"Really." That sounded so damn far-fetched.
"Leandra's lawyer fought dirty. She and Brandon had this whole plan to get you out of the limelight. Brandon was only half brothers with Taryn's boyfriend James, and always had a jealous streak. He figured going with the competition would be perfect. From what I heard, it was their idea to take you out for an early celebration that night. Brandon's slowly talking and admitting things, and we're still getting information from Leandra. Her father is a lawyer, and he had plenty of blackmail money to throw around. He also had leverage on everyone, including me. Things from my younger days I'm not proud of. I thought, since you paid your time and it wasn't much, that it was best to leave things alone."
"Leave things alone? I had to live with guilt for killing someone and hurting others when I didn't do a damn thing!" Kyra shouted. "Instead, it turns out I was supposed to die! If that semi never came into the picture, I'd be dead and not just dealing with guilt over something I didn't do."
Silence.
"I know."
"I trusted you." She lowered her voice.
"And I failed you. I know."
"I have this big decision to make, on top of needing to push back the CD and the tour. I don't know if I can have you work for me, Mark."
"You can't mean that-" He panicked.
"But I do. I can't have a manager I don't trust. I have a lot of hard days ahead of me. I'm going to see a therapist to help get through what happened, something that may not have happened if people were honest with me from the start. No, I'm not trying to lay blame. I'm just trying to make sense of a senseless act. My family was in danger, too." Kyra was so glad no one was home right now, because she was fuming. "You may not have known about the real details of the accident, but you could have done so much more, especially when you were blackmailed. I don't like deceit, Mark. You chose to cover your past over me, when I was never in the wrong."
"So what does this mean?" His voice came out small. She had him right where she wanted him.
"I want time. Make everything get pushed back, help me with this benefit concert for early next year, and I'll decide from there. Most likely, when I come back, I'll have a clearer head."
"Push back? Kyra, your song is already number one! The traction of this album is going to fall if you push it back."
"All I'm asking is not to tour right away. Give me the holidays to spend with my family and Matt. Keep my therapy under wraps. No major interviews, no shows." She listed her concerns.
Mark went silent again. Then he heaved a sigh. "Okay. It's gonna get ugly."
"It got ugly the night some psycho wanted me to die in a fire while listening to a song I can't even perform without freaking out. It's one of my biggest hits. How the hell am I supposed to come back from that?" Her hand shook so much that she nearly dropped the glass she held. Kyra set it down and swallowed hard. "Really, it's been ugly since the accident."
"I'll take care of it." Mark's tone changed. She heard the concern. "How are you? I mean really?"
"I'm a mess. I've got stories flying at me that I wish would stay away, I close my eyes and I see the night crystal clear in my head. I have an ache in my heart for what could have happened to my family, and I don't know what my future holds. It's a scary feeling, because I worked damn hard to get back to where I was before this."
"I'll start making the appropriate calls. I want you to know I might have messed up, but I do try to have your best interests in mind." Mark's tone was apologetic. "I thought once we found out you weren't going to jail, we could get you back in the spotlight in a good way later. I know, I'm an idiot. I never thought about what was best for you as a whole, only your career. I'm sorry."
Yeah, we'll see.
"I'm going to go now, okay? I have an appointment. Please update me with all the changes. I really need this time." She didn't really have an appointment, but the sooner she got off the phone, the better.
They hung up, and Kyra set the phone on the counter. She stared at it, half expecting Mark to call her back and beg or plead.
Nothing.
"Good," she muttered in triumph, as if the stupid phone really cared. Kyra checked the time. Her stomach grumbled. It was already noon. Maybe she'd go visit Matt and have lunch with him.
It was weird, having no plans. She wasn't used to this. Granted, Kyra needed the rest, but now she was getting restless. Maybe Matt would let her help out at the shop, or she could help her mom or dad with work. Well not Dad, because he was an EMT and Kyra knew nothing about that, but she could help with the rebuilding for the clinic Mom worked at.
"And with this feeling, what happens if I don't get back to music?" The idea scared her.
Had she become a thing of the past?
She called Taryn next, leaving a message. "Sorry for not getting back sooner. I know you must be hearing the same stories I am. We've got a lot to talk about. Call me back when you can."
Chapter Thirty-Seven
December was flying by like snow in a blizzard. Today was Andrew's birthday, and Randy, Blaine, Kyra, and Matt were getting things in order at the arcade for a surprise party. Kyra's time was almost up that she'd asked for, and Matt wasn't sure what she planned to do. She insisted that if she couldn't get back to the stage, she'd be all right, but Matt knew better. He saw it on her face every time Baby Stetson performed. Kyra hung in the back and even though she didn't pass out, he could tell she struggled. Every time he gently suggested she go up there, she'd decline. But on the nights they were alone, if he asked her to sing for him, she would. She stopped talking about the night Brandon came for her and what she'd been trying to accomplish before he showed up.
Taryn called Matt a few times, hoping he could convince Kyra to see her. Nothing yet. Ever since Leandra's arrest and admittance to what really happened that night, the media was in a frenzy. Kyra's name was cleared, but the aftermath still wasn't easy.
"Come on, there's one more load in the car you can help me with." Blaine and Kyra took off, leaving Matt alone with Randy.
Matt stared at Kyra's retreating back.
"What's going on with you, man?" Randy asked.
"Kyra's not happy." He faced his cousin when Kyra was out of sight. "Not saying I expect her to be, not after everything, but she's at a crossroad. I feel like if she stays and quits music, she's going to..." Matt couldn't say it.
Randy got it. "You feel like she's going to end up like Kendra, and you don't want to go down that road again or subject Andrew to it."
"Yeah." Matt pinched the bridge of his nose, peeking to see if the women were on their way back. "I'm surprised she's so calm about being here today, because there's going to be so many people. I worry where her breaking point is."
"Okay, my take." Randy kept an eye on the door as well. "Even if Kyra struggles with life outside of music, she's not going to be like Kendra for many reasons. One, Kyra loves you. Not sure Kendra ever did. That's the biggest difference right there. Want to know something?"
"What?" Matt stopped fiddling with the Happy Birthday banner that just wouldn't work with him.
"I worry Blaine isn't happy with small town life sometimes. Look at the career she had. I mean, other than that rat bastard of an ex-husband, Blaine had a lot of promise out there. I'm afraid she's settling. But then I have to shake that off, because she's wearing my engagement ring and she looks at me with love in her eyes. I know, you and Kyra aren't at that point yet, but I wanted you to know I understand the worry. I can tell Kyra loves you, and that's why she's here today. She's surrounded by family, friends, and a man who loves her. Let the past go, Matt, and look to the future. That's all I can say." Randy shot him a sympathetic smile.
"Okay!" Blaine and Kyra returned, dropping boxes on the table. "The last of the stuff has been unloaded. By the way, was that a new guitar I spotted in your trunk, Matt?"
He sent her a sly grin and pulled Kyra close. "Someone helped me pick one she swears Andrew will love."
Randy nodded. "Outside of a
learner's permit later on, this is going to be the best gift for that boy. Ready to hang these over there, Blaine?" He held up some balloons and hid his face behind one. Blaine swatted him until he chased her, threatening to rub the balloon in her hair and make it frizzy.
Kyra shook her head, a laugh escaping her lips. "Those two are forever young."
"Yeah, they are. Randy was the shy guy secretly in love with her for years. It's great to see him happy."
She faced him and leaned in his arms. "So how does it feel to be the father of a fifteen year old?"
"Woman, if I didn't adore you so much, I'd swat you for that comment. Are you rubbing it in again that you're still young and ageless? Wait! Oh, what's this? A wrinkle! Uh oh, Kyra. The secret is out." He teased, touching her face.
She gasped and shoved him. "There is not!"
The look on her face, oh, he couldn't hold back. He laughed, the gut clenching kind of laugh.
"That's so mean!" She was horrified. Matt laughed harder, then tugged on her hand until he had her up against his body. Once he stopped laughing, Matt brushed her bangs back.
"I'm sorry. You kinda asked for that," he teased. "Are you going to be all right today?"
"Of course I will. I'm going to tell you what I tell everyone else. I can handle a familiar crowd. I appreciate everyone's concern, but this is where I'm most content." Kyra kissed him. "Now how about we finish setting up the party before your son and all of his friends walk in on us looking like we want to do the mattress dance?"
"Well, just so you know. I do want to." He winked, sliding his hands lower to cup her butt. Joking with Kyra and planning Andrew's party took his mind off things like the shop's fate and Kendra's supposed visit. Both were uncertain and he'd been moody over it, but right here, right now, he could hold on to a bit of belief that everything would work out.
Like Kyra.
"It's bad enough we were almost caught in the treehouse! Kissing the first time wasn't enough, we had to go and-"
He silenced her by pressing his lips to hers. "Remind me to build our very own tree house. No kids or teens allowed," Matt whispered seductively in her ear. Then the shock of what he'd just insinuated hit him.
"I guess a good sized tree is on my list of musts when I house hunt." Kyra's lips turned up.
Randy and Blaine returned. "Okay you two. We've got things to do!" Blaine clapped her hands together, killing the moment.
Kyra and Matt pulled apart, each looking at the other like they were caught doing something wrong. He'd mentioned a tree house together, and Kyra talked about house hunting.
*****
When David and Amy led Andrew in the arcade two hours later and everyone shouted surprise, their plan had worked. Andrew was completely flabbergasted and shocked.
"Seriously? I didn't think with..." He hesitated as he flicked a gaze to his father. "Everything going on that we'd be having a party. Thank you!"
The music began, and everyone scattered about to play some of the games. Andrew ran up to Kyra and gave her a big hug. "I'm glad you got to stay for my birthday this year. I'm going to miss you a lot when you go. I love you, Kyra."
She fought back a wave of fresh tears. "I love you, too. You and your dad. You guys are so special to me."
"But your music is, too." Andrew blew wisps of hair from his face. "You miss it, don't you?"
"I do," she admitted, wondering where this was going.
"If you leave, you and Dad aren't sure what you're going to do, right?"
"I'd love to see where things go with your dad. I'm pushing back my tour for now, Andrew. I do have to go back to Nashville and work out some details, but I might not have to go out on tour as early or as long as I thought."
"Because of what happened to you?" Sadness reflected in his eyes and his tone.
"Yeah. I'm struggling. The time home with my family and you guys helped. Just so you know, I plan to make Texas my permanent home. It's just going to take a while to get settled."
"Are you going to buy a house now? Maybe that will help with Dad's shop." Andrew winced, then covered his mouth. "I wasn't supposed to say anything." He searched the room for his father, who was on the other side talking to Randy.
"What's going on with the shop?" Kyra asked gently.
Andrew sighed. "He's barely making it. The lease is almost up and the rent's gonna go up. With all the hits lately, Dad isn't sure he can keep it open. Someone offered to buy it out from him, and he's been debating on it, but he's not sure they'd keep him on."
Why wouldn't Matt tell her this?
"I'll talk to him. I won't even say you slipped up. Let me see if I can help in some way, okay? How about you go out there and play some games. Enjoy your birthday. Go make a high score so I can outdo you again."
He rolled his eyes. "I don't know how you do it. I will defeat you one day!" He laughed, then took off.
I love these people so much.
She had to do something for them. She had to find a way to help Matt and Andrew. If she bought a house now, even if she couldn't come home often for a while, would he go for it? And if she offered to buy out the shop... No. Matt wouldn't even let her pay for the damage to the cars, even though it was done because of her. Another thing Brandon and Leandra rigged. The only thing he never admitted to was the assault at Baby Stetson's concert. That one she probably had to chalk up to a random hater.
"So you're the one my son and Matt are so gaga over," a female voice said from behind her.
Kyra whirled around. So that must be Kendra. Matt mentioned she might show up, but he didn't ever hold her to it. "Kendra. Hi." Awkward! Where were Matt or Andrew?
The woman's full red lips curved up in a smile. "That would be me. Who would have thought Matt could land a young singer? You really want to throw away your music to stay here in Texas? You've got some talent, girl. There's so much ahead for you."
"Who says I can't do both?" Kyra snapped, hating this witch's attitude.
"Matt wouldn't like it. He never wanted me to succeed. He wanted me to stay home and be a mother."
"You know, it takes two. You also took part in Andrew's birth. Damn right you should be a mother." Kyra held her clenched fists at her side. The last thing she needed was a video of her punching this woman's lights out.
"I'm telling you, Kyra. You'll regret it. You'll miss your career. It can't be both ways. Look at you, already wanting to take care of them. Buy a house, make everyone's life better. You'll end up resenting him in the long run."
"You have nerve!" Kyra shouted, drawing attention. From across the room, Matt's face reddened. He stormed over.
"So you decided to show, huh? Now you're badgering Kyra?" Matt reached for her hand.
"Badgering? No, I'm just telling this poor woman what'll happen if she gives up her career for you. Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to wish our son a happy sixteenth birthday. I'll chat with you in a while." Kendra stalked off.
"Sixteenth? She can't seriously not know Andrew's age." Color drained from Matt's face. "This is going to be a mess. I'm sorry for the way she acted. Excuse me. I'd better to make sure she doesn't-"
Too late. Kendra and Andrew stood face to face. Andrew's face was so red. He was clearly upset. His arms were folded across his chest. Matt bolted, and Kyra followed.
"Thanks for showing up, but I'm not sixteen." Andrew's voice was cold.
"I should know your age! I'm your mother! I bought you a car and everything!"
"You may be my mom, but you haven't been around for a long time. You took me away from Dad, then dropped me back off when I wasn't convenient for you. Do you ever call to talk to me? Do you ask my how day was? No! All you care about is you. Dad and I struggle a lot, but you know what, we're happy! As for the car? I wouldn't want it, even if I was sixteen."
The room fell in a silent, tense hush.
"You won't take a present from your own mother, but you'd be okay with your dad's new fling buying you a house and everything else? She'll run out on you, too. Kyr
a and I have the same dream. If your father ever cared about me he would have-"
"That's enough!" Matt roared, stepping up toward Andrew. "I tried to give you what you wanted, Kendra. I quit school because I took care of Andrew as a baby. You turned his mind against me and then gave him back to me to try and make things work again. How dare you come in here and act like you have a say!" Then he glanced at Kyra. "For the record, Kyra isn't a fling. I love her. You two are nothing alike. You both might have a passion for music, but Kyra is so much more. I don't know where you get this notion that she's buying us anything. Even if she was, it's none of your concern. You gave up that right when you left Andrew behind for good."
With everyone gathered around anticipating the next move, Kyra's anxiety hit. She sucked in a sharp breath, hoping that she could either get away quietly or that she could fight it down.
*****
Kendra stalked off not too long afterward, and despite the efforts of Andrew's friends and everyone else, the party wasn't the same. He opened his gifts, ate pizza and cake, but the mood was sullen. Matt decided to hold off on the guitar for now.
The party officially broke up about an hour later. Andrew stood at the door, thanking everyone for coming. Matt began the clean up process, storming through the aisles of tables and clearing the trash. Everyone seemed to avoid him right now, until he bumped into Kyra. His left fist was curled in a tight clench, and she gently eased it open. A pair of loving eyes peered up at him with concern.
"You doing all right?" He brushed a soft kiss against her lips.
"Me? I'm fine. It's you and Andrew I'm worried about."
"Kyra, don't think I didn't see how you reacted when everyone gathered around."
She pressed her lips in a thin line. "You're right. But this is about you right now. You're upset, and Andrew's upset. The whole mood went downhill after she showed up."
"I know," he muttered, searching for Andrew. He sat in between Randy and Blaine.
Fallen Idol (Love and Music in Texas Book 4) Page 30