She was quiet, and I studied her profile, trying to understand what she was thinking. Though we’d figured out that we wanted to be together, we hadn’t decided how that was going to happen. Or at least it seemed she hadn’t. It was pretty clear to me—she would go where I went. If she wanted to visit her sister or home or, hell, anywhere, I had the means to make that happen. She didn’t seem to fully grasp that many of the problems that had plagued her for her whole life were no longer going to be an issue. Money didn’t fix every problem, but it solved a whole lot of them.
When we were teenagers, Leah had been on board with leaving small-town life behind. But as an adult, she seemed much fonder of it. Of course, it helped that she wasn’t under her father’s thumb anymore.
“There are a lot of things I need to think about,” she said finally.
“Hit me,” I said.
“What?”
“Talk it over with me. We’ll figure it out together. You’re not alone anymore.” And neither am I, I added silently.
“I was never alone,” she said slowly. “I always had Lacey, and that’s who I need to think about. I can’t abandon her.”
“I don’t expect you to. We can fly her out to California or wherever for her breaks. Or if that doesn’t work, either both of us or just you can fly to Cedar Creek. We have options.”
She exhaled. “Yeah, I guess we do. I’m not used to that.”
“Having options?”
“Having the money to have options.”
I grinned, trying to lighten the mood. “It’s a game changer.” They said money couldn’t buy happiness, but it sure as hell helped.
“I’m starting to really realize that.”
“I hope you’ll let me spoil you,” I said earnestly, “and Lacey. You two were handed a shitty lot in life, but things are about to get a helluva lot better.”
“I need to get used to the idea.”
I tightened my arm around her. “Don’t take too long. I have five years to make up for.”
Leah
Gabe and I got on the road after our visit to Central Park. The second night of the concert was that evening, but Gabe hadn’t planned on going unless I wanted to. I opted out.
To be honest, I was a little overwhelmed by the city and all the celebrities, not to mention rubbing elbows with them at the after-party. Gabe seemed to sense it. I felt like a simpleton, but that was okay. Baby steps.
I also needed to get a grip on my status with Gabe. I felt like us being back together was so sudden, but really, it was five years in the making. It was as if our subconsciouses had known we’d find our way back to one another. Still, it was complicated. How we felt about one another was easy, but the logistics were harder. Now that we were on our way back home, the bubble we’d existed in for the past few days had popped. I couldn’t wrap my head around how we were going to make it work. I got anxiety just thinking about it, but when I looked over at Gabe, the voices in my head calmed.
Baby steps.
My phone rang, and I was surprised to see Lacey’s name until I remembered that I hadn’t sent her any pictures other than the view of the stage from my seat at the concert. She probably wanted to actually yell at me instead of sending texts in all caps. The trouble was that I’d been so busy taking everything in that I hadn’t taken any pictures. Whoops.
I’d have to tell her I’d do it next time. I grinned. Hell, Lacey would most likely be able to take her own pictures at future events. I answered, bracing myself for her onslaught. “Hey, Lacey.”
“Hi.”
The tone of her voice had me sitting up straight. She sounded the opposite of angry. Meek.
“Is everything okay?”
“Um, yeah.” She laughed nervously. “Everything’s fine. I just need a favor.”
I wanted to call her out on her lie, because everything was obviously not fine, but instead I simply said “okay” and waited for her to tell me what she needed.
“Can you text me a picture of the health insurance card? I can’t find mine.”
I couldn’t hold back anymore. “Why do you need it? Where are you? Are you okay? What happened?” Even as I fired the questions at her, I was rooting around in my purse for my wallet. Gabe glanced over at me in alarm.
“It’s a long story, but I’m okay.”
“Shorten it.” I exhaled, hating that I sounded like an angry parent, but I guessed that was the role I was playing. Lacey was going to make me go gray by the time I was twenty-five.
“Taylor and I were out at the Beta house, and the guys had a couple of ATVs.”
“Okay,” I said slowly, an image forming in my head. Almost everyone who lived in the rural part of Cedar Creek had ATVs. Lacey knew her way around them.
“Well, I knew what I was doing, but Aaron didn’t, and he crashed it. He should have let me drive instead of making me ride on the back. Stupid male pride.”
Closing my eyes, I rubbed my fingertips in circular motions on my eyelids, but it did nothing to stop the vein from throbbing under my eye. “How hurt are you?”
She sighed. “It’s my wrist. It’s probably just a sprain, but it’s super swollen, so I’m at the Bleaksburg hospital emergency room, waiting for X-rays.”
“Gabe and I just left New York, so I don’t know how far away I am, but we—”
“Oh, no, you don’t need to come. I just need the insurance card.”
“Are you sure? Because—”
“Yes, I’m sure. I got this. Taylor is here with me, so I’m good. Just send the insurance card, please.”
It took me a long moment to calm my shit. When I was Lacey’s age, I had been dealing with worse things, like figuring out how to get us away from my father. She was capable of handling a minor injury without my swooping in to take control. “I’ll send it as soon as we hang up.”
“Okay, thanks.” She paused. “So how did things go with Gabe?” I could almost hear her smiling through the phone.
I furiously fought the blush that was creeping onto my cheeks and avoided looking at Gabe. “I’m not going to talk about that with you right now.”
“Oh, right. Yeah, I guess that would be tacky, since he’s right next to you. Just tell me one thing, did you—”
“I’m hanging up now. Call if you need me.” I ended the call. I wasn’t ready to discuss my relationship with Gabe with my sister, but the fact that she was asking let me know her situation wasn’t dire.
“Do we need to change course?” Gabe asked. “What happened?”
Shaking my head, I quickly snapped a picture of the insurance card and texted it to her. “No, she said not to come. It’s probably just a sprained wrist. ATV accident.”
“I’m glad she’s okay.” Gabe reached over and squeezed my knee.
Crossing my arms, I looked out the window. Damn. Our insurance wasn’t the best, and emergency room visits were expensive.
But my primary concern wasn’t the money. What if it had been something more serious? Bleaksburg was only a few hours from Cedar Creek. Currently, I didn’t know how far away we were. And what if I’d been at Gabe’s Malibu home? Lacey was fine this time, but I was all she had. I needed to be able to be there for her. I couldn’t do that if I was on the opposite coast.
Lacey would be nineteen soon, which was how old I’d been when I took custody of her. Somehow, that didn’t make me feel any better. I’d been strong because I only had myself to rely on—I hadn’t had a choice. I didn’t want that for my sister.
In the past, I’d always put Lacey first without question. She was my reason for everything. Now, for the first time in over five years, I was considering my own happiness and what was best for me. I hoped I wouldn’t have to make a decision between the two.
Chapter 20
Leah
During my first shift back at the diner, Gabe came in and took a seat at the counter. After seeing him in all his rock-star glory, it was odd to see him back in small town mode. He’d always been a chameleon. I wished I could say t
he same for myself.
“Do you need a to-go order?” I asked.
“That depends.” He grinned. “Are you on the menu?”
I wish. Gabe had stayed at Aunt Rose’s last night, and I’d already felt lonely, alone in my bed. I glanced at the large clock on the wall. “Not for another four or five hours.”
“Well, damn.” His face fell in disappointment, even though he’d already known I was closing that night. “In that case, I’ll start with a soda and some cheese fries.”
“For here?”
“Well, yeah. With your schedule, I figured this was the only way to spend more time with you.” He reached up to stroke my cheek.
“Gabe Gagliano, don’t you be distracting my employees.” Sharon appeared behind me, and I didn’t have to be able to see her to know she had a scowl on her face. “I will call your aunt so fast.” Gabe retracted his hand with a look of guilt that made me giggle. He might have been a superstar, but he still deferred to the diner matriarch.
He looked over his shoulder at the somewhat crowded diner. “Hey, everyone!” he called. “Eat up! Your check is on me tonight. Don’t forget dessert.” As the diners cheered, he eyed Sharon. “How’s that work for you? I guarantee you their checks will be a lot higher than they would have been.”
“Show-off,” Sharon muttered.
I pursed my lips. “What the hell, Gabe?”
He shrugged. “I’m happy. I want to pay that happiness forward. And this way, you can’t complain when you get an extraordinary tip.”
“I’ll put your order in.” Though I tried for a stern expression, I couldn’t stop the smile that broke through. When Gabe had worked as a busboy here one summer, I’d come in to visit and gotten yelled at by Sharon. Everything was coming full circle.
While I was putting the order in, Tyler walked in, wearing his uniform. He took a seat next to Gabe, so I returned to see if he wanted anything.
“Something quick,” he told me. “Basically whatever is ready. I have a date with the SS Bandit.”
“I’ll put you down for the most expensive thing on the menu,” I said, much to Tyler’s confusion. “And I’ll put you down for two pies. You can drop them off at the precinct later.”
As I walked away, I heard Gabe explain to his friend why he was getting the diner’s version of filet mignon. Actually, all of the entrees were roughly the same price, so it didn’t matter much what I ordered for him. I went into the kitchen. “Eddie, Tyler is here. He doesn’t have much time.”
The cook saluted me with his spatula. “On it. Cop special coming right up.”
True to my word, I boxed up two pies. I suddenly thought that Sharon should consider donating any leftover pie to our local first responders. I’d have to wait for a time when she wasn’t in a mood and ask her about it.
By the time I returned from checking on my tables, Tyler already had a club sandwich sitting in front of him. Eddie was good like that. If any of the local cops came in, he bumped their orders to the front of the line. He called it “protecting those who protect us.” I called it a nice thing to do.
“I think I’m getting close,” Tyler said. “The bandit used lipstick this time.”
“So what?” Gabe asked. “Are you going to go to the senior bowling night and check out all the old ladies’ lips?”
Tyler’s face flushed. “It’s not a bad idea,” he protested. “Then I can cross-check it with the list of customers Mary Jane is making for me. She’s not the most reliable, but I have her writing down everyone who comes in along with the time.”
“I seriously don’t envy you,” Gabe said.
“Yeah, well, I don’t envy me lately, either. You got any room in your band?”
“What do you play?”
“The triangle. Cowbell. I could probably swing the tambourine.”
“Maybe you could be my backup dancer, though you’d have to shave your legs for that.”
“That would be a good look for you,” I chimed in. “You have great legs, Tyler.”
Gabe grinned at me.
“I hate you both,” Tyler said miserably, “so much.” He shoved a handful of fries in his mouth, probably to keep himself from spouting curses at us. That wouldn’t have been very becoming of a police officer.
Tyler left shortly thereafter. A crowd of people came streaming in, and it wasn’t long before we had a wait to get a table. That never happened.
Sharon marched over to Gabe. “Word got out that you’re throwing your money around, so you better pay up.”
“I’m a man of my word.”
Two women stopped by on their way out to thank Gabe. “While you’re here”—one of them tentatively held out her phone—“do you mind?”
“Of course not.” Gabe hopped off his seat to pose for a picture. The other patrons took note, and soon, he was taking pictures with everyone who was on their way out the door.
Sharon shook her head as she watched. “I can’t even get mad that he’s turned my restaurant into a fan club because our take tonight will be bigger than it’s been in a long time.”
“I’m sure Tamara won’t complain about all the tip money she’ll get.” And neither will I, I thought silently. The extra money would help pay for Lacey’s emergency room visit. She had been correct that it was only a sprain, thank goodness.
“Uh huh,” Sharon mused. “That boy always had a good heart. I’m glad fame hasn’t changed that.”
I gaped at her as she walked away. Sharon also had a good heart, but she hid it deep under her gruff exterior. Coming from her, that comment was ridiculously high praise.
I watched as Gabe posed with an infant, like he was a damn politician. Sharon was right—he did have a good heart. And I was happy to call it mine.
Gabe
I walked along the property line of what I thought of as the movie property with the realtor who represented the owner. When he’d asked if I wanted a proper tour of the land, I’d assumed he was going to send a younger, more able-bodied colleague. The man was the husband of one of Aunt Rose’s bowling friends, which meant he was nearing eighty, and I was petrified he was going to keel over in the middle of the dead zone for cell service.
“There’s a creek through there,” he said with a wheeze. He yanked on his cane several times to free it from the overgrown weeds and used it to point into the woods.
I was already aware of the creek because it ran through Tyler’s dad’s property as well. “Mr. Edwards, you don’t have to walk me through the whole property.” I rushed forward to grab the man’s elbow as his foot got caught on a root.
“It’s no problem,” he replied. “This is my job. Besides, the exercise is good for me.”
So good it’s going to give you a heart attack. I sure as hell didn’t want that on my conscience. “Actually, Mr. Edwards, I have a call scheduled soon, so I’m afraid I need to cut the tour short.” That wasn’t true, but I was legit worried about the man dying on me. I also didn’t want to insult his dignity. My excuse seemed to split the difference.
His face was crestfallen. “Oh, that’s too bad. Do you want to schedule another time?”
“I’ve seen all I need.”
He sighed. “Well, okay, then. I have a lot of other listings. Many are move-in ready.”
“No, you don’t understand. I’m ready to buy it.”
“Really?” His face brightened.
“Yes, sir. My friend’s father owns the property next door, so the location is perfect.”
The man glanced around as if looking for eavesdroppers. “I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but it’s been on the market for three years. There’s an office bet on when it will sell. If I can get this to closing in the next twenty-three days, I’ll win the pool.” He chuckled. “It’s quite sizable. So, uh, you wouldn’t happen to be prequalified, would you?”
I clapped him on the shoulder. “I’ve got it covered.” Real estate in Bumfuck, Virginia was pocket change compared to what it cost in California. It would probably b
low his mind when he learned I’d be paying cash. I’d wait to drop that bombshell on him when we got back to his office, only a few blocks away from the hospital.
I guided him to his car then climbed into my own to follow him to town. A few hundred yards down the road when the cell service picked up again, my phone chimed with a missed-call alert from Martin, and I wondered if my scheduled call excuse was actually a reality I’d forgotten about.
Using my car’s Bluetooth system, I called him back.
“Hey, Gabe, how are ya?”
“Fine, thanks. How are your wife and daughter?” I patted myself on the back for finally remembering to ask about them. At the rate I was going, the little girl was going to be in kindergarten before I stopped being a jackass.
“They’re great, thanks. Allie really loved the diaper-wreath thing.”
That was why Martin was the best—he’d remembered what Bette had sent them on my behalf when even I couldn’t remember.
“So I watched the SOCK show,” Martin said. “Apparently, so did Killjoy. They liked the new song you played.”
I snorted. “Chinsky called you?”
“No, of course not. It was some underling. I don’t even think it was his underling. They want to negotiate terms.”
For a second, my pulse quickened with excitement. Hearing similar words nearly five years ago had changed the course of my life forever. It had been a dream come true. But over the years, it had become my nightmare. “Really?” I asked dryly. “I thought I told Chinsky he could shove my next record deal up his ass.”
Martin chuckled. “Apparently, they considered that a jumping-off point for negotiations.”
I was silent for a long moment while I figured out how to say something that I thought I’d already made clear. “I’m done with Killjoy.”
“You’re one hundred percent about that?”
“Yes.”
“Killjoy doesn’t rebuild burned bridges, so you need to be sure.”
Back To You (In Tune Book 1) Page 18