What to Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection (WTRAFSOG Book 9)

by Kristine Cayne

  The scowl on her face softened a little. Just a little. But in the blink of an eye, it was gone again, replaced by that same upset, angry scowl. She shook her head. “I need a little time.”

  “I’ll give you anything you need. Just know I’m not giving up on you.” Randy leaned over and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You’re my heart and soul, Blaine. I won’t stop showing you. Go ahead and put your wall up if you have to. I’m not going to quit easily.” With that, he walked away, trying to figure out just what to do next. He wanted to yell and hit a wall or something. Before leaving the room, he turned to her one more time. “You’ll see that no matter how mad we may be, I won’t quit.”

  The door closed with a loud bang behind him and he wondered if the two of them were going to be okay again. He bumped into Jameson. “Whoa, sorry man.”

  “Hey. I’ll try to talk to her later,” Jameson mumbled.

  “She’ll come around or she won’t. I’ve done all I can right now, but she has to come to terms. I guess I’ll see you Wednesday for the show, unless Blaine decides to talk to me before then. I’m sorry about all this.”

  “You didn’t do anything wrong.” Jameson glared behind him, where Marsha had been sitting before.

  “Yeah, about her. I don’t even…” Randy curled his fist. “I’d better go.” He slipped past his friend and made his way to the door, his heart sinking the entire time.

  “Randy?”

  He turned to look at Jameson.

  “She’ll come around.”

  With a curt nod, Randy left. Nice of Jameson to think so. Randy could only hope.

  Chapter Thirty

  The past few days crawled by at a turtle’s pace. Randy avoided any contact with Marsha because he couldn’t even look at her without getting pissed. She kept calling though with apologies. Right now, he didn’t want to hear it.

  The band had one practice before tonight’s concert and Blaine never came in. He’d kept hoping and hoping, but nothing. That night had been tense, because everyone knew what had happened. He just hoped the concert would go better. According to Jameson, Blaine would be here.

  “Randy? You okay?” Avery asked, snapping her fingers in front of him. They’d gathered in the back at Catered Whims, going through their set once more before show time.

  “Huh?” So he’d gone off in his own world again. Oops. Time to get his head back in the game. He had to focus somehow. “Sorry, Baby Stetson. I promise I’ll get with it.”

  Her eyes held sympathy as she hugged him. “It’ll get better. She’ll come around.”

  “I sure hope so. It’s not even just Blaine. My parents are going to be here, or so they say. I’m a bit of a wreck tonight,” he admitted.

  “You know what, we’ll let you slide. You’re always so together. You can have an off night. Just play the best you can. We’re here for you. I hope your mom and dad see what we all know- how talented and great you are up there. Music helped us all open up, but I think it really helped you shine. I couldn’t ask for a better keyboard player and friend.”

  He felt a little embarrassed at the attention. “Thanks. Baby Stetson wouldn’t be what we are today without a great fearless leader. When you admitted you wanted more out of music than just local playing, it helped me, too. I hid behind your hiding. Does that make sense?”

  Avery nodded. She peered at him from beneath the brim of her Stetson hat. “I get it perfectly. What do you say we get out on stage and put on one hell of a show?”

  “I say that’s exactly what we all need.” Randy put on his ready-to-play face and put his doubts and worries on the back burner.

  “Do we have a band ready for their performance?” Dylan, one of the night bartenders asked. He stood in the doorway with a twinkle in his eyes.

  There were cheers and choruses of yes all around.

  It was time.

  They filed out of the room and headed for the stage. The lights were low and the crowd was pumped up. As Randy sat on the bench, he stared out in the audience. Too bad he couldn’t really see that well with the lights blinking on and off, gearing the crowd for the start of the show. He wondered where his parents were. Matt was supposed to be here too. Most of all, he wondered about Blaine.

  He shook it off.

  Don’t lose your concentration.

  “Catered Whims welcomes back local sensation, Baby Stetson! Give it up!” Mr. Shank announced.

  “Welcome to Wednesday night!” The spotlight lit up on Avery as she darted across the stage. “Who’s ready to make some noise?”

  Blaine watched the show with Lucas, Mom and Chet. She wasn’t sure where Randy’s parents were. Matt had come by to say hi to her earlier, but she hadn’t seen him since. Probably with the rest of his family. That was fine with her because she wasn’t ready to face any of them, especially Marsha.

  “Small towns have highs and lows, but I love our community,” Avery said into the microphone. She stood next to Jameson. “I’ve grown up with some of my best friends. Despite constant change, we all remain happy and close. Sometimes it’s hard because everyone knows everyone else’s business, but there’s nothing better than finding love in a small town.” Jameson began the guitar intro to Love In A Small Town.

  Blaine darted a glance at Mom and Chet. They stood close to each other, arms linked. Chet turned, noticing her watching them. He leaned close to talk in her ear. “Baby Stetson is one hell of a band! I love them!”

  She smiled in return. “They’re going to go far!”

  Hopefully the music producer tonight thought so too. Even if not, she was sure there’d be other opportunities, but the band could definitely use a break.

  “Hey, I’m going to grab a soda, anyone want anything?” Blaine asked Chet and Mom. Both shook their heads no. “How about you, Lucas?” He was on the other side of her.

  He handed her a $5. “Pepsi for me, thanks.”

  Blaine walked through the crowd, avoiding people dancing. It was packed in here for sure! The band finished Love In A Small Town as Blaine waited in line for drinks. She heard Avery talking, introducing each member of the band.

  “Still pissed at me?” Marsha asked from beside her. Blaine gasped, not even realizing she’d come up.

  “Damn right,” Blaine snapped, then regretted it. Tonight wasn’t the time for drama.

  “Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?”

  She held back an eye roll. “This is so much more than making it up to me, Marsha. So much! Learn your lesson. And honestly, leave me alone right now because I can’t even look you in the eye without wanting to give you a piece of my mind. What you did was selfish and immature. This was my life you decided to exploit. I know you’re Randy’s sister and all, but I just … No. Please stay away from me.”

  With tears in her eyes, Marsha spun on her heel, disappearing in the crowd. Blaine almost felt bad for her.

  The line moved up, and she ordered two Pepsis. She handed over the money, picked up the glasses and was ready to head back to her spot when a tall, leery man who reeked of booze ambled up to her. “Excuse me.” She yelled over the music, trying to get past him.

  “Dance with me!” The guy slurred. He grabbed her arm roughly, causing her to spill Luke’s drink all over herself.

  “No, I don’t think so.” She tried to pull her arm away from him, but the guy had one hell of a grip. Bile rose in her throat and the overwhelming stench of his breath made her almost sick.

  “Come on. I’ve seen your videos. I know you’re all for this kinda thing. You don’t need your keyboard player. Let me show you what a real man is like.” He pulled her against him, crushing her with his arms. The glasses fell from her hands and crashed to the floor.

  “I said let go! I’m not into anything like that, let alone with a drunk like you!” she shouted. Panic settled in.

  He held on tighter and pressed his stubbly face against hers. He kissed her, opening his mouth too wide. His grip on her hand was so tight she thought he’d break it, and
his other held her captive against him. She couldn’t move. Shuffling her feet to attempt to kick him, the man grasped her arm and twisted.

  “Don’t be such a tease,” he muttered, going for her lips again. He loosened his grip on her arm.

  Blaine struggled to get away. She didn’t realize the music stopped until the crowd was in an uproar. Then a pair of hands yanked the guy away from her and Blaine stumbled backwards. She slipped and fell. Her hand was beneath her, landing on the glass she’d just dropped. Sharp pain exploded in her wrist as she shrieked.

  Chaos erupted around her and she couldn’t focus. Another set of arms helped her to her feet. “Let go!” Blaine had no idea who held onto her. It was too much.

  “It’s me! It’s Randy. I’ve got you,” he said loudly in her ear, holding on tight. “He’s not going to hurt you.”

  “Randy?” Wait, he shouldn’t be holding her right now! “Aren’t you supposed to be on stage?”

  “Fight!” Someone screamed.

  “Blaine, let’s move. Come on. There’s going to be a stampede of people.” Randy helped her maneuver through the streams of people.

  “Where we going?” She felt like falling.

  “The back room where we usually stay before the show.”

  “Who’s fighting? What happened to that guy?” Her mind raced. Where was the rest of the band? “Randy, get back on that stage! You’ve got a producer here tonight!”

  “I’m not leaving you! Besides, I’m not the only one who bolted off the stage. Jameson and Marty saw what was going on before I did.”

  The fighting … the other pair of hands. “Oh God. Is Jameson-?”

  “I’m not sure, baby.” Randy held her close.

  “No, I have to get out there! Damn it Randy, let me find my brother!”

  Avery and Melody appeared in the doorway, both disheveled and upset. Sean followed.

  “Where’s my brother?” Blaine yelled. She struggled against Randy until her body went weak.

  “Blaine, I’m right here.” Jameson burst through the door. When she saw his face, she gasped.

  “Did he hit you?” she shrieked. Randy let go of her and she darted toward Jameson, staring in disbelief at the forming bruise under his eye.

  “Yep. Jackass has one helluva swing,” Jameson grunted. “Did he hurt you?”

  “No. Someone got to him before anything more happened.”

  “Blaine, you’re bleeding.” Melody pointed at her hand.

  Oh yeah, that.

  “I dropped the glasses when he grabbed me. When I fell after someone grabbed him, I landed on the glass.” She stared down at the blood dripping from her wrist.

  “I hope you don’t need stitches.” Avery bit her lip. “I’m grabbing a first aid kit.”

  Mr. Shank entered the room then. “Is everyone okay?”

  “Blaine’s bleeding. Jameson’s got a bruise. Where’s Lucas?” Randy asked.

  Everything faded to a blur around her. Blaine could hear voices and knew who was who, but all of a sudden it felt like she was out of focus. Her wrist hurt. Someone took her hand and she screamed.

  “It’s just me!” Randy assured her. “I want to see if you need stitches.” He gently cleaned her hand and then inspected it once the blood flow stopped. “Honey, you’re shaking. Let’s sit down before you fall. Come on.” He held her as he led her to a chair.

  “Blaine? Jameson?” Mom’s voice pulled Blaine back to reality.

  “Did you all come in here to check on me? The concert – everyone get back out there!” Blaine insisted. Why did she feel so hysterical all of a sudden?

  Everyone stared at her as if she were crazy.

  “Everybody okay back here?” Lucas burst through the doors next.

  “Luke!” Avery threw herself in his arms.

  Lucas kissed his wife. “I’m okay. He didn’t hit me.”

  If anyone else walked into the room, Blaine was going to lose it. What was going to happen with the concert and the music producer?

  “He left.” The bartender, Dylan frowned, his voice full of regret and defeat. He and Mr. Shank exchanged a look.

  “Who left? The jerk that had tried to throw himself on me, or the music producer?”

  No one would answer her.

  “I’m so sorry, man,” Matt said once again to Randy. “I thought tonight was going to rock for you all.”

  So did he. Everyone had come to see a good show and to support Baby Stetson when a music producer had an interest in them, and some jerk off drunk had to put the moves on Blaine to the point it made everyone uncomfortable. He wasn’t thinking when he ran off that stage. All he knew was that he had to get to her. Jameson and Marty had done the same thing. The only one with a bruise was Jameson, but he’d never taken a swing back at the guy. He never had a chance. The guy was thrown out by security and the last Randy heard, picked up by the cops. He wanted to go find him and kick his ass for messing with Blaine. Damn stupid videos and the ideas drunks got.

  “This is the kind of life you want?” Mom asked, her voice full of disdain.

  “This life isn’t the norm.” Randy was too tired to deal with even more now, but here it was anyway. What he wanted was to find Blaine and find out the fate of her wrist.

  “Really? This is a small town bar and there was already chaos.” Mom narrowed her eyes.

  “Yeah, because of a drunk!”

  “And you left in the middle of your performance to intervene!”

  Damn right he did. When the woman he loved was in trouble, he’d stop anything to get to her. Randy heaved a sigh. He was never going to get through to his parents. “I’m not going to go down this road tonight. Music is something I love. Yes there’s highs and lows, but it’s what I want. If you can’t support or accept it, I’m sorry. I’ve lived long enough trying to please you guys and it’s just not working. If it weren’t for Marsha and her jealous ways, maybe some of this could have been avoided. Thank you for coming tonight. If you don’t mind, I think I’m going to go check on Blaine to make sure she doesn’t need stitches.” Without another word, Randy strode away. They were never going to get it. What a night for them to come, but he had a feeling they’d never change their opinion even if tonight hadn’t happened.

  “Hey. Randy.” Matt stopped him. “Just so you know, I support you. Go for your dreams, man. And get the girl, too. Call me later and let me know? I’d better go get Andrew.”

  “Means a lot, Matt. Thank you. I’m going to do both. No holding back any more. Have a good night. Give Andrew a high five for me.”

  In the quiet of the back room, all of the band was still there along with Lucas, Mrs. Grant and Chet. Marsha was nowhere to be found, and that was fine and dandy with him.

  “I am so sorry you guys,” he caught Blaine saying.

  “Stop apologizing Blaine!” Jameson raised his voice. “You didn’t do anything wrong. That drunk jerk was the one who decided it was okay to kiss you and try to do things you didn’t want. If the music producer walked out because of drama, it’s that man’s fault, not yours. Got it?”

  She held up her wrapped hand. “Okay.” Her voice came out shaky.

  “Another opportunity will come along.” Avery sat beside Blaine, trying to comfort her.

  “Yeah, but you guys deserve this so much.”

  “And we’ll keep working at it,” Melody said from the other side. Randy wished one of them would move so he could sit with Blaine. “I bet you this happens at least once to all the successful country singers. We’ll hear stories, I’m sure. It’s something to laugh at later.”

  Blaine giggled through her tears. “You guys are so full of shit.”

  “That might be, but we speak the truth. I guess we should pack up, call it a night, and go from here,” Avery said. “Mama’s waiting to hear word and she’s got Emily. Don’t beat yourself up, Blaine. You didn’t cause this. And if I hear another word, you’re going into a song that won’t be as pretty as the one I wrote for you.” She hugged Blaine.
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  “I dare you,” Blaine quipped.

  Avery laughed, standing. “You wait.”

  It was surreal with everyone saying good bye. Tonight was supposed to be a night of dreams. Randy waited until most everyone left before he made his move to sit with Blaine. Her baby blues met his. He wiped her tears away with his thumb.

  “I think my tears could put a decent dent in a drought,” she blurted, raising her good hand to grasp his.

  “We could go swimming in a pool of them,” Randy teased, loving it when she laughed.

  Blaine socked him. “That’s so wrong!”

  “Yeah, but it made you laugh. With everything going on, your laugh is music to my ears.”

  She sniffed. “We need to sort this out, don’t we?”

  “I’d say so. I love you, Blaine. I want to be with you. Hell, I want to be with you forever, but I won’t jump that far ahead considering we have a lot to sort out. I don’t care what my family thinks about us, nor do I care what they think about my music. I want to live my dreams. One of those is you.”

  Her eyelashes lowered, glinting with tears. “I want to be with you too. I need to learn to lower my guard. Are you still mad at me?”

  “I was never mad. I was more hurt that you didn’t trust me. Just know you don’t have to ever put it up around me.” He brushed her hair back from her face.

  “Can we talk about this tomorrow? I’m so ready to sleep. It’s been a hell of a day and I’m ready for it to end.”

  “Absolutely. Go home and get your rest. And like everyone else said, don’t blame yourself. We’ll get where we want to be.” They both stood. Randy wrapped her up in his arms. This time, she hugged him back. She raised her head, cupped his face in her hands and kissed him.