by Lisa Edward
“What? How did you …?”
“He’s my pops. He gave it to me a long time ago, and now I’m giving it to you. Don’t you like it?” His brow furrowed. “I just thought that you would appreciate it, but if you don’t want it that’s fine, no big deal. I know you don’t need music to play, I just thought, you know …” He ran his hand nervously through his hair, messing it up even more than it already was.
Without thinking, I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tight. “I love it, but I can’t take it. It’s too much! Besides, I didn’t get you anything.” Now I felt really, really bad.
“I disagree,” he said quietly into my ear, as he held me tight with his huge arms wrapped all the way around my waist. “You’ve finally given me a hug … and another boner.”
I pulled away, shocked by his comment, and slapped him on the chest. He gave me one of his big husky laughs.
He looked out to the main bar where the rest of the group were talking noisily.
“I may have to rethink the whole redhead demographic, seeing as the rest of you are off limits.” Cole stared at Sami for a while, then screwed up his nose. “Nah, still couldn’t do it.”
WE STUFFED ourselves with the delicious selection of food, talking animatedly the entire time, until we couldn’t fit anything more in. Then Jason called for some Christmas carols to be played on the piano which I agreed to, so long as they all sang with me.
I was sitting down, trying to think of all the songs we had heard the night before, when Jay came over and stood beside me.
“I brought an old friend with me,” he said, holding up his violin. “Do you mind if I join you?”
Everyone came and gathered around the piano as Jay and I started playing. They all had their favourites and it felt like request night, as people called out different carols and we did our best to play them.
Cassie wanted to hear me sing ‘Oh Holy Night’, which I knew the words to but had never played. I told her I would do my best, and started to tinker on the keys.
“Don’t worry about trying to work it out. I know it,” Cole said, surprising everyone.
He came and sat down on the long piano stool next to me and I went to stand up, but he took hold of my hand and gently pulled me back down so we were sitting side by side.
“Ready?” he asked, smiling at me.
“Sure,” I replied, returning his smile.
He played beautifully, his fingers dancing lightly over the keys. I sang and watched Riley at the same time; he looked conflicted as he watched Cole and me sitting side by side, singing and playing this beautiful song. When we finished, everyone else praised us, but Riley just frown and dropped his eyes, his shoulders slumped. I decided it was time for a break and a drink, and some much needed Riley time.
Cole and Jay continued to play, and Cassie and Sami stayed as well, singing along when they knew the words, while the rest of us went and sat back down and poured more margaritas.
“What’s that?” Marcus asked, noticing the book from Cole.
I held it out to him and he took it, flicking through the pages but not understanding at all what the value or significance was.
I explained that Victor Michaels was a renowned composer and pianist, and as it turned out, was also Cole’s grandfather. As soon as I mentioned Cole’s name I felt Riley shift restlessly in his seat beside me, and I looked at him. His jaw was clenched, and he was picking at invisible lint on his jeans.
“Can you play any of this?” Jason asked as he leaned over Marcus’s shoulder, looking at the musical scores like they were text in a foreign language.
I nodded, trying not to make a big deal out of it. I could see Riley getting more and more stressed out the corner of my eye, but Jason wanted to hear something, and I couldn’t think of a valid reason to decline.
Reluctantly, I took the book from Marcus and headed back over to the piano. I told the others that carol time was over for a while, and waited for Cole to move from the piano stool, but he just shifted over for me. I looked up at Riley; he was still picking that pesky invisible lint from his jeans, and didn’t look up. I sighed resignedly and sat down beside Cole.
The others went to freshen up their drinks, leaving Cole and I sitting on the seat together. We sat side by side, our legs lightly touching, while I flicked through the pages of this incredible and surprisingly thoughtful gift. Then something that Jay had said the first night Kelli and I saw the band came to mind.
I looked at Cole as I put two and two together. “Your name’s Victor Michaels as well, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” he said with a little bow of his head. “Victor Michaels the Third, to be precise.”
“Is that why you changed your name to Cole?” I asked. “Because of the lineage?”
“No, I changed it because Victor is dorky.”
I laughed at his simple reasoning before turning my attention back to the music.
I chose a piece that I had heard but never played, and with excited butterflies circling in my stomach, began to play. The piece was haunting and dark, and it filled the room completely, altering the mood almost instantly. Cole put his hands on the keys down the low note end and started playing chords to complement what I was playing, which heightened the piece tenfold. It was overwhelming to be playing music that had been hand written by one of the greats, and playing it with his grandson.
When we finished, we just looked at each other. It felt as if his eyes were looking right into my soul. We had made a connection through music that I had never felt before, and it scared the crap out of me.
He leaned in with his lips parted, then licked his bottom lip. I sat frozen on the seat, my heart pounding.
“You raced the middle section a little bit,” he said, leaning in so his lips were just brushing against the hair near my neck. “You’ll need to practice a bit more.”
I turned scarlet and went to get up, but he took hold of my hand.
“Do you remember the first time we met?” he asked, still leaning in close to me. “The first time we met properly, not at the gym.”
Nodding, I shifted uncomfortably.
“You had your hair up then as well.” I could feel his breath on my neck as he spoke. “You were wearing a blue halter-neck top, and your hair was pulled back like it is now.”
I could feel my heart beating as if it were going to come out of my chest.
“I wanted to lick all the way up your neck that night.” His voice was so deep it was resonating through me. Closing my eyes, I tried to catch my breath.
“You should wear your hair down. It’s safer that way.”
I took a steadying breath before opening my eyes. He was watching me, his green eyes looking longingly at me.
“Do you remember anything about me that night?” he whispered hopefully into my ear.
Of course I did; he was a hard man to forget. But I couldn’t tell him that. Besides, his ego didn’t need stroking.
“Yes. You took countless phone numbers, kissed numerous girls, and told one girl to wait outside for you so she could say hello to your penis,” I said definitively.
He may be gorgeous and talented and charming, but he was also a womaniser, and that was something I needed to remember.
Thanking him again for the gift, I went straight back over to the table and to Riley’s lap.
“That’s a pretty big gift to give someone, isn’t it?” Riley asked suspiciously, still stewing on the gift as Cole pulled up a chair at the end of the table so he was beside us.
Cole just shrugged. “No big deal. I was going to ask Tara if she would like to come with me some time to meet my pops. I’m sure he would like it.”
I nearly jumped out of my seat. I would love to meet him, but I knew it wouldn’t go down well with Riley, so instead I casually asked, “Why aren’t you having lunch with your pops today?”
He shrugged uncomfortably. “My parents are visiting Pops for lunch in the nursing home, and I’ll go see him tonight for dinner.” He pa
used for a moment, considering how much information to reveal, before sighing. “My parents wanted me to follow in Pops’ footsteps. Seems the musical talent skipped a generation, and I was the next big hope. My mum especially doesn’t approve of the path I’ve taken.”
“What? You mean she doesn’t like you molesting girls on stage?” Riley asked sarcastically, taking the opportunity to have a dig at Cole, which I thought was unnecessary.
Cole forced a chuckle, but his eyes were steely. “They wanted me to play piano, and I do. Pops taught me, and I write most of my music on the piano, but I never had any burning ambition to play for a living.” He shrugged again, more casually this time. Then he transferred his gaze to me. “The molesting girls on stage bit is just for show; it’s not real, you know.”
“So was the girl in the back room last week for show too?” I asked with a smirk, my eyebrows raised.
He chuckled softly. “No, she was for pleasure. Her pleasure more than mine, though. They all want to tell their friends they’ve been with the singer; sometimes they have bets on who I’ll choose. Who am I to disappoint?” He shrugged again. “I’ve heard that a couple of them even have a nickname for me.” The corner of his mouth twitched with an unexpressed smirk, and I knew he was referring to Kelli and me. And there was the smarmy Cole back again. Pity. I liked the other Cole a lot better.
I stayed cuddled up on Riley’s lap and he slowly relaxed again, as I tried to ignore Cole’s constant gaze, and focussed solely on my boyfriend. He was becoming playful again, the Riley I loved spending time with, and I was becoming increasingly flirtatious the more margaritas I drank.
“Can you put that sexy outfit on again when we get home?” he whispered cheekily, referring to the Naughty Santa outfit.
“Why? So you can tear it off me again?” I asked playfully.
My eyes flicked over to Cole. I hoped he hadn’t heard what we were saying, but he was watching us, and from the expression on his face, he had heard every word.
“No, I think I’ll leave it on this time, and work around it.” He nuzzled my neck, and I giggled at the sensation and returned my focus to Riley.
He was kissing my neck and collarbone and feeling very amorous, discreetly running his finger around the neckline of my top. Well, at least I thought it was discreetly until I heard Cole groan softly, and when I looked over I saw he was staring, transfixed on my cleavage.
Closing my eyes, I tried to block out Cole’s intense gaze and sighed contentedly at Riley’s caress. He kissed my jaw and followed the line around to my lips. I kissed him eagerly, loving the feel and taste of him.
“God, you two, get a room, will you? You are always at it.”
Opening my eyes, I looked at Cooper, who was watching us with a big cheeky grin on his face. “If I didn’t know better, Fox, I’d think you two were in love or something.”
“We are,” I said with a big smile, sparking a reaction around the table.
All at the same time, Jason cheered happily, and Marcus frowned and pushed his chair back to get up—he obviously thought it was too soon. Kelli smiled warmly at me, and Cole scoffed, which I thought was strange.
I looked at Cole’s face questioningly, annoyed by his reaction. He just shook his head at me, as if to say don’t worry about it, before draining the rest of his beer. I looked over at Marcus. He was watching Riley and me from the bar, still frowning.
What was going on with everyone?
I decided it was time to go; at least Riley was still in a good mood.
“I think we’ll go and find that room you suggested,” I said to Cooper with a wink as I took Riley’s hand, and we started to say our goodbyes.
I told Kelli and Cooper I would be in touch. It was Riley’s birthday the following week, and I had something in mind for the four of us. I gave Jason a big hug, then turned to Cassie and Sami, and hugged them both at the same time with one arm each.
I found Jay packing up his violin and hugged him, thanking him for playing the carols with me. He apologised again for bringing Cole, and I told him again not to worry about it.
I went over to Marcus, folded my arms at him and raised one eyebrow, conveying my disapproval at his reaction. He shrugged and pulled me into an embrace, which I gladly returned.
Lastly, I turned to Cole. He stood and held his arms out to the sides, waiting for his hug with a sexy grin on his face.
“Can I get another one?” he asked. “Or would two in the same day be too much to hope for?”
I remembered what had happened the last time we’d hugged and the “boner” comment, so I decided on a quick friendly hug where our bodies wouldn’t actually touch. He tried to pull me in tight, but I pushed back against his arm, trying to keep some distance between us.
He chuckled softly in my ear. “What’s wrong, Fox? Scared of getting too close to me?”
It was like a red rag to a bull and I stepped in defiantly, allowing him to engulf me in his arms.
“Hmm, much better,” he growled into my ear before kissing me lightly on the neck, and pressing up against me.
“That’s enough,” Riley snapped, grabbing Cole’s arm and pulling him away from me. “Keep your hands to yourself. She’s not one of your groupies.”
Cole turned and stood dangerously close to Riley. Cole was taller and a bigger build, but I knew Riley was trained, and could take him down if he wanted to. Riley’s jaw was clenched tight as he stared icily into Cole’s eyes. One slight move from either of them and it would be on, and I wouldn’t be able to stop it.
“Riley, babe,” I said quietly, “please let it go.”
His eyes flicked over towards me, but then returned to Cole. “Sorry, Tara, not this time. He needs to apologise. He has no respect for you, or for us.”
Cooper was coming around the table, preparing for the worst. Everyone else was just standing back with mouths open, waiting to see what would happen.
Cole opened his mouth to speak, and I hoped he was going to do the right thing. Of course, I hoped for too much.
“How much longer are you here this time?” He goaded Riley. “Be leaving soon, I expect, leaving Tara all alone again. I can wait,” he said, smirking.
“It doesn’t matter,” I said, stepping right beside them.
They both looked at me, and I glared at Cole before turning lovingly to Riley. “It doesn’t matter how long you’re away. I’ll wait for you,” I told him. Putting one hand on Riley’s arm, I lightly stroked his bicep as I looked deep into his eyes. “As long as you promise to come back to me, I would wait an eternity for you, because I love you, and I have faith in us.” I gave him a half smile. “You’re it for me, too.”
It was something that Riley had said to me the first time he’d told me he loved me, and it was all I needed to say. Riley’s face immediately softened and he raised his hands to my cheeks, and then touched his forehead to mine.
“I love you so much. I can’t lose you,” he whispered so softly I could barely hear him.
“You’re not going to,” I whispered back.
Kissing him softly on the lips, I ran my hands up around the back of his neck, running my fingers through his hair. He melted into the kiss, the full length of our bodies touching as the kiss deepened. We stayed there, tasting each other, until I slowly pulled my lips away from his.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “No more jealousy. I trust you.”
I smiled at the man I loved, and then turned. Cole was still standing behind us, watching our exchange with a curious expression.
I looked up into his face, absolutely livid, and he exhaled loudly. “I’m sorry, Tara. I guess I really don’t have a chance,” he said, his emerald eyes studying my face. “Pity.”
His voice was soft and deflated, and although he had been totally in the wrong, it made me sad.
The anger that I had felt toward him melted away. Instead of ripping into him as I had planned to, I looked into his eyes and just saw a lonely little boy looking back at me.
“No more; do you understand?” I said, as if I were chastising a child. “If you want to be friends, you need to start acting like a friend, and stop treating me like prey.”
I didn’t know which way this was going to go. Did he even want to be my friend?
He nodded. “Okay, friend, I’ll give it a shot.” He held his arms out. “Can I have a friendly hug?”
I hesitated for a moment.
“You hug Jay and Marcus all the time. If we’re friends, you can hug me in the same way.”
His arms were still held out to the sides, which made him look like a mountain of a man, but the lonely little boy was still in his eyes, almost pleading to be embraced.
Stepping in, I threw my arms around my friend’s shoulders. His arms wrapped all the way around my back pulling me in tight, but the Cole I had hugged before was gone. The Cole that had given me butterflies and made my heart race had put up a brick wall, because I had told him I just wanted to be friends.
It was the most platonic hug I had ever had, and it made me want to cry.
Cole lifted his head and looked down at me, his eyes full of sadness. “Is this what you really want?” he asked.
I hesitated for a moment. Every fibre of my being was shouting that no, this wasn’t what I wanted, but I couldn’t tell him that. I couldn’t tell him that a part of me wanted so much more, because it would mean we could never be friends and spend time together. I thought of Riley. I loved him, and he loved me; anything other than friendship with Cole would break Riley’s heart.
Nodding my head slightly, I couldn’t meet his eyes. “Yes,” I said uncertainly, “this is what I want.”
I rested my head on his chest again. I didn’t want to let go. I had been so mean to him earlier at the piano, and again now. I was trying to push him away because what I really wanted would destroy my relationship with Riley.
I could feel his breath on my neck as he whispered, “I’ll still remember the night we met as the night that changed my life. You’re my exception to every rule.”