“Come up to the side of the stage tonight, li’l lady,” he said. “Please?”
“If you’re sure.”
He nodded, “I’ll feel better if I can see you’re safe.”
A few minutes after eight, the lights went out, cloaking the audience and the stage in darkness. Slowly the bass rhythm started, then Paul came in on drums, followed by Rich then, in an explosion of lights, Jake took centre stage. His hands were shaking so badly he could hardly play his guitar part of the intro and it was a relief when he could grip the mic and begin his vocals. At the side of the stage, Lori held her breath until she saw he had fully settled into the song. Beside her, Maddy put a protective arm round her and smiled. The crowd were going wild. After their second number Jake’s nerves vanished and he stepped up to the front of the stage to gaze out at the crowd.
“Good evening, Delaware!” he roared. “You look beautiful tonight!”
A huge roar went up.
“We’re about to play something new for you. This is from our new album and will be our first single release from it. This is Dragon Song.”
With a quick nod over to Rich, the two guitarists launched straight into a riff that Lori recognised from their time in New York. The two guitarists stood back to back then Jake spun round to the mic and began the vocal with more power to his voice than she had heard him sing with before. Judging by the crowd’s reaction they were loving this new song. Between verses Jake fully found his stage presence, bounding from one side of the stage to the other, playing first with Grey then with Rich and finally ending the song standing up on the edge of Paul’s drum riser.
A few numbers later he slipped off to the side of the stage to switch guitars and to grab a bottle of water. Behind him, one of the crew ran out with a stool and lowered the mic stand. As Jake limped back on stage to a thunderous cheer, he discretely swallowed the two painkillers that had been in his pocket. Having taken another long drink from the water bottle, he sat it down at the back of the stage before coming forward to take his seat. It was a relief to sit down for a while. His knee was screaming at him.
“You still with us?” he asked, grinning at the fans. “Time to slow things down for a moment. This is a song you might have heard us play before. This is Stronger Within.”
The gentle strains of the acoustic melody drifted out over the crowd. His haunting vocal sent chills tingling down Lori’s spine as she stood in the wings mesmerised by her man. Much to Jake’s amazement when he started the first chorus most of the audience sang with him. The thrill of them singing his lyrics filled him with pride. When he reached the second chorus, he said, “Sing it for me, Delaware” and let the audience carry the song. Any lingering doubts about whether he wanted to pursue this rock star dream melted away as the crowd sang their hearts out for him.
By the time he reached the last acoustic number he could feel the painkillers taking effect. As he played the opening chords of Lady Butterfly he looked over at Lori and winked. She gave him the thumbs up sign and he nodded. It was enough to reassure her that he was ok.
All too soon it was time to start their final number. Stepping up to the mic to address the crowd for the last time Jake called out, “You’ve been a beautiful audience tonight. Thank you. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you. We’re going to leave you now with Flyin’ High!”
The band gave their final number every last ounce of their energy, each one of them pouring their heart and soul into it. As the last notes faded away Jake yelled out, “Safe journey home, folks. Until next time. Good night.”
The lights went out on the stage and the fireworks display to mark the end of the State Fair began, filling the sky with a fantastic array of coloured lights and thundering booms. Limping heavily Jake stumbled off stage straight into Lori’s arms. Sweat was pouring off him, but neither of them cared as he kissed her passionately before hugging her tight. The intimate moment was interrupted by Paul slapping Jake across the back, “See you back at the motorhome, lover boy!”
He swept past them and walked away with his arm around Maddy’s waist. Around them the stage crew were already starting to dismantle the set.
“You ok?” asked Lori, resting her head on Jake’s chest.
“I am now,” he sighed, his heart still pounding. “I was so scared out there at first. I felt so exposed at the front of that stage.”
“You were awesome,” whispered Lori. “Just as I knew you would be.”
“You’re biased,” he teased. “It was some set, though. When the crowd started singing my lyrics back to me. When they carried that whole chorus themselves. Shit, that blew me away.”
“Come on, rock star,” laughed Lori. “Let’s go and find the others.”
On their way through the backstage maze several of the organisers and other performers from earlier in the day congratulated Jake on his gutsy performance. Eventually they reached the Silver Lake motorhome and found Maddy outside pacing up and down impatiently.
“Thought you’d got lost,” she snapped sharply.
“Maddy,” cautioned Lori, shooting a dark look at her friend. “We just needed a minute or two.”
“I suppose,” she relented. “Jason’s waiting for you to get back here, though.”
“Well, we’re here now,” declared Jake bluntly, stepping up into the motorhome.
A cheer went up from the rest of the band as he entered. Playing along, Jake gave a theatrical bow, then collapsed onto the nearest sofa. Someone passed him a beer and he drank deeply from the bottle before saying, “That was incredible out there tonight. Fucking amazing!”
“Couldn’t agree more,” said Jason from behind him. Tori was standing quietly beside the Englishman watching the boys. “How would you like to take this show on the road?”
“Say what?” said Rich his eyes wide.
“Next week. Three shows. Support act for Tori and her band,” said Jason plainly. “You’d leave Tuesday, play Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, then fly home on Sunday.”
Looking from one to the other the four members of Silver Lake could hardly believe what they were hearing.
“Where?” asked Grey, like the others not daring to believe what he had just heard.
“Phoenix on Wednesday, Sacramento on Friday and Seattle on Saturday,” answered Tori with her honeyed tone. “We’d love to have you guys out there with us for these last three shows.”
Nodding to each other, but no one daring to be the first to speak, the band silently agreed among themselves. Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, but in reality was only a few seconds, Rich said, “We’re in.”
“Welcome aboard,” laughed Tori, obviously relieved that the band had agreed to join the tour.
♪
Next morning when Lori awoke the space in the bed beside her was empty. During the drive home the night before, Jake had still been in a state of shock at Jason’s offer. The finer details were still being worked out, but with Maddy on the case, he was confident it would all fall into place smoothly. After the band had agreed to play, Tori explained that the previous support act had been thrown off the tour. She didn’t elaborate as to why and no one dared to ask. Silver Lake would be the second act on stage each night and would have forty five minutes to show what they could do. The opening act on each of the three nights would be a band local to the area. When they had arrived back at the house both of them had fallen straight into bed, worn out by the day’s excitement and the long late night drive home. Getting out of bed, Lori wandered through the house searching for Jake. The coffee pot was on and the crumbs on the counter suggested he had had some breakfast already. Pausing to pour herself a coffee, she wandered through the sunroom and out onto the deck. It was already warm outside, the storm clouds from the day before long gone. Jake was standing at the edge of the deck looking over the shrubbery and out towards the ocean, sipping his coffee.
“Morning,” said Lori as she sat down at the table. “Couldn’t you sleep?”
“Morning, l
i’l lady,” he replied, turning round and coming to sit opposite her. “My knee kept me awake.”
“Did you take something to help?”
“Just coffee,” he answered, then added quietly. “I wish you were coming to Phoenix with us.”
“We talked about this last night,” began Lori. “I’ve work to finish off here. I can’t afford to take a week out just now.”
“Can’t you push your deadlines out?” he asked.
“Can you postpone the show dates?” she countered with a smile.
“Touché, li’l lady,” he nodded. “Is this really happening? Did I get shot again last night and this is all a dream?”
“It’s real alright,” reassured Lori. “It’s a huge break for the band.”
“Don’t I know it,” agreed Jake. “The dream’s coming true, isn’t it?”
Lori nodded. “If you want it to.”
“I want it. The four of us want it. If you hadn’t asked Maddy down here for the Surfside weekend we’d still be playing local bars and weddings not stadiums in Sacramento.”
“I’m not taking any credit here for your success. The band has worked hard for this. You deserve it,” said Lori with a proud smile.
“Yeah, if I’d left you lying on the sand that day,” joked Jake playfully. “None of this would be happening.”
“I’m glad you didn’t.”
After a frantic couple of days all the arrangements were made, the instruments packed up, their bags packed, flights, transfers and hotels booked. The band squeezed in a rehearsal on Monday afternoon to finalise the shortened set. All too soon it was Tuesday morning and time to head off to Philadelphia for their flight to Phoenix. In true rock star style, Maddy had booked a limo for them to travel to the airport. It was scheduled to pick Jake up at nine thirty. Both he and Lori had been up early; both silently dreading saying goodbye to each other. His back pack sat on a chair beside the kitchen table and during breakfast, Jake had checked its contents at least three times.
“I’m sure I’ve forgotten something,” he muttered as he zipped the bag up yet again.
“Relax,” said Lori. “If you’ve forgotten something I’m sure Maddy can source a replacement. You’re not going to the middle of nowhere. Phoenix does have stores you know.”
“I guess,” he agreed. “I’ll call when we get there.”
“You better,” teased Lori. “And every day you’re gone.”
“I will, mom,” joked Jake. “So what’s your plan for the week?”
“Work,” stated Lori. “I need to be finished up on two of the projects by Friday. Mary’s coming over tomorrow. Grey’s mom is dropping Becky off here on Friday at four.”
“How did you get roped into babysitting?”
“Grey called yesterday and asked if I’d mind having her to stay. His mom had already arranged to go away for the weekend with her church group,” Lori explained. “I’m looking forward to having Becky here.”
Jake burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?” asked Lori pouring them a fresh cup of coffee.
“This crazy rock n roll lifestyle!” he laughed. “The lead singer’s girlfriend can’t be at the gig because she’s babysitting the bass player’s daughter so his mom can go on a church outing!”
“Just proves we’re still normal people with normal lives,” giggled Lori, seeing the humour in the situation. “Oh, and I’ve got a physical therapy assessment too.”
“Want to throw in a trip to the dentist?”
“That’s the following week,” she giggled.
“I shouldn’t laugh,” confessed Jake. “I’ve got a doctor’s appointment next week about my knee.”
The crunch of tyres on the gravel outside and the toot of a horn signalled the limo’s arrival. Together they walked out to the front door. The limo driver came up and took Jake’s two holdalls to stow in the trunk. Taking Lori into his arms, Jake held her tight, drinking in the smell of her shampoo and her perfume, trying to imprint her in his memory. With a slow, lingering kiss, he said, “I love you, li’l lady.”
“I love you too,” she whispered. “I’ll be right here when you get back on Sunday.”
“Promise.”
“Promise,” she said, kissing him again. “You’d better go. If you miss this flight Maddy’ll kill you.”
“You’re not wrong! See you Sunday.”
With one backward glance, he was climbing into the back of the car and was gone.
Life at the beach house fell into an easy, if quietly dull, routine over the next few days. With minimal distractions Lori threw herself headlong into the task of finishing her commissions almost as soon as the limo was out of sight. By some miracle she had kept her Silver Lake work secret and it was this she turned to first. Jason had already contacted her to chase up the merchandise graphics. She had sent him what she had but, true to form, he came back asking for more- at least another two to use on T-shirts. The State Fair gig had given her some fresh inspiration after hearing Dragon Song played live. With a mental picture of Jake’s dragon tattoo and the Celtic knots the band favoured, she set to work combining the two concepts. A grumbling from her stomach brought her back to the real world several hours later. Glancing at her cell phone, she was surprised to discover it was late afternoon. Not wanting to lose her train of thought entirely, she went into the kitchen and grabbed a glass of juice and a bag of potato chips. Within a few minutes she was back focussed on the design in front of her. The next thing to disturb her concentration was the cricket chirp from her phone. It was getting dark outside and she was genuinely surprised to discover it was after eight o’clock. She had worked away the entire day. The message, as she had suspected, was from Jake. “Arrived at the hotel. Flight was good. Paul shit scared. Will call tomorrow. Love you J x”
“Poor Paul. Worked all day. Miss you. Love you too. L x” she quickly messaged back.
“Don’t work too hard. J x” came the quick response.
“Don’t play too hard. L x”
The smell of fresh coffee wafting through the house wakened Lori the next morning. As quickly as she could Lori got out of bed and hurried through to the kitchen. Mary was standing at the sink washing some dishes.
“Good morning,” called Lori from the doorway. “Why does my coffee never smell as good as yours?”
“Lori!” cried Mary, her delight at seeing her obvious. “Oh, you look fabulous! No cane?”
“Not indoors unless it’s a really rough day,” replied Lori hugging her housekeeper. “I still need it if I’m out. How’s your sister?”
“Not great,” confessed Mary, her eyes welling up with tears. “Not great at all.”
“I’m so sorry, Mary. I had hoped when you called to say you were coming over that things were getting better.”
“It’s not going to get better,” said the older woman, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. “She’s terminal.”
“Oh, Mary. I am so dreadfully sorry,” replied Lori, feeling her own eyes filling up. “Should you be here?”
“Lori,” Mary began, wiping her eyes with a Kleenex. “I came to hand in my resignation.”
“No, you don’t need to do that,” Lori protested. “Can’t we talk about this? Work something out?”
The older woman motioned for Lori to sit down. She poured two mugs of coffee and sat at the table opposite her. Slowly stirring in the sugar and half ‘n’ half, Mary said, “I need to leave, Lori. I can’t keep taking your money and not work for it. My pride won’t let me.”
“This isn’t about the money is it?” asked Lori sharply. “The money doesn’t matter. Lord, I’ve enough of it.”
“I know, honey,” said Mary warmly. “But look at you. You’re not the fragile little bird that I came here to look after. You’re back on your feet. You’ve got Jake. My work here is done.”
“But what if I need your help?”
“If you need me for something specific then of course I’ll be here,” promised Mary with a smile. �
��But when I finish up today it is for the last time. I need to be there for my sister and her family and I don’t know how long she has.”
Nodding slowly Lori whispered, “I understand.”
“And you won’t try to stop me?”
“No,” promised Lori. “Your family comes first. I’m just being selfish.”
“OK, now that we’ve agreed, what do you want for breakfast?” asked Mary forcing a smile. “I didn’t see any dinner dishes so I’m guessing you skipped at least dinner yesterday.”
“Caught,” whispered Lori somewhat sheepishly. “I was working until it was late.”
“I’ll make you some bacon and French toast,” stated the older woman firmly. “You need to eat, girl!”
Knowing it was pointless to argue, Lori sat back and drank her coffee, allowing the older woman to fuss over her for a while. Once breakfast was finished, Lori showered and dressed then returned to her drawing board. She had one section of the last Silver Lake piece to finish, then she could email the designs through to Jason. This commission had grown considerably as the project progressed and she only hoped he appreciated her efforts. If it had been for any other band, she would have re-negotiated the terms of the contract but she had long since decided that the extra pieces on this one could slip under the radar just this once. By early afternoon she was done and, as she signed the drawing with her usual flourish, Mary called through to say she was leaving. As they hugged their farewells in the kitchen, the tears flowed freely down Lori’s cheeks, “I’m going to miss you.”
“Me too,” admitted the housekeeper. “I’ll keep in touch and you promise you’ll call if you need me.”
“I’ll call, I promise,” said Lori hugging her tight. “Thank you for taking such good care of me.”
“You did the hard work yourself,” replied Mary. “Now I need to go.”
Lori nodded and watched tearfully as the housekeeper left through the back door. Suddenly a feeling of complete and utter loneliness swept over her. Memories of how fragile she had been when she arrived in Rehoboth in the spring; memories of Mary cajoling her and encouraging her; the memory of the first night Jake had crashed out on the couch – that one made her smile. Taking a deep breath, she wiped her tears from her cheeks. With a heavy heart, she went back through to the study to finish submitting her designs. As soon as the last one was scanned and mailed, she fired off a quick email to David to tell him that Mary had resigned and to arrange a hefty payment as a thank you. With her work up to date for the day, Lori decided it was time for a walk along the sand to get some exercise and some fresh air.
Stronger Within (The Silver Lake Series Book 1) Page 28