by Anna Paige
"Not true. You're not like that," he argued, his eyes roaming over my face.
"Neither are you," I countered.
"I guess we're exceptions to the rule." He smiled, actually smiled at me like I was his favorite person on the planet, before realizing what he was doing and retreating behind his sullen mask. He averted his eyes, looking back into the cabin. "You better hurry and get a shower before the hot water runs out." Without looking at me again, he resumed rubbing the towel over his hair and marched back inside, clearly thrown.
I smiled all the way to the bathroom. A cold shower might not be the worst thing in the world right now, because that smile was sexy as hell.
•••
Milly's Mountain was breathtakingly beautiful, sprawled across a massive valley, flanked by mountains on all sides, like the silent peaks were watching over the campers, keeping them safe. The main building and smaller cottages that surrounded it were gorgeous, just rustic looking enough to fit in with their surroundings while also giving a subtle air of extravagance. I knew from talking to Talia and the girls that the main building—or lodge, as they referred to it—had a huge commons room, dining hall, theater room, and fully-equipped medical facilities that were staffed with volunteers. Doctors and nurses from all over the east coast came each week to assure the children had any care they required. Aside from that, there was a huge pool, a flower garden in full bloom, playground, hiking and nature trails, and tons of other amenities that made the retreat any child's dream destination.
The entire band had filed onto the new bus, snagging Marcus for the afternoon to drive us all to MM. My phone had beeped half-a-dozen times between my shower and our arrival at the retreat. Trish, as if conjured by the mention of her name, had been repeatedly calling, no doubt looking for an update I refused to give her. I'd talk to her once we were back on the road, after our time in Denson was over. I couldn't risk talking to her while in Denson, since I was the world's worst liar. If she smelled a secret, which her hyena nose was bound to hone in on, she wouldn't let up until I caved. I couldn't let that happen. Not today. Not to the guys and certainly not to the kids.
The story would break eventually, of course. There was no way we could ask the children and their families to keep today's concert a secret. But we did plan to have them hold off a few days before sharing pictures or stories online. We needed to let the guys get out of Denson first, so there would be no reason for reporters to converge on the little town. By the time the story broke, the kids would be back in their respective hometowns and MM would be mostly deserted until mid-week, when the next group of campers arrived for their ten-day stays.
No matter what, we wouldn't exploit them or the retreat for the band's benefit. I'd made a promise to Kade and the guys; one I planned to keep.
Walking across the wide parking area, I was surprised at the number of cars. Even accounting for the staff, there seemed to be a lot of people there. I asked Clay when I ran into him a few minutes later, and he just smiled.
"We brought back all of the campers from the last year, kind of like a reunion. It didn't seem fair for just one group to be included in the celebration, so we gathered the entire Milly's Mountain family together. The group that comes in next week will be included in next year's anniversary concert."
"You plan to do this every year, then?" I smiled, loving the idea.
"Yep, that's the plan." He glanced at the main building, where the band was hiding out until they were announced. "Kade said he had a bunch of other bands lined up, so we'll hopefully be booked with amazing talent for the next several years. Even a few non-music affiliated celebrities have shown interest in appearing."
"That's amazing." I looked at him closer, catching a slight pinch in his brow. "What's wrong?"
He shook his head, looking out at the wide field where the stage was being set up. "I was just thinking of the kids who won't be attending today. I remember them all, can picture each of their smiling faces, how brave they were. They should be here, and they aren't. Just like Talia's daughter." He blew out a breath, hands moving to his pockets. "I love what we've done here, and I'm proud of it, but it's so damn hard sometimes."
"Those smiles you mentioned?" I moved up beside him, following his gaze. "They were because of you, all of you. Those kids were better for having known you, for having been here. You did that, you and your family. No matter what happened after they left here, they carried that with them."
He cleared his throat and nodded. "I know. You're right. Thank you for reminding me."
Deciding we needed a subject change, I hitched a thumb toward the crowd and smiled. “So, that little old lady with the TotC T-shirt and the pink streaks in her hair… is that your grandmother?”
He laughed under his breath, looking in her direction and watching as several kids fought for her attention. She was all smiles, hugs, and high-fives. The kids were drawn to her like moths to a flame. “That’s her, the eighty year old wild child.”
I nodded, grinning. “I bet there’s never a dull moment when she’s around.”
He snorted softly, but his eyes lit up as he watched her. “You have no idea.” He turned back toward the lodge, throwing an arm over my shoulder to steer me along beside him. "So, how about we go get those rowdy rockers ready to give these kids a show?"
"Sounds like a plan to me." I chuckled, belly fluttering with excitement. I'd seen the band on stage, under the lights and doing their thing, but this was going to be something I knew I'd never forget.
•••
The entire lawn was covered with people, kids sitting cross-legged on the grass, parents standing at the periphery so not to block the children's view. I was way in back, taking it all in as Talia, Ali, and Lauren took their places on the surprisingly large makeshift stage and approached the mic.
Talia was first as she slid the microphone from its stand and said a few words about how proud she was of all her 'babies', how wonderful it was to see them all back to help celebrate the camp's one-year anniversary. Then, with an unsteady voice, she named the handful of children who had lost their battles over the last year. I found myself tearing up as the names were spoken, and I wasn't the only one. Talia barely made it through the list, her voice cracking and becoming thick with emotion as she told everyone her little Millie would be looking after them now.
After a moment of silence, during which I watched well over a hundred children bow their heads in honor of their friends, Ali stepped up and talked about some of her favorite memories from the last year, causing more than a few chuckles from the children and turning the vibe back toward the positive.
When she was done, she handed the mic to Lauren, who came to sit on the edge of the stage, her legs dangling and swinging like a child as she told them that she had some friends who wanted to meet them all, special friends who came a long way to see them. She said that lots of people thought these friends were heroes, but they were there to visit the real heroes—the children of Milly’s Mountain.
She stood and stepped aside, turning to address the five imposing figures climbing the steps at the back of the stage. When she announced the band by name, there was a collective gasp that was so loud it echoed across the field. Kids and parents alike cheered, some of the children immediately jumping to their feet, screaming the names of their favorite band member.
It was absolutely my favorite moment ever.
The guys took their spots on five matching stools, picking up their instruments as they went. Ethan had a single kick drum by his feet and the three guitarists played acoustic, with only a few mics to help carry the sound. It occurred to me that the little valley we were in would amplify the sound beautifully.
Kade sat in the center, slightly in front of the others as he smiled out over the crowd and began to speak. "Hey, everybody!" He waved, raising his voice over the cheers, and I noted a slight waver in his usually deep, rumbling tone. He was fighting for composure, and realizing that made me have to do the same. “We're Thrill of
the Chase, and we thought we'd stop by and help you guys celebrate a whole year of Milly's Mountain by playing a few songs. That okay with you?"
The shouts and cheers were near-deafening.
He grinned and nodded. "I'll take that as a yes."
Lennox started in first on his bass, followed by Ethan's perfectly timed kicks, then Jared and Kane's guitars joined in; they were playing a softer, slower version of one of their most recent chart-toppers. Kade's eyes scanned over the crowd as he began to sing, taking several opportunities to give the children little waves. His deep voice had an edge to it, one that I knew was likely attributed to emotion. He was choked up as he looked out over the faces of those kids; this big, scary man who tried so desperately to be seen as a hard-ass was on the verge of tears, even if I was the only one who could see that.
Tiny heads bobbed as the music played, their little bodies swaying in captivated silence.
Most of the parents cried as they listened to Kade's haunting voice, and watched their babies file away this amazing moment in their memories.
The guys played for a long time, longer than they usually did in concert, like they were unwilling or unable to break the spell the kids had on them. By the time the last song was finished, my face was streaked with tears and my heart was full to bursting.
Instead of just walking off stage, the guys put away their instruments and jumped down directly into the audience, letting the kids swarm them. They hugged and high-fived everyone who approached, answering questions and talking to them like they were old friends. They produced pens and markers from their pockets, signing T-shirts and taking pictures. The parents had already been talked to about the need to delay any public posting, so no one was particularly worried and no child was denied a photo or autograph.
Brant and Lauren made their way to me after a while, Lauren handing me a bottle of water as she stood back and watched along with me. After a few minutes, a smallish boy I estimated to be around ten walked up and hugged Lauren beside me. "Hey, mom. Can I go meet them now?" he asked, in a voice that didn’t match his tiny body.
Mom?
Wait… what?
I thought her foster son was fifteen. Wasn't that what she'd told me?
She smiled over at my confused expression and turned the boy by his shoulders to face me. "Aubrey, this is my son Alex, who can't stand the idea that the guys are over there and he has to wait for them to finish with the campers before he can meet them." She leaned her head down to rest it on top of his unruly mop. "Alex, this is Aubrey. A good friend of the band and a new friend of ours."
He stuck his thin arm out and offered his hand. "Nice to meet you." His smile was genuine, like he was impressed that I knew his heroes.
"Nice to meet you, Alex." I nodded to the guys, still surrounded by campers and parents. "Look at it this way, they may get to meet them first, but you get to hang out with them for the rest of the night."
His eyes lit up. "Really?"
I grinned at him. "Of course. Your mom and dad will be hanging out at the cabin with us later, why wouldn't you come along?"
He pursed his mouth, thinking. "I thought Uncle Spencer and Aunt Talia would want me to hang out with Parker again."
"I'll hang out with him, if they need someone." I offered.
He jerked his head in Lauren's direction, seeking her input.
She just sighed, looking at him like he hung the moon. "I wasn't going to tell you yet, but I already planned to bring you along tonight. Talia asked Miss Fay from the diner to keep Parker so you could come."
He frowned. "But I don't mind hanging out with Parker. Maybe we could bring him with us. I promise I'll watch him." I couldn’t get over how grown up he sounded given his small stature.
She shook her head, kissing his cheek. "No, sweetie. Too many people, too many stairs, and Parker has gotten pretty fast lately. Better to let Miss Fay spoil him for the night. She was excited to get some time with him, so let her enjoy it."
He hesitated for a minute before eyeing the band with open adoration. "Okay. But I wouldn't have let anything happen to him."
"I know, sweetie. Just enjoy your night. Parker will be fine." She chuckled.
His eyes wandered over the band. "I think I want to go for a walk before I meet them, get myself straight so I don't sound like an idiot."
Lauren and Brant exchanged a look before Brant nodded. "Okay. But don't go too far."
"Yes, sir," he mumbled, hurrying off.
"What was that look?" I asked Lauren.
She tipped her head in the direction Alex had gone. "He's probably going to the therapy room to work out. He's been kind of obsessed with it lately, and we haven't really said anything because he thinks we don't know." She met my eyes. "Clearly, he's still recovering from his ordeal, and he does need to gain some more weight and work on building his strength back, but I worry that he's pushing himself too hard."
"I think it's an outlet, not an obsession," Brant said, defending the boy. "He's still working through what his parents did to him, that's all. He knows not to push too far."
"Still, I worry…" She stared off toward the main building.
"Of course you worry," He kissed her forehead. "That's what good mothers do."
The look she gave him was one of complete and utter adoration. "And good fathers diffuse the situation when worry-wart mothers overreact."
"Just part of the job, ma'am." He winked, swatting her ass and breaking the tender moment.
I found myself getting emotional as I watched them; so in love, so committed to each other and their family. They were the kind of parents my own mother and father had been. It made me happy and sad at the same time.
Excusing myself, I decided to walk the grounds for a while, needing to process after so many swells of emotion in such a short amount of time. I walked for nearly an hour, just people-watching as families grouped together in small clusters all over the property and rekindled old friendships, sharing stories and words of encouragement. I eventually made my way to the garden, the scent of summer flowers making me smile. It was beautiful there, peaceful.
“They’re gorgeous, aren’t they?”
I jumped, startled by the softly spoken question as I spun around to find Clay’s grandmother watching me.
“Sorry, sweetie. Didn’t mean to scare you.” She gave me a soft smile and shifted her gaze to the flowers. “I think this is my favorite spot on the entire mountain. Looks like you were drawn to it, too.” Her eyes had a faraway look in them.
“It’s all so amazing,” I said noncommittally, trying to remember Kade’s warning. “You’re Clay’s grandmother, right?”
“Everyone calls me Gran. I have a real name, but I hardly remember it anymore.” She offered me a wink that said she remembered just fine.
“Nice to meet you, Gran. I’m Aubrey.” I considered offering my hand but that seemed too formal.
She just nodded, giving me a once-over. “Kade’s lady friend, right?”
My jaw dropped before I had the chance to stop it, but I recovered quickly, my teeth clicking together when I snapped my mouth shut.
Gran laughed softly. “I’m old, sweetie, not blind. At least not yet.” She tipped her head back toward where the concert had been. “He was getting overwhelmed on that stage today—it’s hard not to when you look out at all those little faces—and every time he started to falter, his eyes shot to you standing at the top of that hill.” She held my eye, raising a brow. “You kept him centered, grounded him, and that’s not something a man looks for just anywhere.”
I barely kept my reaction in check, wondering if she could see on my face how much I wanted that to be true. “I think you’re reading too much into it. He was probably just zoning out.”
She scoffed and pushed a pink-streaked curl off her forehead. “Why is your entire generation so prone to having your head up your ass?”
I flinched back, not believing I’d heard her right. “Excuse me?”
“I most certainl
y will not,” she harrumphed. “You’re just like Ali and Clay when they first started out—too damn stupid to see what’s right in front of you. It’s true what they say; youth is wasted on the young. If I had my life to do over, I’d damn sure seize the day instead of burying my head in the sand like you idiots.”
Did she just? Who the hell does she think she is?
“Look, I know I’m supposed to respect my elders and all that, but you’re way out of line.”
She pursed her mouth and met my challenging stare. “Am I? Or are you pissy because I spoke a truth that scares the shit out of you?”
“Who are you to presume to know my truth?” I bit out, having a hard time being firm with a woman who could likely be blown over by a mild wind gust.
“Truth is truth, sweetie. Mine, yours, theirs… all the same reality.” She lowered her voice and offered a smile. “I’ve watched you here today, and I see myself in you. The way you walk, the way you hold yourself like you’re being judged at all times. It’s exhausting. I lived that way for far too many years of my life and missed out on a lot of adventures with my late husband because I didn’t want to go against the grain.” She looked out over the flowers, sighing tiredly. “My biggest regret in life is not learning the words ‘fuck off’ sooner. Don’t let it be yours, too. Don’t let the fear of judgment keep you from living your life, or you’ll regret it.”
I eyed her for a moment. “Did Lauren put you up to this?”
She just smiled and stepped over to place her hand on my arm. “One thing about me, sweetie— no one makes me do a damn thing I don’t want to do. Now, if you’ll excuse me, my friend Edna bet me fifty bucks I wouldn’t pinch that shy guitarist on the ass, and I never lose a bet.”
Just like that, she turned and started toward the stage. I laughed until I had tears in my eyes, and when the humor faded, the tears still threatened because I realized she’d spoken the truth: her truth, and mine, and maybe even Kade’s.