Let's Stick Together

by Chandra Crawford

  “It’s like that all the time?” He knew Scott was uber famous, but that was some wild shit he’d just witnessed. After all, it was his brother, not the second coming of Kurt Cobain.

  “Yeah.” Scott shrugged, the huge grin gone. “You get used to it. Fans are why you have a career in the first place. Always be nice to them.”

  “Hey, you’re the superstar. I’m just the drummer. And a temporary one at that.”

  Scott waved away his words like they were so much nonsense.

  “You’re in The Bladesmiths. And my brother,” he explained. “You’ll probably get as much attention as I do. You handled that well. Good strategy, the silence. Build the mystery. Let them wonder about you.”

  Hah. Wade was sure he’d just bought his own ticket to the Rock Group Funny Farm. Fine. If having nothing to say was what worked for him, he had no problem making it a habit.

  2018

  Wade reached in the refrigerator and snagged one of his father’s weird imported beers. Thirty-three years old and he was still doing that. He’d figured out years ago that his Dad bought extras to share, but he liked to fuss about the “thefts” of his favorite beer. Tonight, his parents were just happy to see him and Scott. After four years, most of it spent on the road with The Bladesmiths, he was glad to be home for more than a couple of days. For the moment, they had a few months free, with the upcoming concert on Beale Street being the only exception. Scott said he was planning use the time to write some new music, and Wade was anxious to get back home to privacy, his classic car, and Boost Turtle.

  BJ and Chad had been wonderful while he was off playing rock star. They’d kept the shop running smoothly, and their excellent work brought in so many new customers they were taking jobs by appointment only. The fact that The Bladesmiths’ drummer owned the business and did custom work himself hadn’t hurt their reputation any, either. Several other celebrities sent him messages saying how pleased they were with the work his shop had done. The guys had more than earned all the raises they’d been given. Recently, he’d let them buy into the business as well. Whenever he was ready for his own “Boca” to retire to, they could step in and have it all, if they wanted.

  In the meantime, the garage was his haven. He couldn’t wait to get back to it, and just being a regular guy. In the morning, he planned to give his condo a once-over, then get good and dirty working on his baby, the same 1962 red Corvette Convertible he’d had in high school.

  Going over to his parents’ back door, Wade stared out into the darkness. She was on his mind again. To be honest, she was never far from it. More so when he was in Memphis, and almost constantly when he was in this house. Here, the red tank top hitting the floor and the red bra were etched into his memory so vividly, it all could have happened yesterday.

  Since Scott and Eva-Marie were still good friends, they still spoke on the phone and social media on a regular basis. She would tell Scott to say hello to him for her all the time. Though he played it cool and casual, his heart always fluttered a little when she remembered him. Shame usually followed. She was still his brother’s girl, even though they hadn’t been together in years. He’d never disrespect Scott by creating such an awkward situation.

  Pushing through the screen door, Wade stepped out into the night. Beer and crickets could keep him company until he was done dwelling on her.

  ****

  Eva-Marie hugged Scott, then his parents. She was so happy to see them all again. This house had been like her second home when she was a teenager. After moving to America and Memphis at sixteen, she’d been shy and slow to make friends. Scott -intrigued by her accent, he said- approached her after school one day, peppering her with questions about growing up in Australia, the embassy in Canberra, and her father, the diplomat. She’d been amused, laughing at him trying to mimic her speech, and flattered that the cutest and most popular boy in school found her interesting.

  Over the next few days, Scott had walked her to class, grilling her like a rookie cop. His friends, apparently used to him being more of the strong, silent type, assumed his interest in the new girl was more than friendly. Scott, confiding to her his disinterest in most of the girls at school competing for his attention, came up with the idea to let them think so. It was the perfect solution, allowing them to avoid uncomfortable social confrontations with other boys and girls, and explore their budding friendship in private.

  Fifteen years later, they were still the best of friends. They’d studied together, partied together, even traveled together. Except for the one ill-fated attempt at romance back in high school, they were as close as they’d always been. Mrs. Davies hugged her tightly, pulling Eva-Marie down to sit on the sofa beside her.

  “Tell me what you’ve been doing since the last time we saw you, honey. I know you’ve been traveling a lot. I want to hear all about it.”

  Half an hour later, she and the Davies family were all caught up. The parents were retired for the night after additional hugs and promises to visit more often. Then she and Scott were alone. After joking around for a bit, he smiled at her the way he always did when he knew she was stalling.

  “So what’s up with you?” she goaded him.

  Scott leaned back in his chair, stretching his long legs out and crossing them at the ankles.

  “I think it’s more interesting to talk about what’s up with you,” he responded, smirking.

  “Nothing’s up with me. You know that.” Eva-Marie plucked at imaginary lint on her pants and gave Scott an innocent smile.

  “Hah.”

  “Shut up.”

  He grinned.

  She picked up the closest thing to her, a cardboard coaster, and threw it, smacking him squarely in the forehead. They both collapsed in fits of laughter, trying to be quiet so they didn’t disturb his parents, the same way they’d done so many nights as teens.

  “Go ahead and ask,” Scott teased, still smiling. “You know you want to.”

  “No.”

  “I’m not volunteering any information.”

  “Bastard.” Eva-Marie hated when Scott tortured her like this. It was pure evil.

  He chuckled and pushed her foot with the toe of his boot.

  “Come on,” he insisted. “Do it.”

  “Fine.” She huffed and stuck her tongue out at him. “How is your brother?”

  “Now, was that so hard?”

  She grimaced. “You have no idea.”

  Scott leaned forward and patted Eva-Marie on the thigh. She knew he was trying to be helpful, but her stomach was full of butterflies.

  “He’s in the kitchen. I heard him come inside a minute ago. Why don’t you go ask him?”

  “Oh no.” Eva-Marie looked horrified. “I couldn’t do that. I don’t think I’ve ever said more than hello to him because he was always kind of mean to me. I’ve told you I don’t think he likes me much. Besides, I’ll freeze up. I won’t know what to say.”

  “And I told you he likes you just fine. You speak to foreign delegations all the time. You can talk to him. He’s just a guy. And you’re an intelligent, beautiful woman. Plus, you’re sexy as hell. If he’s smart, he’ll wrap himself around your little finger and stay there.”

  She laughed. “You’re silly.”

  “I’m right.”

  Scott stood up, and she allowed him to pull her to her feet. He kept pulling until they were in the hallway, and she didn’t resist even though her nerves were tied in knots.

  “I’m going to bed,” he told her. “Call me tomorrow and tell me how it turns out.”

  Eva-Marie felt Scott kiss her cheek and push her gently toward the kitchen, but her mind was filled with thoughts of what she would say to Wade when she got there. Willing her feet to keep moving, she gave herself a pep talk. He is right. It’s now or never. It’s been much too long already. What’s the worst that could happen? He doesn’t date chubby girls? He doesn’t date black chicks? He doesn’t like me? Either way, his loss. Like Scott said, I’m great. OR, I could completel
y humiliate myself, which would be bad. So very bad.

  Turning around, intending to quietly sneak out before Wade noticed her, she ran face first into Scott, who had followed her.

  “Chicken,” he whispered, and headed her back toward the kitchen. “Get in there and do your thing.” He stepped back and crossed his arms, leaning against the wall, letting her know he wasn’t leaving until she was inside the other room.

  Damn him. He’s going to stay here until I give in and talk to Wade. Bastard. He’s going to pay later. From the way he was smirking at her, he already knew it. Rolling her eyes at Scott, she took a deep breath and strode off to spin the proverbial wheel of fortune.

  Wade was bent over, rooting around in the refrigerator. Her gaze involuntarily zoomed in on his ass, and how perfectly it filled the black jeans which were molded to it. They showcased his taut cheeks superbly, and hugged the muscles in his thighs as he moved to reach for something, then stood up. Busy watching the rippling and flexing beneath the denim, it didn’t click fully that not only was she still staring, but she was looking at his crotch now. The view there was just as impressive. Damn.

  The soft snick of the beer bottle opening startled her. When she raised her eyes to his, it was to find him looking as unsettled as she was. Okay. Deep breath.

  “Hello, Wade.” She stepped to the island and slid onto a stool. At the moment, she couldn’t trust her knees not to give out. “How have you been?”

  “Good.”

  “Good,” she repeated nervously.

  Wade set the beer on the counter and slid his hands into his pockets, stretching the sexy jeans even tighter across his hips and thighs and, um, package. Her mind stuttered as she watched.

  “So, um, it’s great to see you. I looked for you a couple of times when I came home, but we never seem to be here at the same time. Until now.”

  He seemed puzzled. “Why?”

  “To say hi. To see you. Since we practically grew up together, I thought that would be okay. Was I wrong?”

  “No,” he replied quickly, “that’s fine.”

  “I’ve been keeping up with your career. With the band, I mean. Not everyone can say their besties are celebrities.” She smiled at him. “I made it to a couple of shows, but that was a while ago, before you joined them.”

  Wade said nothing. He raised his beer and took a long drink without ever breaking eye contact with Eva-Marie, making her squirm in her seat. But, she’d started down this path now. She was determined to see it through.

  “Anyway, I have to go now. I have an early meeting. But why don’t we get together later and have coffee or something?”

  His expression hardened for some reason, reminding her of when they were younger. He never smiled then, either. Just walked around scowling at everyone. The most terrifyingly gorgeous boy in school. He took her breath away, and absolutely scared her to death back then. He still did now.

  “Coffee with me?” He gave a sarcastic snort. “What for? Didn’t you come here to get with my brother? Sorry, I can’t help you with that.”

  What. The. Hell. Eva-Marie bristled in response to Wade’s nasty tone. Who does he think he is, speaking to me like that? She stood, drawing herself up to her full height. I’m not taking that crap, I don’t care who he is.

  “Well, I hate to disappoint you, Wade, but no, I’m not here to get with your brother. We’re friends. We’ve always been friends. We wanted to see each other, so I came to visit. Friends do that. And for future reference, if I wanted to get with anyone, I would do so. And it wouldn’t require any assistance. I have no issues in that area. I thoroughly resent being spoken to like some groupie.”

  Looking shocked by her outburst, Wade set his bottle down on the counter. He started to say something, then cleared his throat and tried again.

  “That was rude of me. Sorry.” His dark, serious eyes studied her again, this time more thoughtfully, it seemed.

  “Apology accepted. So, coffee, yes?”

  He nodded.

  Fishing around in her purse, Eva-Marie located a business card and a pen. After scribbling her home and cellphone numbers on the back, she slid it across the island to Wade.

  “See you soon.” She spoke quietly, back to her usual self after her brief flare of temper earlier. “Have a good night.”

  Eva-Marie was sure she could feel his stare burning into her skin as she walked away.

  Wade sat in his car watching the café across the street. From his position, he could see Eva-Marie sitting inside, waiting for him. He’d arrived fifteen minutes early to give himself time to chill a bit before she got there. She must have had the same idea, because she was already there when he drove up. In the time he’d been observing her, Eva-Marie must have checked her watch at least twice, fiddled with her hair, and refreshed her lipstick. The princess was getting impatient, perhaps? Well, he had a few more minutes. She could wait.

  He’d thought more than once about calling off this date. Was still thinking of backing out. What the hell was he doing with her? They were as opposite as two people could be. As far as he knew, they had nothing in common. At all. What the fuck were they going to talk about, other than Scott?

  Just then, she looked through the window, straight at him. She smiled shyly, and gave a little wave. Damn, she was beautiful. Wade got out of his car and walked toward the coffee shop in a daze, like he was being called by a siren and couldn’t resist her. Before he knew what was happening, he was standing beside the table where she was sitting.

  “Hi, Wade. I’m so glad you could make it.”

  She sounded genuine, and her smile looked sincere. But why would the princess be so happy to see him? He was nobody to her.

  “Hey, Eva-Marie.” He sat down across from her, trying not to notice their knees touching under the table. She apparently did, though. She moved so her legs stretched between his, and he could extend his long limbs beside hers.

  “There. Hopefully, that’s more comfortable for you. These tiny little spaces are not built for two tall people. I wanted a booth, but…” She fluttered her hand in the direction of all the booths, which were occupied.

  “No problem. This is fine.” Wade was still wondering why he bothered to show up. This was not his scene at all.

  “I love your car. You’ve done all the work yourself, yes? Scott’s told me about your garage, and the restorations you do. I’m not surprised. I remember how awesome your car was when we were teenagers.”

  “Thanks.” Wade relaxed with her compliments, and the familiar direction of the conversation. “I’ve done a lot of work on it, but the restoration is still in progress.” He filled her in on more of the details as they drank their coffee and munched on pastries, happily surprised that she seemed to actually be interested in talking shop with him.

  “What about you?” he asked, turning the conversation around. “You’re running your parents’ foundation now, right?”

  “Yes. I left the politics to Dad and my brother. I was never interested in all that. They spend most of their time in Washington, D.C. I live here and run the Robinson Foundation. That is, when I’m not globetrotting to raise or distribute funds.”

  She chattered on about the children she’d met and helped through her work, and Wade watched her, fascinated. He could tell she loved what she did. Her eyes, a warm shade of golden brown, sparkled as she spoke. She talked with her hands, waving them gracefully around, animating her words. She’d always done that. It was one of the things about her he found so charming. Then again, he was drawn to everything about Eva-Marie, from the reddish-brown curls that hung to her shoulders, to the burnished copper of her skin, to the husky honey of her voice that stubbornly held on to a slight trace of Australia. She was beauty and class, and he was an ex-con who got fifteen minutes of fame riding his little brother’s coattails.

  And about Scott, why wasn’t she here with him instead? Scott was the one she had history with, so what exactly did she want from Wade? He couldn’t figure her out. She wa
s definitely flirting with him. She’d moved her legs under the table several times to make sure they remained in contact with his. But no matter how much he enjoyed her company, nothing could come of it anyway. With his background, he didn’t exactly fit into Eva-Marie’s world. A relationship with him could potentially damage her reputation. Maybe her brother’s as well, since he was running for office. Women with her kind of breeding weren’t the type for temporary flings. To avoid causing her any scandal, he’d better keep his distance.

  When the check came, he reached for it, but Eva-Marie snatched it up before he could touch it. He tried to steal it away when she was digging through her purse, but she caught him at it and smacked his hand.

  “My treat. I invited you.”

  “A gentleman pays when he’s out with a beautiful lady.” She beamed at his words, but held on to the slip of paper.

  “While I appreciate your chivalry, and the compliment, I never asked you to be a gentleman.” She winked at him. “Remember that. It might come in handy.”

  The following day, Wade was in his office ordering parts for a 1950 Studebaker Commander Convertible he was working on, along with some for his own Corvette. Whenever he was home, he liked to spend time on the Vette. Doing the restorations himself helped him focus and clear his mind. He could zone out and just concentrate on his hands, and the work they were doing. Necessary now, since his thoughts were filled with Eva-Marie. On tour, he’d done the same thing playing his drums. As long as his hands were busy, he could control how much time she spent inside his head.

  “Yo, boss,” he heard BJ call out. “You’ve got company.”

  Wade walked into the waiting area, surprised to see Eva-Marie there. She looked spectacular, as always, in a snug blue tee shirt, expensive-looking jeans that molded to her shapely curves like cling wrap, and sparkly sandals. Even when she dressed down, she looked like a princess, just like she did in high school.