Fallen Idol (Love and Music in Texas Book 4)

by Nikki Lynn Barrett

  “Well, we can't have your first date ruined. Want to know a secret? I've never been to a school dance.”

  Even that one surprised Matt. “You haven't?”

  Kyra shook her head. “The thing about getting into the music business early is that I never had time for those. I've always wanted to go to a dance.” She had such a wistful tone. It made really made him ponder. So he'd been wrong. Kyra's reaction was about never going to a dance.

  She'd made a ton of sacrifices for her music career, including giving up her childhood. At the time, it probably seemed like the coolest thing ever. Now that she was grown, he wondered how much different it seemed to her.

  “I'd love to help with your dance. But what about David?” She glanced at her brother. The dance was for high schoolers. David was only in seventh grade.

  “I can stay by myself. I'm not a child, you know,” he insisted.

  “Yeah, but that's not fair,” Kyra argued. The look in her eyes told Matt it was more than that.

  “Then I'll go hang with Mrs. Winters. Not a big deal. I don't mind.”

  “Or we can take David with us. Maybe he can help at the snack tables or something. I'm sure we can figure it out.” Matt didn't want her to bow out, but he understood her concern about David.

  “I could do that!” David's excitement grew.

  “If the school is okay with it, that works for me. A few hours at a dance? I'd love nothing more.”

  Matt loved the smile on her face. “Hey, I know it's late, but have you two eaten?” The question surprised him. He hadn't really thought it through, but now that it was out there he was glad. The dinner question was much easier than asking her about the dance. He'd never been so damn intimidated by a woman before, but he'd never been interested in getting to know a country singer prior to this, either.

  “Actually, no. We weren't hungry earlier, and then Amy and I were arguing.” Kyra's eyelids lowered briefly.

  “How about we go get something then, the four of us?”

  “I-” Kyra stammered.

  “Yeah, let's do it!” David tugged on his sister's hand.

  “We could go to the arcade. David and I can play some games for a while,” Andrew suggested. “What do you think, Dad?”

  Actually, he thought that was perfect. While the boys blasted away at games, he could try to talk to Kyra more about what was bothering her. He grinned. “Sounds perfect. How about it, Miss Sanders?”

  She made a sour face. “Don't be so formal.” Then she laughed. “Sure, let's do it. I need a little bit of normal today.”

  A half hour later, Kyra and Matt were seated at a booth. She'd brought her cap and had stuffed her dark locks underneath it. So far, no one recognized her, or if they did, they left her alone. David and Andrew ran off with tokens in their hands, eager to play games.

  Kyra glanced around the place, most likely taking in the sights. “Is this a regular spot for y'all?” she asked, turning her hazel eyes on him.

  “Sure is. Andrew can't get enough of it here. He loves the arcade.” A pang of sadness crept in his gut. And now his son liked dances and going on dates. The boy was growing up too damn fast. At least his troubles weren't as existent as they'd been when Kendra first left Andrew with him. At first she wanted Andrew around when pursuing music, but the first chance she got, Kendra ditched Andrew, too. What kind of woman does that to their child? Matt understood abandonment. He went through a similar issue with his parents, which was why he pushed as much as he could to give Andrew everything he needed.

  “Did you grow up here?” Kyra asked.

  “For the most part. I've been here since I was six. I love being close to family. Randy is only twenty minutes away or so. I don't have any siblings, so he and his sisters were the ones I spent my childhood with.” Most of the time, while Matt's parents traveled for work, he stayed with his aunt and uncle, meaning he spent plenty of nights up late with Randy. That stopped as much when Matt hit his teen years. He was able to be on his own and his parents didn't bother to take him to Harmony's Echo.

  “I don't know much about this part of Texas. Before moving to Nashville, we lived up north, closer to the Oklahoma border. I don't know why Mom and Dad picked Sunset Hills, but it seems like a great little town.”

  “I think it was the good job.” Matt remembered meeting the Sanders when they first arrived in town three years ago. He'd been by himself at the time, fighting with Kendra over Andrew. Matt had immediately bonded with the Sanders, especially when David and Andrew started spending time together when he was here.

  “Or maybe they keep moving because they're being hounded by people who hate me,” she muttered, looking down at her glass.

  “Do you really think that?”

  Kyra blew out a breath. “I'm not sure. That article and letter has me concerned, though. Mom and Dad have never said a thing, but I'm beginning to wonder. Maybe that's why Amy is always so pissed at me. They moved a handful of times since leaving Nashville, so I don't know.”

  Matt thought back on the last few years, trying to figure out if he'd ever noticed anything strange. He'd known about Kyra and how she had a career in Nashville. Her parents had spoken proudly about her. They'd played every CD she had out. But had anyone ever said anything negative to them about her? Obviously whatever happened to cause her musical hiatus had a negative effect on Kyra, but had it transferred over to her family?

  Matt couldn't think of anything, but then again he'd never been looking. He'd had his own things to deal with after Kendra ran off and Andrew's behavior spiraled downward. Things could have happened that he'd easily missed.

  He looked to make sure the boys or anyone else wasn't around before he turned back to Kyra. “Maybe you need to go talk to the police about your suspicion. Have them get in touch with your manager if he still has that letter, and make sure your concerns are known. If it wasn't an accident, you want to make sure they look into it harder.”

  Kyra nodded. “I know. I thought about it all day. Tomorrow, I'll do that. I want to chalk it up to another normal hate letter... Wow, did I seriously call hate letters normal?” Her hands flew over her mouth. Seconds later, she laid them palm first on the table. “This is crazy.”

  He reached across the colorful table for her hand. “Kyra, if you feel like you're in danger, I want you to call me.” Why was he saying all of this? Why, why, why did he want to get himself involved with a troubled musician? Because he was close to her family? Because her brother was friends with his son?

  Because he cared?

  “No, Matt. I'm not getting you involved. It's already bad enough I have unknown enemies who might be targeting my family.” She retracted her hand from his as if it was poisonous.

  It shouldn't have bothered him that she declined. It was better that way. But it did bother him.

  “But-” he started.

  “No. I mean it. Please. I'm hoping someone was just being cruel and that this wasn't done to get back at me. To think...” She stopped. “It's just paranoia. It has to be.”

  “What if it isn't?” He didn't like the idea of it being real either, but it didn't mean he would ignore the possibility. Not when lives were at stake.

  “Then-” Kyra let out a frustrated growl. “I don't know.”

  “Here you go! Fries and chicken wings for you.” The waitress plopped down a big red basket full of hot food in front of Matt. “A burger, onion rings, and a shake for you.” She handed Kyra hers. The woman's gaze lingered on Kyra. Recognized? If so, she didn't say anything. “And a pizza.”

  Matt made room for Andrew and David's pizza. “Thank you.”

  “Let me know if I can get you anything else.” She smiled and moved away from their table, still turning back every once in a while.

  On cue, the boys ran back to the table, laughing and socking each other's arm. So much for having more of this important conversation with Kyra. Once again, Matt failed to get her to open up. Something had to be done. She was afraid, and maybe she did or didn'
t have good reason, but it left him feeling uneasy.

  Chapter Eight

  Friday morning before the dance, Kyra spent time visiting her parents in the hospital. Her mother hadn't had much change, good or bad. Dad was on the mend. His burns were beginning to heal, and he was a little more eager to move around.

  Amy and David were in school, so Kyra took the opportunity to go talk to the police. She'd been waiting a half hour before someone finally came out to talk to her.

  Once settled in a room, Kyra began her story and what her manager had said. She'd called Mark yesterday and told him what she planned to do. If the police wanted to see this letter and article, Mark would fax copies over and express mail the original. So far, nothing else out of the ordinary came up, at least in that regard. She was still receiving some angry letters, but those were normal.

  Should she go see Taryn and her family? She hadn't since the first attempt. Could it be her father? Kyra remembered how angry he was when the accident happened. He'd made all sorts of threats against Kyra about how she'd ruined his daughter's life.

  But I can't even remember the exact events!

  Everything happened so fast. The moments were all a blur.

  "So you think it was done on purpose against you?" The officer raised his brows incredulously.

  He didn't believe her. Kyra rubbed the back of her neck.

  "I wish I didn't feel that way, but the letter makes me think otherwise. Do you have any more information on the fire and how it was started?" she fired back. Please let them take her seriously. Kyra knew how some of these cops worked. They always doubted people like her. She saw it in his eyes already. She'd been upset when Matt judged her just because she was famous, but there were many who did. They'd claim she was paranoid because she had so much fame and thought everyone was out to get her.

  Well damn it, in this case someone was!

  She sighed and leaned back in the hard, plastic chair. "Look, I've been getting hate mail for years, ever since that car crash. I've been threatened, had stalkers, and been attacked after a show. No one wants me to make a comeback, because everyone still thinks I'm to blame for the accident. All I want is to be making music again. I've learned from my mistakes, but not everyone believes it. If someone intentionally hurt my family, I want them found. Don't tell me you don't. You're the law. You want things to be made right, don't you?"

  "Of course I do!" He narrowed his eyes at her. "You're serious about this, aren't you?"

  Duh!

  "I am. My manager will send you what you need to see. I'm just saying please look into this. My family doesn't deserve the fall out from my past. Neither does this town. Mom and Dad weren't the only injured people."

  The officer uncapped a pen. "Tell me what you know."

  Now she was getting somewhere.

  About an hour later, Kyra left the police station, hoping that this new piece of information she'd given them would push the investigators to search harder. Mark told her he'd have protection sent and she wouldn't even know they were there. They would just watch. If someone was after her, they'd get to the bottom of it.

  She'd almost protested, but being around people she loved, Kyra decided to go with it.

  "I swear, you won't even know they're there. Kyra, be safe. I'm sorry this is happening. I know I wasn't happy about you leaving, but your family is important. I get that," Mark said over the phone.

  "Thanks. Hey, I'm going to go now. I just wanted to thank you. I'm about to buy a dress to be a chaperon at a dance."

  "See? More reason to have protection sent your way."

  "Really? They won't even make it here by tonight!"

  "Wanna bet? Don't underestimate the power of your manager, young lady. Now, go and have a good time, but again, be careful."

  She laughed. "Thanks for looking out for me."

  "Always, Kyra."

  They hung up and she dropped her phone in her purse, only to reach for it immediately when it rang again. The number wasn't one she recognized. Kyra hesitated, but answered it anyway. "Hello?"

  "Hey, Kyra. This is Blaine."

  "Oh hey! Do you have an estimate for me?" She grabbed the keys to the rental car from her pocket.

  "I do, actually, but that's not why I'm calling. I hear we're chaperoning a dance tonight and wondered if you wanted to shop for a dress. I know you're probably busy..."

  "Actually, I've done everything I needed to for the morning. I'll stop by and check on my parents again this afternoon, but I have a few free hours. I don't have a damn good thing to wear for tonight, so I'd love to go find a dress with you."

  "Cool. I was debating whether I should have called or not."

  "Really, I'm glad you did. It'll be nice to have an evening out at a dance. I really did miss out on those things, and I kinda regret that part of it," she blurted, not meaning to put all that out there. She wasn't ungrateful for the choices she made and what they led to, but there were things she did want to know what they felt like.

  Such as being at a dance.

  Simple things that most took for granted, never knowing how much they'd be desired later.

  "I know more than I'd like to about missing out," Blaine said quietly. She rattled off an address and name of a place to meet. "Does that work for you?"

  "Sure. What time?"

  "I was thinking now. We're already in town. I'm dragging Randy shopping."

  Kyra chuckled. "Does he have a say in this at all?"

  "Sure he does. He gets a say on what dress I pick. See you in a few?"

  "Sounds good. I'll be right over." Kyra hung up, and a smile lingered. This was going to be fun. After the day she had, looking forward to something nice was more than welcome. Forget the troubles for a while. Or try, anyway.

  *****

  That evening, Andrew begged Matt to drop them off at the dance first before going to pick up Kyra. They'd argued over the idea, because it didn't make sense. If the dance needed chaperoning, then dropping them off before wouldn't work.

  "I promise I won't embarrass you," Matt told him. "Just no kissing in front of me."

  Andrew made a face. "No way! Not around you. And you better not kiss Kyra around me, either!"

  "Why would I kiss Kyra?" Matt stared at his son with suspicion.

  "Isn't this a date?"

  "Umm, no. This is Kyra helping out." A date? With country star Kyra Sanders? Yeah right. Like she'd ever consider this a date. She was famous and world known. He worked on cars. It didn't matter, anyway. He didn't need to be contemplating what to call tonight. Kyra would be on her way back to her life eventually, and she wouldn't have time to think about some of the people she met here anyway.

  Right?

  "You wouldn't date Kyra?" Andrew asked.

  Matt opened and shut his mouth. How the hell was he supposed to answer this? "Kyra and I are friends, Andrew." He wasn't even sure he'd consider them friends, but it was at least something to tell Andrew. "Are you trying to set us up?"

  "I don't know," Andrew admitted. "I like Kyra. She's cool. Easy to talk to. I thought maybe you'd like her. Don't you ever get lonely? You work a lot, you hang out with me, occasionally go to Baby Stetson concerts, but you never date."

  Matt glanced at his watch. They didn't have long until they were supposed to pick up Andrew's date and then Kyra and David. This conversation couldn't wait. "I don't need to date."

  "But you seem so miserable. The night we went to the arcade, you two were talking a lot." Andrew shrugged. "I just don't want you to be busy and alone all the time."

  Matt's heart hurt with this. How had he not known until recently how much his constant working affected his son? "I'm sorry I'm so busy, Andrew. I want to keep a roof over our head. I want to make sure you have the things you need and occasionally when we can, the things you want."

  "I know, Dad. I just miss being part of a family. Sometimes, when I'm with Randy and Blaine, it feels complete. I want you to have that kind of happiness, too."

  At that m
oment, Matt almost wanted to hate Kendra for doing this to Andrew. If she never wanted to be married to Matt, he could deal with it, but the way she abandoned her son and how he longed for a family tore at him and pissed him off at the same time. Damn that selfish woman. That got him to thinking about Kyra. She had the same dream. She wanted a life of music, and she had that, sacrificing her childhood to make it to the top of Nashville.

  Andrew was looking down the wrong road. Even if Matt ever did think about Kyra in more than just a friendly manner, it wouldn't work. She'd be on the road or in the studio.

  In a short matter of time, Kyra managed to win his son's heart over, and when she left, what the hell was going to happen? Matt had no idea Andrew thought about getting the two of them together. If he'd known, he would have shot that idea down before it grew bigger in the boy's head. Now it might be too late.

  Suppressing a sigh, Matt patted Andrew's shoulder. "Let's go get the rest of our party and enjoy the night. What do you think?"

  Andrew nodded, but the sadness reflecting in his eyes haunted Matt for the entire ride.

  Matt waited in the car as Andrew rang the doorbell at his date's house. He'd met with her parents a few days ago and, to allow the two to have a good night without so much hovering, they'd agreed it was okay for Matt not to accompany his son to the door. They were nice people. Their daughter, Daisy, was a sweet girl. She seemed to have a good effect on Andrew, which would help continue to keep him on track.

  As the couple walked hand in hand down the pathway back to the car, Matt watched them with a smile. Andrew was growing up to be a great young man. Sure, he had his problems, but what teenage boy didn't?

  "Hi, Mr. Greer!" Daisy waved to him as she settled in the backseat.

  "Hi, Daisy. Ready for tonight?" Matt turned to greet her.

  "I sure am! I can't believe Kyra Sanders is chaperoning! And that she's your date!"

  Matt decided against correcting her. Apparently Andrew had already said more than enough. It wouldn't hurt to let people think that, for one night, he had a date with Kyra. Although, if people commented about this to her, what would she say about it? Why the hell did this have to intimidate him so much?