Sing Like Nobody's Listening

by S. J. McCoy

  He felt a touch of heat in his own cheeks. He didn't know what she was hoping to hear, but he could only tell the truth. “Honestly? I thought I was, yeah. I suppose you could call it a perk of the job. There’s something about musicians that the ladies seem to like.” He looked off across the lake and smiled. “But with your sister it was different. We talked.” He smiled again, realizing that great as the sex had been, he'd enjoyed the talking just as much. “We talked all night.” He looked back at Megan and made up his mind. “I'd like to talk to her some more, but I don't have her number. Would you mind giving it to me?”

  Megan thought about it for a moment, then nodded. “She may be mad at us both, but yes, I will.”

  Chase pulled out his phone and tapped in the number as she told him. He hit save and smiled. “Thanks, Megan.”

  “Don't thank me yet. She may yell at us both, but I don't know, it feels like the right thing to do.” She checked her watch. “I have to go. Good luck. I hope you get to talk to her.”

  Chase grinned and lifted a hand as she walked away. “Good luck yourself, Megan. You'll be all right. I know you will.” He honestly believed that she would.

  Instead of carrying on with his run, he wandered down the beach. He didn't want to go back to the cabin yet. He wanted to make the most of the early morning peace and quiet out here. He walked along the water's edge with his phone in his hand. Was he really going to call Kenzie? He grinned to himself. Too damned right he was. He just needed to wrap his head around it first, figure out what he could say to her. He doubted she'd be pleased to hear from him. What was left to say? He wanted to tell her about Megan though. He knew she'd want to be there for her sister in whatever way she could. But would that be interfering? Interfering in Megan's life as much as Kenzie's? That wasn't exactly his style. He was more of a live and let live kind of guy. But still. Megan had been so upset, he would like to help her. And it would give him a reason to call that Kenzie might just not hang up on.

  ~ ~ ~

  “Morning, Kenzie. Are you all right?”

  Kenzie stepped out and closed the door to her motel room behind her. She smiled at her neighbor. “Hey Errol. I'm okay, thanks. How about you? Are you here for long?”

  Errol gave her a concerned look. “A couple of days. I got in late from the Seattle run. Now I'm waiting on a load down to Georgia. It sounded like you had a visitor last night.”

  Kenzie shrugged. “Nothing I couldn't handle.”

  Errol shook his head at her. “I know you think you're a tough nut, but you watch yourself. A girl like you shouldn't be living in a place like this. You know all you've got to do is bang on the wall if you need me. But I'm going to be gone a lot the next few weeks.”

  Kenzie smiled at the trucker. He was a good guy and from what he'd told her he had daughters her age back in Chicago. “Thanks, but I'm fine. Honestly.”

  He didn't look at all convinced. “How was your visit with your sister?”

  “It was wonderful. She's doing great. The boyfriend turned out to be a good guy.” She smiled. “I'm expecting her to call someday soon to say they're going to get married.”

  “You need to find yourself a good guy. Get married, settle down. This is no place for you, girl.”

  Kenzie laughed. “I'm not the settling down type. Don't you worry about me.”

  He frowned at her. “You just haven't found the right guy. And if you ask me you're never going to in this town. Why don't you move up there to be closer to your sister? She's all the family you've got, right? You girls should stick together.”

  “Nice idea, Errol, but not realistic. Anyway. I've got to get to the diner, I'm going to be late for my shift. I'll see you.”

  “Yeah, see you later. And don't forget. If you need anything, get yourself into any trouble, I'm here—for the next few days at least.”

  “Thanks.” Kenzie gave him a hug. She wasn't normally a hugger. She must still be overly tired and a bit emotional, she felt her eyes sting as he hugged her back.

  “I worry about you, Kenzie.”

  She walked away without looking back, not wanting him to see how much his words touched her. She wasn't used to anyone caring enough about her to worry.

  She got off the bus two blocks from the diner and fished her phone from her purse when she heard it ring. It must be Megan. She should have called her to let her know she'd made it back to Nashville okay. It wasn't Megan's number though. Kenzie didn't recognize it so she let it go to voice mail. She waited for the buzz and then checked the message.

  Her heart leaped and her throat went dry when she heard Chase's voice. “Hey, lover. I miss you already. I know you don't want to talk to me. But I need to talk to you about Megan. So call me.”

  The sound of his voice made her smile, but his message puzzled her. Why would he need to talk to her about Megan? Was it just a ploy to make sure she'd call him back? No. Chase wouldn't do that. How had he gotten her number? She had to call him. She held her breath as she listened to it ring.

  “That was quick.”

  She smiled. “You said you needed to talk to me about Megan. What did you expect?”

  “I thought you might need to think about it for a couple of minutes before you called back. Thought you might struggle to decide if I was being straight up.”

  “I trust you, Chase.”

  She could hear the smile in his voice. “Thank you.”

  She had a big smile on her own face, but it faded as she remembered. “So, what's up with Megan?”

  “I saw her down on the beach this morning and she was crying. Says she's broken up with Michael. The poor little sweetheart was heartbroken, Kenzie. I'm not normally one to interfere, but I thought you'd want to know. I can't believe those two would break up, they're so good together.”

  Kenzie frowned. She couldn't believe Megan and Michael would break up either. It didn't make any sense. “What did she say?”

  “That she wanted to talk to you, but she didn't want to worry you and she didn't want you to hate Michael since she just convinced you he's a good guy.”

  “She didn't need to convince me. Once I met him it was obvious. He is a good guy, and he's totally besotted with her. I don't get it, why did they break up?”

  “She said she didn't know herself, but Michael doesn't want to marry her and doesn't want to have babies with her. His kid is going to see her at the library after school tonight and she's supposed to explain it to him. But she was crying that she doesn't even know what to tell him.”

  Kenzie shook her head. “I can't believe those two won't work it out.”

  “Me neither and I told her that, but she was pretty upset. Says he doesn't want to marry her and she doesn't know why.”

  Kenzie frowned. It just didn't make any sense. Michael was obviously in love with Megan and from the way he'd talked over the weekend, he saw her as his future.

  “You still there?”

  “Yeah. Thanks for letting me know.”

  “Sure. I didn't want to interfere, but I knew you'd want to know. And....”

  “And what?”

  “And I wanted to hear your voice again.”

  That made her smile. “It's good to hear yours, too.”

  “Good. It'd be even better to see you. You should come back and make sure your sister's okay.”

  She laughed. Wishing she could. “Megan will be just fine. Michael loves her, it's obvious. Whatever is going on, they'll work it out. I know it.”

  “That's what I told her. But I still think you should come back, just to make sure.”

  “I couldn't even if I wanted to.”

  “But you do want to, don't you? You'd love another night with me, wouldn't you?”

  Kenzie nodded. She would very much love another night with him. “What we want and what we get are rarely the same thing. And right now I have to get into work or I'm going to be late. I can't afford to lose this job.”

  “Okay. Can I call you
later then?”

  “There's no point, Chase.” She sighed as she said it. She wished there was, but really, what was the point in continuing to talk to a guy who lived so far away who she wasn't likely to ever see again?

  “But I want to, Kenzie. I want to know how my little cutie is doing. Want to make sure you're okay.”

  She smiled and shook her head. “I am not a cutie!”

  “You are to me. Now stop arguing or you're going to be late. I'll talk to you later, okay?”

  She laughed. “Okay and Chase?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Thank you.”

  She hung up with a big smile on her face. It faded a little as she wondered about Megan. She picked up her pace as she headed to the diner. She really couldn't afford to be late. She needed to call Megan and see what was going on, but it would have to wait until she got done with her shift. She pushed her way in through the diner door and smiled apologetically at her boss who gave her a sour look. She wasn't even late! She really needed to find a better job soon. She sighed as she slipped her apron over her head. What she needed to find was a better life!

  She was taking her break in the back room when her phone rang. It was Michael.

  “You've got a nerve calling me. I'm at work. What do you want?”

  “Hi Kenzie. I didn't think you'd want to hear from me.”

  “You do have some sense then! So why are you calling me?”

  “Because I need your help. I love her. I'm scared she's going to leave and I don't want her to. I don't think she should. I don't think it would be the right move for her.” He was quiet for a moment then continued, sounding resigned. “But I also wanted to tell you that if she does, I need you both to know that I'll be here to help if ever you want me.”

  Kenzie couldn't make sense of it. Chase had told her that Megan was heartbroken because Michael didn't want to marry her. Yet Michael sounded like the one who was heartbroken. “Okay, Michael. You need to explain to me, from your point of view, what's happening. Why did you two break up? And why do you want her to stay there?”

  “I want her to stay because I love her, Kenzie. We broke up because she doesn't want, or at least she's not ready, to marry me. Ethan freaked her out by talking about wanting little brothers. I get that she doesn't want kids, at least not with me. But maybe someday, if she stays, she might be ready to marry me at least. Jesus, I must sound like a selfish bastard. She doesn't want me and I'm calling you to help me make her stay anyway. I'm not trying to control her Kenzie. It's just that I love her so much.”

  The poor guy. He sounded desperate. His voice was shaky. He was pleading, begging her to understand. She really didn't understand how the two of them had screwed things up so badly, but she could see that it was nothing more than a misunderstanding.

  She knew she shouldn't laugh, he sounded so desperate, but it was so ridiculous, she had to. “You're not a selfish bastard, Michael. What you are is a dumbass. In fact the two of you are so dumb, it's not real. I talked to Chase this morning and he told me my little sister is devastated. You think she doesn't want to marry you and have babies? She thinks you don't want to marry her and have babies. When the truth is, it's what you both want more than anything in the world. For two people who are supposed to be so smart, this is the stupidest thing I've ever heard! I have no idea how you got your wires crossed so badly, but I recommend you get your ass over to the library, before your son does. You'll find one tear-stained, brokenhearted librarian. She's trying to figure out how to tell a little boy whom she loves with all her heart that she's as sad as he is that his daddy doesn't want to marry her.”

  “What?”

  Kenzie laughed again. “You heard me, dumbass. How the two of you screwed this up so badly I do not know. Nor do I want to. What I do know is that you think she doesn't want to marry you and it's breaking your heart. She thinks you don't want to marry her and it's breaking hers. You need to get off the phone with me and get your ass over to her and sort this out.”

  “She thinks I don't want to marry her? Why?”

  “Michael. I told you. I'm at work. And you're talking to the wrong sister. If I were there, I'd bang your heads together, but I'm not yet. So I'll save that for the wedding. Now let me get back to work before I get fired. You go make my sister happy.” She hung up. Michael needed to go talk to Megan, not her. And she needed to get off the phone. She knew she'd already gone over her break time.

  She pushed her way back out, only to be met by a stony glare from her boss. Jesus! That woman was a miserable bitch!

  “So glad you could spare the time to join us.”

  Kenzie forced herself to smile. “Sorry. There's a bit of a family emergency.”

  The woman glared at her. “Well, since you couldn't be bothered to come back and wait tables, you'll be bussing and on dishes for the rest of the night.”

  Kenzie stared at her. Was she serious? She was going to make her do the dirtiest jobs—and get no tips?

  “Do you have a problem with that?”

  Kenzie shook her head and pulled her apron off. “No. No problem. I know where the door is.”

  She went back into the staff room and grabbed her purse and jacket. There was no point sticking around. She was about to get fired and she knew it. She wasn't about to give that bitch a night of free labor before she left. She made her way out onto the street and shrugged into her jacket. Just perfect. What in the hell was she going to do now? The only answer she was sure of was that she was going to head back to the motel and hope to get a good night's sleep. She'd hit the street tomorrow to look for a new job. If she didn't find one quickly, she'd soon be hitting the street to sleep.

  Chapter Seven

  Chase hung up. It would be midnight in Nashville by now. He'd really thought Kenzie would answer him. She sounded pleased to hear from him earlier. He'd left three messages though. He wasn't going to leave anymore. At least not tonight. Maybe she'd call him tomorrow. At least it seemed he'd done right by calling her about Megan. He'd spotted her in the Boathouse with Michael earlier. They'd been out with all their friends and looked to be very much back together. He was happy for them and pleased to think he might have played a little part in helping them on their way.

  He stared out at the lake and put his phone back in his pocket. Maybe tomorrow.

  Eddie came out on the cabin deck to join him.

  “Did you get to talk to her?”

  He shook his head. “She's not picking up.”

  Eddie nodded. “And you're not giving up, right?”

  Chase smiled. “Apparently not. I know I should, but I don't want to.”

  Eddie grinned at him. “I don't blame you.”

  Chase raised an eyebrow at him. “You don't think I'm crazy?”

  “Nah. For some reason, I don't. You hang in there. I think you might be on to something.”

  “Then you're as crazy as I am.”

  Eddie shrugged. “Maybe. The guys all thought you were crazy when you suggested we stay here the whole summer. That worked out pretty well. I've got a feeling you and Kenzie might work out pretty well, too.”

  “How? She lives in freaking Nashville!”

  Eddie shrugged again. “I dunno. Stranger things have happened.”

  Chase nodded. “I guess.” He couldn't help feeling that Eddie was right. It was illogical, seemingly impossible, but he didn't want to give up. He wanted to find out what he and Kenzie might have together. If he could just get her to come back here and try it!

  ~ ~ ~

  Errol climbed the stairs back to his motel room. This place was a dump, but it suited him as a base. He made his way along the walkway. It might be okay for him, but it was no place for a girl like Kenzie to be living by herself. As he slid the key in his own door, he noticed that her door stood slightly open. She knew better than that. He knocked lightly.

  “Kenzie? Are you okay in there?”

  There was no reply.

  Er
rol's heart started to race. Please God let her be okay. He slowly pushed the door open and peeked around it. “Kenzie? Oh, shit!”

  He ran inside. She was lying on the floor, unconscious. She had a nasty gash on her temple. He felt for a pulse even as he pulled out his phone to call an ambulance. Her pulse was strong and steady.

  The dispatcher assured him an ambulance would be there as quickly as possible. He hung up and sat on the floor beside her, brushing the bloodstained hair away from her face. “Kenzie? Can you hear me, little girl?” He felt tears well up as he thought about his own daughters. “Talk to me, Kenzie.”

  Her eyes fluttered but didn't open. He felt like he should call someone, but he didn't know who. He knew she had a sister, but he didn't want to frighten that little girl when she was all the way in California and wouldn't be able to do anything. He'd figure out how to get ahold of her once he knew Kenzie was okay. He spotted Kenzie's phone on the nightstand and went to pick it up. It had three missed calls all from the same number. Surely that would be someone she knew well enough? Errol decided he might as well call it and find out while he waited. He used the room phone to call down to the front desk and tell them to expect an ambulance. He also told them they'd need to make sure Kenzie's room was secure while she went to the hospital.

  After he'd done that, he picked up her cell phone. He felt kind of weird even touching it, but thoughts of his own daughters spurred him on to try to find someone who cared about Kenzie. He couldn't believe there wasn't someone out there somewhere who would want to know, who would want to come take care of her.

  He dialed the number that had left three messages and listened to it ring, wondering who might pick up.

  “Kenzie! I didn't think you were going to call me back.”

  Errol frowned. For all he knew this was the guy who'd left her on the floor—the gash on her head wasn't the only injury she had. She had all kinds of bruises forming on her arms and her face. “This isn't Kenzie. I'm her neighbor.”