at the table behind us, and I had no idea where Shawn was.

  Mason sang the last song of the set and spoke into the mic.

  “Thanks everybody. Before we close for tonight, we have something special planned. Give us a few minutes, and Random Plan will be right back.” Mason stepped away from the mic, and the venue broke out in applause.

  I knew that was my cue. I got up and heard my dad say, “Good luck, sweetie.” Melissa squeezed my arm. I made my way up the steps to the stage. Mason was chatting with Kyle as I approached them. Aidan was nowhere to be seen. I scanned the venue, and, from what I could tell, Nina was gone too. Spencer was still seated at the table talking with my parents, so calm and at ease with himself, like he wasn’t about to perform in front of a bunch of strangers. He kept glancing up at me and back to my parents. Almost like they were all talking about me.

  Kyle gave me a warm smile. “You look great. Are you ready?”

  “I think so.”

  Derek heard my response. “Ya think so? C’mere, Liz.”

  I was a little hesitant as I took a few steps toward him.

  He stood and stepped out from behind the drums. His eyes scanned the length of my body. “You’ve got the voice of an angel wrapped up in a wicked package.”

  Mason glanced back at us. “Way to give a compliment, Derek.”

  “Hey, I was sincere.” Derek sat back behind his drums. He almost seemed wounded from Mason’s words.

  “Thanks, Derek.” I knew coming from him, it had been a compliment.

  “Where’s Aidan?” Mason looked around on the verge of frustration. He pulled his cell from his pocket and held it to his ear. When
I walked past him, I heard him say, “Get in here.”

  A few seconds later Aidan was back. He wouldn’t even look at me. I wanted to ask him what his problem was and why he was being such a jerk. But, instead I just ignored him. Aidan’s mood swings had stopped being my problem when our relationship ended.

  I focused my attention toward Spencer. He was still at the table, but now he was standing with Simon attached to his hip. He said something to his little brother that made him laugh before he headed up the steps to the stage. He stood on the opposite side near the back and summoned me with his index finger. When I reached him, he gave me one of those dimpled smiles that left me breathless.

  “You good?” He gave my hand a squeeze and pulled me close to his side.

  I was distracted by Aidan’s stoic demeanor. “Yes, don’t worry. I’m good.”

  The crowd started to gather around the stage as Mason reached for the mic. From my position, I could see the table of our families. Each face was beaming with pride. I felt my nerves begin to build, and my breathing increased. Spencer placed his hand in mine.

  “Remember, it’s just you and me,” he whispered.

  I nodded.

  When Mason began to speak, the crowd moved forward, and several people seated at tables in the back stood up.

  “Thank you all for comin’ out.”

  A few girls howled which made my brother chuckle.

  “We’ve got a treat for you all. Random Plan wrote a new song.” He smiled, causing more shrills from the females in the crowd.

  After Mason’s announcement, the restaurant and bar area erupted. More people swarmed around the already-packed dance floor. Sensing my anxiety, Spencer gave my hand a squeeze. When the applause died down, Mason spoke again.

  “A couple of special people are gonna sing it tonight. I’d like to introduce you to a good friend of mine, Spencer Hayes, and someone dear to my heart, my sister, Elizabeth Ryan.”

  I felt the adrenaline course through my veins as the crowd cheered. Spencer’s hand was still in mine, and he led me next to my brother. The audience continued to applaud. Spencer released my hand, and I stood in front of the mic. When the splattering of applause died down, Spencer picked up his guitar and gave me one last encouraging smile. Mason kissed the top of my head before he leaned into the mic.

  “This song is called ‘Love’s Hold.’“

  Mason glanced at Derek, who started tapping out the intro, and the guys joined in. Spencer’s eyes were on mine, and I took a deep breath and began. The words were sentimental and romantic. Spencer nodded and smiled as soon as I got through the first several lines.

  When it was his turn to sing, I let my eyes glide over the crowd. Some of the college girls were swaying, most were smiling, but one in particular was scowling. I turned away from Nina’s hatred toward me and glanced at the table that seated our families. Melissa’s smile was so big it almost looked cartoonish. I had to look away before I started laughing.

  When I joined Spencer in the chorus, he moved in close. The rasp in his voice, the hunger in his eyes, I couldn’t help but feel that magnetic pull between us. My skin began to tingle when he moved in to share my mic. His eyes roamed over my face. I found myself lost in him while we continued to sing of words having to do with love and desire. A few girls squealed as Spencer’s lips were inches from mine. Between his heated gaze and the words to the song, it was no wonder I heard someone yell out, “Kiss her.”

  Spencer’s lip curled up on one side, and I blushed, knowing he’d heard the girl too. We continued to sing the romantic duet, inching closer with each poetic lyric. When the song ended, I was certain everyone within a ten-foot radius could feel the underlying sexual tension radiating between us.

  The crowd’s reaction broke through the bubble that surrounded us. There was an eruption of applause followed by a burst of whistles and howling. Spencer seemed pained as he tore his gaze from mine. Mason came up alongside and clapped him on the back before he pulled me in for a hug. He grabbed the mic with one arm still draped around me.

  “Give it up one more time for my sister, Elizabeth, and Spencer.”

  The cheers continued. Mason whispered, “That was awesome.”

  The boys in the band came around to congratulate us. Derek was the first to whisk me up into a bear hug.

  “Whoa, Liz, that was hot… you two… smokin’ hot.” He smirked as he put me down.

  Derek’s words brought our moment on stage to the forefront of my mind. The passion, the heat, the desire. Embarrassment and shame filled me when I realized my parents had watched our suggestive display. Spencer’s mom had witnessed it, and poor Kara, how had that blatant disregard of her relationship with Spencer make her feel? The guilt I felt was halted with Aidan’s cold stare.

  I turned away and was thankful when Kyle approached me. He had such integrity. I was certain he didn’t want to acknowledge what he’d just witnessed, so instead he rubbed my arm and said I sounded amazing.

  I heard Aidan mumble something when I brushed past him, but I didn’t turn back. I just wanted some air. I left Spencer behind and made my way to the table of my parents. My mom grabbed me first.

  “Lizzie, that was beautiful.”

  Beautiful?

  “Ahhh… thanks, Mom.” Had she not seen what everyone else had just seen?

  My dad held me close and said I’d sounded wonderful. Spencer’s mom reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze.

  “You two were fantastic together.”

  I tried to shake my rattled thoughts.

  What is going on?

  Even Kara approached me. No malice. Just a look of sincerity as she leaned in and said how awesome we’d been.

  Puzzled, I glanced at Melissa.

  “Come with me for a minute.”

  Melissa followed, then I glanced over my shoulder and said, “We’ll be right back.”

  We made our way toward the bathroom, but before we turned down the hall, I saw Spencer approaching the table, grinning, with Simon and Shawn at his side.

  I stopped just as we entered the hallway.

  “Melissa. What’s going on? Didn’t everyone notice how we were singing together… the way we looked at each other?”

  “Liz, nobody but me knows how you feel about Spencer, so to everyone else it just looked like you were playing a part, ya know, caught up in the song.”

  “Yeah, but did you hear that girl scream out for us to kiss each other? And Derek, he was practically panting when the song was over.”

  “I heard that girl. We all heard her.” Melissa chuckled. “But, everyone just assumed you two were playing it for the crowd. And Derek?” She raised an eyebrow at me. “Derek always thinks that way.”

  My thoughts spun into a downward spiral. What if Spencer was just playing it off, caught in the moment?

  Am I delusional?

  I exhaled and leaned against the wall. Several girls scurried by on their way to the bathroom. One of them shouted to me I sounded awesome.

  “Thank you,” I murmured, unsure if she even heard me. I glanced up to Melissa.

  “I wasn’t acting,” I whispered.

  “I know, Liz.” Melissa reached out and hugged me.

  “I’ve got to get over this, Melissa. He’s here with his girlfriend. I have to quit reading into what’s not real. He doesn’t want me, and I have to quit thinking he does. I need to get out of here.”

  Melissa gave me a squeeze before she pulled away. “I’ll let Mason know we’re leaving and tell your parents you have a headache. We’ll be outta here in ten minutes.”

  “Okay.” I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the wall. I brought my thumb and index finger together while I pinched the bridge of my nose. Melissa wouldn’t be lying when she told my parents I had a headache because I felt one coming on strong.

  “Hey.” I opened my eyes to an intense grey that took my breath away. He leaned in as I removed my hand and placed it at my side. “Headache?” he asked.

&nbs
p; “Something like that.” Spencer gently placed two warm fingers over each of my temples and began to slowly rub them in a circular motion. The feel of his touch made me groan with pleasure.

  “Better?”

  “Mmm-hmm.” I moaned.

  My eyes snapped open. Wide-eyed, I was caught in his gaze again. He was looking at me with the same look that crossed over his face when we were at the park, dancing on the driveway, and ten minutes ago singing on the stage. My conflicting thoughts told me to back away, that whatever I felt was just me. Not him.

  It’s just me. Not him.

  His nearness was consuming me. I was fighting a losing battle. If I didn’t back away, I’d regret it. But then the crackle of electricity sparked between us as Spencer was lurched forward with the passing swarm of girls headed toward the bathroom. His hands dropped to my hips as he brought his forehead to mine. The warmth of his breath was upon me. He closed his eyes, and I watched while his tongue darted out and skimmed across his lips. My heart beat faster when I realized I wasn’t imaging it. He felt it too. He wanted me, and I couldn’t deny it any longer.

  I stood on my tiptoes and brought my lips inches from his. Spencer opened his eyes. His breath caught as his heated gaze flicked over my lips. The pain was evident when he exhaled in frustration. He was still for a moment before he chastely kissed my forehead and backed away.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

  My heart and brain struggled to think of something to say. My passion-filled eyes met his. Before I could think of a rational thought, the words impetuously spilled from my lips.

  “Don’t be.”

  That was all the encouragement he needed. Within seconds, he pulled me into the warmth of his chest as my body melted into his. I gasped as one hand tightened firmly around my waist while the other snaked behind my neck. Unabashed and desperate, my hands slid up the sides of his back and gripped his t-shirt. His eyes flamed a dangerous shade of grey before he closed them. His lips hovered over mine, the warmth of our breaths mingling as one, until finally, eagerly, he kissed me. My hands glided across his back, and I heard myself moan as he deepened the kiss. My hands clutched his arms while the intensity of his kiss increased. Spencer pulled back. Our eyes met briefly before he softly smiled and brought his lips back to mine. I heard him groan as I let my tongue glide across his lower lip before I hungrily kissed him again.