by A. C. Wilson
“Perfect timing! The band is going to start soon.” Garrett smiled at Rayne, who returned it with a stunning one of her own. Her dark hair was curled and hung loosely about her shoulders. As always, it was her golden eyes that stole the show. The fierce physical connection between Garrett and Rayne was palpable to anyone in the same room.
Lucky bastard! Randy swallowed the envious bile as it rose in his throat. He turned to see Matt supporting Andy on his knee. Matt’s large hand spanned protectively over Andy’s pregnant belly and again, Randy felt a sharp jab to his heart. When Randy turned his head back to where Nora had been he noticed she wasn’t there. A couple of curious glances and he found her at the bar talking to one of the male bartenders.
“It’s nothing, Randy. Nora’s known Kevin for years. They were in school together.” Matt all but shouted across the table as the music came on at a deafening roar.
“His wife is pregnant too. I saw Tanya at the grocery store last week.” Andy added from her perch on Matt’s leg. Randy could only nod. He knew firsthand how things weren’t always as they seemed. He couldn’t deny the rent in his heart that just kept ripping.
***
Nora could feel his eyes watching her. She knew because of the little shiver that coursed up her spine. She swallowed hard as she smiled bravely at Kevin. He’d been a high school classmate and one heck of a funny man. He put the bottle of Bud Light on the counter and poured her four shots of tequila.
Sauza tequila. Nothing but the best if you’re going to get drunk. Nora handed Kevin some money and took first one shot and then another. The clear liquid stole her breath as she quickly bit down on a lime. Gritting her teeth, Nora closed her eyes and waited for giddiness to return. She heard the band starting to play. She still had no idea who was performing tonight. It had been the least of her worries this week.
“One of those for me?” The cheery voice broke through Nora’s haze. She smiled and handed one of the shot glasses to Rayne. Before releasing the glass, Nora furrowed her brow.
“No luck yet?” Nora saw the sadness in Rayne’s eyes.
“Nope.” Rayne slightly shook her head and then downed the shot. Nora followed suit. Scooting the shot glasses back towards Kevin, Nora patted Rayne’s shoulder.
“Ah, hell, maybe tonight will be your night.” Offering a supportive smile, Nora took a few steps towards the stage. The lights were turned way down and some colored bulbs flickered around the room. Rayne walked up beside her. By now all the tables were full inside the bar and the bartenders were busy pouring drinks. It was just about time to start. Nora loved how the bass of the music coursed heavily through her veins. Her heart beat kept time with the drums.
“I think tonight is going to be great. I haven’t been to a concert in ages!” Rayne swayed to the music with her beer bottle in hand. Nora grinned at her friend and lifted her eyes to the members of the band as they came out. Andy walked up beside them and clapped her hands. Rayne whistled.
“What was the name of this band again?” Nora asked, taking a drink of her beer. Already the buzz of the tequila was making her warm and she felt lighter. A few cat calls came from the audience. It might have been the tight Wrangler jeans or the half undone western shirt. It might have been the shiny jet black hair or what she knew to be silver grey eyes.
“Colt Cavanaugh and the Fleet Street Band.” Rayne answered Nora’s question just as Nora swayed forward.
“Ah fuck.” Nora’s exclamation could barely be heard over the din of the crowd, but both Andy and Rayne heard her. Nora’s stomach rolled and she was fighting for air. She couldn’t take her eyes off the lead singer. Time stopped mid tick and her blood thundered in her ears. Both girls were looking at her strangely and Rayne gripped Nora’s upper arm in support. It was those glorious silver grey eyes that she recognized and it was just a moment before they recognized her too.
Nora took a couple of deep breaths as she closed her eyes and tried to come to terms with who she just saw. The world might have stopped for her, but Colt’s voice filled The Well and people were going crazy! There were cameras flashing and girls lined up along the stage just to touch him. She instantly hated them. The distinct level of jealously hadn’t been reached in quite some time and Nora wondered at it.
Seriously? You’re jealous over those girls? Her eyes raked over the short dresses and boots spread out like a picket fence in front of the band.
“Are you okay, Nora?” Andy leaned in to say in Nora’s ear. It was next to impossible to convey any lengthy conversation so Nora nodded.
“Tequila.” She more mouthed the word than said it. Rayne had loosely laced her arm through Nora’s. These girls were amazing, but they had no idea who’d just walked on stage.
This polished Colt Cavanaugh was not the man she knew from years ago. His aunt and uncle had owned a small ranch south of Hot Springs. Colt complained that his parents were trying to teach him some responsibility by hiring him out. Nora was genuinely glad they did. She smiled at the thought. Her foot started tapping to the familiar cadence of the guitar.
Fishing in the Dark by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. It had been a very special song for them. Her heart thudded in her chest as Colt’s voice rang clear and teasingly through the bar. His silver eyes rested on her in the back and Nora was pinned to the spot.
Spring is almost over
and the summers comin
The days are getting long
Waited all winter for the
time to be right
Just to take you along
Baby get ready
Nora could see the water’s reflection in those silver depths where the moon shimmered with promise. They’d been young and keen on doing everything their own way. Some might have even called them rebels a time or two. They’d sat there on his tailgate sharing secrets and exploring the universe of youthful indiscretions. Her heart longingly clenched for the days that passed since then. Her eyes watered with unshed tears and Nora blinked furiously to keep them from falling. This was no time to fall apart.
“My goodness, the lead singer is hot!” Rayne didn’t bother to keep her voice down. Nora couldn’t help but laugh at her friend. Andy smiled broadly, but shook her head. It was probably a good thing Garrett wasn’t within earshot. Her brother had a possessive streak and it was even worse when it came to Rayne. Nora glanced over her shoulder towards the table where the guys were sitting.
”Every other girl in here has noticed that too.” Nora couldn’t mask all of her disgust for those girls virtually throwing themselves at Colt.
”They’re barely legal, Nora! What would they possibly know about keeping a celebrated Country musician happy?” Rayne could be saucy when she was drinking and it was starting to shine through.
Probably for the best! Nora pressed her lips together and nodded. Her beer bottle was still in her hand, but she had very little interest in it. It was a hard liquor kind of night, definitely!
“I’m sure they are all playboys anyway.” Andy turned to them and gestured towards the stage. The song was coming to an end. “Their lifestyles are hardly conducive to roots and families. Besides, we’re all married ladies here.” Andy flashed her ring and smiled fondly towards Matt. Nora felt the words like a hammer to her chest. Her own ring sat heavily on her hand.
Married. That she definitely was, but for how long?
“I’m not married yet.” Rayne piped up, showing the naked space on her left hand. Her golden eyes flashed in good humor and she pressed the Bud Light bottle to her lips.
“Ah, well, that’s only a matter of time, sweetie. I’m pretty sure Lacey has already picked out your flowers and your cake.” Andy chuckled at her insight and Rayne groaned. The bar had gone completely quiet as the band switched to play another song. The people around them had heard Rayne and were casting inquisitive glances at the three of them.
“I’m telling you that if Garrett and I do get married, we are making a quick trip to Vegas.” Rayne lowered her voice to a hiss and Andy giggl
ed.
“I’m coming too.” Andy piped up and leaned into them. Now they stood as more of a semi-circle than a straight line. Nora mentally groaned at the attraction they were becoming.
“Good. Nora, are you in too?” Rayne was feeling the tequila now. Her cheeks were rosy and there was a defiant light in her eyes. Nora quirked a brow and shook her head.
“You’re kidding, right? I just got back on my mom’s good side eighteen months ago. No way am I going back to the doghouse.” Nora knew she never wanted to be a disappointment to her parents, especially her mother. It just always seemed to happen, up until she’d married Randy.
“Oh, suit yourself. I promise not to tell you so that you won’t have to lie to your parents.” Rayne’s remark might have been construed as catty, but it was the truth. If you truly didn’t know, you wouldn’t be obligated to lie.
“Thanks.” Nora muttered unsure of what exactly to say next. Luckily, Colt and his band had started a fast, upbeat song that the people in the crowd could sing and dance along too.
Against the Grain by Garth Brooks. It was one of Nora’s favorite songs. Something like a personal anthem up until she’d found out she was pregnant, at least.
Well I've been accused
Of makin' my own rules
There must be rebel blood
Just a-runnin' through my veins
A few couples paired off and started to two step and it only took those brave souls for others to try it too. Nora smiled in spite of the twisting in her stomach. The band played well and had the non-dancers even up on their feet clapping. Colt’s voice had matured since she’d last heard it. It has a rasp to it that sent a tremor clear to her toes. She’d never heard anything quite like it and she knew, if she were lucky, she’d hear that voice in her dreams tonight.
“Hey beautiful!” Garrett’s voice came from behind them as his hands slid around Rayne’s waist. His chin rested on her shoulder next to her ear. Rayne half turned her face into him. “Do you care to dance?” Garrett’s dark eyes looked at no one else but Rayne. It was endearing to see her brother so captivated by love.
“Absolutely.” Rayne’s acceptance and a nod had her winging away at Garrett’s side. They started shuffling to the Two-Step and Nora was briefly distracted by their movements.
“Hey there!” Andy greeted the person who’d walked up behind them and Nora only now noticed that they weren’t alone there off to the side of the bar.
“I came to see if you’d want to dance, darling wife.” Matt raised Andy’s fingers up to his lips as he pressed a doting kiss on her knuckles. It might have been the heat building in the room from so many bodies, but Andy’s cheeks blushed.
“I don’t feel much like whirling around.” Andy’s eyes held her husband’s and Nora felt like there was unspoken communication being passed between them. Nora watched them both carefully. Matt smiled and turned to his sister.
“How about for old times’ sake, sis? You’re the one who taught me the Two-Step remember?” Matt had already taken her hand and was pulling her towards the dance floor. They were lucky to find a spot big enough to fit into. She hadn’t even answered and she was being whisked off. Nora cast a look over her shoulder to see Andy making her way back to their table. It wouldn’t have caused any further thought on her part, but Randy still sat there looking very much alone.
Chapter 6
Randy didn’t like sitting on the sidelines at all and then again, he’d placed himself squarely there. He was sitting at the small circular bar table watching Garrett dance with Rayne and Matt dance with Nora. He took a deep breath in and then let it out. There were at least twenty girls here that would catch any man’s eye, except his. His eyes were firmly fixed on the black skinny jeans and the bronze top dancing in her younger brother’s arms instead of her husband’s.
For a countless number of times tonight, Randy called himself a fool. Of course he was! He’d let the best thing slip right through his fingers and whether or not she’d said it out loud, Nora was on her way out the door. It was just a matter of when.
“What are you doing over here by yourself?” His eyes lifted to see Andy only a few feet away and her green eyes looked sad. Randy hoped he’d wiped most of the emotion from his face when he looked up. One look at her and he knew he hadn’t fooled her one bit. Randy pulled a chair out for her and waited for her to sit down. She sighed as she lifted her feet off the ground and then set them back down.
“Your feet are hurting?” Randy asked, tilting his head in concern and Andy nodded. She bit her bottom lip and shrugged.
“It happens more and more lately besides the cramps and the mood swings.” She widened her beautiful green eyes for emphasis and then chuckled to herself. Randy couldn’t help but smile back. He thought, besides Nora, he was partial to Andy. Her good nature and sweet spirit made her an impossible woman not to love.
“You didn’t answer my question though.” She searched his eyes in the dim light and he hoped she found very little of his emotions. He’d struggled lately to bury them deep.
“I don’t dance, that’s all.” He tried to remain unconcerned and almost flippant about it. It was more or less the truth. He hadn’t danced in a very long time, but watching Nora dance with Matt, well he wished he could muster up the courage to do it. He watched her twist and turn in Matt’s arms and his heart lurched when she laughed out loud at a misstep. Her dark hair brushed her shoulders and her normally frigid blue eyes were thawed into pools the color of the Black Hills skies.
“When are you going to stop waiting for her to come to you?” Andy’s words surprised him and his focus was on her pretty face. No traces of humor were left and he knew she wasn’t kidding. “She’s not happy, Randy.” Her words were like another twist of the knife in his heart. He might have convinced himself the knife was in the back had he not known this was coming. He’d watched it and done nothing.
“I know she’s not.” Randy had to harden his resolve and in the moment, he felt the anger come to the surface. He lowered his head just to disconnect the examination her eyes were making of his soul.
“I’m not accusing you, Randy. Nora’s complicated, but she’s my friend too. I just want you both to see how blessed you are to have each other.” Andy’s hand patted his knee in reassurance and he swallowed hard. He was almost certain Andy had no idea how things had crumbled over the past year and a half.
Could Nora really keep that from her best friend? Was there something more she was hiding? Was she ashamed of it?
“I don’t know what I’m doing.” He took his hat off his head and ran his fingers through his hair before replacing the hat. He hadn’t really talked to anyone about this and even as trustworthy as Andy was he didn’t know if he had the right to air his troubles. Andy turned her head to watch Matt and Nora finish their dance as the song ended. He watched them clap for the band and Randy felt the first stirrings of something he’d never given credence to before. It was almost as if the lead singer of the band was staring at Nora and she was looking in his direction. Randy shook his head and closed his eyes.
Jealousy. How low have I fallen? Two people looking in the same general direction couldn’t be guilty of staring at each other. Now he was being ridiculous and it insulted his normally mellow behavior.
“Do you think that Nora knows that man?” Andy asked quietly without turning her eyes away from the lead singer and Nora. Randy lifted a brow at the odds of them thinking the same exact thing.
Hadn’t he only just convinced himself that he was jumping to conclusions?
“He doesn’t look familiar to me.” Randy swept the tall man with jet black hair and a body that drove the female population crazy.
“She just seemed to recognize him when the band came on stage. I thought the poster said he was a local boy?” Andy’s musings were starting to cause a severe reaction on the suspicions he was trying to tamp down. Now they roared back to life.
“Did they?” He asked offhandedly, picking up his beer an
d taking a long drink. Now he really wished he was drinking liquor instead of beer. Andy twisted in her seat and looked at him carefully. Her green eyes were thoughtful and her hands gripped the back of her chair.
“You don’t think that…,” Her words were cut off by Rayne laughing hysterically and Garrett chuckling as they both came to the table. Randy thought he knew where Andy was going with her train of thought, but she wouldn’t finish it now. She just looked at him apologetically and turned to find Matt on his way back over to them. Matt leaned down to give his wife a sweet and lingering kiss. Randy averted his eyes and noticed Nora wasn’t where she had been.
“Where’s my wife?” Randy hoped he didn’t sound jealous, possessive and more than a bit crazy. They weren’t feelings he was accustomed to entertaining. Matt grinned in a devious manner as if he knew exactly what Randy meant.
“She was right…,” Matt looked to where they had been standing when the dance had ended. As the room wasn’t that large, it didn’t take long to find Nora. Randy’s head started to pound.
“Who is he? Do you know?” Randy’s voice was low and it was impossible to miss the growl that accompanied it. Andy and Matt looked at each other before Nora’s brother answered.
“Colt was around one summer working for his uncle. I don’t remember too much other than that.” Matt leaned over the table to pick up his beer bottle. Andy kept sneaking looks at Nora and each time, Randy noticed the concerned furrow of her brow.
The tension at their table was starting to seep into the conversation. Rayne and Garrett grew quiet from their intimate teasing. Matt kept his back to Nora and maintained his goofy, love-sick puppy routine for Andy.