Stronger Within (The Silver Lake Series Book 1)

by McCallum, Coral

  “Thanks. What would I do without you?”

  At that they heard the click of Maddy’s heels on the hall floor as she came towards the kitchen. Quickly Lori introduced her to Mary then, before the shock of her Goth appearance caused the housekeeper to have a heart attack, led her out to the sun deck. In the early evening light it looked fabulous with the table set for dinner and the candles and lanterns lit.

  “This is beautiful,” declared Maddy, walking to the edge of the deck to get a better view of the beach.

  “Now can you see why I came down here? It’s a good place to recover,” replied Lori softly.

  “And you seem to be recovering well,” added Maddy, her concern for her friend apparent in the warmth of her voice. “I’ve been worried about you.”

  “I’m getting there,” sighed Lori. “Slower than I like, but I’m getting there. It’s been a long journey.”

  “And a tough one, I’ll bet,” added Maddy, hugging her friend.

  “Enough talk of that,” Lori stated. “I’m not spoiling our weekend with maudlin talk.”

  “Lord, you sound like my grandmother!”

  Both girls laughed and went to sit at the table. Just as Lori had poured them some wine, Mary brought their meal out, then said her goodbyes. As they ate, Maddy filled Lori in on all the girlie gossip she had been missing. She brought her up to date on the work projects she had in the pipeline for the next few months, which included several overseas trips, then finally showed off her two new tattoos - one on her ankle and the other at the side of her right eye. It had grown dark while they had chatted and caught up with each other’s news, not that Lori had had a chance to contribute much to the conversation.

  As Maddy refilled their wine glasses she asked what the plans were for the weekend.

  “Well,” began Lori slowly. “I’ve left tomorrow fairly fluid during the day, but I’ve got us tickets to a local charity music festival for tomorrow night. I thought we could head over there about five.”

  Maddy raised one well waxed eyebrow and enquired, “Is this a business or pleasure music thing?”

  “It’s whatever you want it to be,” countered Lori, stifling a giggle. Her friend had seen straight through her subterfuge. “Just go along with an open mind and listen. See if you hear anything you like.”

  “Is there anyone I should be listening out for in particular?”

  “Yes,” admitted Lori. “But when you meet them don’t say a word about this.”

  “Now I’m curious, girl. Tell me more.”

  Briefly Lori explained about Silver Lake, the demo and suggested that if Maddy liked them as much as she did, then perhaps she could spread the word about them when she got back to New York.

  “I can’t promise anything,” cautioned Maddy. “I’ll listen to them, but if they’re shit I’ll tell you straight.”

  “I know you will,” laughed Lori. “Just don’t tell them who you are. As far as Jake knows you’re my friend. Just here for the weekend to check up on me. Ok?”

  “Ok, girl, I’ll play along,” agreed Maddy with an impish grin. “But you owe me one.”

  “I owe you more than one.”

  It was getting late, but the girls were still sitting outside putting the world to rights when Lori heard footsteps on the path. A few seconds later, Jake appeared, looking a little tousled, as he loped onto the sun deck.

  “Sorry to barge in, ladies,” he apologised, flashing them both a smile.

  “Want a glass?” asked Lori, indicating the newly opened bottle of wine.

  “Maybe one. I can’t stay long,” he said. “I’ll grab a glass from the kitchen.”

  When he came back to join them Lori introduced him to Maddy.

  “Pleased to meet you,” he said warmly. “Are you ladies still coming to Surfside tomorrow?”

  “We were talking about that earlier,” explained Lori. “I thought we’d come along about five.”

  “Probably a good call. All the kiddie stuff will be done around three, then there’s the high school band on at four. We’re on at eight to finish it all off. The fireworks display is scheduled for nine thirty.”

  “Do you want to meet us after you play?”

  “If you’re up to it,” said Jake. “We were planning on going out for a few beers in town. You can show Maddy here the beach night life.”

  The girls laughed and agreed it sounded like a plan as long as Lori felt up to it.

  “Oh, before I forget,” said Jake reaching into his back pocket. “Here’s a parking pass. I got a spare one for you so you can park in the performers bit. Thought it might help. Call me when you arrive and I’ll come out and find you.”

  “Thanks.”

  Jake stayed for a few more minutes before declaring he needed to go. He stood up, drained his glass, kissed Lori on the forehead, then bid his farewells and slipped off into the night. Once he was out of earshot, Maddy declared, “So that’s the attraction to Silver Lake!”

  Lori blushed, but didn’t reply.

  “If they play as well as he looks then I might be able to help,” teased her friend.

  As Maddy guided the Mustang along a very crowded Lakeview Street towards the VIP parking area, they could hear the high school band finishing up. There were teenagers hanging about the entrance to the designated car park at the corner of Grenoble Place. A parking attendant guided the girls down towards a place near the boardwalk. While Maddy parked the car, Lori called Jake to say they had arrived.

  “Hi, li’l lady,” he said, answering on the second ring. “You here?”

  “Yup. Just parked two slots up from the boardwalk. Are you able to meet us?” asked Lori hopefully.

  “Not for about half an hour,” answered Jake. “Your passes will get you into the guest area beside the stage. Come up the boardwalk and enter that way. I’ll come and find you.”

  “Ok, no rush,” said Lori. “We’ll see you in the VIP area.”

  It took Lori a minute or two to lever herself out of the low slung car and another to steady herself. This was her first big outing with only the canes for support and she was nervous. She just hoped it didn’t show to Maddy.

  “We’ve to head along the boardwalk to the VIP area,” explained Lori. “Jake’ll meet us there in half an hour.”

  “Ok, lead the way, girl,” said Maddy, slinging her large scarlet bag over her shoulder. “I’m ready for some rock music!”

  As they neared the boardwalk entrance to the festival site, the girls noticed that there were small groups of teenagers hanging about, most of them wearing Silver Lake T-shirts. They moved aside to let Lori pass and several of the boys wolf whistled at Maddy. The two friends looked at each other and laughed. As they showed their passes to the security guard, Lori whispered to Maddy,” I bet they think it’s you who’s the girlfriend of the band.”

  Maddy laughed, “The night is young, girl!”

  They made their way through the crowd that had already gathered in the guest enclosure towards a small beer tent. Lori had spotted a few tables and chairs over to one corner so headed over there to find a seat while Maddy fetched them a drink. Each of the tables had “reserved” signs on them but she was relieved to see a notice on two that said “Silver Lake”- two that were in the sun for now and had a great view of the stage. With a smile, she sat down, thinking Jake really had put a lot of thought into this. The band had been helping to set up the event for the previous two days, so she guessed he had pulled a few favours to make sure she was safely seated in full view of the band. People were piling into the area, but she didn’t recognise any of them. On stage, a young boy was playing an acoustic country set. He looked to be about sixteen and had a pleasant enough voice to listen to.

  “Lori!” squealed a child’s voice from the crowd.

  She turned to see Grey’s little girl, Becky, coming running towards her. The little girl stopped beside her and blurted out in excitement, “I’m going to see my daddy play his guitar on the stage.”

  “
Hi, Becky,” said Lori, smiling at the little girl. “Are you excited about that?”

  The little girl nodded furiously, “Mommy said I could stay up for the fireworks too.”

  “Rebecca!” yelled a harsh woman’s voice. An angry looking woman was heading towards them.

  “That’s my mommy,” whispered Becky, looking a little scared.

  The woman had reached the table by now. “Do not run off in this crowd or we are going straight home, young lady,” she snapped sharply.

  “Sorry,” whispered Becky, tears welling up in her eyes.

  To break the tension, Lori said, “You must be Grey’s wife? I’m Jake’s friend. Lori Hyde.”

  “Sandy,” said the little girl’s mother. “Nice to meet you. Grey said he had met you a couple of weeks back.”

  The woman sat down at the other reserved table and handed a carton of apple juice to Becky. Taking the carton, Becky clambered up on the chair next to Lori. “Are you here to see Uncle Jake?”

  “I sure am,” replied Lori. “My friend Maddy is here too. That’s her coming over. The lady with the shiny red bag.” She pointed towards Maddy, who was threading her way through the crowd with two plastic cups of beer.

  When Becky spotted her piercings and tattoos, she whispered to Lori, “She looks scary.”

  Lori was still giggling at Becky’s reaction when Maddy set the cups down on the table. Quickly Lori introduced them all then settled back to listen to the boy on stage. She could sense her friend scanning the crowd in the enclosure as though she was searching for someone. Force of habit, perhaps thought Lori sipping her beer. Part of Maddy’s job was scouting for new acts, but also to be on the lookout for rival scouts.

  “You ok?” she asked when the country act was done.

  “Yeah,” said Maddy. “Thought I saw JJ at the bar. Must’ve been someone else.”

  JJ was a professional rival and an ex-boyfriend, so it explained the edge to her friend’s mood.

  “Relax,” said Lori. “You’re at the beach. Chill.”

  At that moment Becky wandered over to stand beside Maddy and stood staring at her pierced ears. Her mother was busy talking on her phone, oblivious to her young daughter. The little girl counted the hoops through Maddy’s ears.

  “Wow, that’s a lot of earrings,” she said with a child’s innocent seriousness. “Mommy says I can get my ears pierced when I’m ten.”

  Children were not the Goth’s favourite things and she just stared back at the child, unwilling to be drawn into conversation.

  “Show Becky the tattoo on your foot,” suggested Lori.

  Reluctantly Maddy slipped off her shoe to reveal a beautiful butterfly design inked along the edge of her foot.

  “And I can’t imagine your daddy with a butterfly tattoo,” said Jake, appearing through an opening in the crowd beside them. He scooped the little girl up into his arms. She flung her arms around his neck, squeezing him tight. Shifting her weight onto his hip, he leaned over to hug Lori. “You girls ok here?”

  “Fine. How’s it all going?” asked Maddy casually.

  “So, so. Depends on what you are here to listen to. We’ve been helping the kids set up and helping to keep the instruments in tune if nothing else. One girl was so nervous earlier that I went on to play with her,” Jake replied. “It’s all a family thing till after six. That kid was the last “family act”. There’s a band from Lewes on in a minute, then a nurse from Beebe, then us.”

  Sandy had finished her phone call and nodded over to Jake, “Where’s Grey at?”

  “He said he’d be right out. He’s setting up the kid from Lewes’ bass for him. It’s their first gig.”

  “Can you watch the kid till I grab a beer?” asked Sandy, getting to her feet. “You ladies want one?”

  Both girls declined and before Jake could say anything Sandy was gone into the crowd. It was obvious to all of them that she did not want to be there or to be hanging out with her daughter. The little girl snuggled in tighter to Jake as she watched her mother disappear into the crowd. Jake gave her a kiss and whispered something to her. She kissed him back.

  Jake sat down beside Lori, with Becky still clinging onto him, and stole a mouthful of her beer.

  “I can’t stay out here for long,” he said. “If Sandy doesn’t come back, can you keep this little princess safe?”

  “Of course,” said Lori, sensing his concern.

  “Thanks. I’ll fill you in later.”

  The band from Lewes were out on stage playing a mix of EMO and punk. Not Lori’s taste at all but she could see they were young and keen. Maddy had her unimpressed face on and turned her back on the stage to continue her people watching. A couple looked to be heading their way and she pointed them out to Lori.

  “That’s Jo and John,” said Lori, glad to see some familiar faces. “My physical therapist and my doctor, believe it or not.”

  “Hi,” called Jo brightly, as soon as they were within earshot. “Thought we’d say hello before Alice comes on.”

  After another quick round of introductions, the couple took a seat for a few minutes and exchanged pleasantries about the event. There was no sign of Sandy returning nor of Grey coming out to join them all. As the EMO band began their last number, Jake got up to go.

  “Becky,” he said seriously. “Stay with Lori till your dad comes over for you.”

  “Ok, Uncle Jake,” promised the little girl. “Where did mommy go?”

  “I’m not sure, honey. I’m going to have a look for her on my way backstage. You’ll be fine here with Lori and Maddy. I promise.”

  With a quick wave, he was headed across the enclosure towards the backstage area. Jo and John also took their leave and re-joined their friends before the nurse from the medical centre took to the stage. The sun was sinking in the sky, bathing the crowded VIP area in a red glow. Maddy suggested she go and get them another drink before Silver Lake were due out on stage and wandered off into the crowd towards the beer tent. The nurse, Alice, appeared on stage and started her set. She was the best act that Lori had heard so far. The girl had a strong voice and ably performed half a dozen rock classics from Cher and Tina Turner. The crowd had now gathered tighter towards the stage and Lori guessed there had to be about six or seven hundred folk there. Part of her would have preferred to be in the crush down at the front rather than sitting here. She could feel her own excitement building at the thought that there were only a few short minutes left until Silver Lake were due on. Maddy returned with their drinks plus a can of cola for the little girl and a large bag of French fries for them all to share. Alice finished her set with River Deep Mountain High and left to a huge appreciative cheer from the growing crowd.

  The stage went dark and Lori could just make out the shadows of a couple of stage crew scurrying about setting up. A gradual chant began in the heart of the crowd. “Silver Lake, Silver Lake, Silver Lake, Lake Lake”. Lori glanced over at Becky, who was kneeling up on her chair, leaning on the back and gazing longingly up at the stage. The crowd’s chants grew louder until the sound of the bass track from the band’s opening number began to ring out. With an explosion of drums and lights, the band were suddenly there. Jake had changed his clothes and stood in the stark spotlight in skin tight ripped jeans and a black vest T-shirt. He had his guitar slung over his back. Grabbing the mic stand with both hands, he launched into their first song. Gone was the soft, haunting, melodic voice that Lori had heard in the sun room. In its place was a strong, powerful, rock vocal. She stole a glance at Becky, who was totally bewitched by the sight of her daddy and her Silver Lake uncles out on stage. After their first three numbers, Maddy tapped Lori on the knee and gave her the thumbs up. Her appreciation of the band’s talent was obvious.

  Up on the stage, Silver Lake felt as though they had come home and were in their element in front of the small crowd. Jake looked out from the stage and drank in the sight of all the adoring fans faces staring up at him, getting a kick out of a small group of girls down at the
front who had a homemade sign saying “Jake, we love you.” When he looked over to his left, he could see Lori in the VIP area. Beside her, Becky was totally focused on Grey. He moved across the stage and whispered to Grey, “Switch sides with Rich,” and pointed to the little girl.

  “Good evening Surfside!” he roared from the stage. “You’re looking beautiful tonight.”

  The chant of “Silver Lake, Silver Lake” started up again and he just stood and smiled for a few seconds, savouring the moment.

  “OK. Time for you guys to join in,” cried Jake. “You all know this Bon Jovi classic, so let me hear you sing with us.”

  He had the small crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. They cheered; they sang; they clapped when told to. The band played a good mix of their own material plus some favourites from Led Zeppelin and Guns N Roses.

  “OK. There is a special young lady here at her first ever gig,” called out Jake, blowing a kiss towards Becky. “Sweet Child O’ Mine.”

  The little girl was almost jumping off her seat as Grey, Rich and Jake all moved over to the left hand side of the stage to play to her for just a few moments.

  “Daddy, I love you!” she screamed towards Grey. With a smile, Lori hoped he had heard her.

  The band played another couple of numbers, then Jake ducked off stage to switch guitars. He came back on to a huge cheer and he waved to the crowd for quiet.

  “Surfside, let’s take this down a bit for a moment. This is a new one for us. This is “Stronger Within,” he said, then added, “Lori, this is for you.”

  It was the song he had sung for her in the sun room; the first song she had ever heard him perform. Gone was the rough, rock voice and the soft, husky, haunting vocal had returned. His range was fabulous and he nailed all the notes. The acoustic melody rang out crystal clear across the crowd. It was perfect. A moment that would live with Lori forever. No one had ever sung just for her so publicly.

  Up on the stage Jake was playing and singing with his eyes closed. He didn’t want to see the rest of the crowd for this song. In his mind, he was back in the sunroom, playing just for Lori. Lost in the moment, on stage, in front of almost a thousand people, he realised he had fallen in love with her.