Beth got up early because she’d offered to drive Cali to work while her car was in the shop. She checked her phone. No messages. As she drove to her friend’s she wondered what she should do. She wanted to be a responsible parent, and bringing someone with a violent temperament into the home was not good for Cassie. But Cassie would be gone to college in just a few months. She knew that it was foolish to go into a relationship thinking that you could change someone, but Chad had never really had the opportunity to change, no one to care enough about him to help him through it. She was sure that with a good therapist he could gain control over his temper. At least she needed to give him a chance. She was subdued on the drive to school.
As Beth began her day’s work, the school secretary walked in. She and her friends greeted the older lady warmly. “Good morning, Barb.”
“Good morning, ladies. I’ve got your lunch count here.” She addressed Beth, “Oh, and I just have to tell you that your young man was so sweet when he stopped in the other day to get Cali’s address. Were you able to spend your day off with him?”
“Huh? No,” she said slowly. “No, he had to get back.”
“Oh, that’s a shame. Well, you all have a good day.”
“You, too, Barb,” the rest of the lunch ladies chorused.
Chad had been there…and he must have been at Cali’s, too. That was who was at the door. He must have caught the very next flight out of New Jersey to talk to her. Cali entered from the back room, tying her apron strings behind her.
“Why didn’t you tell me he was here?” Beth blurted out, her voice like the edge of a blade. The chitchat, which was the usual trademark of the kitchen, was noticeably lacking; all eyes were on Beth and Cali.
“Beth, he’s no good for you.”
“That is my decision to make!”
“You were in no shape—”
“Cali!” Just when it seemed like she was going to explode, Beth sighed. “I know you were doing what you thought was best for me”—the fire returned to her voice with her final words—“but don’t ever lie to me again!”
“I’m sorry, Beth,” she answered contritely. “I made a mistake.”
“All right, then,” Beth relented, but internally she worried about whether it was too late to fix the mistake.
***
After work, Beth drove Cali home. She parked in the driveway, but left the engine running. “I need a favor.”
“Anything,” Cali offered, grateful for an opportunity to make up for lying to her. She took Beth’s hands. “You know your friendship means everything to me. No one has ever been there for me like you have.”
“I know, Cali.”
“What can I do?”
“Cassie gets home from her retreat tonight. Can you stay with her?”
“You’re going to see him.”
“We have to talk.”
Cali nodded. “I’ll stay with Cas as long as you need me to.”
“Thanks,” Beth said, giving her a quick hug.
Cali watched her drive away with deep regret. She’s just going to get her heart broken. She shook her head and turned away from the window. She packed an overnight bag so she’d be ready when Cassie got off the bus.
***
Beth had poor timing as Pete was just coming out for a smoke as her cab drove away.
“Beth, what are you doing here?” he stammered, clearly disappointed.
“I think you know.”
“Believe me, you don’t want to go in there. He’s in worse shape than I’ve ever seen him before.”
“Pete,” she began, contemplating her words as she spoke, “I am very grateful for all you’ve done for me, and for Chad. But if you don’t get out of my way, I’m gonna start calling out his name.”
Pete was surprised by the amount of determination he heard in her voice. Realizing he’d done all he could, he stepped aside. But as Beth started to walk through the door, he put a hand on her arm. “Good luck,” he murmured with sincerity. “If you need me, I’ll be right outside this door, you got it?”
She put her hand on top of his, and gave it a squeeze. “Thank you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
It was immediately evident Chad had been on one hell of a drinking binge. Bottles lined the counters and tabletops, and spilled out onto the floor from overflowing trash cans.
Beth surveyed the damage. “Good Lord!”
Then, her eyes fell upon Chad. When she came in, he was sitting on one of the couches with his head leaning back against the top of the cushion.
But as soon as he heard her voice, Chad’s eyes flew open. A spark of hope flitted through them and his face lightened for a second. He almost stood, but seemed to change his mind halfway up and sat back again. He tore his eyes from her and stared at his hands as he folded them on top of the table. “What are you doing here?” he asked coldly.
Startled by his tone, Beth hesitated. The words she was about to speak flew out of her mind as if spirited away on a sudden gust of wind. “I-I came—”
“You came to make things up with me, huh?” Chad queried, his voice laced with sarcasm. “Well, it’s too damned late.” He knew he had to make the words hurt to drive her away for good.
She stumbled forward a step, fighting to remain calm. “You don’t mean that.”
Grabbing on to the words Cali gave him, Chad threw out the lie, trying to make it sound as real as possible. “The hell I don’t. Beth, don’t you understand? You were nothing but a good lay to me from the start.” He inwardly cringed at the sight of the pain he caused on her face, but he kept going, knowing it was the right thing to do, even if it was killing him. His mind spun, finding the words he needed. “But this whole relationship is just more trouble than it’s worth. I could have any girl out there.” He waved his hand at the window, but suddenly he remembered the conversation they had in his bedroom that night in Kansas City, and he faltered.
Beth also seemed to remember the conversation as she sprung on his line. “But you chose me.”
Chad strove to regain his footing. “That was a mistake.” He took another swig from his bottle to numb the darts of pain stabbing through him.
She sobbed, looking away from him, toward the ceiling, unable to continue staring into his emotionless eyes. “Why are you doing this? Why are you saying these things to me?”
Chad stared down at his hands again, trying to hide how difficult this was for him. Without warning, Beth sat down across from him and laid her hands on his. The sight of her little hands covering his massive ones, along with the warmth and familiarity of her touch, was almost too much for him. He jumped up and swept his arm across the table, clearing all of the bottles onto the floor with a crash. “GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!” he roared. “I’M FINISHED WITH YOU!” He turned around so she couldn’t see the tears in his eyes or the way her touch affected him.
Outside the bus, Pete sprinted up the stairs. He had his hand on the doorknob when he heard Beth scream, “I’M NOT GOING ANYWHERE!” He waited to see what would happen next.
“Turn around and look at me, Chad. If you’re going to throw me out of here, you’re going to do it looking into my eyes.”
Chad drew in a shaky breath and tried to steel himself. He turned around, trying to muster as much antipathy as he could. “Beth, leave,” he ordered, but the vehemence was gone. “Just—” His voice cracked and his eyes darted away for an instant. “Just get out of here.”
“DAMMIT, CHAD! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO US?” she screamed, her voice nearing hysterics.
He didn’t answer her. Her tenacity had him stymied. Why wouldn’t she just leave?
She studied his face. “You’re lying to me. You don’t want me to leave.”
His eyes flashed. “Yes, I do.”
“Why?” she continued, her voice level now. “Tell me why, Chad. Tell me to my face.”
“I just told you,” he hissed, flabbergasted. “I don’t want you around anymore. It was fun, but now it’s over. It was noth
ing more than a roll in the hay. I’ll have another woman in my bed before the concert is over tonight. Someone who will just do me and leave. That’s what I want.”
Her gaze was unflinching. “But I want you.”
“Well, then you’re an idiot!” he yelled, exasperated.
“I never tried to hide that from you,” she countered.
A smile played on the edge of Chad’s lips for a moment, and he almost caved in. Turning from her, he yelled, “Don’t you get it? You mean nothing to me.”
“Then why did you come to Bloomington? Cali didn’t tell me, but I found out. If I mean nothing to you, then why did you come to see me?”
He tried to come up with an answer, but she had worn him down. “Dammit, Beth! Why won’t you leave?” He slumped into a seat and placed his head in his hands, muttering, “I’m not worth it.”
“You’re not worth it? What we had together is not worth fighting for? You’re not worth fighting for?” She took a breath. “I’m not into disposable relationships, Chad. I learned from losing Paul that life is too short. I know other people disappointed you, hurt you, but I’m not going anywhere.”
“But Beth, look at all the pain I’ve put you through. Can’t you see? I’m no good for you.”
“I know your father said horrible things to you, Chad,” she breathed, “but he was wrong. You are a good man. You have some problems, sure. But we all do.” Beth crouched down next to him. “You brought joy back into my life. Please don’t take it from me.” She placed her hand on his back and it was his undoing. He turned to face her. Beth gazed into his eyes. “I know you think you are doing what’s best for me, everybody thinks they’re doing what’s best for me, but you are what’s best for me. I love you, please don’t push me away.”
Unable to bear it any longer, he reached out and pulled her to him. The embrace awkward while seated, Chad rose, taking her with him. Having her in his arms again felt so right, the rocker felt his whole body relax as he exhaled out the anguish over the thought of losing her. “I’m sorry, Beth. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean any of those things.” He pulled away to scrutinize her, to make her understand.
“I know.”
Chad held her again. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
“I don’t either,” Pete muttered with a grin from outside the trailer. He shook his head as he ambled away, pleased with the way things turned out.
***
There was a knock on the door. “Chad. I don’t want to bother you guys, but it’s almost show time.”
He and Beth stirred. They fell asleep in each other’s arms, both exhausted by all the drama.
“All right. I’m up. Be right out.”
David was waiting outside with a grin on his face. “Good to see you, Beth.”
Her face relaxed into a smile. “Same here, David.”
When they walked into the building it almost throbbed with the excitement of the fans waiting above. Chad nodded at Roger, whom he had not spoken to since their fight. Roger looked as if he wanted say something, but Stan came up to rush them on stage. At the beginning of the first set, things were a little tense on stage, but by the time they neared the end of it, the music that drew them together in the first place seemed to heal whatever was damaged between Roger and Chad.
They came off stage for a quick break before they started the next set, while Keith entertained the audience with a little drum solo.
“Are you ready, Beth?” Stan asked.
“Huh?” she asked confused.
“For your song?”
“Oooh, Stan. I don’t think it is such a good idea after what happened.”
“Nonsense. These guys are professionals. They’re not gonna let a little tiff get in the way of entertaining all those good people out there, are ya fellas?”
Chad and Roger looked at each other.
After a pause, Chad spoke for them both. “No, it’s okay.”
“All right. Now get back out there and play some rock and roll.”
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” Beth murmured, but no one was listening.
Roger started off the song. At first he was a little tentative, but soon the music and the crowd’s reaction had him feeling good. He smiled at Beth, and gave her a wink at the end of his lines.
Beth thought, Maybe I was wrong. Maybe this will be okay, and belted out her part. Chad joined in and soon it felt like old times. Roger got up and started strutting toward Beth, as was scripted. Chad did the same. But somewhere along the line, whether it was a look or just seeing him close to Beth so soon after what he tried, Chad’s angry lover act was no longer an act. Roger, seeing the fire in Chad’s eyes, reacted the same way. By the end of the song, when it was supposed to end with Beth holding them apart, Beth was really holding them apart as they glared at one another. When the lights went down, Beth spoke to them both, “Boys! You have a concert to finish!”
Chad lowered his chin a fraction, and then turned to stride back over to his mike stand. Roger followed suit. The audience cheered, thinking it was all part of the act. Beth exited and watched the rest of the concert from the footlights. Only those who knew them best could tell there was still some tension between them. After the second encore, Chad strode off stage and threw his arm over Beth’s shoulder, intending to head directly to the bus to cool down.
“Chad! Beth! Wait!” Roger called after them.
Chad halted abruptly, gritting his teeth, and turned around.
He looked so angry, Roger almost backed away. “I’m sorry, man. I am. You, too, Beth. I was way, way out of line. For hitting you, Chad…for hitting on you, Beth...”
The way Roger phrased it made Beth laugh. Chad gaped at her for a second as if she was crazy, but then he started laughing, too. Roger looked from one to the other with a lopsided grin and a sigh of relief. Pretty soon the friends were strolling arm in arm, like the Mod Squad, out to the buses, the fight in the distant past.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“What do you mean, a ‘special’ date?” Beth inquired over the phone.
“Just get yourself dressed to the nines. We’re going out tonight.”
It had been over a month since New York, and Chad had made some real progress with the therapist. Plus, appointments with her meant time together since she was located in Bloomington. “Umm! What did I do to deserve this? I want to know so I can do it again.”
“You were just being you.”
“Oh, is that all. Okay, Mr. Mystery Man, what time should I be ready?”
“Seven.”
“All right. Seven it is. I’ll be ready.”
***
Chad rang the doorbell, nerves making him tug at his shirt sleeves to straighten his shirt. Everything had to go just right tonight. Beth opened the door and light fell on the porch. “Damn!”
She laughed. “My, you do have a way with words.”
“Let me see this!” He whistled, stepping in and circling around her so he could get the full effect. Beth had on a longer emerald dress, with four straps crisscrossing her upper back before plunging downward and long slits gliding up her legs. Again, her hair was swept up, making her neck seem so much more inviting. He returned to face her, admiring her from the front. He laughed. “I’m sorry, it’s just…damn!” He shook his head.
“Oh stop,” she mumbled, her face flushing as she hit him with her handbag.
“I love the way you blush.” Chad touched her hot face and gave her a kiss.
When he pulled away, she blurted out, bubbling over, “I’m so excited. So where are we going?”
“Ah-ah-ah. Not yet. You need to wear this.” He pulled a silky, black scarf from his suit pocket.
“Ooooh. What kind of kinky thing am I in for?”
“You little vixen!” Chad gave her a sharp swap on the derrière. He positioned himself behind his date again and brought the scarf over Beth’s head to tie it behind her as a blindfold.
“What are you up to?” she asked coquettishl
y.
Chad leaned into that tantalizing neck, annunciating each word in her ear with a seductive whisper, “Try not to anticipate.” Then, unable to resist, he kissed her there.
She squirmed with delight. “Oooh. That’s so much better when I can’t see you.”
“Uhhh…is that supposed to be a compliment? ‘Cause, it doesn’t sound like one.”
“Oh, silly. You know what I mean.” She tried to reach for him. “I can’t find you to kiss you,” she whined in frustration.
“That’s part of the fun,” he teased, his voice now coming from in front of her. “Okay,” he continued, leading the way, “you need to take a step down onto the porch. Where’s your key?”
“In my bag.”
He took her handbag and locked the door. As he moved her toward the steps, another arm supported her on the right. “Wow, Beth! You look fantastic.”
“Thank you, Pete. So he roped you into this, too?”
“No rope needed. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Chad shot his usually tightlipped bodyguard a warning look, which Beth, of course, could not see. After the two men got her safely in the limousine and closed the door, Pete commented, “If you don’t propose to her, I will.”
“Just you try it, old man,” he returned with a grin.
Pete chuckled as he strolled around to the other side of the car with Chad to get in. Beth was running her hands over the leather upholstery with a huge smile on her face. “Is this a limo?”
“No. It’s a ’57 Chevy,” he replied sarcastically.
TRAPPED UNDER ICE (ROCKING ROMANCE COLLECTION) Page 22