by Sharon Coady
“Yep.” He headed down the hall as she made her way to her room. Well, no time like the present. Either I get it together or he is gone forever, if it isn’t too late already. She glanced at herself in the mirror and saw determination looking back at her. She knew she wasn’t going down without a fight. Alastair was right; she needed to think about herself for a change.
She changed into her bathing suit, grabbed a beach wrap, and went to meet Alastair in the kitchen. “Let’s go.”
“I wonder if they’re still surfing.” He opened the door and motioned for her to go through.
“They may be. It’s still pretty early. Johnny is really good at it. You would never know he grew up in Texas watching him.” They headed down the steps and started walking side by side on the path leading to the beach.
“You watch a lot of surfing, do you?” He took her hand and gave it a little squeeze.
“Yeah, my mom loves to watch the surf competitions so I always watched them with her.” She gripped his hand. “You didn’t know that about me, did you?”
“Nope, I didn’t know that about you or your mom. I wonder what made John decide to learn.”
“I don’t know, maybe living on the coast? What made him get a tattoo? I never knew he had any interest in it, did you?”
“Can’t say it was something we ever discussed. We’ve all gone in different directions with our lives. Not a lot you can really still know, I guess. None of you knew I got dreadlocks. No one knew I was proposing to Hope. I guess, as much as we hate to think it, we’re sort of drifting apart. Sucks, doesn’t it?”
“It does. Heather and I were talking about it earlier. She knows a lot about some us, but she didn’t know about you and Hope or Johnny.” Leona sighed and glanced at the sky. “I wish so much didn’t have to change.”
“Some change is good, Leona. Things have to move forward.”
She looked in his eyes and saw the truth there. “I guess you’re right, but why does it have to be so complicated?”
“Anything worth having is at least a little complicated. If it were easy, what would we ever strive for? Fight for what you want. If you don’t, you’ll spend the rest of your life wondering.”
“When did you get so insightful?” She punched his arm. “Sounds like something an adult would say.”
“Well, we’re grown-ups now.” He glanced up and saw Heather trying to build a sand castle. “Well, some of us, anyway.” His eyes crinkled as he started laughing.
Chapter Eight
When the wave sets finally slowed down, the three surfers made their way to shore. Leona could hear them laughing and cutting up as they headed her way.
“That was some crazy surfing. Where did you learn to surf like that, John?” Alastair shook each of their hands.
“I started surfing after I met Alex and Sebastian. My brother brought them to my college, and we came here for a few weeks.”
“He’s a natural. We got him out and up on a board the first day.” Alex studied Alastair for a moment before breaking out in a huge grin.
“I’d never have believed he grew up in Texas from watching him on that board the first day. Y’all would have been amazed.” Sebastian beamed like a proud papa.
“John has always been good at anything he tried, but I’m sure you helped turn into that awesome surfer he’s become,” Alastair replied.
“Not Sebastian, it was all me.” Alex beamed as laughter surrounded him. “Tell him, John.”
“Yeah it was all you, Alex.” He slapped him on the back and slid his board into the sand. Turning to Leona, he pulled her into a tight hug. “How’d the practice go?”
“Fine, we just have to decide on the third song for the set. Not sure what we want to do yet.” She laid her head against his chest and listened to the slow steady beat of his heart.
John stepped back and looked down at her. “I thought you were up all night writing something?”
“I was but it isn’t any good. I can’t seem to get the right lyrics. It’s not something I can just rush, you know. We just might have to pick one of the other cover songs we do.”
“You’ll figure it out and no matter what you do, you’re going to blow them away like always. I just think it would be something to hear you do your own song.” He smiled reassuringly at her before continuing, “So…you gonna use the band name?”
Alastair laughed. “I don’t think the name suits us now, if you take a good look at me.”
“Plus, we picked that name when we were like thirteen. Who came up with that, anyway?” Leona giggled. “Beyond Abeline.” They all started laughing. When she caught her breath, she said, “Besides, Terry just introduces us by our names back home.”
Johnny beamed at her. “You need a name for your duo. You guys are good, and someone might discover you Saturday. If my memory serves me, it was Hope who came up with the name.”
“Sure, and they’re gonna throw money at us and pull a contract out of their pants pocket.” Alastair snorted, he was laughing so hard. He turned to Hope. “Where the heck did you come up with that name?”
“I don’t even remember. But y’all liked it back then.”
“I say we eat dinner, listen to you two sing tonight, and put our heads together to figure out a name.” Heather squealed. “What do you think, Hope?”
“I’m all for it. This will be so much fun.” She was clapping her hands together, smiling.
“That’s fine, but Leona and I get the last say on the names. No one else. I’m not getting stuck with some weird name.”
“Yay! What does everyone want for dinner tonight?” Heather glanced around at everyone.
“Hey, how about the guys grill and you just make the salad to go with it? Leona doesn’t need to cook every meal.” Johnny put his arm over her shoulder. “I can make a mean burger.”
“Sounds good to me. How about Sebastian and I get the groceries? We’ll just need a list,” Heather offered, glancing at Sebastian.
“Okay, let’s head up to the house and figure it out.” Alastair grabbed Hope’s hand and gave her a tug.
“Sure, if that’s what everyone wants to do.” Leona glanced at Heather. “Do we have salad?”
“No, silly.” She giggled. “Relax. We’ll take care of the grocery list. You go on with John.”
“Where am I going with Johnny?”
“For a walk.” He took her hand a pulled her a few steps closer. “I want to talk to you for a minute.”
“Okay.” She glanced over her shoulder at Alastair, but he was already strolling towards the cottage with Hope, Heather, Sebastian, and Alex close behind. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as her heart threatened to gallop out of her chest. What’s going on?
“Come on, I want to show you something.” They walked along a path Leona hadn’t noticed before.
“Where are we going?” She slowed down so he had to stop and turn toward her.
He sighed before answering her, “Just trust me and let me show you something, please.”
Placing her hand back in his, she allowed him to guide her over the path. The sea grass waved in the soft breeze that brushed gently past them. They walked in silence as she reveled in the feel of his hand in hers, the warmth of his skin.
~~~
They walked for a while in silence until Johnny finally stopped and turned to her. “I wanted to show you this place, Leo. Look how turbulent the ocean is here.” He turned her toward the ocean and pulled her back against his chest. He could feel her relax against him; he wished she would just open up.
“It’s beautiful but frightening at the same time.” She sighed and leaned her head back.
“Why is it frightening?” He tightened his hold on her when he felt her start to tense, afraid she might run away from him. “I’d never let anything hurt you.”
“I know, Johnny. It’s just the power in those waves, they could crush you if you got caught in them and thrown against the rocks.”
“True. You never turn your back on
the ocean. One of the first things I was told when I started learning to surf. That’s true in many aspects of life. You have to have your eyes open and never turn your back. It could make the difference in how everything turns out.”
“I would never turn my back on you. Ever.” She turned to face him. “I’m sorry I’ve kept you at a safe distance all these years. I’ve lived my life afraid for so long.”
“I know. You’ve let a lot people take advantage of you. I’ve watched you do it since you were ten.”
She dropped her head. “I know. Alastair and Heather told me the same thing.” She looked up at him, fire in her beautiful eyes. “I want to do what’s right for me now. Is that wrong?”
“No, it’s not wrong. Just don’t jump into something because you feel you have a point to prove to yourself or anyone else. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
She held his gaze, her expression serious as she listened to what he had to say. “I think so.”
“I don’t want to tell you what to do, I just… For instance, you’re in college and not allowing yourself to have fun because of your mother. I love your family, I do, but you need to stop letting them do this to you.” He threw his hands up in the air. “It frustrates me watching you do this to yourself.”
She reached out and touched his arm. “I’m sorry.”
“See? You’re doing it again, Leo. You’re apologizing to me for something you didn’t do.” He sighed and pulled her to him. “Enough of my lecture on how to live your life. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too.” He felt her arms tighten around him.
“Come on, we better get back.” He took her hand and led her back over the path. He didn’t want to let her go. What am I going to do? She gave his hand a squeeze and tugged at his arm. “Is something wrong?” he asked when he felt her resistance.
“No, you’re just walking too fast, and I’m not in a hurry to get back. I…Johnny, I don’t have a song for Saturday. I just can’t seem to think of any lyrics. Alastair is acting like he’s not upset, but I know he really wanted to do something original.”
“Look, it will come when it comes. You know you can’t rush it, and I’m here if you want to run anything past me.”
“Thanks.” She threw her arms around his neck, letting a giddy feeling wash over her.
She threw her head back and laughed. “Come on!” she squealed as she let go of his hand and took off running, her laughter washing over him.
John ran after her as his mind flashed back to a summer day when they were running across the pasture on her ranch. Her long, wavy hair had been flying behind her as she laughed, taunting him to catch her. He could have easily caught her then just as he could now, but he loved the fact that she got a thrill out of thinking she could beat him. He loped easily behind her, taking in her long legs and bouncing bottom. Damn, she made him hot no matter what she was doing. You are going to be the death of me.
As he crested the small slope, he saw her skirt around Alastair, who was making his way toward them with Sebastian in tow. She darted around Sebastian as well when he reached for her. She was still as quick as she had been back then. He shook his head and slowed down when he got to the two men.
“What’s with her?” Alastair asked as the corner of his mouth turned up. “I haven’t seen her this happy since we’ve been here. What did you do?” he asked with a smirk.
“Nothing at all.” He punched Alastair’s arm. “Did you get dinner started?”
“Not yet. Alex ran to the store to grab some stuff. Heather and Hope wanted me to come get you to see what time you wanted to start the grill.”
“Is it charcoal or gas? If it’s charcoal, I better get it started now.”
“Hey, I’m going to head back. See you at the house.” Sebastian took off at an easy lope behind Leona.
“So…about this morning. What happened earlier?” John tilted his head. “Anything I need to know?”
“Nothing to worry about. She has a lot of shit she needs to figure out.”
“Yeah I know. It pisses me off. She should be following her dreams.”
“I agree. I’m lucky my parents supported me going to an art college. Don’t beat yourself up. She just has to do it in her own time. Look, let’s get back. Hope might need me to help her with something.”
When Alastair and he walked through the door, Leona was standing by the stove talking to the girls and laughing, her eyes sparkling. Damn, I wish she would look at me with that light in her eyes.
“Are you telling them how you beat me again, Leo?”
“Would I do that?” They started giggling all over again.
“You haven’t won against her, yet.” Hope pointed out. “Seems like she is always the first one to make it back.”
John watched them laughing and joking, his smile spreading over his face at her contentment. This is how you should always be, Leo. He opened his mouth just as Alex sauntered in with the groceries.
“I’m back. Should we get this show on the road? John, you’re doing the burgers, right? Sebastian if you want to shuck the corn, I’ll get the salad ready,” Alex barked out the orders.
“Sure. Leo, where are the spices?”
She pointed to a cabinet to the left of the stove and went back talking to Hope and Heather. John was surprised at the spices they had. He would be able to show his culinary prowess off tonight.
“You guys are in for a treat.” He started whistling as he seasoned the meat. “Alastair, can you start the grill?”
“Sure, no problem. Lucky for us it’s gas because I don’t do charcoal.” He glanced back at Leona. “Want to do a set tonight?”
“Sounds good to me. It’s going to be so much fun performing in front of a crowd again.”
Alastair pulled Hope into his arms and beamed at Leona. “I think we should just call ourselves Wilson and McCoy.”
Leona’s eyes twinkled. “Or McCoy and Wilson?” She giggled.
John watched her entire face light up with the mention of performing. He loved seeing her like that: a smile on her face, her eyes shining, and cheeks flushed. He wondered again, what it would be like to make love to her. Mind back on the burgers! “That’s a good name for you guys, easy to remember.” John nodded his approval.
She turned and winked at him, her eyes flashing with happiness.
“Definitely fits. I’m going to get these burgers on the grill.”
Chapter Nine
Later that evening, after everyone made their way home, Leona and Johnny sat at the kitchen table.
“Those burgers were surprisingly good. Alex and Sebastian were right.”
“The secret is using the best meat and seasoning it. When you grill, you really need to season the meat.” He reached over and traced her jawline with the back of his fingers “You really have a sweet voice. It’s a shame you aren’t sharing it with the world.”
Leona felt the heat cover her face from his touch. “You always say that.”
“You know, I could get you a couple of auditions. I know some people now.”
She sat back and studied his face for a moment. “You know people? I thought you were becoming a lawyer?”
“I am a lawyer. I passed my bar. Who do you think draws the contracts up for the managers and the artists at my firm?”
“I didn’t know you did that type of law.” She studied his face. “Are you staying in Boston?” She changed the subject as she studied his face. His face was so beautiful that when his eyes caught hers, she found she couldn’t look away.
“I didn’t intend to, but I find myself drawn to it. Every time I get a call to draw up a contract for a new young artist, I think of you,” he said quietly, ignoring her attempt to switch subjects from her to him. “I know it’s your dream, but why can’t I help you work toward it?”
“I don’t know. It scares me to even think about going for it. What if no one likes me?”
“What if they do? Leo, have some faith in yourself. You’re good.
Hell, Alastair is an amazing guitarist, too. Y’all have something magical when you play together, you always have.”
“You make me believe it when you say it like that.” She reached over and took his hand. “I don’t know what I would ever do if you weren’t in my life. I can’t bear thinking about not having you near me.”
“I don’t want to ever think about you not in my life either.” He pulled his hand out from under hers, stood, and went to the fridge. “You want a drink?”
“Sure, just some Cran-apple, if you don’t mind.” She studied him as he made their drinks, wondering why he’d pulled away from her. She thought she was reading his signals right. Wasn’t that desire she had seen flash through his eyes earlier tonight? She took a deep breath. “What’s wrong, Johnny?”
He sat down, sadness clouding his features. “Let’s not worry about that right now, okay? Let’s just enjoy our time together.”
“What’s making you so sad? Can’t you tell me? Was it something I said?”
A muscle in his jaw twitched as he forced a smile. “No, you didn’t do anything.”
She would let it go for now. The hurt in his eyes killed her because she had put it there. She had to stop this crap and stop it soon or this would be the end of something before they had a chance to start. Did she have the guts to follow her dreams and her heart? She wasn’t sure, but she knew she had to try. He was right when he said she was more excited when she was performing. She felt more alive on stage, adrenaline pouring through her veins, the rush of hitting the notes, and the high when she listened to the applause of the audience. Her family didn’t understand it. But Johnny did. He saw what it did to her and Alastair both.
“Hey. You want to brainstorm with me on some lyrics? I just can’t seem to think of anything that fits right now.”
“Just write what you feel. You always do great when you write that way. Will you let me introduce you guys to some people? I’d like to do this for you.”
“Okay, we’ll have to talk to Alastair and see if he’s on board.” She smiled when she saw the sadness lift from his eyes. “You think Wilson and McCoy is a good name for our duo?”