Joy Ride (24 page)

“I’ll bet. And gotten me grounded for life.”

They were both silent for a long moment.

“So when will they know for sure about next Sunday night?” Annie wiped pizza sauce from her lips.

“Tomorrow. Whenever the band leader meets with Deep Blue River’s manager.” Emma popped the last of the crust in her mouth.

“Deep Blue River.” A long sigh drifted on the air. “I have every one of their CDs.”

“You do?” Emma caught her breath. “So they really are famous?”

“Yes, honey. They really are. I know you have a CD player, in your car as well as your house. What do you listen to?”

Emma shrugged. “Glee. The Beatles. Michael Bublé.”

“Okay, okay, okay.” Annie drained her glass and refilled it from the wine bottle. “Education time. Deep Blue River is one of the hottest rock bands around. Especially here because they’re home grown. Their last single debuted at the number three spot on the charts and in a week it was at the top.”

Emma was curious. “So what do they sound like?”

Annie chuckled. “I’ll put in a CD and you can hear them for yourself. Have some more wine, lean back, and prepare to be wowed.”

She turned on her stereo, popped a CD in the player and hit the play button. Immediately the sharp sound of an electric guitar crashed into the room, a shower of notes that instantly filled the air. Then the heavy cadence of the bass guitar, building the foundation of the song. The drummer, and then all of it came together in music so powerful Emma was mesmerized. She simply sat, leaning back against the couch, letting the sound grab her until the final notes of the song had faded.

In seconds, the intro began to the next cut but Annie turned the volume way down.

“We can listen to them in the background now you’ve gotten the full impact,”

“I don’t think Deep Blue River could ever be just background music. Holy crap, Annie. They’re incredible. And I don’t even know anything about rock music.”

“See what you’ve been missing?” Annie winked. Then she sobered. “This is a huge deal, Emma. It could mean big things for Lightnin’.”

“That’s what Marc said. He mentioned Deep Blue River’s record people will be there, too.”

Annie sat back down across from her and tilted her head, studying her friend’s face. “This could mean a lot of changes. If they’re offered more dates, Marc could be gone for long periods of time. You think you could handle that?”

“Listen. I don’t even know if he’ll still want anything to do with me if this all happens for him. He’ll be very busy and I’m…I’m….”

“You’re what?”

“I keep having this feeling I’m just a novelty to him. A little different from all the other women he…hangs out with. But if the band gets this break, I’m sure I’ll be history. I’m not glamorous or exciting enough to be part of that atmosphere.”

“Emma Blake, that is just bullshit and you know it. You’re making excuses again.”

“Maybe. But maybe not. I look at all the other women in that club and realize how different I am. And can’t help wondering what the hell he’s doing with me.” She couldn’t stop comparing herself to Lacey, even though Marc had reassured her he wasn’t into the redhead.

Annie snorted. “Yeah, right. You idiot. Men don’t take ‘novelties’ home with them night after night. Or invite them to be their guest at a major concert event. Guess again, girlfriend. I keep telling you not to borrow trouble, don’t I?” She rubbed her forehead. “Damn. Your parents and that dipshit Andrew really did a number on you.”

“Whatever. It’s just hard to get past all these years of thinking and living a certain way.”

“Have some confidence in yourself, for God’s sake. Show the guy some trust.” Annie snapped her fingers. “Wait a minute. Next Sunday’s your birthday, right? I don’t suppose you bothered to tell him.”

Emma ran a fingertip around the rim of her wine glass. “I know it’s stupid but I don’t know if I should. If the band gets this deal that’s cooking, I keep thinking he’ll want to be with women bolder than me. Women who know the ropes, who are better suited to his new lifestyle. To his fame. Then it’s back to dull reality for me. The very thing I’ve been afraid of all this time What if when he sees me with all his friends and the women they have, he decides he I’m all wrong for him?”

“What if he doesn’t?” Annie sipped slowly from her goblet. “Emma, I’ve seen you go through some wonderful changes in a very short time. Blossoming into a new, more confident, more vibrant person. That’s the person you should take to that concert. Flaunt it, kiddo. You’ve got it. Let those other women know you’ve got what he wants.”

“I hear you.” Emma sighed. “I’m still catching up with myself and trying to figure out if I’m making a huge mistake or not. If I can tell him who I am. And if I don’t, will he finally just wash his hands of me and tell me to get lost?”

“The choice is yours. But it sure would be a nice present for him on his big night.”

“I know.” She looked at Annie with a steady gaze. “And you’re right. This is the right time to take that final step. If I want him I have to give him all of me.”

“Good for you. But I’m here if you need me. To fall apart or to celebrate.”

“I’m counting on that.”

Chapter Twelve

“
And love comes easy

On the edge of the woods.
”

Danny stopped turning and leaned against the thick trunk of an oak tree, let his arms fall to his sides and his head drop. The rest of the band had eased their way into the trees. Marc knew Jado would electronically fade each of them out of the pictures and bring in the image of the woman they’d been singing about, a fantasy woman who kept disappearing into the woods until they found the magic to make her stay.

The song made him think about Music Lady and the way she disappeared after each of their nights together. Why couldn’t
he
find the magic to make
her
stay?

“Okay,” Jado called. “That’s it. I think we’ve got everything we need.”

Knowing how important this was to Lightnin’, Jado had brought another cameraman as well as various lights and people to set them. And taken great pains to get shot after shot so he’d have all the footage he needed.

It’s a good thing he’s not charging us his going rate. We’d be broke for the next ten years.

They’d plotted out what the video should look like ahead of time. Some shots with instruments. A lot of them without. Now the band would get ready to go to work, and Jado would go into his studio to turn raw footage into incredible video. Then tomorrow they’d do it all over again with the soundtrack. And tomorrow night, the two electronic results would be blended into a video they all hoped would seal the deal with Butch Meredith and boost Lightnin’ up a big notch.

Marc wiped his bass down and placed it carefully in its case. Garrett was breaking down his drums, and Danny was giving him a hand. Rick had walked over to chat with his cousin. Marc moved up to join them.

“Hey, thanks for everything.” He bumped knuckles with Jado. “We really appreciate this.”

Jado nodded. “I think we got a good piece of video out of this.” He looked at Rick. “You’re up for a late night tomorrow, right?”

“As long as it takes.”

“All right, then. See you tomorrow night.”

Marc was in the parking lot, stowing his guitar, when Rick walked over to him.

“Good job today.”

“Were you expecting me to do otherwise?” Marc closed the rear door to the Jeep and glanced at his friend.

“You’ve been a little distracted lately, you know.”

“I’m fine,” he insisted. “And I’ll
be
fine. For whatever we need.”

Rick held up his hands. “Whatever. Just checking. And letting you know I’m here if you need to talk.”

“I said I’m fine.” Marc slammed the door to the Jeep then sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bite your head off. I know how important this thing is. You don’t need to worry about me.”

“We’ve been working toward this for three years,” Rick reminded him.

“And I’m just as aware of it as you are. No worries here. Okay?”

“Okay.”

They bumped fists and Marc climbed into his Jeep.

He’d meant what he said to Rick. He was, after all, a professional. But what if they got the gig with Deep Blue River? What if they ended up shuffling club dates around for the more desirable major concert venues, and he lost contact with the woman carving a place for herself in his heart?

Get your head straight, buddy boy. Time enough to worry about Music Lady after tomorrow. When you know what’s really going to happen
.

***

Monday, the band hung at Marc’s house while they waited for Rick. Each of them did their best to look casual but they were all wound tight as a coil of steel. Garrett had a set of drumsticks with him and persisted in beating a tempo on the ottoman until Marc was ready to kick him in the ass. Danny had made himself scarce in the spare room, working off the nervous energy with the free weights until he was covered with sweat. When they were about ready to jump out of their collective skins, the doorbell rang and Rick walked in.

Marc tried to get a read on the situation but the guitar player was wearing his best poker face. For a moment his stomach pitched, and he had a sour taste in his mouth.

We didn’t get it
.

Then Rick’s face split into a huge smile and he shouted, “We’re in.” He pumped his fist in the air and laughed like an idiot. “We. Are. In.”

“He liked it?” Marc was trying to absorb the reality of the news.

“He didn’t jump up and down, if that’s what you’re asking. But he watched the video several times, making notes while he did, then sat back and said we were a good fit for his guys, and we had the sound and energy he was looking for. And the appearance.”

They pounded each other on the back, laughing, shouting. This was it. The chance they’d been working so hard for. A concert appearance with a band at the top of the charts and exposure to a major record label. If everything went well next Sunday night, they’d be leaping to the next level.

“Okay, settle down.” Rick dropped down to the couch and let his gaze travel over each of them. “We have a lot of work to do between now and then. This week we can rehearse at the club while we finish out our contract there. Then I’ve got a place lined up for us to use every day next week. We pick the best of our material, including
On the Edge of the Woods
, and go to work.”

Marc watched the others leave then closed the door and leaned against it. This was it. He could hardly believe it. A garage band the people said initially wouldn’t go anywhere, and here they were. He wanted to call ML and share the good news with her, tell her it was really going to happen, but damn! He didn’t have her name so obviously no number.

He couldn’t ever remember being this frustrated. Why couldn’t she trust him enough to open the last door? He’d done his best to show her his feelings, to get to know her, to ease her along, sensing how skittish she was. But now he wanted her here with him, wanted to enjoy this moment with her.

Wanted to work her into the fabric of his life as it moved into a new arena.

The next time you see her, you better be at the top of your game with her
.

***

Emma picked at her food, wondering how she’d let herself get talked into this meal. She’d felt guilty she wouldn’t be spending her birthday with them, but now they were at her about it again.

“I have other plans that day.” Emma looked from one parent to the next. “I already told you that.”

I love my family but I know what their agenda is. I’m so tired of having this conversation over and over and over. And how is it a woman my age can still feel like such a child with her parents? I’m an adult.

I’m an adult.

I’m an adult
.

Maybe if she repeated it enough she’d even believe it. But her mother and father had the ability to put her on the defensive, reducing her to the five-year-old child who’d broken an expensive toy belonging to someone else.

Suck it up, Emma
.

Her mother’s smile was just the slightest bit forced. “I know, dear, but you’ve been acting so strange lately, we thought a celebration dinner would be a good time to get things back to normal.”

“Normal.” Emma lifted an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean? I’m as normal as I ever was.”

“Well, if your mother won’t say it, I will.” Her father set down his knife and fork precisely on the edge of his plate. “We don’t understand what’s come over you. Breaking up with Andrew. Going to strange places at night you’ve never been to before. Doing something to your hair color and putting in that god-awful purple streak. Avoiding us. Yes, avoiding,” he emphasized when she opened her mouth to contradict him. “You think I don’t know what you’re doing? Letting your answering machine pick up and not calling back unless you’re sure we aren’t home?”

She couldn’t really deny it. She had been dodging them, unwilling to answer their questions or explain something to them she wasn’t even sure she understood herself. She took a sip of water, giving herself time to collect her thoughts.

“I wish you could understand. I’m not doing anything bad”—
much
—“and I’m going to be
thirty years old
. Don’t you think I’m a little past having to make excuses to my parents or ask permission for what I’m doing?”

Angela Blake sighed heavily. “It’s just we like Andrew so much. He’s such a nice, steady young man. So dependable.”

“So dependable,” she echoed.
So boring
.

“What’s wrong with dependable?” Her father demanded. “A lot of women would give anything to have a dependable man.”

“But the choice of a man is mine, not yours,” she said, biting back her frustration.

Yet how could she be so exasperated with them when the blame for this situation was equally on her shoulders? Until a few weeks ago, she’d gone placidly along in the life they’d raised her to lead, never dreaming she was missing anything. Until Jacie breezed through town and opened doors she hadn’t even known existed.