by Moody, Diane
“He says I’m smart—”
“Smart and beautiful,” Sergio completed. He wrapped his arm over Jason’s shoulder. “Looks like Santa was very good to you, JMac.”
“That, he was, Sergio. More than you—”
“Well, he was good to Sergi too, wasn’t he, baby?” Liza interrupted, again stepping between Sergio and his friend. “We had a wonderful time in Hawaii with my family, didn’t we?”
Sergio’s smile struggled.
“Nice tan there, Serg,” Jackson said.
“Nice tan, Serg,” Alli added.
Sergio barked a nervous cough. “So when does the big ‘par-tay’ begin? And what was with all the phone calls, Jason? You knew I’d make it.”
“We’d make it,” Liza corrected, moving in front of Sergio.
Jason busied himself pouring Sergio and Liza mugs of coffee. “Have a seat, okay?” he motioned toward the big kitchen table. “Oh, nothing special’s been going on around here . . . except that Gevin and Rissa announced their engagement.”
“What?” Sergio cried. “I mean, that’s great, but—what a shock! When did this happen? Are they here in town? This is amazing!”
“You must be kidding.” Liza planted her fist on her hip. “Gevin and Marissa? You’re not serious. Why on earth would he want to marry her?”
“Geez, Liza!” Sergio’s snapped. “What’s that supposed to mean? Marissa is terrific, and Gevin’s a lucky man to have her. I can’t believe you even said that.” He looked around the table. “Hey, I’m sorry. Sometimes she speaks before she thinks.”
She playfully slapped Sergio on the shoulder and looked around the table as well, though clearly not getting it. “That’s not true. I know exactly what I’m saying, Sergi! It’s a terrible match and Gevin must be out of his mind to even consider it. Oh, I know she’s nice and all, but she’s . . . well, for starters, she’s black. Duh? As if no one noticed?” Liza smirked.
“Your point?” Alli shot back.
“My point being, it’s the biggest mistake he could ever make. A white Blue member marrying a black girl? What was he thinking? I don’t care if it is a new millennium, the Blue fans will never stand for it. Take my word, if he goes through with this, then Blue is toast. You might as well—”
“Liza, shut up. Just SHUT UP!” Sergio grabbed her arm and started to pull her up from her chair.
She kicked her chair back. “Don’t you ever talk to me that way, Sergio Cruz!” She wrenched her arm free then jabbed him in the chest with her finger. “How dare you?! You ever lay a hand on me like that, and you’ll regret it the rest of your life. You got that?” She stuck her face in his, then blew out a huff. “Oh, I don’t have to put up with this. Where’s my room?”
Frank cleared his throat. “I’ll show you.” He moved toward the door to the living area.
“The rooms in the guest house are ready, Frank,” Laura said quietly. “Any room will do.”
Once they were gone, Sergio immediately stood up, clearing his throat. He walked to the counter to pour himself more coffee. “Look, guys, I’m really sorry. I don’t know what gets into her sometimes.” His hands trembled as he carried the mug back to the table. He exhaled deeply. “Really, I’m so sorry. I’ll talk to her when she calms down.”
If he was hoping someone would fill in the gap, no one did. Eventually, Jackson changed the subject. “The thing is, Sergio, we’ve got a bigger problem than Gevin’s engagement.”
“What do you mean?”
Jason hoisted himself onto the kitchen counter. “Meaning, Gevin wants to call it quits. He’s done.”
Sergio looked around the room for signs of a joke. “You’re kidding, right?
“Unfortunately, we’re not,” Jackson answered. “JT and Tracey were here just after Christmas. When JT found out, he blew up—”
“Can’t say I blame him!”
“We haven’t heard from him since, but we’re hoping he and Trace show up for the party tonight,” Alli added. “Geez, won’t this be a party to remember.”
“You can’t be serious! Isn’t this kinda sudden? I mean, did you know about this? You didn’t agree to it, did you?” He continued looking at them, face by face. “Right? Guys, tell me you didn’t go along with this!”
“No, Serg, we didn’t,” Jackson answered. “Nothing definite has been decided. But whatever we do, we can’t give up. I think we just need to give it some time. We keep talking to Gevin about it, but we refuse to give up.”
“Jackson’s right,” Jason added. “We can’t give up. I’m thinking once it all settles down, Gevin might rethink this. I think he’s just tired and all caught up in the happiness of his engagement and—”
“And you cut him some slack,” Laura said. Standing at the sink, she turned off the faucet with extra force, then turned to face them. She looked from Jason to Jackson to Sergio and back again, wiping her hands on a towel. “I’ve heard all the ranting and raving for days now, and it seems to me you all need to back off and give him some space. Fighting about it day in and day out isn’t going to solve a thing. Am I right?”
Jason let out a loud moan. “Of course, you’re right, Mom, but—”
“No buts. Stop fighting and start talking. You’re grown men now. Start acting like it. And that’s all I have to say about it.” She draped the dish towel on its rack then left the room.
“Yep,” Alli started, “this will be one unforgettable New Year’s party.”
“Excuse me?”
Alli stopped dead in her tracks. Opening the door to her room, she found Liza unpacking her suitcase. Alli’s things were in a pile on the floor. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Liza continued her task. “I’m unpacking. Why should I stay in the guest house when everyone else is up here? The housekeeper told me this was actually Sergio’s room, so this is where I’m staying.”
Alli pressed her lips together, unwilling to engage the little tramp. Instead, she stared her down then turned, slamming the door on her way out.
Jackson turned the corner at the top of the stairs. “Alli, what’s wrong?”
“She made herself at home in my room! Even though Frank gave her a room in the guest house, she decided to stay in ‘Sergio’s’ room, so she just threw all my stuff on the floor like it was trash! Jackson, I cannot stand that girl. Make her leave! I don’t care what Sergio says, she has got to go!”
Jackson grabbed her by the hands and dragged her down the hall to his room. “Shhhh! Alli, listen to me. I can’t stand her either, you know that. But right now—with all this other stuff going on, can we just blow her off? I’ll get your stuff out of there as soon as she leaves the room. How about I put you in with Hannah? It’s just not worth a big fight right now. Everybody’s already upset as it is.”
“Yeah, but—”
“Just do me this favor, okay? Let it go, babe. Please? You and I both know Liza is a short-timer. You can see it in Sergio’s face. I doubt seriously he’ll keep her around much longer. So just be cool and let this go. For me, Alli. Please?”
“But you’re just letting her win!”
“No, I’m not. I’m just trying to keep us all from killing each other right now. If we’re going to survive—if the band is going to survive this—we have to let go of the little stuff and focus on what’s important. Do you understand what I’m saying?” He pulled her into his arms. “Will you do this for me?”
As usual, he diffused her and she melted in his arms. Resting her head on his shoulder, she nodded in agreement. “Okay, but only because you asked me to. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
“I know, babe. I know.”
Chapter 12
Despite the underlying tension coursing throughout the McKenzie home, Hannah and Alli tried to make the best of the situation. They focused instead on helping Laura with last-minute preparations, then took their time getting dressed for the big New Year’s party. The day before, they’d slipped out for a few hours to shop for the perfect party
dresses. Alli said these parties were always dressy affairs, so they both tried on several long formal gowns until they found what they liked.
With her hair swept up on her head, Alli was stunning in a floor-length black sequined dress with spaghetti straps and a slit to just above her knee. The dress looked as if it had been made for her.
Hannah wore a slim-fitting satin dress in a deep sapphire blue, its bodice scattered with a splash of tiny rhinestones. Even her hair looked surprisingly good for a change, she thought, catching her reflection in the full mirror. She ran her hand through her long, thick curls cascading over her shoulders and smiled at her image. Butterflies flitted once again through her stomach, but she dismissed their presence, hoping the evening would be magical despite all the drama.
Any traces of gloom lingering in the air at the McKenzie’s completely dissipated once the party started. Dressed to the nines and feeling on top of the world, Hannah and Alli descended the staircase. They were pleased to find both Jason and Jackson waiting for them at the foot of the stairs. They turned simultaneously to look up just as the girls started down the stairs.
It was worth every penny Hannah had spent. Jason’s lips parted, a smile slowly spreading as he drank in every inch of her. She peeked to see Jackson’s eyes grow wide with the sight of Alli adorned like a goddess.
“Whoa,” Jason and Jackson uttered in unison.
Hannah’s heart skipped a beat as Alli squeezed her hand. “I’d say they like what they see, wouldn’t you?” Alli laughed before rushing down the remaining stairs and into Jackson’s arms.
“You can say that again,” Jason whispered. He took Hannah by both hands, lifting them to wrap around his neck. “You look amazing,” he said, suspending a kiss on her cheek.
“I could say the same for you,” she whispered, not trusting her voice. “A man in a tux is a dangerous thing to behold, Jason McKenzie.” His starched white shirt against the black tux accented his smile and sent a wave of goose bumps across her flesh. He was positively beaming—and his eyes were glued to her.
I can’t believe I’m here.
With him.
Like this.
She closed her eyes, praying the moment would never end. When she opened them, she was surprised to find his eyes glistening with emotion. He hugged her again.
This time, he breathed the words against her ear. “I love you, Hannah.”
She held her breath, afraid she must still be dreaming—this, the final scene before she would awaken to reality. But no, there was no mistake. She’d heard his words and felt them in her heart. It’s too soon . . . much too soon . . . The warning raced through her veins faster than her pulse.
Then, she realized something. Not once in the week she’d spent with Jason had he ever been anything but truthful. And not just to her, but to everyone. It wasn’t in him to lie. She knew it without question.
And she knew something else. Deep in her heart, against every ounce of practicality and logic and reason, she knew what she felt was real. Jason pulled back, looking into her eyes, searching for a response. Her chin trembled as she answered, “I love you too, Jason.” She laughed even as a single tear escaped her lashes.
“Yessss!” He twirled her around in a circle. “Hannah, let’s dance! You wanna dance? I feel like dancing!” He led her through clusters of people she’d never met until they were dancing on the impromptu dance floor in the McKenzie’s great room. The music pounded as they moved to the rhythms surrounding them, lost in a love just discovered.
Jackson and Alli hadn’t made it to the dance floor, however. Still standing at the base of the stairs, Jackson continued staring at Alli. He hadn’t said a word but the love she found in his blue eyes said all she wanted to hear. Alli, normally not the least bit shy, felt light-headed. The depth of her feelings for this tall, handsome man she had loved as far back as she could remember was overpowering.
“I’m speechless, Jackson. You look so . . . perfect. I don’t know whether to faint or ask for a table in the non-smoking section.”
“I know. I feel like a penguin. But not too bad for a rental, eh?” he said, turning around to give her the full effect of his black tuxedo, tails and all. The black and navy paisley bow tie made her laugh.
Typical Jackson. Always the quirky, special touch.
He took hold of her hands again. “But you—whoa, Alli. Talk about speechless. I mean, one minute you’re this skinny little teenager and the next thing I know, you’re this gorgeous woman.”
“I guess we just grew up, didn’t we?” She smiled, her heart filled with affection as she lost herself in the eyes she knew so well.
“Always mine?” he asked, the question their own private ritual.
“Always and forever, Jackson.”
A gust of cold air blasted them as the front door flew open. “So is there a party here or what?” JT shouted, closing the door behind him following Tracey inside.
“JT! You came!” Jackson exploded, almost knocking JT over. “You actually came. Miracles never cease!”
“Easy, Jax! You know I never miss a party.”
Alli was pleased to see him relaxed and obviously recovered from the bitter encounter days before. They welcomed JT and Tracey into the house as they blended into the mass of friends and family. Hannah and Alli giggled as JT took off his coat. Who but JT Malone would wear a purple tank-style t-shirt under his white tux jacket?. In minutes they were all dancing, the burden they shared momentarily dismissed.
Sometime later, Sergio and Liza finally made their entrance down the stairs. Hannah smiled, watching Sergio descend the stairs, his charcoal gray tux accented with an embroidered brocade vest beneath it. His warm Spanish eyes sparkled, but his smile seemed hesitant at best.
Then she realized she might be the only person even noticing Sergio Cruz.
On his arm, a spectacle descended the stairs with him. Dressed in a lipstick red sequined dress, Liza’s neckline plunged to her waist revealing her quite-noticeable and no doubt surgically-enhanced cleavage.
Hannah felt sorry for Sergio the moment her eyes met his. Liza tugged him along like a forgotten stuffed animal. When they approached Jason and Hannah, Liza elbowed Hannah in the ribs, pushing her out of the way so she could hug Jason. He stiffened at her touch, quickly detaching himself from her.
“Oooh Jason, you look good enough to eat tonight. So handsome, baby!”
Hannah caught a whiff of something wafting around Liza and it wasn’t perfume. Whoa. The girl smells like a walking distillery.
By the sickened look on his face, Jason noticed it as well. Hannah looked closer at Liza’s face. Tiny pinpoint pupils. The whites of her eyes, streaked red like a road map. This can’t be good, Hannah thought.
She wasn’t the only one who spotted it. Jason stared intently into Liza’s eyes. “Liza, are you all right? You look a little—
“All right? Just all right? Jason, are you blind? Look at me!” she took a twirl to show off her gown. “I’m fabulous!” Liza giggled at herself, taking Jason into her arms to dance.
“Whoa, Liza, hold on there.” He pulled himself out of her clutches again.
“No! Stop being such a prude and dance with me!” She pressed herself against him launching into her own version of dirty dancing.
“Liza, no—not right now, okay?” he begged off. He reached for Hannah’s hand and quickly distanced them from the dancing Italian queen.
“Oh SCREW YOU, Jason!” Liza flipped him off. “You’re such a Boy Scout anyway. Why don’t you and your little girlfriend just go off and . . . hold hands or whatever.” She turned around, searching the crowd. “Sergi? Where are you?”
As Hannah and Jason moved across the room, they ran into Sergio. He was tugging at the collar of his shirt. Reaching out to hug him, Hannah smiled warmly at him. “Ah, Sergio, te ves incredible esta noche.”
“No, Hannah—you’re the one who looks amazing,” he answered, holding her hand at arm’s length, then kissing her hand in true European
style. “Jason, you better keep an eye on her. She’s way out of your league tonight, mi amigo.”
“And don’t I know it.” Jason laughed. He leaned into Sergio, draping his arm over his shoulder. “Listen, man, I’m concerned about Liza. I’m sorry to have to ask but is she on something? She looks really stoned.”
“Look, JMac, I’m really sorry about Liza. I don’t know what—”
“Sergi! Come here!” Liza shouted. In a flash, she was in the middle of them, her eyes boring a hole through Jason and Hannah. “I want to dance. NOW.” She pulled him toward the dance area. He looked back at them over his shoulder rolling his eyes.
Jason and Hannah watched as Liza thrust her arms high in the air, her dance moves so lewd they were almost comical. As she strutted herself in and out of couples, Sergio stopped to talk to one of the road managers. Eventually, his date disappeared in the crowd.
He didn’t seem to mind.
“Well say there, JT. Where’ve you been all night?” Liza slid beside JT on the sofa, wrapping her arms around his elbow, pressing herself against him.
“Liza, do you mind?” JT moved over a couple of inches away from her.
She lifted the drink out of his hand and drained it, then spit it back into the glass. “What is this?”
“It’s Pellegrino, Liza. What did you expect?”
“What’s the matter with you people? This is New Year’s Eve! Where’s the booze? I feel like I’m at a church picnic here.”
He set the glass on the end table, moving again to distance himself from her on the sofa. “It’s a matter of respect. The McKenzies prefer not to have alcohol in their home and we respect their wishes, pure and simple. Everybody here knows that.”
“But it’s New Year’s! We need to party, JT! C’mon, let’s you and me blow this place and go find us a real party!” She placed her hand high on his thigh and tossed him a wink.
He picked up her hand and removed it from his leg. “Liza, there are plenty of after-parties planned tonight. Why don’t you go find Serg and leave?”