Hinder (An Off Track Records Novel)

by Kacey Shea

  “You mean bake?”

  “I mean, what do you dream of doing, if you had the choice? I could see you running your own bakery or restaurant. Becoming a chef.”

  “That’s not my dream. Don’t get me wrong, I love feeding folks, but not for a career. No, I, well, I-I don’t quite know what I want to do. Did you always want to be the drummer in a rock band?”

  “Ever since my eleventh birthday. Yes.”

  “What happened on your eleventh birthday?”

  “Reckoning by the Grateful Dead. That album changed my life. Until then I hadn’t listened to anything except classical. But that gift, it changed everything. It showed me music was more than a practiced and perfected replication of the past. It was real, living and breathing. Those songs meant something. I suppose most little boys dream of playing in a band, but this was different. I spent all my free time sneaking out to play drums until I got my own set. Then it was sneaking to the basement when my parents were out.”

  “They never knew?”

  “No. I think part of me understood they’d never approve. While my friends were sneaking pot and opioids, I was sneaking hours on the skins. Pretty lame, huh?” I chuckle. “I hope it doesn’t change your impression of me.”

  “Not at all.”

  “So, there’s nothing you’d like to do for a career?”

  “I didn’t say that. I said I never dreamed of one thing. I have all sorts of stuff I’d like to try, but it takes experience and money and education. I didn’t have much in the way of opportunities. At least not before.”

  “Before you discovered you had a famous rock star for a sister.”

  She pulls back, and her head shakes adamantly. “It’s not like that, you know? I don’t expect her to provide for me. I don’t want a hand up. I’ll earn my own way, even if it takes a little longer.” There’s a strength in her voice I’ve only begun to witness. Opal is a survivor, and she hasn’t let life beat the goodness from her.

  “There’s nothing wrong with paving your own path. It’s better that way. Sweeter.” I can’t stand the space between us anymore. I have to kiss her again. This time when I capture her lips she’s ready for me, and her mouth moves against mine with a purpose and passion I feel in every molecule of my body.

  When we break apart she’s smiling. “I think it’s my turn to shower. I can’t very well face everyone when I look—”

  “Freshly fucked?” I say and she shoves at my chest.

  “I was going to say disheveled, but yes, I believe that works, too.” She reaches for her hair and attempts to smooth down the wild strands, but I stop her.

  “Don’t. You’re gorgeous. And I like that no one else has ever seen you this way. That I’m the only one.”

  Her cheeks tinge in pink, and she wraps one of the sheets around her chest before pushing off the floor. While she gathers clean clothes and a towel, I take a moment to collect the sheets and blankets from the floor. I don’t bother refolding mine, and throw them back inside my bunk to make later. The others, I stash beneath dirty clothes inside the laundry bin cabinet.

  From inside the bathroom I hear the shower spray begin to pour, and Opal’s sultry voice as it lifts with song. I want to join her but first I need to check in with the guys about when they’ll be back. Before I reach my phone, it chirps with an incoming text. Fuck. It’s no surprise who it is.

  The Devil: Call me. ASAP.

  I glance around and find the furthest corner of the bus to pace. From here I can see anyone approaching the doors, and more importantly, Opal won’t be able to hear. I press call and as soon as the line connects, a surge of anger boils in my belly. “What do you want now?”

  His deep chuckle meets my ears. “Aren’t we in a chipper mood?”

  “I bailed on the interview. You figure it out.”

  “Oh, Leighton. Don’t push me. I push back. And I’m saving your ass, but I won’t hold my breath for a thank you note. The reporter wanted everything. Birthdays and parents’ names. I’m sorry, kid. We weren’t prepared for Drummergate.”

  And really, am I mad about missing the interview and the photo shoot? No. Because I haven’t earned it. Besides, if I’d gone, I wouldn’t be here with Opal. We wouldn’t have made love.

  “That all?” I pause to listen for the shower, relieved when I hear it still running. “As much as I love our chats, I have an appointment to bleach my asshole that I’d hate to be late for.”

  “Smartass,” he mutters and through the line I hear the shuffle of papers as he lowers his tone. “What do you have for me on Opal?”

  Everything. Fucking everything.

  “I need more time,” I whisper.

  “Fuck.” I can picture the deep lines of his scowl. The intensity of his glare. “Give me something here, kid. Otherwise you give me no choice. I’m sure the band would love to know how I acquired their drummer.”

  I can’t tell whether he’s baiting me or he’d actually do it. That’s the kicker with him. He’s shrewd enough I don’t put anything past him. The thought is terrifying. If he outed me today, Opal would never speak to me again. I’d lose her for good. “You get off on this? On ruining my life.”

  He chuckles humorlessly. “Bold words coming from the guy who blackmailed his way onto the tour.”

  “What do you want?”

  “Something. Juicier the better.”

  I don’t get it. I really don’t understand. “Aren’t you supposed to protect them from this shit, not start it?”

  “You know nothing about PR. Spotlight is the spotlight. There’s no such thing as bad publicity.”

  “I think the band would beg to differ.”

  His tone is hard and loud through the line. “Talk or you’re out.”

  “Fine. Lexi and Trent had an argument today. He never told her about the magazine feature and she was pissed. I’m pretty sure Trent sent her six dozen roses.”

  “Hmm . . . That could work. We can spin that. He slept with someone else. Lexi threatened to leave him. Trent groveled with flowers. Thank you.”

  Hold up. “But that’s not the truth.”

  “The truth is in the eye of the beholder.”

  I shake my head, and my temples thrum with tension at his blasé attitude. “If you’re going to make up lies, why ask for my help?”

  “Because every bit of gossip you read holds at least an ounce of truth.”

  “What about Trent and Lexi?” These are people’s lives he’s fucking with.

  “They can handle it. Believe me, if a rumor comes between them, their relationship wasn’t built to survive.”

  I can’t believe his heartlessness. And yet I can. For the first time in forever I want to be nothing like my Uncle Bedo when I grow up. “That all? I need to go.”

  “What’s the deal with Lexi and Opal? They know each other?”

  My spine prickles. I have to protect her secret. I can’t let on about any of it. “How do you mean?”

  “Just a rumor. You’re not my only intel. Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed how close those two are.”

  “Yeah. I mean, I guess I just assumed it’s because they have to get along, what with Trent being Opal’s boss and Lexi being his girlfriend.” I pray I lie well enough that he lets it go.

  He lets loose a long whistle and when he speaks his voice is full of interest. “You don’t think the three of them are together?”

  I know for certain they are not. Yet, I successfully hold in my laugh. Before I can speak he continues rambling.

  “Never mind. That’s absurd. I’ve seen the hotties Trent fucked before Lexi, and Opal doesn’t come close. She’s waif-like. No boobs. Too young, for him anyway. Doesn’t have the curves he goes for.”

  I clench my jaw at his assessment of her, and my impulse to defend her. To explain how fucking gorgeous she is, not to mention her heart of gold. Instead I go for indifference with a touch of sarcasm. “Yeah, if they were sleeping together it’d be pretty obvious, what with us all sharing a bus.”
r />   “Right. I just can’t figure it out. She seems so oblivious to the industry, but it’s got to be an act.”

  “Was there anything else?”

  “Don’t enjoy shooting the shit with your uncle?”

  I don’t answer him.

  “Fine. Good-bye. We’ll talk soon.”

  I end the call without returning his sentiment and consider smashing the goddamn phone. It’s useless. He’ll only send me another. Fuck! I need to find a way out of this mess. I have to. If I don’t, I’ll lose everything I want. Not to mention everything I have.

  29

  Opal

  All boys are the same. They only want one thing, darlin’. It’s your responsibility to make him wait. You hear me? You will not end up like your mama. So help me, I will not let that happen.

  Grams’ warning rings true in my ears as I meet my gaze in the bathroom mirror. I run a towel through my hair and use my fingers to brush it out. As much as I don’t want to believe it, I have to consider whether she’s right. Did I move too fast with Leighton? Should we have waited? Now that he got what he wanted, will he lose interest?

  No, I shake my head to chase away the thoughts. I refuse to allow my past to get in the way of any future I have with Leighton. “You are brave. You’re strong,” I whisper to my reflection. My lips are full, swollen from all our kissing, but other than that I look exactly the same. I don’t feel the same though. Making love to Leighton, trusting him with my body, it makes me feel powerful. Womanly. “And you’re not a girl anymore.” There’s a tinge of regret that comes with the reality. Even though I chose this and no one forced my decision, the last shred of my youth—my innocence—is gone.

  Knock, knock.

  I startle at the sound and then wrap my towel around my body. “One second.” If the guys are back, I don’t want to flash anyone.

  “It’s me,” Leighton says through the door. “Food’s almost ready.”

  I open the door and delight in the way his gaze eats me up.

  “Hey, beautiful.”

  “What’s this about lunch?” I tilt my head and enjoy sweeping my gaze up his trim waist and bare chest.

  He braces himself on the doorjamb and leans in. “I thought I’d make you a meal for a change.”

  “That’s really sweet.” My heart does a little flutter thing and I swear I fall a little harder.

  “Don’t get too excited.” He winces and lets loose a chuckle. “I can’t cook for shit. I hope you like pasta. Plain. With butter.”

  “Sounds delish.” I glance down before meeting his gaze. “Give me a minute to get dressed?”

  “Only because the guys could come back any second.” He reaches for my hip, tugs me forward and captures my lips in a sweet kiss. “Otherwise, I’d insist on a skimpy towel as the dress code.”

  I step back into the bathroom, my hand on the doorknob. We’re back to that goofy, stupid smile thing again. It takes all my effort to shut the door, but somehow I get it closed. I don’t know what I was worried about. Leighton is a good man. He’s into me, he really is, and I have no reason to doubt that.

  The guys return within the hour and from then on it’s go, go, go. I’m beat by the time they take the stage, but rally to cheer them on. Nothing can shake my happiness. Even Bedo doesn’t creep me out with his cryptic questions and snarky comments. We all retreat to our hotel rooms for the night, and as soon as I’m inside mine, I text Leighton with the number. Five minutes later he knocks on my door and I let him inside where we kiss and he makes love to me before we both succumb to sleep.

  I wake the next morning to my alarm. After I silence my phone, I roll over to reach for Leighton but find him gone. I can’t deny I’m a little disappointed, though I understand. We haven’t really talked about being open with our relationship. I’m not sure it’s a good idea, though part of me wants to stake my claim to the world. Hold his hand in public. Kiss him whenever I want. But this isn’t solely about us; what we do affects the band, and then there’s the press.

  Not wanting to dwell on all the obstacles we have to overcome, I sit up and stretch. My body is sore in places it’s never been before, a reminder of our intimacy. He was worried about that last night, and insisted on going down on me before we made love. A pointless argument because I can’t imagine ever refusing him that. The man knows exactly how to make me come.

  I use the restroom and get my toiletries out of my bag when I spot a note on the hotel dresser. I recognize his handwriting instantly.

  O,

  Thank you for last night,

  and yesterday,

  and for however long you’ll have me.

  I won’t stop until I memorize every inch of your skin,

  the taste of your lips,

  and the lines of your soul.

  L

  I don’t know whether he realizes it or not, but this . . . this note is everything. I fold the hotel paper carefully, with love, and tuck it inside the notebook I never leave behind. Right beside the ten letters of my father’s. To have a love note of my own strikes a chord of inner joy and I swoon. Sometimes you don’t realize how much you want something until the gift is yours. A longing to be cherished and appreciated runs deep in my soul. For the first time I think it might be in reach.

  My phone buzzes from where it’s plugged into the night stand and I walk the short distance to check my messages.

  Lexi: Just landed. See you soon!

  I glance at the time again, and this time I get my butt in the shower. The morning’s almost over and my sister’s on her way. Today’s the big day. The moment I show her a little piece of my heart. As nervous as I am, there’s excitement too. I think the guys are right. There’s no way she won’t love the song I wrote.

  I meet up with Lexi in the hotel lobby, and join her and Trent for lunch. She tells us about the last few weeks. Recording her HBO special and tales on the road. It’s nice catching up on the time we’ve been apart, and even though I am, I don’t feel like a third wheel. Now that I’ve spent time working for Trent, our conversation comes easy. We’re friends. If the smile on my sister’s face is any indication, she’s happy for our shared comradery.

  “Alright ladies, we need to head over to the studios. Sound check’s at three,” Trent announces after paying the check.

  We hail a cab outside and a short time later we pull up to the iconic 30 Rock building. Through tourists and city goers, we make our way inside and catch the elevator.

  At our stop, Trent holds the door and after Lexi passes through, he whispers, “You’ve got this.”

  My stomach tightens with nerves. I hope he’s right. I can’t believe I get to play here. Even if it’s only to an audience of sound techs and my sister, it’s still a freaking big deal. I don’t want to screw it up.

  Inside on set, the rest of the band is waiting. Leighton lifts his gaze, flashing a smile meant only for me before schooling his features.

  I lift my hand and wave, a new flutter of butterflies hitting my belly. It’s really difficult to not stare at Leighton. It’s as if my eyes don’t care for anything else.

  “We’re ready to go whenever you are,” one of the crew members says to the band. The set is simple, but I know they’ll bring down the house tonight. The guys don’t need anything fancy. Their music speaks alone.

  Lexi takes a seat in the front row, an eager smile in place.

  Trent struts up to the lead mic and picks up the guitar from its stand. It’s the one Austin’s as good as given me for how often I play it. “Ugh, Opal? Did you have the crew send over my guitar?”

  This is it. “What’s that?” I rush over, pretending to be concerned when really I’m trying not to puke.

  “Here.” He hands it over and slides the strap over my head. He nods, the hint of a smile on his lips. He lowers his voice so only I can hear. “Shine, baby girl. Shine.”

  As Trent strides toward the wing, I swallow any lingering doubt and step up to the microphone. I meet Lexi’s curious stare. “So, ther
e’s this thing I’ve been working on. To surprise you.”

  “Yeah?” She leans forward in her chair.

  I shrug, and bite at the inside of my cheek. “It’s not much. In fact, it’s stupid really.”

  “Opal.” Trent narrows his glare as he comes back on stage with his Fender.

  “I’ll just . . .” My voice trails off and my hands shake. Here goes nothing. Closing my eyes, I bob my head and strum. The guys join in and amplify the sound. I wrote this song, so it might be narcissistic of me to admit, but I freaking love it. The notes are familiar, the melody true. And when I open my mouth to sing the first verse, I’m not a scared girl from a nothing town in Texas. I’m just me, and that’s more than enough.

  Trent belts out his part, and our voices complement the other.

  The words are powerful. They’re written from my musings about love. But today they feel stronger, as if the tenderness I have for Leighton only elevates their meaningfulness. I wish I could turn around to meet his gaze. To let him know how much they’re meant for him.

  “She’s not running from her past,

  She’s searching for a future to call home.

  And for these few hours he’ll be hers.

  She’ll be his even more.”

  We move into the bridge and Austin steals the show. He wrote the part and it makes the compilation even more significant. Each of these men have placed their mark on my music. On my first song.

  The last chord strums and soon the studio is silent. Lexi holds my gaze and her eyes are shining. A big ol’ smile stretches her red painted lips and my chest brims with pride. She likes it. She doesn’t have to say a word. I can read it on her face.

  “Uh, we thought you guys were starting with Cut,” the sound tech sounds confused. “Did the set list change?”

  Trent laughs and brushes his hair from his face. “Sorry, man. We wanted to warm up with an Opal Evans original. We’re still playing Cut for the show.”

  “Wait, what?” Lexi leaps to her feet, and faster than I can set the guitar back down she’s on the stage, her eyes wide and eyebrows arched. “You write music? How come you never told me?”