In Your Honor

by Heidi Hutchinson

  The shop remained relatively quiet as Zeke worked. Tabitha helped a few patrons get scheduled for later in the week, and Sway toyed with the idea of texting Luke to tell him what was happening. They had all previously agreed not to let Blake get this carried away again. Pulling him out of the black hole he had the propensity to throw himself down was exhausting. Not to mention depressing. But Sway wasn't feeling like ratting out his brother. Not tonight.

  “You know,” Tabitha looked over at Blake as she spoke to Sway, “my friends and I are going out tonight. I have a girl or two that are kinda into the brokenhearted thing. I'm sure they'd make him forget his sorrows. At least for a few hours.”

  Sway pursed his lips and thought about it. “What do you say, Blake? You want some female companionship tonight?”

  Blake twisted his head to glare at the both of them. “No.”

  Sway grimaced apologetically at Tabitha. “Sorry, gorgeous. Not tonight.”

  She nodded solemnly. “It's too bad. I hope he gets over her eventually.”

  Tabitha and Zeke knew the story well. The whole shop knew. Whiskey made Blake a talker and they'd all been regaled with his tale of lost love and heartache. Although tonight, he was more somber than usual.

  “How's it look?” Blake stood up for Sway to inspect after Zeke had finished applying the ointment.

  Sway pushed his blonde hair out of his face and squinted at the black ink scrawled across Blake's left side ribs in delicate lines that seemed somehow appropriate within the turbulent, roiling storm. He pursed his lips as he read the words that stood out on the angry, red skin.

  this Honored heart bears Lucky scars

  Sway blew the air out of his lungs. “Looks good, Blake.” It did look good, but Sway knew Blake would be seriously pissed in the morning. He always did this. Took it too far. Sway would never understand.

  “I think I'm ready to go home now.” Blake's eyes sagged at the corners and Sway could see the fight in him had waned considerably. Maybe adding the words had finally settled things in his mind after all.

  Sway nodded and helped his friend get a cab. The long ride back across town was silent and Blake leaned his head against the window, staring listlessly at the passing buildings. Sway went to exit the vehicle with Blake but was stopped by his friend.

  “It's all right man, I've pretty much sobered up now.” Blake met his eyes briefly and then looked at his feet, shoving his hands in his pockets.

  “You feeling okay?” Sway frowned, trying to decide if he should go with his gut or listen to the guitarist.

  “No,” Blake answered honestly. “But I'd rather be alone if that's okay.”

  Sway looked up at the building, knowing that Harrison and Mike would be nearby if something should arise. He would text them and give a heads-up. “Right. Well, call me if you need me.”

  “Thanks, man.” Blake nodded his appreciation, his mouth maintaining a hard line.

  Sway stepped out of the cab briefly to give Blake a 'man-hug' before heading to his own apartment. He sent a quick text to his bandmates and tried to let go of the uneasiness that wanted to settle in the pit of his stomach.

  ***

  Blake leaned back heavily against his door as it closed behind him. Nope, he hadn't gotten nearly drunk enough. He would no doubt dream about her tonight, but he wouldn't have the luxury of not being able to remember it.

  He tossed his keys on the coffee table as he took slow steps towards his bed. His empty, unmade bed. He stripped off his coat and t-shirt and collapsed on the thick comforter. He pushed the pillows onto the floor and rolled onto his back. Bringing his hand up, he gingerly touched the gauze that covered his latest marking.

  “Please be happy.” He whispered his wish to the ceiling before passing out.

  ***

  Carl winked at the waitress as she refilled his coffee, and he took pleasure in seeing her blush. He had been waiting in the corner booth for close to forty-five minutes now and Lenny still hadn't showed. Not that she was late. Well, she was kind of late, for Lenny. Ever since she had ceased to be Lenny Evans, assistant extraordinaire, and became Lenny Casey, super hot wife of equally hot rock star, she had different priorities. Mostly, she ran on time now instead of a half hour early.

  He saw a flash of golden hair enter the restaurant and he waved her over.

  “Hey, Carl,” Lenny greeted him with a wide smile as she slid into the booth, her cheeks rosy.

  “Hey, kid,” Carl grunted in return, suppressing his own smile at seeing her. He would never tell her to her face, but Lenny was one of his favorite people. She was like the daughter he thought he would have had, had he ever had kids. But he wasn't going to start telling people that, he had a reputation to maintain.

  “Is the coffee good?” Lenny asked with an eyebrow raised.

  “It's decent,” he answered as he set his mug down and waved at the waitress for another cup for his companion.

  “So,” Lenny started, slipping her jacket off and leaning her elbows on the table, her damn blue eyes sparkling, “what's this about? Carl Darrow doesn't call without a reason.”

  He felt his mouth twitch up on one side; he had missed her. He decided to skip the bullshit and get to the point. Lenny never seemed to mind his methods. “You want your old job? I mean, I know you're coming along anyway. Luke bought a whole damn bus for you. I haven't been able to find a replacement, and we're coming up on crunch time.”

  “You haven't even looked.” Lenny called his bluff and he almost grinned at her. “I don't know, Carl.” She thanked the waitress for the coffee before continuing. “It's a lot of work and I kind of wanted to spend some quality time with Luke... if you know what I mean.”

  Carl rolled his eyes and she laughed at him. “I know all that. But what if I doubled your salary?”

  “You know it was never about the money,” Lenny chastised gently. No, the job was never about the money. She was a highly successful snowboarder who had run from her responsibilities, joined Team Double Blind Study, and subsequently fallen in love with the lead singer and become part of the family. It had been about a lot of things, but definitely not the money.

  “What if I let you hire your own replacement?” Carl proposed. He knew she didn't want her old job back. But he didn't want to have to go through all the trouble of finding a person who would never hit the standards that she had set for him on the previous tour. Lenny was the best.

  Her brow furrowed in thought. “That's not a bad idea, actually.” Carl mentally high-fived himself. Of course it wasn't a bad idea, it was a great idea.

  “Would you be willing to train them and everything?” Carl looked down at his coffee, afraid she'd read his mind if they had eye contact.

  “I guess I could... I mean, that would be the easiest option.” Lenny tapped her finger against the handle of her mug. “Yeah, okay, I can do that.”

  “Great.” Carl picked up a stack of applications sitting next to him in the booth and slapped them on the table. “Here are your candidates. They need to be on the crew bus on Monday.” He ignored Lenny's slack-jawed expression as he stood and slipped on his coat. He clapped his hand on her shoulder as he strode to the door. “Thanks, kid, it's good to have to you back.”

  ***

  Lenny shook her head and chuckled lightly at Carl's abrupt departure. She should have seen that coming. Carl didn't do anything without making a plan first. She pulled the stack of applications towards her and thumbed through them, probably close to fifty. This is going to take awhile.

  Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she pulled it out, grinning automatically when she saw Luke's name on the screen.

  “Hey,” she greeted her husband.

  “Hey, you left before I was ready to go.” He sounded wounded but she knew it was only an act.

  “I was already running late and you know how Carl hates to wait,” she replied, skimming the top application.

  “Are you at the corner diner?” She could hear him moving swiftly, he must be on hi
s way.

  “Yes, you want me to order you anything?” she asked, flagging the waitress down.

  “Yeah, pancakes. Be there in a bit.” He hung up and she set her phone on the table just as the server walked over.

  “I'm gonna need your biggest order of pancakes and a western omelet. Oh, and more coffee.” She smiled her thanks as the girl went to place her order and then refocused on the applications.

  A few moments later, Luke kissed her on the neck before sliding into the booth across from her a few moments later.

  “What's all this?” He gestured to the papers.

  Lenny rolled her eyes. “Carl got me to agree to hire the new assistant for the tour.”

  “Makes sense.” Luke nodded his approval and picked up the top sheet, giving it a thorough scan.

  “You always take his side,” she chided.

  “Of course, he hired you.” He winked at her and she felt the blood pulse in her veins. The simplest of expressions coming from Luke could make her forget her name. “Besides, he has those higher-ups breathing down his neck to make sure the tour is as successful as the last one.”

  “Maybe I should appeal to his boss then.” She raised a suggestive eyebrow and Luke narrowed his eyes and made a growl sound in the back of his throat.

  “That sounds like a very good idea.”

  “You're terrible.” She laughed at his playful expression and he grinned.

  It was true, though, it was a whole new regime. The band's contract had expired after the last tour and they had decided to start their own label. No more being pushed around by people who didn't care about anything but the bottom line. They could be musicians again. Real ones.

  As such, a lot of vetting and hiring had taken place in the past couple of months. The band had recorded and released their first album on their own label, and a touring schedule had been created. A new bus had been purchased for the newlyweds, and Carl had been given a significant raise. They had been so busy that Lenny was more thankful than ever for the month-long honeymoon they had gotten to take before the craziness began.

  “You suppose Carl will flip out if I hire a girl?” Lenny asked as the waitress set down her omelet and Luke's pancakes.

  “Probably,” Luke muttered as he poured the syrup. “Why? Did you find a good one?” He nodded at the paper Lenny was holding.

  “Maybe.” She chewed on the inside of her cheek. “She's still in college, a business management major...”

  “What?” Luke asked when Lenny didn't speak again for a few seconds.

  “I don't know, gut feeling. I think I'll call her, set up an interview.” She pulled out her cellphone.

  “And then can we have breakfast as husband and wife?” Luke's crystal blue eyes sparkled and she felt a tingle go from her toes to her earlobes.

  “Yes, my love.” She gave him a crooked smile as she dialed the number on the application. Damn, but she loved him.

  Chapter 2

  But, Honestly

  The slight breeze blew the thick, wild hair across Harrison's forehead as he leaned his back against the tour bus. His large, mirrored aviators covered most of his face as he watched the last of their belongings being loaded. He crossed his arms over his chest and kicked the dirt at his feet.

  He was anxious for the tour to begin. A lot of changes had taken place in a short span of time, and Harrison had never been a fan of change. He wanted to get out on the road, feel the shows, meet the fans, and return to the flow that he was comfortable with. Not that he didn't like the changes. He did, they had all been great. He just struggled with adapting.

  “Mister O'Neil?” a small female voice said to his left. “I... uh, I'm sorry to bother you...” She sputtered and stopped as Harrison turned his gaze in her direction.

  “Kendra, I told you, just call me Harrison,” he patiently reminded the new assistant.

  “Right, Harrison, sorry.” Her tanned skin blushed deeply and she tried again. “I was wondering if you, um, if you had decided which bus you were going to be on.”

  Harrison had no idea where Lenny had found this girl. She was sweet enough but she was so damn nervous she could hardly get her words out half the time. He didn't know how she would hold up under the pressure of touring. Or the scrutiny of Carl.

  She was thin and lithe, a former ballerina who had injured her knee and changed direction with her life. Her light brown hair had professionally applied streaks of red and she had a cute button nose that Harrison had noticed instantly. He liked noses. Her wide hazel eyes were adorably innocent. And always nervous.

  “I'll be on the blue bus with Mike,” he answered, wishing he could give her confidence like a stick of gum.

  “Okie dokie.” She blushed again. “Sorry, that was stupid.” She gripped her clipboard to her chest as she hurried away, her ponytail bobbing up and down with her stiff steps.

  “How long till you think we have to buy her a ticket home?” Mike remarked as he came up next to him.

  Harrison shook his head. “I have no idea... a week, maybe.”

  “Lenny seems to think she's perfect for the job, and she's not usually wrong,” Mike reminded him as he shoved his hands in his pockets and settled against the bus with Harrison.

  “Yeah, but she's just so... jumpy.” Harrison scrunched up his nose.

  “I don't know... people can surprise you,” Mike said thoughtfully. “Don't write her off just yet.”

  Harrison studied his shoes for a few minutes, trying to word his next question carefully, but there really were no better words for it. “How do you feel about the schedule?”

  Mike's deep intake of air told Harrison what he needed to know. It was going to be an emotionally jarring trip for at least one of them. But it really couldn't be helped. Harrison had been part of the planning process, and he had done everything in his power to protect his friend from having to face his issues. But maybe it was time for him to face them.

  “We'll find out when we get there.” Mike's voice was low, noncommittal.

  “He always has us. He doesn't have to do anything alone.” Harrison murmured more to himself than to Mike.

  “I know.” Mike chuckled. “And I promise I won't let him get any misguided tattoos on my watch.”

  “I can't believe he did that.” Harrison shook his head in wonder. “He wasn't as mad about it as I thought he would be.”

  “He's still in love with her. I think it's a bigger problem than just the tattoo,” Mike said pensively.

  “What's gonna happen when we actually get to Oklahoma?” Harrison worried out loud.

  “I don't know. But we should probably warn Lenny and Kendra so they don't freak out.” Mike sighed and pushed away from the bus.

  “Family meeting?” Harrison questioned.

  Mike paused before answering. “Not yet. Let me talk to him about it first. No one likes their dirty laundry aired without their permission. I know that better than most.”

  Harrison watched his back as he went around the corner towards the hotel. Yep, this tour was going to be a whole new rodeo.

  ***

  Kendra Salem pushed her heavy, sweaty hair out of her eyes as she tried, once again, to convince her shoe-laces to stay tied. Double knot, triple knot, nothing was working and she was getting frustrated. It was only her first day on the job and she had never felt more alone in her life.

  The band was friendly enough and the crew was trying to be as helpful as possible, but Kendra still felt like the outsider. Because she was. They were a family and she was the new girl. What had she been thinking when she had even applied? She couldn't take care of rock stars, she could barely keep a goldfish alive.

  She straightened from her task and trudged to the crew bus. She still had another page of items to check off the list before she could retire to her hotel room where she planned on eating her weight in ice cream before crying herself to sleep.

  She still hadn't figured out why Luke Casey's wife had hired her. The interview had been a disaster. She had
overslept and dressed in such a rush that her shirt was on inside out and backwards. She froze up during most of the questions and then tripped and fell in Luke Casey's lap before leaving in humiliation.

  She came around the back of the red bus and collided with a hard, male body. Her tiny frame flew to the ground and she scrambled to her feet, feeling the color change on her face.

  “I'm so sorry,” she apologized as she tried to chase the papers that had disengaged from her clipboard and were blowing around her feet.

  “New girl, you have got to chill.” Blake's voice caused a fresh surge of embarrassment to flood her veins. She couldn't handle humiliating herself in front of the band members. She wanted to quit. She had to talk to Lenny, she couldn't do this. She wasn't cut out for it.

  Strong hands gripped her shoulders and she looked up into friendly green eyes.

  “I'm sorry, Mister Diedrich...” was all she could say.

  “Calm down, darlin'.” Blake spoke to her slowly and waited for her to catch her breath. “You're doing a good job, there's no need to be so jumpy.”

  Kendra felt tears burn her eyes and she swallowed hard. Crying right now would only make things worse.

  “Hey, hey, hey,” he soothed, and pulled her against his chest in a hug. “Don't cry, I can't handle it when girls cry.”

  Kendra sniffed back her tears with a small laugh. Blake held her at arms' length again and looked at her seriously.

  “We're regular people. Just like anybody else. You don't have to be as worried as you are.” He paused, and one corner twitched in a hint of a smile. “And for Pete's sake, please call me Blake.”

  Kendra nodded, feeling her racing heart begin to calm down. He oozed confidence and she desired nothing more in that moment than to be as sure of things as he seemed to be.

  “I don't want to let any of you down,” she suddenly confessed.

  “You can't. Lenny has total faith in your abilities and she's never wrong. You already possess the skills you need, you just have to tap into them.” Blake grinned at her, and Kendra felt her shoulders relax a bit at his encouragement. She took a deep breath and nodded.