“Take a day before she leaves to really spend some time with her. I can tell from the few times she’s been back that you guys are fairly close. I’m sure in time, she’ll open up.”
“I hope so. I miss her.” Jameson kissed Melody’s cheek. “I bet you’re glad to have Chris nearby on a permanent basis.” Her brother had been back and forth so many times, staying at the house and visiting Melody. A few weeks ago, he’d made the decision to move to Harmony’s Echo, but had been insistent he wasn’t going to stay here. He’d wanted his own place and not to impose.
“Yes! I’m so excited. Now I just wish we knew when this trial was so we could get it over with.” Melody’s lashes fluttered. “Sometimes, I’m still afraid that maybe I’ll have to do time or something for running.”
“I know you do. I hear you talk in your sleep.” She’d toss and turn, cry out and there was nothing he could do but hold her. “I still think you’re in the clear, but I understand why you’re so afraid.”
“So just how tired are you?” Melody ran a hand through his hair, her eyes lighting up.
“That depends. What do you have in mind?”
“A little rooftop music? We haven’t done that in a long time.”
No, they sure hadn’t. With Mom being back from rehab and staying with them, Chris coming in and out visiting, and now Blaine being home, there wasn’t always time to keep up with what had become a regular thing for the two of them. For some reason, Jameson came up with the best song ideas up on the roof. Some things he didn’t grow out of.
He was exhausted, but he wasn’t about to turn down some late night music with the woman he loved. He leaned over to kiss her lips, then smiled. “You got it.”
“I’ll go grab the guitar.” Melody squealed, dashing away.
Jameson headed for the bathroom first. He noticed Blaine’s purse on the edge of the counter, a prescription pill bottle sitting next to it. He knew he should just let it be and not invade his sister’s privacy, but the pills had him curious. Blaine hated pills, she had for years.
He picked up the bottle with shaky hands to study the label. It was prescribed for her right after she’d left Harmony’s Echo in November. A pretty strong muscle relaxer. The bottle was almost empty. His mind played too many worst case scenarios.
“Jameson?” Melody’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. He whirled around and the bottle slipped from his hands. It fell to the floor, the pills spilling out as the cap fell off. “What’s that?”
“My sister’s muscle relaxers.” Jameson bent to pick up the pills, feeling very guilty for even picking them up and being caught. “Blaine hates pills.” He shoved them back in the bottle, made sure the lid was on tight, and put the bottle back right where he found it. “Something’s not right.”
“Oh baby, I’m sure there’s a good explanation,” Melody assured him. She leaned the guitar against the counter and reached for him, wrapping her arms around him again.
“She’s always tired. She rubs her back a lot. Maybe she is sick and Randy just won’t say, or he doesn’t know. Or maybe Hollywood changed her and she’s-”
Melody put a finger to his lips. “Jameson, don’t. You don’t know the truth and running different scenarios in your mind isn’t going to help. Either give her time to tell everyone what’s going on, or confront her, but don’t fill your head with things you don’t know. It’s not a good place to be.”
He buried his face in her neck, knowing she was right, but he couldn’t stop the thoughts in his head anyway. “I love you,” he whispered in the curve of her neck.
“I love you too. Come on. We don’t even have to go on the roof if you can’t concentrate any more. Let’s just get out of here. What do you say?”
“I say I owe you a rooftop concert and that’s just what we’re going to do.” He forced a smile. Tonight, he wasn’t about to let Melody down. They both needed and deserved this time together, and they would have it. As he picked up the guitar and turned off the bathroom light, he stared at Blaine’s closed door and wondered what his sister’s story was. He tried to erase the image of the pill bottle as he racked his mind with all the ways Blaine wasn’t herself lately.
Nothing good came to mind.
Chapter Ten
The past few days were a blur. While Baby Stetson prepared for their show, Blaine kept thinking about the night she went bowling with Randy. She’d been so needy, practically begging him to stay. She felt bad because she knew how he felt, and she couldn’t give him the answer he wanted. Not that he’d ever asked her, but knowing he had tried to tell her his feelings and she brushed it off, it was something she couldn’t keep out of her mind.
She sat at the table eating breakfast when her mother walked in, looking as if she hadn’t been here all night. Setting down her cup of coffee, she decided to be blunt. “Are you dating, Mom?”
Mom stopped in her tracks, shooting Blaine a deer-in-the-headlights look. Yep. Caught in the act.
“What gives you that idea?”
Blaine held up a hand and pointed at her fingers as she listed the reasons. “You were cozy with Chet the morning I was with Randy at Roadrunner Café. You leave a lot, come home late or not at all unless it’s in the morning. You do a lot of texting and smile at your phone a lot. Kinda sounds like dating to me.”
Mom sighed, pulled out a seat and sank into it. “Would it be bad if I was?”
The question caught Blaine off guard. On one hand, it was nice to see her happy. On the other … well, she couldn’t picture Mom with anyone but Dad. And that wasn’t fair because he was gone. “I don’t know how to answer that. Don’t get me wrong, your happiness is important-”
“But it’s weird, right? Not to mention my recent drinking stint. You’re worried that I’ll go back to my old ways.”
Blaine couldn’t tell if her mother was upset.
“I never said that!”
“You don’t have to. I’m sure you, your brother and everyone else in this little town is thinking it. I’m not going to relapse, Blaine. I learned my lesson.”
“Mom. This isn’t really about your past. I just asked if you were dating!” Blaine threw her hands up in the air. This was not the way she expected this to go.
After a long, uncomfortable stretch of silence, Mom leaned forward and placed her hands on the table. “I guess I’m on the defense. Yes, Chet and I are dating. To be honest, I met him at a meeting. He’s not my sponsor, but he’s been through this time and again. He’s been sober for three years.”
Blaine gasped, taking in the information. So, she wasn’t drinking again, but dating another former alcoholic? Was that even a good idea? “How long have you been dating?”
“Who’s dating?” Jameson’s voice interrupted the conversation. Blaine turned to see her brother standing behind them. The bathroom door closed which meant Melody was up, too.
Blaine didn’t fail to notice Jameson’s eyes were on her, not Mom.
“I am, son.”
“Someone she met at her meetings,” Blaine blurted. Okay, maybe she should have let Mom say that. Her big mouth struck once again.
“Do what?” Jameson made his way around the table to sit on the other side of their mom. He sounded concerned.
“Yes, Blaine’s right. Chet and I met over our meetings.” Mom was on the verge of tears. “I just want y’all to be happy for me. I like him. He’s a good friend and he treats me well. I feel like I’m really getting back on track. I hope you don’t think I’ve forgotten about your father, because I haven’t and never will. I spent thirty six years with him before he left us. I really want you to get to know Chet.”
No one said anything for a few minutes.
“If you’re happy, then I’m happy for you. I just don’t want to see you go down any wrong paths again,” Jameson said softly.
“I promise you, I won’t. I realized what I did, Jameson. I don’t want you to have to take care of me again. I won’t say that I’ll be perfect, but I’m taking everything a day
at a time.” Mom turned to Blaine, looking for her approval.
Blaine sighed. God, this was hard. “I don’t like it!” Good one, Blaine. Way to go!
“Blaine!” Jameson snapped.
Tears sprung in her mother’s eyes. “Don’t I get to be happy?” She began to cry and ran out of the room.
Blaine’s heart thudded against her chest. “Mom-” But her mother never turned around.
“You weren’t here. You didn’t see the things I saw,” Jameson said quietly, his voice full of anger. “Why can’t she be happy?”
“I never said I didn’t want her to be, Jameson! But come on! He’s a former alcoholic too!”
“We have to trust her at some point.” Jameson’s eyes darkened as he narrowed them.
Blaine palmed her face in her hands. This wasn’t how she meant for things to go. Not at all.
She looked up again at the sound of footsteps. Mom had come back to the room. She leaned against the table, watching Blaine like she had something to say. “He’s really a good man,” Mom finally said.
“Why don’t you bring him to the fair for our concert? We can spend some time getting to know him after we perform,” Jameson suggested.
“I’d like that.”
“Good. Then tomorrow, it’s new beginnings.” Jameson smiled. He met Blaine’s eyes, daring her to challenge him.
For once, she kept her big mouth shut.
“I’m going to get ready for work. I appreciate your support. One day soon, I hope to be on my feet and let you have your space here again, Jameson.” Mom didn’t even look Blaine in the eye.
“I don’t mind having you here.”
“This is your place now, son. I just need to figure out where I want to be.” Mom stood and kissed Jameson’s head before heading down the hallway. Melody walked in moments later.
“Morning.” She smiled.
Blaine waved, returning a smile. Her mother’s comment about getting on her own two feet was a swift kick in the butt reminder that she had her own life to settle. She had to find a job and a place to live. She couldn’t just keep hanging around the house when Jameson and Melody were starting their new lives together.
She quickly finished her coffee, jumped to her feet to wash the mug, then said a hasty “See you later” to her brother and Melody before running to her room. As Blaine passed by her phone, it dawned on her that she hadn’t heard much from Frederic the past few days. Maybe he finally gave up. She felt bad for his next victim … err, assistant.
Not her problem any more.
She was dressed and ready to start her day within ten minutes. She grabbed her purse, sunglasses and keys. As she headed out, she bumped into Jameson.
“Where are you off to?” he asked. His stare was accusatory.
“For a drive. I have a few errands to run.” Blaine shrugged, hoping he wouldn’t press too much. He still seemed pretty upset at her.
“Hey. You know I love you, right?” He reached out and put a hand on her shoulder.
She grinned. “What do you want? How much is it?”
“Ha ha.” Jameson shoved her playfully. “I mean it, big sister. I’m worried about you, and you don’t seem to want to let anyone in. And I know you’re upset about Mom dating…”
A shot of guilt stabbed her in the gut. Randy was right. Why did she feel the need to hide it all? Was she really that worried her entire family would turn against her for mistakes? Maybe they’d be upset a little over not being invited to the wedding, but after they found out how bad the marriage was, they’d get over it quick … wouldn’t they?
She put on a fake smile, then hugged Jameson. “I’m sorry. It’s been so long since I’ve had people actually care what I think or feel. I’m used to being on the go and not having to answer to anyone. I’m okay. I just want to take a trip down memory lane. Randy took me bowling the other night and I didn’t get as much time last year to see what’s still around. I want to do that today.” She also needed time to process her mother dating a former alcoholic.
“I wish I wasn’t working, otherwise I’d go with you,” Jameson said wistfully. “I really want to catch up and spend time with you before you take off again.”
No, it was a good thing he was working, considering she really was looking for a job and figuring out what’s next. “Go to work. We’ll do some reminiscing soon,” she promised.
“You’re really okay?”
“Of course I am. Don’t worry so much about me. Your big sister can handle herself.” She stuck her tongue out, then hugged him. “Love you, little brat. I’m sorry about getting so defensive and upset about Mom. I really do want her to be happy.”
“Good. I think she needs this.” Then Jameson rolled his eyes. “See you later, big pain in the butt.”
Her brother’s comment about not being here stung. He was right. She wasn’t here. She didn’t see the pain her mother went through. She’d been living her own hell, but it didn’t make it right. Blaine needed to sit down with her mom and have a good talk. Their relationship was still strained, and this morning’s reaction didn’t help the situation.
Today wasn’t going so well at all. Randy had forgotten about a piece he was supposed to write for the paper, even though he’d finished up the other columns he was writing. Whoever thought having his family run the newspaper and giving him a job there would be easy? Nope. No matter how many great things he did, if one thing was messed up, he never heard the end of it. Most of the time he got “What kind of example are you setting for your siblings?” Yada, yada, yada.
Sneaking away for his lunch hour, Randy sat outside on the steps of the office and watched the town square come to life. His thoughts went to Blaine. He wondered if Frederic called her again and if he said anything about Randy answering the other night. If he had, Randy figured he’d hear something by now. Knowing Blaine, she’d either be pissed, or she’d thank him relentlessly. It could go either way.
Speaking of Blaine. Randy rubbed his eyes. Was that her? Shades down, hair up, she walked briskly down the sidewalk across the street.
“Blaine!” he called out, shooting to his feet. He darted across the street. “Hey. What are you up to?”
She stopped and flashed a small smile. “It dawned on me I need to find a job, a place to stay, and all that jazz.” Blaine sighed. “Mom told us this morning she’s dating, and she told Jameson she’d get back on her feet soon so she wasn’t hanging around the house. I realize I need to do the same. I kinda lost it about her dating, and of course caused tension…”
“Did you tell them you’re home for good?” Had Jameson confronted her or left her alone?
“No. I never seem to find the right time.”
Stubborn, stubborn Blaine. “It’s easy. Just say ‘Hey, I’m home for good’.”
Blaine crossed her arms over her chest. “Then I’d have to tell them why. That’s the hard part.”
His heart went out to her. She was really taking this hard. He didn’t believe for a second her family would be upset after they heard everything, but he wasn’t the one feeling the way she did.
“Sorry. That was insensitive on my part,” he said softly, reaching for her hand.
“I wish it were that easy. I wish I could just get it over with. But when I try to even think about getting the words out, I just can’t. Jameson is worried about me. He senses something’s wrong, but he’s being good about not pushing me. I do feel bad though.”
“The night I stayed with you, he caught me leaving and asked about you.” Not to mention he’d asked about Randy’s feelings about Blaine.
“So he’s on to me.” Her voice resonated with defeat.
“Yeah, he knows there’s more that you’re not telling him.”
“I guess I’ll sit down and tell them. But after his show. I’ll wait and let Jameson and all of you have your good moments.”
“Blaine, you can’t hide behind us. You deserve good moments, too.” He squeezed her hand, wishing this stubborn woman wasn’t so much o
f one.
“I-” She seemed flabbergasted.
“The longer you wait, the harder it’s going to be.”
She let out another long sigh. “If I say you’re right, don’t let it go to your head.”
“Would I do a thing like that?” He raised a brow.
“Yes!” She laughed. “Okay, you do have a point. I know. I will. After the show.”
“Promise?” Waiting, even just a day, gave her time to back out.
“Promise,” she replied quietly.
“Good, then I won’t get upset over you calling me a gawky teenager the other night.”
She gasped and shoved him. “I told you not to listen to me!”
Randy chuckled, steadying himself from her sudden push. “I thought you meant I wasn’t to listen to any secrets.”
“Maybe me thinking you were gawky was a secret!”
“Can’t imagine why. It was the truth. I was a gawky nerd. In some ways, I still am.” He grinned. “So, how was the job hunt?”
“Terrible! No one seems to need help or have any openings.” With a sigh, Blaine ran a hand through her hair. “This isn’t going to be as easy as I thought. Starting over sucks.”
“Yes, I’m sure it does.” Randy wanted to wrap her in his arm and assure her everything would work out. “Why don’t you come sit with me for a while before I have to go back to work?”
Blaine’s gaze landed on the newspaper office. “Your parents still own the place?”
“Yep.” An idea struck his mind. “Want me to see if there’s an opening or two? I’m not sure what’s open, but it doesn’t hurt to check.”
“I’d appreciate it. The sooner I can land a job, the sooner I can find my own place, too. I have some money saved up. The one good thing was that Frederic and I never shared a bank account. He has a habit of being very frivolous. I have some saved up, but if I don’t find steady work within the next few months, that will dwindle down quick.”
“As soon as my lunch break is over, I’ll ask.”
They made their way across the street and settled on a small, round, stone picnic table next to the office. Blaine placed her purse beside her.
What to Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection (WTRAFSOG Book 9) Page 71