The Road to Redemption: Finding Grace, Book 1

by DM Davis

I let out a breath. “I suppose it’s now or never.” I could go for never right about now.

  He squeezes my hand as he knocks on the door. “Remember. No pressure to sing. I’ve already warned Marcus.” The censure in his voice is clearly meant for Marcus and not me.

  I’m saved from the idea of singing in front of strangers when a tall, lanky guy answers the door. His short blond hair is styled in that I just got out of bed kinda way. His toothy grin and kind aqua eyes beam at me.

  “You must be Lauren.” He nearly throws the brownies I’m holding into Theo’s hand, forcing Theo to relinquish his hold on me as Mr. Welcome Wagon wraps me in a bear hug. I gasp in surprise but relish his exuberance. He’s obviously happy for his friend, which means he’s heard about me, and it must not have been all bad.

  “It’s great to meet you. I’ve heard great things from Marcus.” He releases me and steps back. “Please, come in.”

  He shakes Theo’s hand with a brow wiggle and head tilt in my direction. “Nice, man.” He pats Theo on the back as we step inside. “It’s good to see you too, by the way.”

  Theo grins matches mine. “Lauren, this is Dan Gillard. This is his house. And I imagine his wife, Nancy, is here somewhere.”

  “It’s great to meet you. You have a beautiful home.”

  “Thank you. Yes”—Dan motions to Theo and then to the back of the house—“Nancy’s in the kitchen, more than likely. Come meet the guys.”

  With Theo’s hand solidly attached to my lower back, we follow Dan through the entryway that opens into a grand room. And grand is quite apropos for the large room with a fire place in the middle of the back wall, seating around the hearth and all along the outskirts of the room. In the middle is a baby grand piano, a drum set, and multiple guitars. Instrument cases are strewn across the floor, some opened, some closed. The number of cases exceeds those in the room, leaving me to assume many of these guys play multiple instruments.

  As we draw closer, all heads turn to greet us. I stutter a step, leaning back into Theo’s strong hand as he urges me forward with a soft, “Breathe.”

  “Hey, everyone, this is Theo’s Lauren,” Dan introduces me around the room.

  I shake hands with Chris Miller, who plays the electric guitar, and Mark Bryant, who plays the fiddle and various other instruments, according to Dan. Their welcomes vary from exuberant like Dan to shy, like me.

  Theo gets hellos and pats on the back as we move down the row.

  “And this guy here is Reese Pritchard. He’s our bass guitarist.” Dan motions to the nice-looking guy.

  Two things hit me simultaneously. I recognize his name—he went to school with Theo in England, and I immediately peg him as Nicole’s type. I smile as if I know him. “Reese, it’s good to meet you.”

  “It’s great to meet you, Lauren.” Reese gives me a quick hug and a fist bump to Theo.

  “And you already know Marcus,” Dan concludes the introductions.

  Marcus traverses the minefield of cases, giving me a kiss on the cheek and a hug. “It’s good to see you again, Lauren.”

  “You too.” I’m surprised by my relief in seeing him. I was dreading it, afraid of what he’d ask me to do. But all I feel is welcomed by his warm embrace and the relief of knowing someone else besides Theo.

  Marcus releases me, turning to Theo with a knowing smile and a handshake. “I’m glad you haven’t scared her off.”

  “Never.” Theo entwines our fingers.

  “Make yourself at home. Put your purse and coat on the chairs over there if you like.” Dan points to a sitting area on the far end of the room close to the entry we came through.

  “Thank you. Oh, and we brought brownies in case anyone wants any.” I offer the dish to Dan.

  “Yeah, I’ll take those.” Marcus nabs them from me, beating Dan by half a second.

  Theo guides me to the area with a chuckle. I drop my purse in a chair, and he helps me off with my coat. “See, they’re all happy to meet you.” His dancing eyes watch me as he takes his off. “It’s not a boys-only kind of thing as you thought.” He places his coat next to mine and captures my hand. “Let’s go say hello to Nancy, Dan’s wife.”

  We find Nancy in the kitchen talking to Marcus, who’s eating a brownie. I smile at the sight.

  Before Theo can say anything, Marcus points at us. “Theo brought his girl.”

  I blush, and Nancy exudes happiness. “It’s so good to see you with someone.” She kisses Theo on the cheek. His hand never leaves mine as he kisses her cheek in return.

  “Nancy, this is Lauren, my girlfriend.” He releases my hand only to pull me into his side.

  I get a cheek kiss too. “It’s great to meet you, Lauren.” Nancy is tall and thin like her husband. They look like they could breed a substantial basketball team.

  “It’s nice to meet you as well.”

  “I’ve never met anyone he’s dated. You have no idea how happy I am to see him finally find someone.” Her eyes dart between us.

  The thought of Theo dating sends my stomach plummeting.

  She gets distracted by Marcus taking another brownie. “Save some for everyone else.”

  Theo squeezes me, kissing my temple. “I didn’t date,” he whispers for my ears only. “No one’s captured my heart like you.”

  I already knew he didn’t date. He said so himself—he’d given up on love. But his comment and Nancy’s only confirm that there were women. He didn’t date them—he had sex with them. Probably lots and lots of sex. And here I am holding out on him.

  I swallow my unease. This is neither the time nor the place to have these nagging, all too visual thoughts.

  “Excuse us for a moment.” Taking my hand, Theo retreats, pulling me down a hall and into a bedroom.

  I circle on him as he closes the door. “You don’t—”

  He’s on me in one stride. “I do.” He eyes skate over my face. “I can see it written all over you.” He presses his forehead to mine. “I wish I could say there was no one before you, but I can’t, and that kills me.” His grip on my waist tightens. “Because I know it’s eating you up inside.” He swallows, his emotions escalating with my own.

  I whimper out a breath of air and close my eyes. I can’t hear this.

  “It was only sex. A release. A visceral need for female contact.” His hands capture my face, spurring my eyes to open. “I’m no saint, Dove.”

  He presses a tender, needy kiss on my mouth. His lips suck on mine as if he can excavate the visual from my brain via my lips. “I wish I was. For you—God, I wish I was.”

  “I don’t need a saint.” I pull back, shaking my head, rattling the thoughts of him with other women free. “I don’t want a saint.”

  He studies my lips, his thumb running over them. “No?”

  “No.” I urge him to look at me. “I want you.”

  He smiles on a sigh. “You have me.” Kiss. “One hundred percent.” Kiss. “I only want you, Dove.” Kiss. “Forever—" Kiss. “Only—" Kiss. “You.” His last kiss lasts longer than it should for being a guest in someone else’s house, but not nearly long enough to satiate my need to claim him and be claimed by him.

  We step into the kitchen right behind Reese. I listen to their boisterous comradery, giving each other shit the way only guys can. When Reese slings his arm over my shoulder, nodding to Theo, I know someone’s feathers are about to get ruffled.

  Theo straightens from leaning on the counter. “Reese.”

  It’s one word, but I hear the threat.

  Reese ignores him. “I could tell you stories about Theo and our college days.”

  My eyes flicker to Theo before looking up at Reese. He’s tall but not quite as tall as my man. “I’m sure you could.”

  The group breaks out in laughter, and I smile, but sense Theo’s unease. I slide out from under Reese’s arm and into Theo’s embrace.

  Theo kisses my head and narrows his eyes at Reese. “Hands to yourself, Pritchard.”

  Reese laughs hard
er, looking at him in awe as if he’s never seen this Theo. And maybe he hasn’t. Theo said his love for his ex didn’t compare to what he already feels for me. Perhaps Reese has never seen my Theo—the protective, loving curmudgeon who’s opening up and living again.

  He says I breathed life into his barren soul. Well, he’s done the same. He’s grounded me, yet given me wings. I may not be great at flying. I may not trust it all the time, but I’m working on it. I’m trying to believe—in him and me.

  “You’re afraid she’ll like me more than you.” Reese pokes the beast.

  “That’s not even in the realm of possibilities.” Theo slugs him in the shoulder. “Now hand me a brownie before they’re all gone.”

  Brownie devoured, Theo tightens his arm around my waist. “I need to set up my guitar.” My serious professor kisses my cheek. “I’ll be back.”

  I admire the view as he turns to leave. Reese follows to do the same, but not before surprising me with a kiss on my other cheek.

  My gasp has Theo turning. “Hey. Hands and lips off my girl, Reese. That goes for you too, Marcus, in case you get any ideas. Nancy, I trust you to keep these horny buggers off my girl.” He winks and gives me a wicked smile.

  “That boy is smitten,” Nancy says after Theo and Reese are well out of the kitchen.

  “Yeah?” I don’t know how else to respond without sounding cocky or insecure.

  “No doubt,” she replies.

  “He’s more than smitten,” Marcus chimes in.

  “It’s more than mutual,” I admit, looking through the kitchen arch into the grand room.

  “I can see that. I’m happy for you both. You make a beautiful couple. I expect a wedding invitation,” Nancy declares.

  I laugh away my embarrassment. “Oh, it’s too soon for that.”

  “I don’t think so.” Marcus’ green eyes spout truth like he doesn’t even need words. “I’ve never seen Theo like he is with you. He’s a different person. He’d marry you tomorrow. Take my word for it.” His sweet smile and gentle cant of his head make me think he knows something I don’t.

  “Okay, okay, y’all are too much.” I plead for them to stop. It’s nice to hear, but I don’t want those ideas in my head. The idea of Theo loving me forever is hard to comprehend. I’m afraid to believe it, much less discuss it out loud with people I hardly know.

  “Come on. Come sit with me.” Marcus places his hand on my back, coaxing me forward.

  As we step into the room, Theo’s eyes shoot to mine. The static buzz that’s my constant companion when he’s around intensifies. His eyes flash, confirming he feels it too. His smirk grows into a knee-weakening smile that has me tripping over thin air and grasping for Marcus to keep me on my feet.

  “Careful now. We can’t have you breaking your neck just when things are getting good.” Marcus’ lyrical southern drawl seems thicker than usual.

  “Getting good?” I flash back to Theo, who’s scowling at Marcus’ tight grip on my waist.

  I want to tell Theo it’s his fault for being so darn hot I can hardly think straight, much less walk. Theo narrows his eyes as if he heard my thoughts and motions for me to come join him.

  “Yeah, you and Theo steaming up the room.” Marcus looks at Theo over his shoulder. “She’s mine. You can wait your turn.”

  I fight the urge to laugh at the way Marcus pushes Theo’s buttons.

  “Please, sit. Join me.” From the piano bench, Marcus coaxes me next to him. “I printed off some lyrics in case you want to follow along or join in.” He says it so smoothly, as if I won’t notice his ploy to get me to sing.

  I scan the songs, noting I’m familiar with most of them.

  Marcus’ fingers trail along the keys and begin to play as he takes in the state of the group’s readiness. “Y’all ready to get started?”

  The chaotic sounds of guitar chords, drumming, and a fiddle warming up cease as they focus on Marcus and agree they’re ready.

  “Warm-up song?” Marcus asks.

  “‘Some Kind of Wonderful,’” Dan offers.

  “All right, Dan, lead the way,” Marcus responds.

  Dan counts down, banging his drumsticks together. On the count of four they all join in. I’ve never been this close to the action. It’s pretty impressive to see how the timing all works. As Dan sings and the others join in at the chorus, I realize they all have microphones. This is more than the guys hanging out. They have a whole sound system. They’re a well-oiled machine, not guys goofing off while drinking beer.

  As Marcus reaches across me to the higher keys, I worry I’m in his way and scoot over, but he stops me, whispering, “Don’t move.”

  “I’m in your way,” I whisper back.

  “You’re not.” He smiles as if having me sit next to him as he plays is no hardship.

  I scoot back over, sitting shoulder to shoulder. He nods his approval. I look up and meet Theo’s gaze. He was watching. He winks, continuing to play and sing. Once again, my heart skips a beat at this gorgeous man who says he belongs to me. How can someone as incredible as him be happy with someone as ordinary as me?

  The guys transition from song to song with familiar ease. Marcus sways on the piano bench, forcing me to join him or look like a stiff fuddy-duddy. I slowly loosen up a little and enjoy myself. They’re really good. Dan, Marcus, and Theo take turns singing lead vocals, and the rest sing back up.

  “He can’t take his eyes off you.” Marcus nudges me.

  “What?” I look at Marcus.

  Marcus motions with his head toward Theo. “He hasn’t taken his eyes off you since we sat down. He has it bad. You can’t deny it.”

  I dare a look, Theo’s magnetic stare holding me captive. “I have it bad too. He’s a wonderful man. I’m blessed to have met him.” I glance down, shyness taking root along with my rising emotions.

  Marcus gets my attention with a nudge. His gentle smile has me nudging him back. “You should put those emotions to good use. Sing a song with me.” Not really a question.

  “I…if I put my emotions into a song, I’ll cry. No one wants to see that.”

  “Not true.” His eyes scan the group. “Look at these guys. They put their heart and soul into these songs. It’s only us. There’s no judgment here. When we take a break, maybe you could stay and sing with me—just you and me. Everyone else will head to the bathroom and kitchen.” His raised brow reminds me of Theo. “Think about it.”

  “Okay, I’ll think about it.” My heart’s racing at the thought of singing in front of these seasoned musicians.

  “I’ll be back.” I get up to find the bathroom down the hall. I do my business, wash my hands, check my makeup, and take a few deep breaths to calm my nerves.

  When I open the door, Theo’s standing there, leaning against the wall. A smile spreads across his face. “You alright?”

  I move closer. “Yes. Why?”

  One arm snags me around the back, pulling me flush, as the other slowly brushes the hair away from my eyes. “I saw you and Marcus talking. You looked serious and then got up all of a sudden. I wanted to be sure you weren’t upset.”

  “No, I’m fine. He asked me to sing with him.” I toy with the collar of his shirt.

  “And that upset you?”

  “I thought my heart was gonna beat out of my chest.”

  He smiles, running his hand down my neck, pressing it over my heart. “It’s still here.” His eyes flit to mine. “Don’t feel pressure. You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

  “That’s the thing, I actually do want to.”

  His brow quirks.

  “Y’all were having such a good time,” I offer as explanation. “But the idea is terrifying. He said maybe we could do it when you take a break.”

  “Break is now.” His hand slides to the back of my neck. His lips descend on mine. His mouth glides with gentle pressure, and my heart skips a beat for a whole other reason than nerves. I moan and suck his bottom lip.

  He pulls away on a c
huckle. “My girl likes her kisses.”

  Yes. Yes, she does.

  A quick press of his lips to mine before he steps back. “Come on, we only have ten minutes or so.”

  We enter the big room to find Marcus looking through sheets of music. Everyone else is gone. As we approach, he looks up and smiles. “I see you found our songbird.”

  “My songbird,” Theo clarifies with authority.

  Marcus simply chuckles and pats the seat next to him. “As you wish.”

  Theo’s mouth possesses mine in a passionate kiss that ends with tug on my bottom lip. “I’ll be in the kitchen enjoying your brownies.”

  I sigh and blink, trying to regain my composure.

  He glares at Marcus. “Don’t pressure her.”

  Marcus raises his hands in surrender. “I wouldn’t dare.”

  I laugh at that. He would dare. He’ll just gentle me through it.

  Taking a seat, Marcus gets right to it. “What about ‘Stay’ by Rihanna? It’s a duet and would suit your voice beautifully.”

  “Don’t expect too much, Marcus.” I glance to the kitchen. No one is paying us any mind. “I’ll try.”

  “Excellent. Do you know the song well?”

  “I’m familiar with it, but I can’t say I remember all of the words or the melody.”

  “Not a problem. I haven’t sung it either. We’ll work our way through it. Together.” He starts to play. “Why don’t you take the first verse? I’ll help with the melody if you get stuck.”

  “Oh, Lord.” I sigh. “You’re killing me.”

  His fingers continue to play. “I know you’re scared, but I also know you can do it. There’s no failure here, sweetheart. No right or wrong. Just a chance to use that God-given voice of yours.”

  He’s gentling me through it, and it makes me want to cry. “Okay.”

  Without delay, he starts the intro and prompts me when to come in.

  I sing the first few lines, managing to make it through without any major trip-ups. But I’m thankful when it’s his turn to sing, and I get to listen. His voice is soulful, with rich warm tones and his perfect vibrato.

  He nods, and we both sing the rest of the song together, with effortless harmony like we’ve sung together for years. With each passing note, my nerves lessen, the safety of the Marcus-bubble strong.