Heart of Steele

by Randi Alexander

  She backed out and tiptoed down the stairs. A rattle of unease hit her gut. She’d only heard him swear during sex, and then it was rather sexy. Tracy sat at the kitchen counter, set her elbow on the table, and plopped her chin in her palm. What she’d heard upstairs was a little scary. More than a little, actually.

  What could provoke a steady, reasonable man like Steele to act like that? Of course, she’d never seen him backstage. Was that how he ran his career? Yelling, cursing, intimidation? She couldn’t reconcile it with the Steele she knew.

  She needed to make some phone calls herself. Reno had texted her three times already, wanting her to call. And she needed to talk to her mother and see what was happening with her brother’s parole hearing.

  The sound of him jogging down the main staircase reached her. She sat up and pasted on a smile.

  He stormed into the kitchen, pulled out a stool, and plopped down. With a long sigh, he crossed his forearms on the counter and leaned heavily on them.

  “What’s up?” Did that sound too false?

  He stared at the counter. “My agent booked me as a last-minute addition to a fundraising concert in Tulsa.” He looked at her. “In two days.”

  “What? Can he do that without your approval?”

  His hands fisted. “Evidently, he thinks he can.” His lips thinned. “He had to make a decision by noon, and we were out making snow angels when I should have been here taking care of my career.”

  She swallowed the hurt with a mouthful of hot chocolate. She blinked to keep the emotion from welling in her eyes.

  “No.” He pushed his chair back and walked to her, pulled her off her stool and into his arms. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t what I meant.” He rocked them both as he held her close. “I’m angry at my agent and at myself, but I wouldn’t trade a minute of the time we spent together.”

  The pain in her chest eased as she wrapped herself around him. “I understand. It’s got to be frustrating for you.”

  “That’s no excuse for what I said. Please forgive me.” He ran his hand over her hair and kissed the top of her head. “I don’t usually let my temper get away from me like that.”

  She leaned back. “Why is this such a bad thing?” A benefit concert could only be good for his career, couldn’t it?

  “It’s a...personal reason. Let’s sit and talk. This concerns you, too.”

  He grabbed their mugs and guided her to the man cave.

  After they got snuggled together on the couch, he took her hand. “The PR people came up with a solution to our viral video problem. We’re going to say that it’s part of the video, and we were rehearsing when your swing went a little wide.”

  She tried to make a surprised face, but she couldn’t accomplish it. “I actually had that same idea yesterday.”

  A single laugh rolled from his chest. “Why didn’t you mention it to me?”

  “I guess I wanted this time alone with you.” She shrugged. “What’s your excuse?”

  He kissed her knuckles. “Same reason. And, I figured the PR people would come up with the same idea. Or something better.” He laid his hand on her thigh. “I’m glad we’ve had this time together.”

  That seemed ominous. “Sounds like it’s coming to an end.”

  He nodded. “Here’s the plan. We need to head back to LA tomorrow morning.”

  “Tomorrow?” That cut their trip short a whole day.

  “Yeah, sorry. Contractually, I have to be in Tulsa twenty-four hours before the show starts.”

  Disappointment rolled like acid through her stomach. She tried to smile. “Okay.” How had she gotten so attached to him already? She didn’t want to leave.

  The corner of his mouth curved up. “Don’t look so sad. You’re coming to Tulsa with me.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “What?” Bubbles of excitement fizzed inside Tracy. She was going to Steele’s concert in Tulsa with him? “Why?”

  “We’ll be filming the rest of the music video there. They’re bringing in all the equipment, and we’ll film the morning of the concert, after the stage has been set up.”

  “That’s incredible. All that expense.” Now her guilt resurfaced, and her forehead wrinkled.

  “Hey, this is all good.” He rubbed a thumb between her brows. “It’ll give the press a chance to see the video being made.” He pointed to his chest. “Free publicity for me.” He pointed to hers. “And a chance to wear those sexy cowgirl boots again for you.”

  She grabbed his finger and grinned. “Lucky me.”

  “Since I’ll only be doing a forty-minute set at the concert, we’ll have most of the night free to see the town.” He leaned closer. “Or just the inside of our hotel suite.”

  His words calmed her, but it still didn’t feel right. “If it’s ‘all good’ like you said, why are you so angry about having to perform at the fundraiser?”

  He stood and walked to the window. “It’s not the fundraiser, it’s how this was handled.”

  She could see the tension in his muscles. “I can understand that.” He liked to have control over every aspect of his career. This had to be frustrating.

  “I turned down the fundraiser two months ago.” He seemed almost to be talking to himself.

  “Why?”

  “Technical reasons.”

  That was obscure. “What’s the charity?” Maybe something he objected to?

  “It’s to set up a fund for tornado victims.”

  “That seems worthwhile. Who else is performing?”

  His head jerked to look back at her.

  She’d never seen that solemn expression on his face before.

  Turning back to the window, he pressed one palm against the glass. “Rachel Voigt, The Dellwood Brothers, Myla Wixon, and Ryder Landry.”

  “Sounds like a great lineup.” Something was bothering the hell out of him, and she wanted to help. “Is there anything I can do?”

  He dropped his hand and turned to her. His anger seemed to have turned to resignation. Steele held out his arm. “C’mere and let me hold you.”

  She was in his arms in seconds.

  ****

  “Reno, you won’t believe all the crazy things going on.” Tracy held her phone at arm’s length, video chatting. She’d left Steele in his cave to make the hundred calls he said needed to be made, and she’d come into her room to connect with her best friend who was at her farm in South Dakota.

  Sitting cross-legged on her bed, Tracy glanced out at the sunset. This was her last night here, and it physically hurt to think about never returning.

  “Tell me everything.” Her dark-haired friend smiled patiently, her sweet voice possessing its own calming properties. “Chase is rocking Miss Joy to sleep, so I’ve got plenty of time.” The walls of the stacked log home looked so cozy in the background.

  Tracy told the whole story, from the mistake she made punching Steele, to their impending flight to Oklahoma the next day. She left out only the details of their sexual fun, but intimated that she and Steele had been very busy in the bedroom.

  When Tracy finished, Reno’s eyes were wide and she gave a slow whistle. “All that in three days?”

  “Yep. I have absolutely nothing going on in my life for years, then bam, it’s a home run at the world series.”

  “I’m just searching online for that fundraising concert.” Reno stared off to the side as typing sounds came through the phone. “Here it is. Oh, Myla’s performing, and...oh shit.”

  “Oh shit? What’s ‘oh shit’? Is it that other singer, Rachel somebody? Did she and Steele—”

  “No, it’s not that.” Reno slowly shook her head. “Well, actually, I don’t know. Wait a minute, Chase is coming out of Joy’s room.” There was a pause, then Chase came into the picture, his auburn hair all Tracy could see as kissing sounds came from through the phone’s speaker. “Chase, I’m video-chatting with Tracy.”

  He turned his handsome face toward the camera. His deep blue eyes glowed. “Hi Tracy, girl.”r />
  “Hi new daddy. How’s it going?”

  He closed his eyes for a second, as if in ecstasy. “It’s incredible. Joy’s too perfect to be believed.” He looked at the mother of his baby. “I can’t get enough of the little angel.”

  “It’s true.” Reno grinned. “He likes to watch her sleep for hours at a time.”

  Tracy felt the dual emotions of happiness and envy. “You two are blessed.”

  “We are.” Chase stared at his woman. “I’ll let you two get on with your chatting.”

  “Wait.” Reno tugged his sleeve to keep him next to her. “Has Steele ever dated either of these women?”

  Reno and Chase looked to the side, at their computer screen.

  “Why do you want to know?” Chase schooled his features.

  “Tracy’s up at Big Bear, and can’t figure out why Steele is so angry about being booked into this fundraiser.”

  “Uh, no.” He shook his head. “I’ve never heard that he dated either of them but I don’t...holy shit! Did you see—”

  “Chase!” Reno put her hand over the phone’s mic. “Tracy. Can. Hear. You.”

  “I heard that, Reno. Chase, what’s going on?”

  Chase looked at Reno and backed away. “I think I hear Joy crying.”

  “Don’t leave me hanging.” Something was really wrong.

  “Oh sweetie, just give Steele some room.” Reno’s beautiful brown eyes came into clear focus. “Don’t push him on this.”

  “What is it? It’s making Steele so angry, I don’t know how to help.” Panic started to tighten her vocal cords.

  Reno huffed out a long breath. “It’s a long story, and it’s not mine to tell, but you have absolutely no reason to worry.”

  “Whenever someone says that to me, I immediately start to worry.” She lay back on the bed and held her phone above her. “Should I tell him I can’t go with him?”

  Reno hummed a little. “No. For both your careers’ sakes, I think you need to do this. Just be yourself. Don’t worry...oh, I already told you that. Just get it over with then decide what your next move will be.”

  “You’re scaring the hell out of me.” Her stomach churned. “I suppose I couldn’t talk you into meeting me there, hanging around with me for a couple days?” She knew it wasn’t possible, but the thought of having Reno there calmed her.

  Reno laughed. “Sure. With a nursing baby and her overprotective father as my entourage?” She sucked in a breath. “I forgot to tell you! I’m married!”

  Chase’s laugh rolled through the phone. “Just a small detail in the big picture of your life.”

  “What?” Tracy sat up. “When? Congratulations!” Tears burned in her eyes. “Oh my God, I’m so happy for both of you!”

  Reno held up her left hand. A beautiful multi-color gold wedding band held a big sparkling diamond. “We did it yesterday, just at the courthouse, but we’re planning a big reception at Chase’s ranch in—”

  “Our ranch,” Chase corrected.

  Reno turned her head and smiled at him. “Our ranch in a few months. I’ll send you the details.”

  Tears ran down her cheeks. “Reno, that’s so great. I wish I could be there to hug you.”

  Reno sniffled. “Don’t cry, Tracy, you’re making me cry, and you know how bad I look with red-rimmed eyes and my pale skin.”

  Tracy laughed through her tears. “You do look worse than anyone else in the world after you’ve been crying.”

  Reno chuckled. “You’re such a bitch. I miss the heck out of you.”

  “Me, too. Let me see Joy, just for a minute.”

  Reno jumped up padded down the hallway, carrying her phone. “I’m always happy to show off my baby.” She eased open the door then there was tiny Joy, bundled in a blanket, sleeping on her side.

  Her impossibly little cherry mouth puckered a few times, then she settled into soft breaths.

  “I wish I could smell her.” Tracy whispered it as she inhaled. She could almost catch a whiff of her powdery scent.

  Reno crept out of the room and closed the door. “Call me if things go weird at the concert, okay?”

  Tracy wanted to grill her friend, but the woman was a vault, and it would be a waste of both their time. “Get back to your family. I’ll text you gory details as they unfold.”

  “Good luck, and just take things as they come. Everything will be fine.”

  “Thanks. I don’t believe a word you’re saying, but thanks anyway.”

  They ended the call and she grabbed a tissue and blotted her eyes. When she opened the door, Steele came from his room. “I was going to knock, but I heard your voice.”

  “Reno.”

  He tipped her head up and looked at her welling eyes. “What’s wrong? Is the baby okay?” His eyes shifted, looking panicked.

  “Everything’s fine. I just heard about the wedding.”

  “Wedding? They’re getting married?”

  Tracy laid her hand on his forearm. “Got married. Sorry, I thought you knew, and were letting Reno tell me.”

  “No. I haven’t talked to Chase since...married? When did they do this?”

  “Yesterday.”

  He put an arm around her shoulders and guided her down the stairs and into the kitchen. “What do you think about that?”

  “It’s great. They belong together.” It seemed like a strange question to ask. “They had their hard times, but love brought them back together.”

  “Love? After knowing each other for such a short time?” He used a corkscrew to open a bottle of wine, watching her from the corner of his eye.

  “Sometimes a calendar isn’t as important as what their hearts tell them.” She accepted a glass of wine from him.

  He watched her closely for a few moments. “Huh.” Opening the freezer, he pulled out a foil pan. “Looks like some kind of pasta and sauce deal.” He glanced at her. “Sound good?”

  “Sounds delicious.” She sat on a stool at the kitchen island. They’d eaten the snacks he’d brought along on the snowmobile ride, but she should get something in her stomach to settle it.

  He unwrapped the container and set it in the oven, then tossed a bag of popcorn into the microwave and pressed the button to start it. “For my popcorn addict.” He winked at her.

  He seemed calm, now, not the volatile man she’d been with earlier. What was he hiding from her? What was so horrible about the show in Tulsa? Whatever it was, she had a bad feeling about the next two days. Really bad.

  ****

  Driving down the mountain the next morning, Steele felt a sense of loss, like the best time of his life was ending, and he couldn’t do anything about it. And the worst thing in his life—his half-brother, Ryder—would be performing a concert with him. Something Steele had sworn he’d never do again after he learned of Ryder’s paternity.

  He wanted to cancel, wanted to fire his agent and the PR firm right over the phone. But ticket sales had gone wild when Steele’s name was added to the bill. He couldn’t disappoint fans, and he couldn’t do anything to hurt the charity.

  His hands gripped the steering wheel so tight, he had to flex them to get blood back into them.

  Tracy was using her phone to pull up the concert website. Most likely searching for whatever was making him as cantankerous as a bear. It wasn’t something he was proud of, but it ate away at him that circumstances dictated his life right now.

  He had no control over anything anymore, and it made him more than half-crazy.

  Last night with Tracy had been almost sorrowful. They’d made love, slow and tender, and held each other while they slept. Almost as if it was the end. But he didn’t want it to be. Maybe on the plane he’d discuss it with her. They’d be alone, he’d open a bottle of champagne and ask her if she’d see him again. A lot. He puffed out a breath. He’d better come up with a more intelligent offer than that.

  She looked out the side window. “My roommate said your assistant picked up my suitcase. Thanks for letting me get my own clothes.
”

  “You couldn’t walk around a fine place like Tulsa for two days in an oversized T-shirts and sweats.”

  “I was partial to the robe and giant pink slippers, actually.” She turned her body sideways to face him. “What time do we have to be at the airport?”

  He held back a smile. “Around five tonight.”

  She sat quietly for a minute. “How long will it take us to get to the resort to pick up your car, then get to the airport?”

  “Taking this route, I’d say no more than another three hours.” He knew exactly what she was getting at, and let her get to her question in her own sweet time.

  Tracy checked her phone. “It’s only ten now.”

  “Uh huh.” He turned on the radio, setting the volume low.

  “Do you have other stops to make?” She fidgeted her phone in her lap. Damn, she was cute.

  “Nope.” He leaned back and drove with one hand on top of the wheel.

  “I was wondering, since we have extra time, and we’re going to the resort anyway...” She tipped her head to catch his eye.

  “I won’t tease you any longer.” He took her hand and laced their fingers together. “You’re all set for the full treatment at the resort. Facial, hair, mani-pedi, makeup.”

  She squeaked and did a little dance in her seat. “That is so nice of you.”

  He shrugged one shoulder. “I’m gettin’ the works, too.” He ruffled his hair. “I’m getting shaggy, and my pores...” He opened his eyes wide. “They’re just atrocious!” He used his best drama voice.

  Laughing, she touched his cheek. “You are a mess, rich bad boy.” Her hand dropped to hold his on the middle console.

  “We get to do it together?”

  “Some of it.” He rubbed his thumb on her palm. “I set up a couple’s massage to get us started.”

  “This is so exciting. Can I get some...um...other things done?” She grimaced. “Girl stuff?”