by Finn, Thia
He took the letter from Chandler knowing this was hard for her ask. “Sure, Chandler, I can do that. We have some people that do background checks for us all the time. I’m sure we can look into it for you.”
With a small smile, she left him with the information and took the letter back to her bag.
By the time they reached Denver, they had worked out three new songs and got them down on paper, ready to work on them when they got back in the studio. The guys liked a lot of Chandler’s input on both the music and lyrics, and were completely on board with her helping. She was so excited to be doing something she loved and felt like she had earned her place as a member. It had been such a journey for her to reach this point in her life and she was thrilled to have a place and feel like she was part of a something so close-knit, like family.
Red Rocks Amphitheater was in a beautiful part of the country. Arriving a few days early was actually going to give them some time to enjoy the Denver area. They checked into the Four Seasons Denver, and the band was happy to see they were finally getting some place more upscale to stay for a change.
“Hey, thanks man,” Gunner clapped Cash on the back when he handed out keys. “This is more like it.”
“Y’all deserve it. Your combined talent is finally getting you recognized and you should reap the rewards for the hard work. But don’t let it overinflate those giant egos you already own!” Cash enjoyed harassing them all in an effort to keep their feet on the ground. It would be easy for them to let the instant fame cause problems that he didn’t want to deal with. More fame meant more money, and more money brought all kinds of problems for young bands.
“Drop your stuff off and come to my room for a meeting.” Cash’s order was met with only minor grumbling from the group as they headed toward their rooms. KeeMac and Chandler were once again thrilled they could have private moments to themselves although they had grown accustomed to the little bed on the bus with possible listeners within five feet. Now that he had introduced her to the passion they could share, Keeton couldn’t believe the sex they were having. She was not like any other woman he’d ever been with but he wasn’t sure what it was about her that had him drawn in so completely. All he knew was that, right now, he couldn’t get enough of her.
“Hell yeah, our own rooms.” Carter echoed KeeMac’s own thoughts to Gunner as they made their way down the hall. “I fucking love having space for all my guests and not having to limit myself to only one a night.”
“True that, dude.” Gunner concurred as he unlocked his door and disappeared inside.
Ryan walked into his room feeling alone once again. He had hoped Krissy was coming up but they were here mid-week and she couldn’t leave work like that. He threw his bags on the bed and pulled his phone out of his jeans to call her. “Hey, Kitten.”
“Well, hello Ryan.”
“You too busy to talk? I know it’s the middle of the day.” He prayed she wasn’t because it was hard to talk after a show.
“No, I’m just sitting here thinking about you.” Her voice took on a sultry tone that he loved. “I can’t wait to see you in a couple of days.”
“Me either, Kitten. Are you at your desk?”
Yeah, I’m supposed to be typing some notes for a file but I’m bored with it all.”
“Sorry, I know this is hard on you with me being gone so long, Kitten.”
“Yeah, it really is, Ryan. I guess I didn’t realize it would be so bad with you being away. Do you think this is going to happen a lot or will you go back to playing around Austin when y’all get back?” Krissy knew the answer before she even asked it. She had heard their music more and more on the radio and on XM Radio, too. That only meant one thing; they were becoming a success everywhere they played.
“We are having a great tour with Frission and the ticket sales have increased a lot since the beginning. We are pulling in as many fans as they are now, the label thinks. Isn’t that fucking awesome?”
“Yeah, it’s awesome, Ryan, for the band. But it’s gonna mean more time apart for you and me, you know?”
He could hear the disappointment in her voice. This was not looking good for them. A knock at the door brought him away from his thoughts. “Look, I have to go to a meeting. I’ll call you back in a little while, OK? God—I’m counting the minutes until I see you—day after tomorrow, Kitten.”
“Sure. And Ryan, I love you.”
“I love you, too, Kitten.” He hung up the phone, the despondent tone of her voice tugging hard at him. He made his way down to Cash’s room, the heavy of weight of dejection dragging him slowly along the corridor until he reached the door to his manager’s suite.
“So, here’s an itinerary for the next four days and a map of the festival. You get two days to do what you want. On day three, I expect you to be here by nine in the morning, ready to go to the venue. Smaller bands will start that day and some of the bigger names will be around for press conferences and meet-and-greets. There is a tight window for sound checks on that day as well, so don’t be late. “We’ll load in as soon as the show’s over and leave that night. Please keep your phones charged and on you so I can get you at all times. You are all adults, so act like it. Bailing you out of jail is not the image you want to start out with this early in the game. If paparazzi are where you are, or even just a fan with a camera phone, remember they can cause a lot of problems if they want to. Keep your noses clean.”
“Yes Dad, we know,” Carter told him. “We’ll behave like good children.” The entire group laughed and filed out the door.
“Oh, hey Chandler. Can I see you for a second, please?” Cash stopped her on the way out. KeeMac hesitated behind her wondering what their manager needed to talk to her about that didn’t involve the rest of the band.
“The team was able to track down some information for you regarding your father.” Cash watched hesitantly, gauging her reaction before he continued. He looked briefly to KeeMac, who was now drawing closer to Chandler as she sat down in front of Cash. She looked at him with an expression that seemed equal parts anticipation and dread. “Do you want to talk about this now? I can wait. Hang on to this until after the festival, or whenever you’re ready?”
Chandler looked at him for a moment longer, glancing a few times down at the papers on the table in front of him, then back up to his face as though she was trying to read his mind. She swallowed nervously, once, then twice, before she opened her mouth. KeeMac put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed her gently, reassuring her that she wasn’t alone, no matter what she learned from Cash’s newly discovered information. She nodded, and looked Cash in the eye, “Yes, please. I’d like to know.”
“They didn’t find much, unfortunately. It appears he must have changed his name because his information stops about a year after you were born. They haven’t been able to discover his new name yet, but they seemed to have reason to believe that he is still alive. They didn’t find any death records for him, or any records involving his family and the death of anyone that fit his description.” He handed her a folder with the info.
Braxton Allen Whitmore, DOB June 2, 1976.
Born to Allen Whitmore and Kate Jackson Whitmore, in Austin, TX.
Two siblings: Betsy and James.
Graduated Smithville High School, class of 1994.
No current known location on Braxton Whitmore.
Parents live in Smithville, TX, outside Austin. See attached for phone number and address for parents and sibling
“Oh My God, I have aunts and uncles near Austin, Keeton!” She was thrilled when she read the information.
“Yes,” Cash said. “But Chandler, I would advise you to think about this before you decide to contact them. According to your parents’ letter, these people don’t know anything about you. Calling them now may not be a good idea. Maybe you should wait ‘til we get back home before you call.” Chandler thought it felt a little anticlimactic to think about it like that, but was still excited at the prospect of having family
near home.
“I think that’s a good idea, Chandler,” KeeMac added. “That way we’re close by and you can go meet them, if they want to.”
“OK, y’all are probably right. And even if I find them, he might not want to meet me.”
“I don’t want you to get your hopes up just yet, babe. You don’t know how this will all pan out.” KeeMac wrapped her in his arms hugging her close to him. He prayed this wasn’t going to blow up in her face. She didn’t need any more traumas in her life.
“Let’s go have some fun and see the Mile High City, Chan.”
“Yes, but please both of you keep your feet out of the pot shops. We don’t need y’all a ‘mile high’ and driving, too.”
“Dad, calm down. We’re going sight-seeing. If we wanted to roll a big fat one, we could have done that with the roadies.” They all laughed at the irony as the couple walked out the door. If Cash wanted to worry about anyone involved in the tour walking into the smoke shops in Colorado, they could almost bank on it being the roadies. Cash made a mental note to warn the band and drivers to steer clear of the brownies and other edibles from the road crew for the next week or so too.
They all went separate ways to enjoy the summer weather and the majestic beauty of the mountains, but no one would have to wander far to experience the breathtaking landscapes and a day in the sun. Hanging out around Denver, checking out the local fare and shopping killed all of the first day. KeeMac and Chandler had both been eager to see Garden of the Gods and Royal Gorge so they decided to make the short drive down to Colorado Springs on the second day and look around.
The rock formations at Garden of the Gods were like nothing either of them had seen before. Red rock in natural outcroppings and formations that were nearly unimaginable, and they both enjoyed the easy access to them and spending the day taking the short hikes among them. After taking goofy pictures and selfies to post online, they found a shady spot off the beaten path. KeeMac packed a small blanket from the hotel, which he would probably end up paying for, and some bottled water and snacks for them to share.
“It’s so beautiful, Keeton. I can’t believe this place. I’ve never seen anything like this before.” She lay back on the blanket and admired the contrast of the azure skies and terra cotta formations stretching high above them.
“Yeah, I know. My parents took us to Utah once and we saw something similar to this in a state park there.” Lying back beside her, she turned to cuddle into the crook of his shoulder. “We camped out there for over a week and had so much family fun.”
“I want to do those kinds of things when I have a family. My parent’s idea of roughing-it was swimming in the pool at the Ritz-Carlton, and that was only if I could prove I hadn’t sneezed in the last 30 days.” KeeMac laughed out loud at her.
“Wow, Chan, you had a rough life. You lived in two huge homes, went to all the best schools, drove the best cars, travelled the world and never worried about money. It must have been rough growing up.”
While he was just kidding with her, and she knew it, his comment still ruffled her feathers.
“More like being suffocated in your own home, Keeton. My parents said ‘no’ so many times by the time I was five, that I didn’t even bother asking for anything anymore. I never had friends, never went to the movies, never was allowed to talk on the phone for fun or have slumber parties, and never was allowed to date. I know you think I lived a charmed life but if I had my way, I would choose your childhood over mine.”
When he heard the hurt in her voice he rolled over to her, cupped her face in his hands and rubbed his lips over hers. He discovered her lips were covered in cherry-flavored lip gloss that he loved to nibble on. She opened her mouth and pulled his tongue in deepening the kiss, which quickly reached a ravenous tempo. Chandler fingers roamed over his torso, loving the feel of his cut abs as her hands crept under his shirt and made their way up to his pierced nipples, causing him to suck in a breath on a growl.
“Babe, I have to have you,” he whispered into her mouth. She wasted no time in yanking the shirt over his head. He followed suit, nearly ripping the buttons from the front of her top and frantically unhooking the front clasp of her bra. “I fucking love this bra: easy access!” She smirked at his playful admission but she had suddenly become a big fan of that front clasp herself in that moment as his hands and hungry mouth descended on her breasts.
They both wasted no time when he rolled away to rid them both of their shorts and Chucks. The shade made it cool enough to comfortably curl inside the large blanket, blocking out everything, and cocooning them in their own little world away from wandering eyes.
Inside their private little bubble, he began anew, kissing down her neck to her exposed breast, circling the peak with his warm tongue. The tender flesh pebbled as he lavished one with his tongue, the other endured exquisite pleasure as he massaged and pulled at her with his thumb and index finger causing Chandler to writhe under him, until she pull her legs up bending at the knee and hip until she could arch and contort no more.
Keeton, leaned over her body as he sought the warmth inside her he craved and buried himself as far as he could go. She cried out as he completely filled her. She shoved the blanket off as the heat they were causing was too much for her. Rocking in and out of her slowly, he finally wrapped his arms under and around her and pulled her up, straightening their legs to get her off the hard ground below them. She wrapped her legs around him and lifted and plunged down so he entered her even deeper than before.
“Oh, God baby! I fucking love what you’re doing,” as he took over the movement with his hands on her hips. Pumping harder with each stroke, as she grasped his neck and kissed and nipped at the skin of his neck and shoulder, until he panting as though he was hanging on the very edge of his control and rotated his cock within her warmth and hit the spot he was seeking and her body was begging for.
“Keeton, yes, yes, right there, right there.” Her inner muscles pulsated around him on each thrust as she fell back down from the high she had reached.
Laying her back, he pulled her knees back up to her chest and with a few more hard thrusts he found that high she had been on, too.
“Fuck, Chandler!” He sat up instantly. “What did we do?”
It wasn’t the typical reaction from him after they finished. “What do you mean, what did we do? Uh, I think we’ve done this before.”
“Not without protection though,” he said staring at her, a panicked look in his eyes.
“I’m on the pill, Keeton. Calm down.” She tucked his long hair back behind his ears.
“Why are you just now telling me this? We could have been going bareback all along?” He pulled back from her like he was angry.
“It never came up. You always put one on and I assumed it was because you had other reasons for the extra safety, or that it’s the way you liked it.”
“I don’t need extra security, as you put it, Chan. I’m clean. We were all tested before we left and I’ve always used one. Last thing I want is some kind of disease. Why are you on the pill anyway?” He pulled his shirt over his head.
She sat up and pulled him back into her arms, wrapping her arms around his neck so she could see his face and gauge his reaction. “My mother took me to get on it before I left for college. I guess they didn’t want any mistakes following me home, and since they couldn’t monitor every minute at college like they did when I was home, she made sure it didn’t happen. What drove me crazy was her calling me every single night for thirty days reminding me to take my damn pill. I finally told her to stop with a few new words I learned in college and she got the hint.” She laughed at her own comment. “So, are you really upset at me for not mentioning it?”
“Yes!” he feigned outrage. “I mean, damn girl. We are going to have to start over and make up for all the times we fucked with one. How many times do you think we’ve had sex so far?” he asked as he stood up, a look of eager mischief in his eyes.
She laughed at hi
m, “Really, Keeton? I’m supposed to keep track of that? You barely let me sleep!” He laughed and pulled her to him.
“Come on, let’s get back to the hotel. We can start some more ‘not sleeping’ tonight.”
“Is that all you think about?” Then she laughed out loud at his over-enthusiastic nods and roaming hands that evaded her attempts to swat him away.
On the way back to Denver, Chandler thoughts drifted to the family she didn’t know. “I don’t know if I’m going to be able to wait to call my new family.”
“Chan, we talked about this. What if you call them and they get angry that you’ve contacted them? Closed adoption is done that way for a damn good reason.”
“Yes, but this is different. He didn’t even know about me. It wasn’t like he was closed off the same way as my mother.” She was irate that he didn’t seem to support her in this. How could he not understand how this felt like some essential piece of her identity and that she needed to know more?
“You’re right, but your mom must have wanted it that way for a reason. I’ll tell you what. Why don’t you let me call them and I’ll see if I can find out anything about where your father is, without giving over any information?”
“OK. Do it. Right now.”
“What? Now?” The hopeful look in her eye was more than he could take. “Dial the number and cross your fingers.”
“Yes, this is Keeton McDonald, and I’m trying to reach Brax Whitmore. Is he available, please?” He sounded so formal that it took Chandler by surprise.
“Oh, I see. Well, can you give me that new name and how I can try to reach him?”