“For the first time in a long time, I’ve got a shot at happiness and I’m taking it.” She tasted her tears. “I don’t need your approval, but I sure would like it. Cut me some slack, son…just this once.” She tugged on his arm and felt something break in his resistance.
He turned with a wildly confused look on his face. They stepped together, held on to each other, and sobbed.
Here and now she prayed Randy would finally see her as human, instead of the pillar of strength he insisted she always be. She patted his back with love and continued her silent mother’s prayer of healing.
“Life sucks, Mom. I hate it.” He sobbed into her neck like a little kid.
“Sometimes life does suck, big time.” Reese’s suicide came to mind. Her throat tightened with despair. “But things will change when you take hold of your own life and make a future for yourself.” Only time would convince him of that. Right now, all she could do was comfort him.
He bit his lips and stared at the ceiling. “Why does everything always come so easy for Dean, but I always fuck up?”
Dean did seem to clear all the hurdles in life with self-assurance, while Randy always caught his foot and stumbled. Two kids raised exactly the same had turned out so different.
“Because you’re you and Dean has his own problems to deal with.” She held him tighter. “Some of us have to work harder for things. I don’t know why, it’s just the way it is.”
“Shit.”
She smiled at his honesty. “Trust me, life will get better,” she said. “You’ve got to believe that.”
He grunted and blinked, lifted his glasses and swiped at his eyes and nose.
Maternal instinct told her not to say one more word.
****
Tyler struggled with choosing to play Dee’s song just before the set began. Bear seemed surprised when he suggested it.
“But you said there weren’t any words,” Bear had challenged.
“I got some. Let’s do it last,” was all he’d replied.
Now, Dee had gone running out of the room and he knew it was a mistake. He pasted on his showman’s smile and bowed one last time before leaving the stage.
Pauline waited in the wings. She didn’t miss a beat.
“Great show. Did you read over the contract?” she asked, fluffing back her abundant hair and smoothing her skintight leopard jumpsuit.
“Yep.”
“So you know we’re ready to offer you a great deal, but only as a solo act.”
“Yep,” he said, just as Bear’s huge frame brushed by his shoulder.
Chapter Twenty
Three things drove D’Anne back to the Tanya Lockwood concert. She needed the pass for backstage, the Dalmatian, and a chance to digest the meaning of Tyler’s newest song. Once she sat down, she didn’t have the nerve to leave until the tiring female country-twanger finished her show.
Rather than listen, her mind wandered and weighed the facts. Tyler wanted to be a star again, and after tonight was well on his way. And he’d written a beautiful love song for her, and if she believed the song, he wanted her. But she’d just discovered complete independence and wouldn’t jumping into another relationship so soon defeat her newfound freedom?
Remembering how Reese had dominated everything in their life, a feeling in her gut knew Tyler wouldn’t be anything like that.
If she could write a song for Tyler, what would she tell him? That he’d come into her life when she needed him the most, offered a hand with her troubles, stood by her side, made her feel young again…and for the first time ever, helped free her soul? His song title may have been, “What Would it Take to Make You Mine?” but hers would be, “How Can I Leave You?”
Now if she could only gather the nerve to tell him how she felt, she’d finally have it all together. Reality nagged at her daydream.
It would never work. Our backgrounds are too different. Our worlds would never meld.
But meld they had, and beautifully, too, throughout their RV adventure together. If only things could be different in the real world. And where the hell was the real world?
Theresa reached across the table and patted her hand in a consoling fashion, snapping her back to the present. She figured Randy’s storming out of the room was the reason.
“He’s okay.” D’Anne piled her other hand on top of Theresa’s icy cold clutch and did some of her own patting. “Just needs some time to himself.”
Theresa seemed to buy the explanation and let up on her grip.
After what seemed like an eternity, Tanya’s performance ended. The audience had clearly made its choice for favorite of the night, and it wasn’t her. No encores were necessary, just a brief and polite final ovation by diehard fans.
When the lights came on, D’Anne snatched up the Dalmatian and herded off with the crowd. Marlene and Gina forged a path and waited outside for her to catch up, ready and eager with their backstage passes.
“Shall we go?” D’Anne asked with a flutter in her tummy. Did she actually have the guts to tell Tyler she loved him? That she wanted to be with him on the road, wherever it led?
“If you don’t mind,” Theresa said, interrupting her thoughts. D’Anne turned around to see a battle in her friend’s eyes. Would she go with D’Anne or play the slots? “I’m going to pass on the backstage invitation.”
“I’m going to play the slots,” Dean said, with a quick hug and pat on D’Anne’s shoulder.
“I don’t get many opportunities to gamble,” Theresa said. “I think I’ll go to the casino, too.” She wrapped her arms around D’Anne’s shoulders. “Lady, that was a great concert.” She whispered the next part into her ear. “And Tyler is quite a hunk. But I’ve got a date with a poker machine I spotted. And I think you’d rather have that big ol’ country boy to yourself, anyway.”
“I understand, it’s your vacation. Have fun.” Whatever. Leave me on my own when I need you. Typical Theresa.
D’Anne joined her two other friends, Marlene and Gina, and headed for the door. They showed their passes to a large man in a black suit guarding the entry and were allowed backstage. Just when they ventured inside the secluded room, Bear approached, still wearing his sparkly black suit. He looked perturbed, scowling like a grizzly when he barreled toward her. Stopping abruptly, he drilled an angry look straight into D’Anne’s eyes. She tensed.
“Your man’s gonna sign a solo recording contract and leave us all out in the cold.” Without further word he swept past them. Marlene ran to catch up.
D’Anne’s heart sank. Just like that Tyler would drop the band? He’d sold them down the river for a solo contract with MeggaDecca records and that little scout? It couldn’t be, but according to Bear, it was a fact.
Concern covered Gina’s face while she searched for Ricky-Bob, who was nowhere in sight. D’Anne made a panoramic scan of the room and found Tyler surrounded by women, looking charming and smiling up a storm. Ricky-Bob entered the door and huffed-and-puffed all the way up to his wife, drawing D’Anne’s attention.
“Where were you?” Gina asked.
“I took the bass fiddle back to the RV.” He patted his chest, just above the pack of cigarettes in his shirt pocket. “Man, I think it’s time to give up the coffin nails. I never used to get winded carrying that thing.” He wrapped his arm around his wife. “Whew-wee. It feels a lot heavier these days, just like my lungs feel now.” D’Anne blinked.
“Well, I’ve been telling you to quit smoking for years,” Gina said. “Finally something knocked some sense into your head.”
He handed D’Anne the keys while she panned back across the room overrun with performers and guests, all slickly dressed and overly made up. Deep tans adorned their faces and any other exposed flesh, and ran the gambit from looking healthy to the extreme weathered look of homeless people.
“I ran into Bear by the elevator,” Ricky-Bob said. “Is it true Tyler sold us out?”
D’Anne shook her head. “I don’t know, but I intend to find
out.”
Accosted by acid sharp colognes and perfumes, D’Anne fought off a sneeze, then bid Gina and Ricky-Bob goodnight and moved on. She belonged anywhere but here. This was exactly what she meant by not fitting in to the limelight of Tyler’s other world.
Catching a glimpse of his tall white hat in the far corner, she threaded her way through the sardine-packed crowd and emerged to find Pauline talking Tyler’s ear off. He didn’t exactly look unhappy. To his credit, he didn’t look happy either. D’Anne wanted to get him away from her and question his judgment. She wanted to kick his shin and scold him for dropping the very band that helped spark life back into his dead career. How can you do this?
She wanted to give him her heart, but first he deserved a piece of her mind for fouling up. He looked preoccupied and her confidence waned at the sight of him with the young redhead.
Pauline put her arm through Tyler’s and leaned against him looking up, dream-like, into his gaze. She handed him a pen with her free hand. He took it.
D’Anne had seen enough for now. She spun around and waded upstream through the river of people and back toward the exit. Once outside, she felt so confused and shook up she needed to lean against a wall to steady her nerves. Her heart pounded in her chest and her ears roared with noise.
Get a grip.
“Well, now what should I do?” she mumbled. Thinking back to Ricky-Bob returning the bass to the RV, and figuring now was as good a time as any, she headed downstairs for the parking lot.
She’d planned on giving the money away tomorrow morning, but if she waited any longer she might not have a chance. Distracted by her thoughts, she hit the casino in full stride. Totally focused on her goal, she ran a straight line and pushed through the back doors heading for the RV, while fishing for the keys in her purse.
D’Anne reached the motor home and got inside, finding a surprised Dexter waiting. She greeted him and grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator, along with the magnetic calendar with the Indian School address. Splashing some water into his bowl and drinking the rest herself, she placed the key in the ignition. Shifting into gear, glancing over her shoulder, she saw Jilly’s bartender and the other man burst through the casino doors, heading her way. Only one thought came to mind. Run!
****
Tyler thought he saw a glimpse of D’Anne, but now she was gone. Pauline rubbed up against him like she had something more than contracts on her mind, and he’d already decided what he intended to do. Sure, he took the pen she offered, but promptly stuffed it in his breast pocket. He had no intention of signing anything just yet.
“Can you excuse me a minute, Pauline?” He removed his arm from her clutch. “I thought I saw Dee and I need to talk to her.”
“Your chauffeur?”
“She’s a hell of a lot more than that,” he said.
Ignoring his blunt message, she said, “I’m having a private party for a few friends in my suite later. I hope you’ll be there?” She stepped closer to him. “After, we can dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s on that little old contract of ours.”
He couldn’t wait to get away from her. “Right. I’ll catch you later.”
Tyler passed by Ricky-Bob and Gina, nodded, but didn’t stop. He thought he detected resentment on their faces, but there was no time to figure that out now. He needed to find Dee.
Making his way back to the casino, he panned the huge, cavernous room, but the only familiar face he found was J.T. in the corner at a slot machine. He approached his drummer who drank Tequila straight up, sulked, sucked on a lime, and stuck another twenty into a quarter machine.
“You seen Dee?”
J.T. offered a venomous look. Hell, they’d had a great show, and the joint was full of gorgeous women and everything else that made life sweet for a young buck like him. What was his problem? Bear had left the party in a huff, and even Ricky-Bob looked perturbed with him. His boys were smart. They’d obviously caught wind of Pauline’s exclusive deal. Well, he didn’t have time to explain now. Not while Dee was missing in action.
Just when Tyler decided to blow off J.T. and leave, the drummer spoke up. “I saw her go that way a second ago.” He pointed to the back door.
Tyler figured she’d be heading to the RV, but why? Maybe he could catch her there, tell her he loved her and find out if she felt the same. He stepped outside to the parking lot, and at a distance saw Dee, under bright fluorescent lights, climb into the cockpit and start her up.
“What the…”
Two men rushed past him, bursting through the door. Jake sprinted across the parking lot toward the RV. The same guy who’d bought him a drink earlier and wasted his time with small talk while Theresa led Dee out of the bar.
Dee backed out the RV, even burned a little rubber jerking the huge rig into drive, and Tyler’s concern took a turn toward fear. The muscular guy hopped into a bright yellow Hummer several parking spots away. Jake slid into the passenger side right when the driver ripped it into reverse, hot on Dee’s trail.
Without thinking, Tyler ran toward the only choice he had left, the beat up, antique Rabbit— grateful he’d kept the keys when he drove it earlier. As fast as he could put the key in the ignition and start the engine, he set off with the Hummer in sight, eyes on its bright color.
“How in the hell does Dee think she can get away from a military vehicle in a forty-foot RV?” He forced his foot on the gas pedal and peeled out of the driveway onto the boulevard talking aloud, and driving like a bona fide ALKYMOM. “And what makes me think I can catch them in a Rabbit? Those assholes must want the money.”
For the first time in ages, he wished he were packing a gun.
****
“Think. Think.” D’Anne fought off panic while she drove like a bandit in the night. Find a police station. Her hands shook on the steering wheel and her foot trembled on the gas pedal when she tried with all her might to believe she could lose the Hummer. Hide!
“A forty-foot RV?” D’Anne shrieked a near hysterical laugh, but remembered seeing a huge RV campground on the drive in the night before and formed a desperate back-up plan.
She looked out the side-view mirror and found a canary-colored Hummer a block away quickly approaching, weaving in and out of tight traffic.
“Ohmigod, ohmigod.”
D’Anne held her breath and floored it through the tail end of a yellow light. She heard horns and brakes screech behind, checked the mirror again and realized the Hummer had tried to pop the red light, but an SUV cut him off and he hadn’t made it. She prayed for a long light.
Breathing again, she found her voice. “It’s okay Dexter. I’m sorry.” The dog panted as quickly as she hyperventilated and his water had spilled all over the floor. With no time to waiver, D’Anne kept driving full speed ahead. Where’s a police station?
No looking back. She drove like a maniac, weaving and swerving through the traffic at breakneck speed, hoping to get pulled over by a cop or at least attract their attention. Where are the police when you need them?
The god of streetlights gave her a nod when she passed unhindered through three more intersections. She saw The Lucky Slot RV Park farther up the road. Yes! Not thinking things through and abandoning the hope of finding a police station on a whim, she made a quick, albeit hare-brained, decision and pulled into the driveway. Blowing off the attendant at the gate, she whizzed by leaving him waving his arms and shouting threats from inside his cubicle.
Once she entered the campground, she slowed to ten miles an hour, drove by row after row of behemoth recreation vehicles, and looked for a spot way at the back to camouflage her rig by several other even larger RVs. She stopped beside a campsite where a huge silver stream camper covered in decals from across the states had parked.
After backing in, she cut the engine and sat perfectly still. Now what? D’Anne kicked herself for not having thought the plan through better. But hell, she’d never been chased by bad guys before and fright had taken her commonsense brain cells
hostage. Her fingers grasped her cell phone, ready to punch in 911. Instead, she called Tyler, but only got his messages.
“Tyler? I’m at the Lucky Slot RV Park on the main highway. Get your ass over here quick!”
She held her breath and searched the campground for a sign of the Hummer, then forced herself to breathe in even intervals. She prayed they wouldn’t find her and that if they did, she could pull this off. Her chest felt like it might implode, but she stuffed the feeling of panic down as deep as it would go. Adrenaline made her throat dry as desert dirt and put her on guard.
The military-styled car turned the corner. She gasped. “Oh shit!” Her hands trembled while she hit dial on her phone and punched in a nine and a one. The cell phone slid from her shaky fingers and fell beneath the captain’s chair before she could punch in the last number one. She fumbled on her hands and knees, trying to find it. She finally spotted it lodged just beyond her reach between the Captain’s chair and the RV door. She made one more attempt to snag it, but the tip of her finger fell a hairsbreadth short of contact. Dammit!
D’Anne sat back on her heels, frantically thinking. Luck had run out. Plan B.
She reached for the backpack with a quivering hand and strapped it on her shoulders. Dexter watched, crouched and vigilant, from under the dinette.
D’Anne opened the RV door to make a sprint to another campsite for help. The dog shot out before she could stop him. She tried to call his name, but her voice had vanished.
She trembled and huddled in the doorway, panic stricken, frozen in place, and brain numb. Within seconds, gravel crunched beneath shoes and grew closer with each step. Think! Her pulse pounded in her ears. Dammit. Don’t get dumb now! Her eye caught site of a red object on the wall.
D’Anne scrambled for the travel fire extinguisher, broke the seal, and held it like a weapon.
Still unable to find her voice or scream, she shot out the door without direction. Fueled by fear, she headed for a group of other RVs, overshot them and wound up by a storage building instead.
One for the Road Page 23