CupidRocks

by Francesca Hawley

  At one point, she noticed their audience and he leaned in, blocking her view so he was the only thing she saw. She sang to him as she played. Seducing each other without being too brazen about it. At the end of the song, Joe leaned over and gave her a kiss. He deepened it, but she pulled back, aware of their audience.

  “You’re a bad boy.”

  “Ah, but you love it.”

  “Yeah, but no one’s supposed to know that part.”

  She looked away from Joe to find that Carly was grinning. Eddie looked thoughtful and again, Joe’s family looked downright surprised by it all. Her face heated and she glanced at Joe. He just shrugged.

  “Sing something for me, angel. Solo.”

  She bit her lip and nodded. She played the opening chord of A Song for You and sang. It was a song well suited to her alto range and she relaxed, singing directly to Joe. As she finished the love song, she leaned over and kissed him again, then went back to playing some background music while the others focused on decorating the Valentine's tree. Joe stayed at her side, just listening and marveling at her. She laughed.

  “You look so serious.”

  “You’re as good as she was.”

  “Karen Carpenter? Ah, hell no.” She laughed at him. Karen was one of her vocal idols and there was no way she was that good. It was a sweet compliment though.

  “You are that good. And you were meant to perform, angel.”

  Mandy grimaced. “I haven’t been able to get on a stage since I messed up all those years ago. I’m not sure I can ever face it again.”

  He tilted his head. “Maybe that’s why we met…why we’re True Mates.”

  “What?”

  “Your sole purpose is music. I’m sure you’re an excellent photographer, but you have music in you that everyone should hear.”

  “What’s that have to do with being True Mates?”

  “Well, maybe if you’re with me you can face a crowd again.”

  “Kind of giving yourself a magical quality, aren’t you?”

  “No. It’s just that True Mates stabilize each other.”

  “It didn’t work too great for us—not that it was Carly’s fault.” Eddie joined them. “It was all on me. But it didn’t stabilize me that much.”

  Joe looked up at Eddie. “And what if you’d never met Carly? Think you’d be dry now? Or do you think you might be in the ground?”

  Eddie considered. “Yeah, I’d probably be dead. Before I met her I was on self-destruct. She slowed me down considerably. Having a pup stopped things as soon as I really saw myself through Mandy’s eyes, but it took a while.”

  “Addiction is like that Eddie,” Mandy commented. “You have to hit bottom before you can dig your way out.”

  “Well, I sure as hell did that.”

  “And don’t ever do it again. Are you hooked up with a sponsor again?”

  “Yes, punkin, I am. I won’t go off the deep end.”

  “Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” she teased.

  “I can keep this one.”

  “Well good. I’ll hold you to it.”

  “And so will I.” Carly hugged him. “Now come over here and help me get the heart finial on top.”

  Eddie took the topper from her then paused. Leo sat in a chair watching the activity. Eddie walked over and handed the angel to Leo. “You’re taller than I am. Maybe you can put it on the tree.”

  Mandy swallowed hard and blinked. Tree toppers were really Eddie’s big thing and having him reach out to include Leo warmed her heart. Made her realize how important her father was to her and how much she loved him.

  Leo rose and took the glass ornament from Eddie. “I thank you for the honor.” Then he went to the tree, mounted a stool off the side of the tree and settled the ornate glass heart carefully on the top of the evergreen before climbing down again. He viewed it as Eddie came over to him. “I believe it is well set. Do you agree?”

  “Yup. Looks great, Leo.”

  “Language, Edward. Proper speech is important.”

  Mandy giggled and Joe elbowed her.

  Carly came over to the piano. “You two go put up some ornaments. I want to play now.” She winked at Mandy. At first, Carly just played some love songs but then she handed Eddie the harmonica again and sang Desperado to him.

  “Now one for our new couple. I think we kind of ruined a song you both loved at the concert last night so it’s time for a little redemption. Eddie get your guitar and that little amp so Joe and Mandy can get up and dance.”

  Eddie grumbled but went to obey. He came back with his electric guitar and set up beside the piano.

  “What are you doing, Carly?” Mandy raised her brows at her mom.

  “Just like I said, honey. Redemption.” She spun her finger in a circle. “You and Joe. Dance. Eddie honey, you sing.”

  “Oh, all right.”

  Mandy and Joe reluctantly came together in the center of the room. “Do you know what she’s planning?” Joe muttered.

  “Not a clue.”

  Carly nodded at Eddie and he played the guitar intro for Wonderful Tonight. She and Joe both groaned, remembering the unpleasant associations. The look on Joe’s face as she danced with Zach. Joe pulled her into his arms, but she couldn’t look him in the eye at first. It hurt to remember the look of betrayal. The anger. And the way her gut twisted with pain. Joe tipped up her chin and held her gaze. Today, the anger and betrayal was gone, replaced by love. Understanding. And Mandy smiled up at her love, running her fingers through his long hair.

  As Eddie sang, Joe softly sang along. Straight to her. He traced her lips with his fingertips then caressed along her jaw and up into her long blonde hair. She leaned in close and sang the harmony softly with him.

  “Yes, you look wonderful tonight…”

  Joe’s voice grew stronger and it wasn’t long before Eddie dropped out, leaving Joe to sing the love song to her while Eddie and Carly accompanied him.

  “Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight.” They sang to each other. Then Joe leaned down. She cradled his face in her hands and they kissed.

  “I love you, Joe,” she whispered.

  “Back at ya, angel.” He grinned and they laughed. There was a knock at the door and she drew away from him.

  “Pizza’s here!” she called as she grabbed some cash then headed for the door to pay the delivery guy. Joe followed to help her carry pizzas and they brought them into the living room.

  “Jake, grab that afghan please,” she said as they reentered the living room. Jake brought her the blanket, confusion on his face. “Throw it onto the piano.”

  “The piano?” he sounded scandalized and Mandy laughed.

  “Yes, the piano.”

  “But… You’re going to put pizza on a grand piano?”

  “The boxes are going on the afghan. Spread it out please.”

  He looked over at his father then shrugged and did as she bid. She set a box up there and motioned for Joe to do the same. He also glanced at his father before he put two boxes on the piano.

  “I’ll go get some plates.”

  Mandy ran to the kitchen and grabbed paper plates and brought them back to the living room. Carly and Eddie were already raiding the boxes, but Leo and his sons were staring at the pizza boxes resting on the piano as if they were poisonous snakes. It would probably freak them all out to know just how often she’d used the piano as a buffet. As long as the wood was covered, it wasn’t a big deal.

  She grabbed a couple of slices of pizza and served them onto plates before taking them over to Leo and Maria. Leo stared at the paper plate as if he’d never seen one before. Hell, maybe he hadn’t. Maria glanced at her mate.

  “Thank you, my dear. Why didn’t you tell us how talented you were?”

  Mandy shrugged. “I don’t perform or anything so it didn’t seem relevant.”

  “Music is always relevant, Amanda, and you were quite right that it’s a very good place to start.”

  She smiled at
Leo. “Thanks. Do you guys have any drink preferences? There’s hot coffee out in the kitchen and I have soft drinks in the fridge.”

  “Coffee would be lovely,” Maria assured her.

  “For both of you? Black?” Leo nodded and Mandy headed to the kitchen to grab two cups for her in-laws. She gave them their coffee and went to grab a slice of pizza for herself.

  “Hey, what about us?” Julian teased.

  “You have feet. The coffee and sodas are in the kitchen if you want some and the pizza is over here,” Mandy grinned.

  Joe’s brothers joined the food raid and ate enthusiastically. Everyone talked. Sharing ideas and getting to know each other.

  “I understand you will be celebrating your fortieth anniversary this year,” Leo commented to Eddie.

  “Yeah.” Her father raised his brows at Mandy and she shrugged. “I stole Carly from her old man pretty young.”

  “I did the same to my darling Maria. We were together for several years before we were blessed with the first of our handsome sons. Maria was performing in a regional production of The Sound of Music.”

  Eddie eyed Maria. “Yeah, I can see her there. What part did you play? One of the abbey nuns?”

  Maria laughed. “No. I played Maria.”

  Eddie whistled and winked at Leo. “You did get her young then didn’t you? That was super popular in the early sixties. The movie was out in 1965.”

  “I found her quite young. We were most fortunate.” Leo’s cheeks colored, but he looked pleased with himself and Maria laughed.

  “Yes. I was thrilled to have this handsome older man looking at me like I was a woman.”

  “You were. A lovely and talented one.”

  “Thank you, beloved.”

  “So why did you leave musical theater?” Mandy asked.

  No. Don’t go there.

  Why not? It’s a reasonable question.

  “I mean. You were doing pretty well, right? Why go into opera?”

  Maria took his hand, and raising it to her mouth, she kissed Leo’s hand and set their joined hands on her leg.

  “It was because of Leo.”

  “I knew it,” Joe hissed.

  Maria raised her brows at him. “What do you mean, son?”

  “He forced you to leave something you loved.”

  “Now, son—” Leo began.

  “No, if she wanted to sing in musical theater you should have supported her, Father.”

  “Oh, my darling boy,” Maria interrupted before Leo could say a word. “You have it all wrong. I liked musical theater, but I’d always wanted to pursue opera. I didn’t think I was good enough. Not trained enough.”

  “You didn’t?” Joe’s voice was soft. Uncertain.

  “No, I didn’t. I thought I could succeed in musical theater. The competition was fierce, but I was good. I knew I was good. But there are different requirements for opera. I didn’t know the languages needed. I hadn’t done any formal study. I didn’t think I’d ever make it in opera. Your father convinced me to try. He called in favors to find me a vocal coach because, back then, I was so very poor.” She looked at her mate, reaching over to caress his cheek. “I trained and practiced. Finally, I auditioned and was cast in a supporting role.”

  “So Father didn’t make you leave musical theater because he disliked popular music?”

  “That’s what you thought?” Leo asked, his voice low.

  Mandy grabbed Joe’s arm and pulled it around her. Offering silent support.

  “I didn’t know what to think, Father.”

  “I succeeded because of your father’s support, Joe. Without him, I wouldn’t have been brave enough to take a risk. His love and confidence in me made a huge difference in my life.”

  Joe looked at Mandy. A considering expression on his face and she shook her head. He’d better not be thinking about taking a page from his father’s book.

  Why not, angel? You’re good enough to perform on a stage.

  I can’t handle the stage fright.

  This discussion hasn’t ended. He hugged her and kissed her forehead.

  Time to change the discussion, Mandy decided. “So, Maria’s birthday and my parents’ anniversary are on Valentine’s Day. We should plan a family party.”

  “That’s not necessary for us,” Carly said.

  “Or me,” Maria agreed.

  “On the contrary, I think this is an excellent idea. Family milestones should always be celebrated. And gifts should be exchanged.”

  Leo’s pronouncement brought a moment of quiet. Then Carly looked around the room. “Looks like we all have some shopping to do. Not only for Maria and for our anniversary, but for Valentine’s Day as well.”

  “We can find something quick,” Eddie said.

  “Quick? Oh I don’t think so. I think we should have a contest. Males against females to find the most romantic gift for Valentine’s Day.” Carly nudged her mate.

  “That lets us out then,” Jake grinned at Jules. “We don’t have mates.”

  “But you still have to get birthday and Valentine’s Day gifts for your mother,” Mandy argued.

  “Definitely. You’ve got to do right by your mama,” Carly assured them. Both men groaned but Leo cleared his throat and they both went silent and nodded at their father.

  “Sounds like we have a plan for tomorrow. We can all exchange gifts on Valentine’s Day.” Mandy hugged Joe and glanced over at Leo and Maria. “I’m so glad you’re all here. And I’m happy you’ll be staying for the concert next weekend. You can enjoy watching Joe perform with The Pack. I’m sure you’ve seen him in concert before, but he’s amazing with this band.”

  Leo’s cheeks reddened slightly and Maria turned to her mate. A stern glare tightening her face. What the hell was going on? She looked up at Joe and he was staring at the pizza in his lap.

  “It’s not really that important,” he told Mandy quietly.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Father doesn’t like rock music,” Joe said as if that explained it all. But it didn’t. Not to her.

  “What’s that got to do with it? You’re his son and he should see a gig, right?”

  Joe glanced at his father once then looked away again. He shrugged. Mandy turned to Leo. She watched him become more uncomfortable by the minute. And suddenly it occurred to her.

  “Wait…have you ever attended one of Joe’s concerts? Either of you?”

  Maria licked her lips, scowling at Leo. “She asked a question.”

  Leo growled at Maria, but she crossed her arms over her chest. Evidently, this was one area of disagreement that was long standing and still unresolved.

  “No, we have not.”

  “So you’ve never seen Joe perform?”

  “I have seen him perform. We have family concerts regularly when the family is all together.”

  “That’s classical guitar. Have you ever seen him in front of a crowd? In concert?”

  Leo’s lips tightened and he frowned. “No.”

  “Have you attended concerts that Jake and Jules were in?”

  “Of course,” Leo sputtered.

  “What do you mean, of course?” she growled. Joe caught her hand and shook his head.

  Bullshit, mister. This is important.

  He doesn’t like rock. Just let it go.

  No. Freaking. Way.

  “Jacob is an opera singer. Julian performs trumpet solos. It is natural for us to attend such events.”

  “But not natural to see your oldest son perform in the venue he’s chosen?”

  “We do not drive about and stay up until the wee hours anymore. Sadly, we’re no longer young wolves.”

  “You weren’t always old, Leo. Joe’s been playing in bands since he was—what? Twenty?” Joe nodded. “So, twenty years ago, you weren’t seventy-two. You were fifty-two. Lots of life in a fifty-something body. Plenty to stay up late enough to see your son play a concert.”

  “Back then I wouldn’t have wanted him to attend. I wasn
’t very good.”

  Mandy smiled at Joe. “You were probably a hell of a lot better than you think you were.”

  “He was,” Maria agreed. She looked at Leo a bit longer and her mate finally dropped his gaze. “I wanted to see you play, but I abided by your father’s edict. We should have attended a performance long ago.”

  Joe lips curved. “It’s all right, Mother. I don’t blame you.”

  “But you blame me, I suppose.”

  “If the shoe fits…” He stood abruptly and went to the kitchen. Mandy rose to follow but Leo held up his hand.

  “This is for me to attend to, my dear,” he sighed. “And sometimes the old wounds heal the slowest.” He followed Joe into the kitchen. She’d kill to be a fly on the wall, but all the others in the room stayed put. Damn.

  Joe stood at the sink staring out into the night. Damn Mandy for dragging this up. He knew his father hated what he did. He didn’t need to have it reinforced because of her outrage. Nor did he want his father forced to watch him play. If the old wolf attended a concert, he wanted it to be because Leopold chose to. Not because Mandy guilted him into it.

  “Your mate is right, son. Your mother and I should have attended one of your concerts long ago.”

  Joe tensed and slowly turned around to face his father. “I know you don’t like my music. If you’re not interested, I certainly have no desire to force you to attend. Rock isn’t your thing. I get it.”

  Leo came further into the room. “Do you know why I bought you the Les Paul?”

  “Guilt?”

  “When have I ever done anything out of guilt?”

  “When you bought me a guitar that you hated.”

  “I don’t hate your electric guitar. I knew it was the best available. That it was vintage and valuable.”

  “Then why?”

  “Because I wanted to give you the best start I could, even though I disagreed with the direction you intended to follow.”

  Joe nodded, facing his father. Meeting the old wolf’s blue eyes. “That’s what Mother told me.”

  “It was the truth. And if anyone knows my motives for anything, it would be your mother.”

  “Maybe. But, Father, your disapproval is legend. Nothing I do is ever good enough.”