Music of the Heart

by Katie Ashley

  He laughed. “Yep and you better get used to it.”

  “Okay, okay, I’ll accept.”

  “Glad to hear it, Angel.”

  When the roadie reappeared and beckoned me to the stage, I sighed with frustration. “I gotta go, Jake.”

  “All right. I’ll talk to you later tonight, and then I’ll see you in two weeks.”

  ***

  Standing in front of the lighted hotel mirrors, I adjusted my black, silk tie. Even though I’d barely had it on five minutes, it was already choking me to death. AJ groaned beside me. “Remind me again why we have to wear suits?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Cause this is my baby sister’s Sweet Sixteen we’re playing, and we’re not going to look like a bunch of rocker hoods.”

  AJ tilted his head at me. “But I thought we were rocker hoods?”

  With a laugh, I replied, “Not tonight. We’re going to blend in with the normal stiffs aka the elite of Atlanta.”

  Rhys shuddered next to me. “I thought I had escaped all the high-society bullshit when I left home. I swear, if someone tries to ‘present’ their daughter to me as a suitable marriage candidate, I’m outta here.”

  I thumped his back. “I think you’re fine, man. Sorry for inducing some flashbacks of your horrible youth spent in the country clubs and finest social circles of Savannah.”

  Rhys scowled. “Okay, so I’m a douchebag for whining about growing up rich, but dude, high-society people are as cutthroat as ghetto people sometimes.”

  “Whatever,” I murmured as my phone buzzed at my side. One glance at the ID, and I was grinning like a fool.

  “Dawww, iz Abby messaging her hunny-bunny,” AJ teased.

  I flipped him off as I started reading. Hey baby, I’m ready. Want me to come down and meet you guys?

  Sure. I’ll be in the lobby. Can’t wait to see u.

  Be there in 5.

  The last two weeks had been a dizzying flurry of different tour stops and cities. But one thing remained consistent and true, and that was my feelings for Abby. Any downtime I had, I spent with her via text messaging, calls, Facetiming, or Skype. It was long-distance dating in the 21st century at its finest.

  “You guys ready? I gotta go meet Abby.”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be to go play to a room with a bunch of screaming, horny teenage girls, most of them if I even look at, I could get arrested,” AJ replied with a grin.

  “You’re a douche,” I muttered as I exited the bathroom.

  Leaving the guys behind, I strode through the elaborately decorated ballroom. I wanted to get to the lobby and Abby. She had flown in earlier in the day. After meeting up with Lily and the kids at the airport, Brayden had brought Abby back to the hotel. I’d been rehearsing, so I hadn’t gotten to see her yet. Although I felt like a giant pussy, Brayden had talked me into sending Abby with Lily to the hotel spa to get her hair and makeup done. Of course any doubts about whether I had balls left or not was short lived when Abby’s excited squeal came over the phone when she got my gift.

  Craning my neck, I peered through the crowd of people. Like out of a movie, it parted, and there she stood. For a minute, I couldn’t breathe at the sight of her. She looked so fucking beautiful that she took my breath away. Her long blonde hair cascaded in curly waves over her shoulders, and she was wearing more makeup than usual.

  When she caught sight of me, her face lit up, and she started running as best she could in the sexy-as-hell heels she was wearing. “Jake!” she cried before throwing herself into my waiting arms. I spun her around before sitting her back on her feet. Her blue eyes twinkled as she took me in. “Look at you!” she exclaimed as she ran her hand down the front of my suit. “You look amazing!”

  “I look like a real gentleman, don’t I?”

  She grinned. “I think even my dad would approve of you tonight.”

  Part of her comment stung, but I covered up my feelings by giving her a cocky smirk. “Yeah, well, what would he have to say about his daughter’s attire tonight?”

  She glanced down at her dress. “You like it?”

  Considering it had flimsy little straps, showed off her fabulous rack and was almost backless, hell yes, I liked it. “I love it. You look absolutely breathtaking tonight.”

  Abby’s cheeks warmed with my compliments. She leaned up to kiss my lips. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  AJ strolled up to us. At Abby’s attire, his eyes widened. “Oh my God, Angel! That is just like the dress Sookie wore in the Season Two finale of True Blood!”

  Abby rolled her eyes. “AJ, you’ve got a True Blood fetish.”

  He grinned. “Dude, it’s basically vamp porn!”

  She laughed. “You’re impossible.”

  “Yeah, well, you’re beautiful and sexy in that dress.”

  With a beaming smile, Abby smacked his arm playfully before giving him a hug. “Thank you. You guys are all looking so handsome in your suits,” she replied.

  I took Abby’s hand in mine. “I want to introduce you to someone.”

  “Okay.”

  Surrounded by a group of her friends, Allison talked and laughed. When I tapped her on the shoulder, she whirled around, causing her dark hair to fly around her shoulders. “Jake!” she cried before launching herself at me. I hugged her tight. Regardless of how I felt about my dad and step-mother, Allison had always been my baby sister to love and protect.

  “You look beautiful,” I murmured into her ear.

  “Thanks.”

  “I can’t believe you’ve gone and grown up on me.” I pulled away and grinned down at her. “Just promise me you’ll keep being my sweet, innocent little Allison.”

  She giggled. “I’ll try.”

  Turning back to Abby, I said, “I wanted you to meet my girlfriend. This is Abby Renard.”

  At the word “girlfriend”, Allison’s dark eyes almost bulged out of her head. “Wow, it’s awesome to meet you,” she gushed, shaking Abby’s hand.

  “It’s great finally meeting you too. Jake talks about you all the time.”

  Allison beamed with pleasure. “He’s amazing, isn’t he?”

  Abby grinned. “Oh yes, he is. But we better not say too much. He already has a big enough ego about him.”

  “Hey now,” I argued to which Abby nudged me playfully.

  Brayden came up behind me. “Okay, man, it’s time.”

  “Excuse me ladies, but my adoring public beckons, so I’ll see you later.”

  Abby and Allison waved to me as I headed to the stage with Brayden. The plan was for us to play the first thirty minutes of the party, and then the DJ would take over. AJ disappeared behind the drum set while the rest of us suited up with our guitars.

  Taking the microphone from the stand, I gazed out into the crowded ballroom. “Good evening, everyone, and welcome to Allison’s Sweet Sixteen Party.” A symphony of high-pitched, hormonally fueled teenage girl shrieks filled the room along with some hearty screams from the males. “As her big brother, I couldn’t be prouder of her at this moment.” Meeting Allison’s gaze, I smiled. “I hope all your dreams come true, and that you stay forever young.”

  The guys and I then launched into a harder rock version of Chrissy Hydne’s Forever Young. We finished to thunderous applause and cheers. I searched through the crowd of faces for Abby who grinned and gave me two thumbs up. I laughed and shook my head before starting “Unravel Me”, which got everyone dancing. After playing through two more fast songs and two of our ballads, I handed the mic off to the DJ and headed through the throng of people to Abby.

  I was almost to her when my dad stopped me. He gave me a stiff hug before saying, “That was fantastic, son. We can’t thank you enough for making this night so special for Allie.”

  “You’re welcome. You know I’d do anything for her.”

  He nodded. His lips twitched as if he wanted to say something else but was afraid to. Finally, he drew in a ragged breath. “Jake, I’m so very sorry about
your mother.”

  I instantly tensed. “Yeah, it fucking blows when bad things happen to good people.”

  Dad’s expression paled a little. “She’s one of the strongest and bravest women I know. I talk to her often, you know. She has the most forgiving of hearts.”

  I knew Dad was talking about how I couldn’t forgive him for the fact he walked out on Mama and me for a piece of ass. Sure, he paid his child support and saw me every other weekend and during the summers. On the surface he was the most attentive and supportive father. But everything changed with us the moment he chose to leave.

  “Yes, it’s probably one of her only faults.”

  Seeing he wasn’t getting anywhere with me, Dad sighed. “Well, just know I’m here for you, son. Always.” His gaze left mine to hone in on Abby who had sought me out. “And who is this lovely young lady?”

  “This is my girlfriend, Abby Renard.” I slipped my arm around Abby’s waist. “And Abby, this is my dad, Mark Slater.”

  “It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Slater,” Abby said politely.

  “Likewise, Miss Renard.” Dad’s gaze roved over Abby, and I could tell he was surprised. Because even in her sexy little dress, Abby still looked like a good girl, and I’m sure Dad couldn’t believe I was actually with someone like her.

  As the music turned over to a slow song, I wanted to escape from my dad. Glancing down at Abby, I asked, “Wanna dance?”

  “Sure.” She smiled at my dad. “Nice meeting you.”

  “Yes, very nice meeting you as well.” He patted my back. “Thanks again.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  I took Abby’s hand and led her out onto the dance floor. As I wrapped my arms around her waist, she pressed against me. Damn, she felt good. I tried tuning out the myriad of disgusting sexual thoughts swimming through my dirty mind.

  “Your dad seems nice,” Abby said.

  “Oh yeah, he’s a real stand-up guy.”

  She pulled away to gaze up at me. “So I was right to come and try to save you?”

  When I stared at her quizzically, she smiled, “You’re so easy to read sometimes, Jake. I could tell from across the room that you were uncomfortable talking to him.”

  “The bastard had the nerve to bring up my mom,” I muttered through gritted teeth.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t want to talk about him or her, okay?”

  “Okay, Grumpy.”

  Only she could get away with teasing me. I glanced down to find her smiling up at me. “You can be such a little shit, did you know that?”

  She laughed. “But you love it.”

  “For reasons I can’t possibly understand, I do.” I pulled her tighter against me. “You smell so damn good.”

  “I have you to thank for that. The spa really helped to clean me up.”

  “Oh whatever. You always look beautiful and sexy.”

  “I always want to for you—you and only you,” she murmured.

  Taking her chin, I tilted her head before bringing my lips to hers. Although I wanted to consume her mouth, I held back. I’d missed her taste, the warmth of her tongue, the way she let her desire drive her body, rather than her insecurities or doubts. When I finally pulled away, we were both breathless. “Damn, I’ve missed you.”

  She laughed. “You act like I’ve been on the other side of the world. We talk a million times a day.”

  “Yeah, but I don’t get to kiss you a million times.”

  “Then I guess we have a lot of lost time to make up for.”

  I grinned. “I think so too.”

  The announcement for dinner was made, so we headed off the dance floor and to the table we had been assigned. Just as I suspected, Lily and Abby had become fast friends, and Abby loved helping out with Jude and Melody.

  After stuffing ourselves on the three courses, Abby and I sat around talking with the guys. As I watched her holding Melody and cooing softly, I couldn’t help the way my heart swelled with love. I’d never thought about marriage or kids before, but something about the way Melody played with the strands of Abby’s hair and gazed up at her made me rethink everything about my life. But I wasn’t Bray, so I wasn’t sure I was marriage and father material.

  When Abby glanced up and caught me watching her, she smiled. “Wanna go see Uncle Jake?”

  I held out my arms, and Melody happily came to me. I kissed her chubby cheek. “Hey baby girl. You gotta smile for me?”

  Melody tilted her head and grinned, showing me her two, tiny bottom baby teeth. “That’s my girl.”

  As I bounced her on my knee, AJ undid the first three buttons on his shirt and ripped off his tie. “I’m ready to dance.”

  “You’ve been dancing the entire time we haven’t been on stage,” I replied.

  “No, I mean, I really want to dance.”

  “Ugh,” I groaned. “You mean that Mexican shit.”

  “Jake!” Abby admonished, motioning to Melody.

  “Angel, do you really think she hasn’t heard worse? We cussed like sailors around Jude, and I promise you his first word wasn’t fuck.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest in a huff. “You’re terrible.”

  AJ leaned his elbows on the table. “Anyway, as I was saying, I’m ready to do some dancing.” He waggled his eyebrows at Abby. “And I know the perfect partner. Come on, Angel. Let’s show these stiffs how it’s really done.”

  Abby giggled and turned to me. “Is that okay?”

  “Sure, go ahead.”

  Squealing with delight, she let AJ pull her up from the chair. He tugged her across the room to the dance floor. I watched AJ lean in and talk to the DJ. After a few head shakes, AJ bobbed his head. Once the other song ended, the DJ grabbed his microphone. “Okay, we’ve had a request for Paula Rubio’s Dame Otro Tequila, and according to AJ, he and Abby are going to show you losers how to break it down.”

  A roar came through the crowd along with a symphony of high pitched female squeals at just the mention of AJ. In his element, he bowed gallantly before the music came on. The upbeat tempo and references to tequila got the crowd going even if they didn’t know the words. Then he and Abby began moving effortlessly around the dance floor.

  I eased Melody from my lap to my shoulder as I watched Abby dance. Although I didn’t want to, I couldn’t help the jealousy pricking over my body at the sight of Abby getting so into the motions with AJ. I blew out of a frustrated breath, which Melody mimicked. When I laughed, she grinned. “See that girl,” I pointed to Abby. “I think I love her, and it’s making me act like a total idiot.”

  Melody waved her tiny hand at Abby. “Yeah, even you are already in love with her, and you’ve known her like what, five seconds. She does that to people.”

  After inhaling a sharp breath of frustration, a nasty smell assaulted my senses. Leaning forward in my seat, I tapped Brayden’s arm. “I believe your daughter has a surprise for you.”

  As I passed Melody to him, he laughed. “Thanks. We’ll take care of it.”

  “Trust me dude, friendship only goes so far, and it doesn’t involve shitty diapers.”

  “Wow, I’m so touched,” Brayden replied before rising out of his seat. I snickered at the sight of him with the pale pink diaper bag draped on his shoulder. He bent down and kissed Lily’s cheek before heading to the bathroom with Melody “Now that’s love,” I murmured under my breath.

  My gaze once again went to the dance floor to Abby and AJ. “I need some air,” I muttered to Rhys. He gave me a knowing smile before bobbing his head. Grabbing two champagne flutes from a passing waiter, I made my way out the side door of the ballroom.

  ***

  After AJ and I finished our dance, beads of sweat were dripping down my face and back. I was so thirsty that I gulped down a flute of champagne the moment we got back to the table and had started on another. “Ugh, I need water.”

  Easing down in a chair beside me, AJ asked, “So I assume the way you’re throwing it back you’v
e acquired a taste for champagne?”

  I wrinkled my nose. “Actually, it just kinda makes me wanna burp. Now these,” I picked up a chocolate strawberry off the dessert platter on the table and waved it at him, “These I enjoy a lot.”

  “Yeah, well, just go easy on getting tipsy. You’ve got to be at the studio really early in the morning, right?”

  “Eight.” Then I squealed and dropped the strawberry.

  AJ’s dark eyes widened at me. “What the hell is wrong?”

  “I’m singing in the morning.”

  “Yes and…” he prompted.

  I rolled my eyes. “I’ve been eating my weight in chocolate tonight, which has dairy in it.

  You’re never supposed to do that.”

  At what must’ve been the absolute horror on my face, AJ patted my leg. “You’ll be fine. Flush it out with some water.”

  “Shit,” I muttered as I flagged down a waiter. Once he brought me a glass, I downed it in three long gulps. I then eyed the room for my noticeably absent date. Lily and Brayden were dancing while Rhys sat beside with a sleeping Melody in his arms. I craned my neck around the room. “Where’s Jake?”

  Rhys motioned to the courtyard outside. “He said he needed some air.”

  AJ nodded as he eyed Jake’s dad, Mark, dancing with Jake’s stepmom, Paula. “Even though it’s been fifteen years, sometimes Jake still can’t take the two of them together.”

  Rhys snorted. “Yeah, I don’t think them dancing together was the issue.”

  When I got his meaning, my heart did a funny little shuddering before I rose out of my chair. “I better go check on him.” I hurried out the side door and onto the tiled pavement. In the middle of the courtyard was a huge, circular fountain. It had a giant swan in the middle of it that was illuminated by light.

  Jake sat on the edge of the fountain with his elbows braced on his knees. “Hey.”

  “Hey,” he replied.

  I eased down beside him. We sat in silence for a few seconds before I nudged him

  playfully. “I was kinda thinking for a minute there that I’d been jilted.”

  He glanced up at me. “Sorry. I just needed some air.”

  Tilting my head, I gazed up at the stars. “It’s nice out here.”