Love Hard (Anything But Mine Book 2)

by Barbara Justice

  Meg checked the time on her watch as she was paying the bill. “We have just enough time to get back to the hotel and change before heading over to the Garden. I can’t wait to introduce you to my family.”

  “Any further word from Trey?”

  Meg wrinkled her brows as she checked her text messages. “They’re still on the ground, but he said the weather is clearing.” She typed a quick reply. “If they leave now, they should just be able to make the show.”

  Fiona crossed her fingers. “I hope so.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  A few hours later, Sky greeted Fiona with a kiss on the cheek in the hotel lobby. “Damn. I’ve got to be the luckiest man alive. You look beautiful tonight, Mrs. B. Thanks for being here for me.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Thanks for inviting me, and for all the pampering today. Meg and I had a great time together.”

  “I’m glad. You two deserve it.” He gestured towards the waiting van outside. “Meg’s already in the car.”

  They made small talk on the trip from the hotel to Madison Square Garden. “I had to pinch myself during sound check this afternoon. This is a dream come true,” Sky said to Meg as he and Fiona walked through the deep recesses of the arena towards the backstage area where Jack, Becky, and assorted band members and guests were already assembled.

  When Sky’s younger sister, Olivia, arrived a few minutes later, he ran to her and pulled her into a tight hug. “When did my baby sister get so grown up?”

  “Ever since I’ve been working on Wall Street and studying for my M.B.A., I guess,” she said in a thick Texas accent. She smoothed her long blond hair, and added, “It’s about time you played here. I was beginning to wonder if you ever would.” She looked around, and asked, “So, where’s the girlfriend I’ve heard so much about?”

  He spied Meg speaking with Mac across the room. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.” He took Olivia by the hand and shouted out, “Meg, baby, come here.”

  Meg excused herself, and met Sky halfway. “You must be Olivia,” she said with a smile. “Sky’s told me so much about you.”

  “Yes, but please call me Livi. Sky’s told me a lot about you, too.” She reached out and hugged Meg. “My father’s a big fan of yours. I’m so happy my brother has finally found someone special,” she whispered into Meg’s ear.

  “And I’m happy I found him.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her father, aunt, uncle, and cousins enter the room. “My family just arrived. Would you excuse me for just a second?”

  “Of course. I’m going to say hi to Jack and his family. See you in a bit.”

  Meg ran to her family and embraced each of them. “It’s so good to see all of you! Thanks for coming tonight.”

  “We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Jennifer said.

  Drew added, “I can’t wait to see them play. I’m a big fan.”

  “I’ve never been backstage at a concert before. It’s a real thrill for me,” Victor chimed in. “It was nice of Sky to invite all of us.” He looked around, and said, “Where is he? I’d like to thank him, and put in a request for a Springsteen song. I heard the band usually does a medley of covers during their concerts.”

  “He’s over there, but he and Jack have to do a meet and greet session with some fans. They’ll be back in a little bit.” She looked up at a monitor mounted on the wall, and said, “The opening act is just starting, so there’ll be plenty of time before they go on. Let me introduce you to everyone.”

  As Meg introduced her family to the others gathered backstage, she counted the minutes until Trey’s plane was scheduled to land. She kept her cell phone in her hand at all times, and when she felt it buzz, she excused herself from the group and looked at the text message. Thank God they landed, she thought.

  The band returned from the meet and greet with fans. Sky made a beeline for Meg’s family, and greeted each of them with hugs, kisses and high fives. He looked around, and asked, “Where’s Meg?”

  Victor pointed to a corner of the room. “She’s over there.”

  Sky looked, and saw Meg standing in the corner, and staring at the screen of her cell phone. “I’ll be right back.” He jogged over to where she was standing and slipped his hands around her waist. “What’s going on? Why are you staring at your phone?”

  Meg jumped, and she dropped her phone. She reached down to pick it up, but Sky was quicker, and grabbed it first.

  He looked at the screen, and his jaw dropped. “Why are you texting with my father?”

  She blushed, and was unable to meet his eyes. “Umm…”

  “We’re going to have a talk, right now.” He pulled her into an alcove in the hallway. “What the hell, Meg? What’s going on?”

  “This is a big night for you, and I thought maybe you’d want him…”

  He cut her off. “Seriously? If he wanted to be here, then he’d be here. No matter how many number one songs, no matter how many awards I’ve won, he’s never shown the slightest interest in my career. What was his excuse for not showing up tonight?”

  The sound of a throat clearing interrupted them. “Bad weather in Dallas delayed our takeoff, son.”

  He gasped as he whipped around. His face turned crimson with embarrassment when he came face to face with his father. “Shit, Dad…I’m sorry I said that.”

  Trey stared at him for a beat. “No need to be sorry. You’d have a right to be angry if I didn’t show up.”

  “It’s just…I can’t believe you’re here.” He extended his hand, but Trey grabbed him and pulled him in for a hug.

  “Big night for you, son.”

  Sky grinned ear to ear. “It sure is. Thanks, Dad, for flying in.” He turned to his brothers, and gave them hugs as well. “Meg, baby, come here. These are my brothers, Cooper and Wyatt.”

  “Nice to meet you both,” she said, before turning to Trey. “Glad you made it up here safely. I was concerned.”

  “I know you were, Meg,” he said, as he gave her a hug. “And I’m glad you didn’t worry my son before the biggest show of his career. You’re taking care of him, as always.”

  Sky beamed. “She sure is.”

  “Meg, maybe you can take Cooper and Wyatt inside. I’d like to have a word with Sky for a minute.”

  “Sure.” She took an arm of each of the brothers, and whisked them inside.

  Trey waited to speak until they were out of earshot. “Son, you may not know I know this, but your mother told me many times that it was your dream to sell out Madison Square Garden. I’m here for her, as well as you. She’d be damn proud of you tonight. I know I am.”

  “Everybody, gather around,” Jack called out. “Come on, join us in a circle.” When the group backstage was quiet, he continued, “We’re so blessed to be in this venue, surrounded by all the people we love. We give thanks for our success, and for those we love and who love us. Lord, Jesus, we praise your name. Amen.”

  “Amen,” the group repeated.

  When Mac began to usher the family and friends to a reserved section of seats in front of the stage, Sky pulled Meg to the side. He backed her against the wall, placed his hands on either side of her face, and kissed her. “I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me, especially tonight. I love you more than you can ever imagine.”

  “I love you too, Sky.” She ran her hands over his freshly shaved cheeks, and her voice cracked with emotion. “Have a great show, and remember to take a second to soak it all in. I’m so proud of you.”

  Mac interrupted them. “Meg, you need to go to your seat now so you don’t miss anything. Let me take you.” He turned to Sky and said, “Break a leg, boss.”

  She followed Mac to the reserved section, and saw Fiona waving to her, indicating there was a seat between her and Victor. Meg squeezed past her family into the row, and hugged both her father and Fiona.

  The deep, reverberating sound of the bass guitar shook the arena as the curtain dropped, revealing the band members before Jack, t
hen Sky, ran onto the stage. The roar of the crowd was deafening. Meg stole a glance at Trey, who was on his feet and beaming with pride watching Sky dance around the stage while each of the 20,000 fans in attendance sang along to every song.

  “He’s on fire tonight,” Meg yelled into Fiona’s ear, and she nodded her head in agreement while swaying to the music.

  While she was looking in Fiona’s direction, she caught Trey looking Fiona up and down. Well, I’ll be damned. Trey is checking out Fiona.

  Halfway through their set, Jack and Sky strapped on their acoustic guitars and sat on stools that had been brought out to the stage. “We’re gonna slow it down a bit,” Sky said. “But before we do, we have to thank our fans for this ‘bucket list’ moment.” He turned towards Jack, and asked, “Who would have ever thought when we were just two high school buddies playing guitars in the basements of our parents’ houses that we’d ever sell out Madison Square Garden?”

  Jack grinned. “Well, I did.” The crowd erupted in laughter at his quip. “Seriously, so many people believed in us from the start, and they’re all here tonight.” He paused, and turned towards Sky, before adding, “Except one. And Sky, I know your mom is looking down from heaven, and is bursting with pride. She’s with us at every show, buddy.”

  “Yeah.” Sky’s voice cracked, and he was barely able to get the word out as tears streamed from his eyes. He turned away from the audience to compose himself, and took a deep sip from a plastic cup of water.

  Meg’s heart was in her throat as she watched Sky wipe the tears from his face. She felt hands on her shoulders, and turned around. Becky caught her attention, and pointed to her left. Meg looked in the direction Becky was pointing, and saw Trey dabbing at his eyes with a handkerchief. She tapped Fiona on the shoulder before changing places with her.

  “Trey,” Meg said, as she placed her arm around him. “You okay?”

  “Yeah,” he said. “I’ve just never been more proud of my boy.”

  She looked up at him. “Me too.”

  Sky took another deep sip from a cup on stage before returning to the microphone. “It’s time for me to dedicate a song to my guardian angel. Meg, baby, this one’s for you.”

  “And for my gorgeous wife Becky, too,” Jack added.

  Sky strummed his guitar, and his rich voice filled the enormous arena as he sang.

  The world stopped turning when I met you

  For just a moment I was lost in time

  I knew right then that I had to have you

  I knew right then I had to make you mine.

  While Sky sang “When I Met You”, Meg returned to her place between Fiona and Victor. As she swayed to the music, she felt her father put his arm around her.

  “He loves you so much,” he said.

  “I know. And I love him right back.”

  After the band finished the acoustic part of their set, Sky tossed his guitar to the side of the stage. He grabbed the microphone, and said, “We normally like to do a couple of covers during our show each night. And even though we’re not in Jersey, we’re close enough, so how about some Springsteen?”

  The crowd roared its approval, and Sky continued, “The Boss is the greatest American storyteller, and so there’s one more, somewhat unconventional, love song I want to do right now.” He turned to the band, gave a signal, and the opening chords of “Crush On You” came blaring through the speakers.

  The audience erupted into loud cheers and began to dance in the aisles. As they brought the song to a close, Sky pointed at Meg and shouted out, “Baby, I’ve got a crush on you.”

  The after-party back at the hotel was rocking. The band arranged for catering and a bartender, as well as a deejay. The hotel staff re-arranged the furniture in the party suite, creating enough space for a small dance floor.

  Sky watched with pride as Meg circulated through the party, checking on guests and making sure they were comfortable, and had enough to eat and drink. She’s taken on the role of hostess for us. He watched as she shared a laugh with Livi, before smiling when she noticed he was staring at her. He smiled back, and thought, and she’s really good at it.

  “Penny for your thoughts, son.”

  Sky turned towards Trey. “Just admiring Meg’s hostess skills. I’m proud of the way she’s stepped up this week. She takes care of everyone.”

  “I can see that. She’s damn good at it too.” Trey paused, before continuing, “She reminds me a little of your mother that way.”

  “Yeah,” Sky said, choking back the emotion in his voice. “Mom would have liked her.”

  “Yes, she would have.” They stood together sipping their whiskey for a few moments, before Trey added, “Your neighbor, Fiona, seems to be a good woman. I’m glad you have someone like her in your life, too. Even though I’ve met her before, tonight’s the first time I’ve had the chance to really get to know her. You’ve made quite a nice little family for yourself, son.”

  A deep sigh escaped Sky’s lips. “Yeah, Mrs. B is cool. She’s like the band’s ‘den mother’.”

  Trey chuckled. He raised his glass and gestured towards Fiona, who was talking with Becky and Jack. “She’s quite a woman. And a beautiful woman, at that.”

  Sky’s head whipped to the side and he glared at his father. “Wait. Hold on just a minute, dad. Are you telling me that…that…”

  “Use your words, son.” He patted Sky on the back before continuing, “What I’m telling you is that I find her interesting, and attractive in a bohemian sort of way.”

  “Dad…” He ran his hands through his hair and shook his head.

  “Do you have a problem with me being interested in another woman? It’s been over ten years since your mother passed.”

  Sky swallowed hard. “No…no, I don’t have a problem with you being interested in another woman. I just never thought that woman would be Mrs. B.”

  They watched as Fiona approached Meg and Livi. They shared a laugh, and Fiona wrapped her arms around the two younger women, pulling them in for a group hug. She kissed each of them on the cheek, before waving at Sky and Trey.

  Fiona walked towards them, and said, “I’m getting a little sleepy, and I think it’s time to turn in for the night.”

  “Good night, Mrs. B,” Sky said. “I’m glad you were able to be here tonight.”

  “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Thanks for having me, and for all the pampering today.”

  “Well, I’m going to head to bed as well,” Trey interjected. “Why don’t I walk you to your room?”

  “That would be nice, Trey. Thank you.” Fiona turned and said, “Good night, Sky.”

  “Good night, Mrs. B.”

  He shook his head as he watched his father and Fiona walk together towards the door. An arm looped around his waist, and he realized Meg had materialized at his side.

  “Your dad and Fiona left together.”

  “Yeah.”

  “How do you feel about that?”

  He sighed, drained his glass, and turned towards Meg. “I don’t know. I love them both, and want them to be happy, but never would’ve thought it would come to this.”

  Meg nestled her head against his shoulder. “He’s just walking her to her room. It’s all innocent.”

  Sky burst into laughter. “Listen to us – we sound as if we’re worried parents.”

  “Yeah.” Meg joined him in his laughter. She kissed him on his cheek, and said, “Let me help you put it all out of your mind.”

  “I don’t see how.”

  She nibbled on his ear, before whispering, “Hmm…how about a luau?”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  In the months since she had been found mentally incompetent to stand trial and was committed to a psychiatric hospital, Mallory thought of Sky every day. He was present in her dreams, and she told anyone who would listen that he was coming for her and that they were going to be married after their baby was born.

  When she wasn’t receiving counseling, she spent most
of her waking hours in the dayroom of the hospital watching television with the other patients. She preferred to watch entertainment or gossip shows, but in the mid-day hours the television was tuned to soap operas, which she found boring and hard to follow.

  As her pregnancy was coming to an end, she felt tired more often. She was dozing in the day room when she felt a tug on her arm. She yawned, and asked, “What?”

  The female guard answered, “Time to go.”

  “Go where?” Mallory rubbed her distended belly, and struggled to get up from the chair.

  The guard pulled her down the hallway. “Doctor’s appointment. Time for your check up.”

  Mallory’s eyes grew wide. “Is Sky coming this time? I know he’d want to be here to see how the baby is doing.” When the guard didn’t answer her, she repeated, “Is Sky coming? The baby is going to be here soon.”

  The guard ignored Mallory’s repeated questions, and loaded her into the psychiatric hospital’s van. “We’ll be there in a little while,” she said.

  “Where are we going?” When they pulled up outside a hospital, Mallory was confused. “Where are we?”

  “Your appointment is here today,” the guard replied, as she grabbed Mallory by the hand and led her inside the hospital and to the maternity ward. “Remove your clothes and change into a hospital gown. You should go to the bathroom before you lay down on the bed.”

  After finishing in the bathroom, Mallory’s eyes darted about when she found two nurses and an unfamiliar doctor in the room, as well as an extra guard. “What’s going on? Why are all these people here?”

  The doctor spoke. “Mallory, it’s time to have your baby. We’re going to induce you today.”

  She let out a blood-curdling scream. “No! I’m not in labor yet. It’s not time.” She felt the guards try to restrain her, and she flailed her arms. “Sky’s not here. He has to be here when the baby’s born.”