Music of the Soul (4 page)

Jake.”

My heart ached for Mark as he stood pleading in front of me. “I don’t know what I can do—”

When Mark opened his mouth to protest, I held up my hand. “But I will try. I promise you that.”

“You will?”

“Yes. I want peace and happiness for Jake in all areas of his life, including you. Someday when

we have children, I want you to have a part in their lives.”

Tears shimmered in Mark’s eyes. “Thank you. That means so much to me.”

He reached over and gave me a quick hug. When he pulled away, he glanced over my shoulder

with a smile. “Evening, son.”

“Evening,” Jake replied.

“I apologize for stealing your beautiful bride-to-be for a few minutes.”

“It’s fine.” I inwardly cringed at the coolness of Jake’s tone.

“I’m looking forward to the wedding tomorrow. Allison is really excited to be a bridesmaid.”

“We’re happy to have her. She’s such a sweetheart,” I said.

Mark swayed on his feet, and I could tell there was more he wanted to say. “Well, I’ll leave you

two lovebirds.”

“Goodnight,” I said.

He turned to go but waited until Jake finally replied, “See ya.”

As Mark walked away, Jake wrapped his arms around my waist. He nuzzled my neck with his

warm lips before asking, “What did he want?”

“Just to talk.”

“Mmm, hmm.”

“He loves you, Jake.” When I felt him tense behind me, I quickly added, “He wants nothing more

than to mend the broken fences, so that you two can have a real relationship.”

Jake snorted. “Too many years and too much shit have passed between us.”

Turning in his arms, I brought my hand to his cheek. “It’s never too late for forgiveness.”

His brows shot up at my words. “And just whose side are you on?”

“Yours.” I emphasized my words by drawing myself close to his chest. “I’m always on your

side, and you know that.”

He kissed the top of my head. “I don’t know, Abby. Some things are better left the way they are.”

Pulling away, I stared into his face. “Just promise me that you’ll try a little harder where your

dad is concerned.”

A defeated growl came from his chest. “Fine. I’ll try.”

“Thank you,” I said, before bestowing a kiss on his lips.

“Come on. Let’s go eat.”

“Sounds good to me.” I let Jake take my hand and lead me through the crowd to the table at the

head of the tent. It was for us and our wedding party. As the catering staff bustled around serving the

first course, Jake picked up the microphone off the table.

“Everyone,” he began. When people kept talking, he tapped the top of the microphone.

“Helloooo? Can you guys hear me out there?”

At the top of his lungs, AJ shouted, “Hey everybody, shut the fuck up!”

At the dead silence, Jake shook his head and grinned. “Thanks, buddy.”

“Anytime,” AJ replied with a wink.

“Yeah, so, I’m not one for speeches and shit like that, but I did want to take a second before

everyone started stuffing their faces to say thank you from both myself and Abby for being with us on

the eve before the big day. Everyone in this room is family, whether we’re related by blood or by a

business or personal relationship. You’ve seen us through some tough times over the last few years,

and we can never forget how your love and support stayed consistent through the bad times, as well

as the good.” He turned to me and smiled. “Most of all, I hope you’re with us for many more to come.

So thank you very, very much.”

“Now let’s eat!” AJ exclaimed banging his fist on the table.

Jake rolled his eyes. “As the caveman said, let’s eat.” As applause rang out around us, Jake

eased down into the chair beside me. Although my nerves were working in overdrive, my stomach

was not affected. I couldn’t wait to finally eat what I had picked out so many months ago. Plus, I had

been eating as little as possible in that week or so to get into my dress. All my willpower seemed to

go out the window when the Caesar salad. I dug in like a woman who hadn’t eaten in weeks. “Pace

yourself, Angel,” Jake joked.

“I can’t help it, I’m starving,” I mumbled through the mouthful of bread I had just stuffed in.

Jake grinned. “I’m so glad I’m marrying a woman with an appetite.”

“You might not be saying that for long, especially if I can’t get into my dress tomorrow

afternoon.”

He snorted. “I highly doubt that.” He leaned over to where his warm lips brushed against my

earlobe. “Besides, more of you is just more to love, especially loving your delicious curves in the

bedroom.”

“Hmm, we’ll see if you keep that attitude when I get pregnant and put on fifty pounds.”

Jake stiffened beside me. I had found the right words to cool his advances. Although he loved

cuddling with Bella or playing with Jude and Melody, Jake was still gun-shy about the idea of us

having children. When anyone mentioned us having kids, he would scoff at the idea. He claimed we

had at least two more American tours and a world tour to get through before he even thought of

knocking me up. With the world tour scheduled to take off in a year, I had a feeling even after that, he

still wouldn’t be ready. There was something deep inside him that didn’t feel like he was capable of

being a father. Thinking that was how he felt broke my heart. He had so much love to give a child. I

wanted more than anything for him to be able to see that, but I didn’t want to press the issue now. We

had time to work on it.

I guess he sensed my sadness at his reaction because he kissed my cheek tenderly. “We’ll have

to wait and see, Angel.”

Satisfied with his answer, I smiled at him. “I’ll hold you to it.”

With a wink, he said, “Sounds like a plan.”

Two courses of mouthwatering food later, AJ stood up and took the microphone. “Oh Jesus,”

Jake muttered.

“As you know, it’s customary for the best man to make a speech at the wedding reception. Since

some of you won’t be with us tomorrow, I felt it was best to give my speech now, so no one missed

out.” AJ flashed a wide grin. “When I was twelve years old, a family moved next door to us. While I

went over to be friendly and introduce myself, I really just wanted to get a better view of the hot

chick.” He glanced out into the audience. “Sorry, Andrea, but it’s the truth.”

“Oh please,” she muttered, while burying her head in her hands.

“Anyway, while on my chick-seeking mission, I found out that there was a kid my age who

would be visiting every other weekend. I was pretty stoked at that news ‘cause at the time, I thought if

I made nice with the dude, then I would be around more to see his step-sister.”

“You’re such an ass,” Jake muttered with a grin.

“So, the first weekend Jake came out of the boonies to visit his dad, I went over to meet him. I

had no idea that day I was meeting my new best friend. I mean, it certainly wasn’t too memorable. We

sat around eating junk food and playing video games. No, it was the next day that our fates were

sealed when Jake brought out his guitar. While he wanted to sing and play some hokey Johnny Cash

shit his grandfather had taught him, I quickly took him downstairs to the basement where my drums

were. I guess you could say it was then and there our true and unfailing bromance began.”

As everyone laughed, AJ turned to me and winked. “Over the years of watching Jake the Lady

Killer in action, I knew it was going to take a special girl to snag his heart and make him toe the line.

One who was feisty and sassy, sweet and kind, beautiful and sexy, and his creative and musical equal.

And then one day, this woman…” he pointed at me. “This gorgeous woman right here literally fell

into his bed and didn’t take his bullshit. Ever.”

I groaned but smiled in spite of myself. “Thanks for bringing that up in front of everybody.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied. As he cocked his head at me, a mischievous twinkle entered his

dark eyes. “You know at first, I kinda hoped that maybe this beautiful little firecracker and myself

might be meant to Tango into the sunset together. But no, it was clear almost from the very beginning

that she was meant for only Jake. I’m just honored to call her a friend and musical collaborator. But

best of all, tomorrow I will get to call her my best friend’s wife.”

“Oh, AJ,” I murmured, as my hand came to my throat.

“His ball and chain for now until the day he dies,” he added with a grin.

I laughed and shook my head at him as he picked up his champagne flute. “So, I ask you to raise

a glass to the couple of the evening, the man and woman of the hour, and along with me, wish them all

the blessings, joy, and happiness that life can bring.” He thrust his drink into the air. “To Jake and

Abby.”

“To Jake and Abby,” the crowd recited, as they lifted their glasses.

Jake clinked my glass with his before dipping his head to kiss me. “Here’s to us, Angel,” he

murmured, against my lips.

“To us,” I replied breathlessly. I brought the crystal flute to my lips and took a sip while Jake

downed his in one gulp. “Now who needs to pace himself?” I teasingly asked.

“What do you say we dance?”

I couldn’t help laughing. “Seriously? You hate to dance.”

“With anyone else, yes. But with you, I’d love to.”

“If you’re sure…”

“I’m positive.”

“Okay, then.” I slipped my hand into his and let him pull me out of my chair. We made our way

in front of the main table where a wooden floor had been erected for dancing. Across from us, a band

had been tuning up. Jake gave a nod to the lead singer—a tall, lanky guy with shaggy dark hair.

“Okay, everyone, I have a special request from the groom-to-be. It’s an oldie…actually one we

weren’t even familiar with, but since Jake wants us to play it, then by God we’re doing it.” Glancing

over his shoulder, he then counted off.

Instantly, I recognized the song. It was one Jake had on his iPod under a playlist called My

Angel. It was from the 90s, if you considered that an oldie, and it was called How Do You Talk to an

Angel?

Jake smiled down at me. “Good choice?”

“Oh, yes.”

“I thought you’d like it.”

Tomorrow my brothers would be reuniting with Micah to do the singing at the ceremony and the

reception. Tonight had been up to Jake. “So, I don’t think I ever asked who the band is?”

“It’s Brayden’s cousin, Cade’s.” A sheepish look entered Jake’s face. “Remember the second

night you were on the bus with us when the guys and I were supposed to go hear a band play, but I got

wasted, puked on you, and passed out?”

I quirked my brows at him. “How could I ever forget?”

Jake laughed. “Yeah, thought you would. Of course, I kinda hoped you would also remember that

was the night I truly came clean with you, and that I wanted a chance to win you over.”

“I remember that, too.”

“Good,” he murmured, before kissing me.

As the song faded to an end, Jake and I remained lip-locked under the twinkling lights of the tent.

I could have stayed in that moment forever—wrapped in his arms, feeling the intensity of his love

with each and every kiss. In the end, I just hoped to be able to bottle up a little of the feeling, so that

when there were hard times or fights or when I felt like his love had waned, I could look back on this

moment in time and know how truly and deeply we loved each other. It was true bliss and heaven on

earth.

Only the sound of a rumbling explosion caused me to pull away. Over Jake’s shoulder, the night

sky lit up in a multi-colored array. I gasped. “Fireworks?”

Jake grinned. “A little surprise.”

People abandoned their chairs and walked outside of the tent. “Too redneck?” Jake asked, as he

slid his arm around my waist.

I laughed. “No, I love it.”

“I figured you were used to big finales during our shows, so I thought our party needed a big

moment.”

“They’re amazing. I mean, they’re as good as the ones at Stone Mountain on the 4th of July!”

“I’m glad you think so,” Jake mused as we tilted our heads to take in the display.

When the last streaks of color followed a sonic boom, Jake took my hand and brought it to his

lips. “How about we cut that cake now?”

“That sounds good to me.”