by Nomi Summers
“You’re telling me Shane Knox has agreed to host a concert at Arbor Shores Resort?”
“That’s right. So, you can decline Hunter’s offer because this will surely raise enough money.”
“Well, let’s think about this for a moment.” Her mother began to pace. “Is his band flying in?”
Uh... Avery and Shane hadn’t quite gotten that far yet. “I’m not exactly sure of the logistics, but he has agreed to headline the Jamboree, and we need to get the word out and start selling tickets as soon as possible.”
“That’s kind of him, Avery, but do we even have the capacity to house a rock star as big as Shane here at the resort? I mean, this could put us over code.”
“Let’s just figure out how much space we have, and we’ll price tickets accordingly. Once at capacity, we’ll sell out. Obviously, if we can get attendees to stay the weekend that would be ideal, so let’s put together a concert and lodging deal for those coming from downstate.”
“And how do you plan to get the word out on such short notice? We have less than a week.”
“Simple. I called Channel 7 News this morning.”
“You did what? We haven’t even come up with a ticket price yet, or a way to sell the tickets. Or created an agreement for Shane, or—”
“Well, that’s what we’re doing now, Mom.” Avery gave her mother a comforting smile, finally retreating to the chair. She pulled out her notepad. “Let’s come up with our package price, and I’ll put a link on our website. The story airs in a few hours so we have to get moving on this.”
“You’ve really outdone yourself this time. It always amazes me how much you manage to get done before 9:00 a.m.”
“Is it too late to decline Hunter’s offer?”
“I don’t know. I’ll call the attorney’s office and see what I can do.” Meredith actually had a glimmer of hope on her face for the first time in a long time, and that made Avery happy. “So, you haven’t mentioned yet why Shane has agreed to do this. Are the two of you rekindling old flames?”
Avery hesitated and took a deep breath. She hadn’t thought about how she’d answer these types of questions. “We’re just friends. Those flames died long ago.” Avery didn’t have it in her to answer questions about her and Shane just yet. Not until they figured out what they were doing themselves. For now, she was going to keep whatever was going on between her and Shane between them.
“Well, I just thought perhaps the two of you may have remembered how in love you once were.”
“No, Mom, I don’t have time for the complications of a relationship right now.” There was no harm in telling her mom a little white lie just to buy herself time, right? Even if she was falling for Shane, it was too early in the morning to get into it. Plus, they had a concert to plan, and they were running out of time before the story aired.
Her and Shane’s situation was complicated enough without everyone else’s opinions. The last thing she needed was to have their relationship leaked to the media, and in a small town like Arbor Shores, news of her and Shane rekindling would travel fast. She saw the way his life was always plastered all over the tabloids. They’d have paparazzi all over the property if the media caught wind of Shane Knox being in a relationship. That would surely ruin the ambience of the resort and make the guests feel uncomfortable, and that’s the last thing they needed while they were trying to rebuild the reputation of the resort. They needed to gain new business, not chase it away.
As much as she loved her mother and wanted to confide in someone, she knew her mom would be too excited, and the entire staff would know before day’s end. For the sake of saving the resort, she’d have to keep this quiet. At least for now.
“Okay, okay. It just seems like a nice gesture from Shane. He’s obviously interested in you or he wouldn’t still be here.” Her mother raised an eyebrow and gave her a pointed look.
The stress of getting everything finalized for the concert before the story aired caused anxiety to ripple through Avery’s chest. She needed to nip this in the bud so her mom would stop asking questions about her and Shane. Later, they could let her know they were back together. But were they? It was too early to know what would happen at the end of the week, even for her and Shane.
“If he is interested in me, it’s one sided. I refuse to let Hunter Knox come in and tear down the resort. I’ll do whatever I have to do to raise the money to save the resort, and right now, if that means playing nice with Shane, so be it.” The words felt ice cold as they left her lips, but she’d panicked. A wave of guilt hit her for lying to her mother, but she’d have plenty of time later to tell her mom the truth. First, she needed to get through this week and the Jamboree. Then she’d know better what was going on between her and Shane, and then they would make their announcements. Together. That is, if they found a way to make a relationship work, and if Shane decided to stay in Arbor Shores.
Shane entered the main lodge and was relieved to see there wasn’t anyone yet in the lobby, except for a hotel maid who was making her way to the elevators. Finally, he’d be able to walk through the lobby without being stopped for pictures and autographs. No sign of Avery, so he headed in the direction of the office. As he drew closer, he could hear Avery and Meredith talking with the door ajar. Avery’s words hit him like a freight train, head on.
“If he is interested in me, it’s one sided. I refuse to let Hunter Knox come in and tear down the resort. I’ll do whatever I have to do to raise the money to save the resort, and right now, if that means playing nice with Shane, so be it.”
Shane’s heart slammed against his chest. Did he just hear her right? There was no denying it; he heard her words loud and clear. He needed to get outside before Avery came out of the office. He didn’t want to see her. More importantly, he didn’t want her to see the devastation on his face. Humiliation flooded through him. How could he be so foolish to think she was falling for him? It just didn’t make sense. Avery wasn’t the type to use someone. How could she feel this way after their night together? Why had he opened up to her about his past the way he had? Had she been playing him? Then again, it had been nine years since he’d known Avery. Maybe she had changed. This wasn’t the Avery he thought he knew, or the one he thought he was falling in love with. Come to think of it, she didn’t seem to start coming around until after he offered to put on the concert. Up until that point, she’d been standoffish. Now, it was all starting to make sense.
He hadn’t felt this type of pain since the news of Naomi’s affair went viral. Naomi hadn’t had the decency to tell him herself, so he’d been blindsided when the tabloids published pictures of her in her co-star’s arms. Shane had felt betrayed by her, and that’s exactly the way he felt about Avery right now.
He couldn’t get out of the lodge fast enough. He jogged down the hill, straight past his cabin, heading north up the shore. He didn’t know where he was going; he just wanted to be as far away as possible. He jogged the shoreline until he couldn’t catch his breath. He stopped and put his hands on his knees, trying to regain his composure. He kept walking for what seemed like an eternity. When he turned around to head back, the resort wasn’t even in sight.
Finally, back at his cabin, he slammed the door behind him. He still felt the blow of Avery’s words, and they stung as he played them over in his mind. How could he have misread their connection? Was she trying to get him back for breaking her heart long ago? Well, he wasn’t going to be played for a fool. He knew what he had to do.
He pulled his cell phone off the coffee table where he’d powered it off yesterday. He hit the power button, and it began to light up like a Christmas tree. Thirty-seven missed calls between his manager and publicist. He started listening to the voicemails he’d missed.
Shane, you were expected in New York today. What happened?
Where are you? Why didn’t you get on the jet? Call me.
Are you alive? Call me ASAP.
Shane Knox, you have some explaining to do.
&n
bsp; He stopped listening after the first few. How could he be so foolish to blow off his career for Avery when she was just using him? He couldn’t wrap his head around what was happening. His phone buzzed in his hand, startling him.
“Knox,” he answered.
“Shane? I can’t believe you answered. Where are you? Why didn’t you get on the jet to New York?” James’ high-pitched voice pierced his ear with question after question.
“Sorry, something came up.”
“Something came up, Shane?” His manager’s voice had risen even higher, and it was taking him back to a time reminiscent of his father’s meltdowns. “And what is this I just heard about you putting on a concert in Michigan this weekend? You don’t put on concerts without permission.”
Man, good news travels fast. How could he possibly know that already? Avery’s efforts to spread the word must be going better than she’d anticipated.
“I need permission to play music now?”
“Yes! You need permission from the label and you need a contract, and you don’t play without your band. Remember your band? The tabloids are already calling Lori for the scoop. There’s talk you are going solo. She’s been on damage control all morning. What’s going on, Shane? Talk to me.”
“I’m not going solo. I’m back home, and I was going to sing a few songs at a Fourth of July party, that’s all.”
“A party? Doesn’t look like a party to me. To me it looks like the biggest event the Midwest has ever seen.”
“How do you even know about it?”
“Why? Were you trying to hide it from me? I’d like to remind you that you are scheduled for The Aftershow on Saturday. Did you forget about that, too, like you forgot to get on the plane? You blow off this opportunity, and the label is going to drop you.” Drop him? For missing one appearance? He had a feeling his manager was trying to strong-arm him, but was it worth the chance of ending his career? “Lori had several appearances lined up for you yesterday and today. This doesn’t look good for you, Shane.”
“Get me a jet. I’ll be at the airport in one hour.” He smashed the power button and shoved his phone into his pocket. He wasn’t ready to deal with the aftermath of his decisions. How could he have been so blinded by Avery? His hurt was growing into anger now. It was time to pack and leave Arbor Shores, once and for all. Now his only problem was how to get out of here before Avery showed up. To think he’d thought he’d found love again. He had been ready to stay here and make a new life with Avery. He thought she wanted the same. How could he have misinterpreted her feelings for him?
He moved quickly around the cabin, gathering his things and throwing his stuff into his suitcase. He took one final look around to make sure he had everything, and then walked out to the rental car, pleased to find that there wasn’t anyone around except a couple sitting out on their porch drinking coffee a few cabins down, but they didn’t seem to notice him. He threw his suitcase in the trunk and hightailed it out of the side entrance by the golf course, being careful not to go anywhere near the main lodge. The last thing he wanted to do was see Avery. As he went through the gates and turned onto the main road that led to the city, he knew this was the last time he’d be leaving Arbor Shores.
This time, he was leaving for good.
Chapter 16
Avery’s morning had been busy, and time had gotten away from her. She and Meredith came up with a killer concert and lodging package, and once the news aired the story, the phones were ringing off the hook. Their website couldn’t handle the traffic, and the server had quickly crashed, leaving Avery, Meredith and the front desk receptionist to take all reservations and ticket sales by phone. They had sold out in less than two hours, and Avery was beyond pleased with the results. She couldn’t wait to tell Shane.
“Mom, I’m heading down to take Shane some lunch,” she said, poking her head into the office.
“Good job today, Avery. This really was a great idea. I’ve been punching the numbers and we should have more than we need to pay the bank when all is said and done.”
“Did you hear from the attorney?”
“Yes, he hadn’t sent the acceptance letter yet. I asked him to buy us some time. If this goes off the way we are planning, we’ll be able to decline the offer.”
“Decline it, Mom. This is happening. The resort is already booked to capacity, and the concert is sold out.”
“Hey, Avery? Make sure you send Shane my love, and give him a big hug from me. This is really great of him to do.”
“Will do,” she said, before hurrying down the hallway.
It was early afternoon now, and Avery figured Shane was probably getting hungry from painting. She couldn’t wait to tell him the news. She couldn’t stop thinking about their day together yesterday and how much she’d enjoyed their evening by the lake. Him opening up about his past had brought them closer together, to a level they’d never experienced before. She was starting to feel like they could make this work somehow, no matter what that looked like. They would figure that part out. All she knew is that she was sure she didn’t want to lose him ever again. She hadn’t had butterflies like this in years. In fact, she hadn’t had butterflies like this since they were teenagers.
She reached the shore and headed straight to cabin number two. No sign of Shane. That’s odd. She circled the cabin in the golf cart just to be certain, but the supplies were in the exact place where they had left them on the cabin porch the night before. Something twisted in her stomach. Something wasn’t right.
She pushed the gas pedal to the floor but the golf cart didn’t pick up any additional speed as it made its way down the path. She reached Shane’s cabin and hopped out of the cart, leaving his lunch on the seat. The only thing on her mind was finding out where he was. Was he sick? She hadn’t heard from him, but then again, they hadn’t even bothered to exchange numbers, so how would she know? Her heart sank as thoughts of Shane lying alone in his cabin, sick or hurt, danced through her mind. She reached the cabin door and knocked hard, pausing to listen for footsteps. Nothing. She knocked again, pressing her ear to the door. No sign of movement inside. She turned the handle and pushed the door open.
Nothing could prepare her for the disappointment that assaulted her when she walked inside.
The cabin was empty. No sign of Shane, and no sign of his belongings. She went straight to the bedroom; just a ball of sheets on the bed—no suitcase, no dirty clothes sprinkled around the room like the night before. She went to his bathroom, no toiletries. Everything was gone. There was absolutely no sign of Shane anywhere.
It was a kick to the gut, one that knocked the wind right out of her. Hot tears welled up in her eyes as she searched every inch of the cabin for a note or an explanation. But nothing.
Shane Knox was gone.
She hadn’t felt this pain, this abandonment, since the first time he’d left. At least back then, he had left her a note. A note that she still kept in a shoebox at the top of her bedroom closet along with a dried corsage he’d given her on his prom night. Granted, the note was only a few lines:
Ave,
I had to leave and follow my dreams. I hope you will do the same. No time to explain, but I’ll come back for you someday. Promise. Wait for me.
Love you always,
Shane
That note had hurt. It killed her, but at least he’d had the decency to tell her he was leaving. Where was the note this time? Not having an explanation hurt even worse. She curled into a ball on his bed. His scent still lingered on his pillow, filling her nose and her heart with sadness. The hollowness in her chest was a constant reminder of the pain she was now left with. She cried and she cried until there were no more tears left in her. How could she have been so foolish as to let this man back into her life? What about the concert? What about the half-painted cabins? She was left with a mess, and she didn’t have the slightest idea where to begin. They’d just sold out the entire resort for the concert that Shane was set to headline. Now they’d have to can
cel and refund everyone. Now, they’d have to accept Hunter’s offer, and they’d lose Arbor Shores Resort once and for all.
But those thoughts paled in comparison to the pain his leaving left inside of her. It was the knowing that she’d lost him once again that was at the forefront of her mind. The sorrow in her heart was like nothing she’d ever felt. It just didn’t make sense. Why would he do this?
It really had been too good to be true.
After a good hour of lying on the bed, unable to move, she finally peeled herself up and walked to the bathroom to splash water on her face. It was time to pull herself together and think of her next steps. Shane may have left her once again, but she didn’t have time to deal with the heartache. Right now, she had to figure out a way to get the cabins finished and find someone new to headline the event. The event had to go on. She was determined to find a way to fix this, and she knew she couldn’t tell her mother Shane had left. She’d just keep that to herself for now until she figured everything out.
She made her way over to cabin number two and popped open the paint, pouring it into the drop pan. She picked up the paint roller and headed to the spot where Shane had left off the day before. She painted and thought, and painted and thought, until the cabin was finished and it was on to the next. She still hadn’t come up with a single idea of how she was going to pull off the Jamboree without Shane. Mostly, her thoughts were flooded with memories of the day before, and the puzzle she was trying to put together in her mind. How she had misinterpreted his affection was mind boggling.
Shane reached the airport in record time and whipped his car into the rental agency that was conveniently located at the airport, not off site like some of the bigger ones. That was one thing he’d miss about this place—the simplicity of everything. The other thing he’d miss was Avery.