Sheet Music - A Rock 'n' Roll Love Story (35 page)

He reached beneath the water and found Annie’s left hand.  Her eyes brimmed with tears.  Then he slid it on her finger and kissed the back of her knuckles.

“Still want to marry me?” he asked with a smile.

“Yes,” she blinked, spilling tears from her eyes.

“Don’t cry, babe.  The best is yet to be.”

The wedding took place, on schedule, beneath a flowered trellis beside the pool in Michael’s backyard.  A warm mid-day June sun bathed the entire area with golden rays of light.  Their guests stood nearby, leaving a path for Michael and Annie to enter.  Brian and Barbara proceeded to the minister first, leaving Michael waiting for Annie by the French doors.

Michael wore a casual double-breasted beige suit with a cream-colored silk shirt; unbuttoned and exposing most of his chest, and brown alligator boots.  A single peach rose adorned his lapel.  Hands clasped at his groin, he waited for his bride.  When she came into view, she took his breath away.

Her long blond hair was neatly combed back on one side and held in place with several tiny rosebuds and baby’s breath; which matched the rose on Michael’s jacket.  Her linen wedding dress was short sleeved and fell halfway down her thighs, perfectly outlining her feminine curves.  She wore classic summer pumps and held a loose bouquet of peach roses tied together with a long satin ribbon.

She stepped out into the sunshine and reached for Michael’s hand.  He swallowed hard and bent in to kiss her.  “You look amazing, babe.”

“So do you,” she smiled up at him.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

She nodded nervously.

“Then, let’s do it.”

The ceremony lasted less than ten minutes before cheers erupted from their gathered guests upon the announcement of the new ‘ Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wade’.  A light buffet followed, consisting of seafood salads and steaks grilled on the barbecue.  Waiters served champagne flutes filled with sparkling cider as Brian prepared to give the bride and groom their first toast.

“Michael you are the brother I never had – nor wanted,” he said, making everyone laugh.  “Nonetheless, I guess we're stuck with each other.  Annie, welcome to the family and don't be too scared.  Being part of this family will be the adventure of your lifetime!  Al least you'll never be bored,” he chuckled and raised his glass.  “On a serious note, I wish you many years of love, continued wealth
and
health, and – of course: rock 'n roll.  Cheers.”

Their guests stayed long after sunset and were serenaded by Michael and Brian in the music room.  But the highlight of the evening came at the end when Michael sang solo to Annie.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

After exchanging a tearful good-bye with Bonita, Michael and Annie set off for the airport.  A couple of hours later, they were pulling into the crushed seashell driveway alongside Michael’s cottage.

Annie gasped when she saw it.  “My God!  It’s right on the water!”

Michael smiled, realizing she had never been there.

“And you have no neighbors?” she added.

“Nope.  The closest neighbor I have is about a mile back down that dirt road,” he replied, stepping out of the jeep.  Standing on the side steps of the house, he pointed off in the distance.  “See the house lights over there?” he asked, directing her attention beyond a man-made jetty.  “Diane Sawyer lives over there, last I heard anyway.  But it’s been so long since I’ve spent time here, she’s probably sold that place and bought another one.”

Michael unlocked the door and turned to face her.  “Shall we do this the proper way?” he asked, scooping her up and carrying her into the back entrance hall.

“Welcome to your new home,” he said, setting her onto the floor.

“It’s perfect, Michael.”

Annie walked toward the fireplace and quickly scanned the open floor plan to the cottage.  Then her eyes stopped.  Set in front of a massive window and facing the ocean, was her old couch.

“Michael!  You had my couch brought over here?  When and how did you manage that?”

Grinning from ear to ear, he slid up beside her.  “Hey.  I work in mysterious ways.”

With her mouth still gaping in shock, Annie flopped onto the couch.  Lovingly, she caressed the smooth, flowered fabric, as tears pooled in her eyes.  “I can’t believe you did this for me,” she whispered.

“Don’t get too comfortable.  I have another surprise for you,” he said, reaching for her hand.  “Come on, let me show you the rest of the house.”

He pulled her back up against his chest and guided her around the large room.  “Over there is the kitchen,” he said, still connected to her.  “And back here are the bedrooms.”

He took her into the spare bedroom first, then directed her past the hallway bathroom.  They inched slowly along the back hall, kissing with each step they took.  He stopped outside the door to the master bedroom and covered her eyes with his hands.  Then he gently pushed her into the room before removing them.

The first thing she saw when she opened her eyes was the bed - her bed.  Like a familiar old friend, decorated with the same pastel-colored quilt and over-stuffed pillows, it lit the entire room up with its presence.  Annie immediately burst into tears and covered her eyes up with her trembling hands.

“Hey, this wasn’t meant to make you cry,” he said, enveloping her with his arms.

“I can’t believe the things you do for me,” she sobbed against his shirt.

“Ah, shit.  Now, I feel guilty.”

“Why?”

“Well, I had your stuff brought over partly to make you happy but mostly because I thought it might get me laid.  If memory serves me right, I clearly remember a certain someone threatening to hold me hostage in that bed if we ever had the opportunity to be in it again.”

Annie burst out laughing.  “You’re a pig, you know that?” she answered, pushing him backwards, causing him to fall onto the bed.

He folded his arms behind his head and smiled smugly.  “I may be a pig but I’m also your husband.  What can I say, you bring out the worst and the best in me!”

“Oh, so now you’re blaming me for your obsession with sex?” she teased, hands on hips.

“Hey, it takes two, babe,” he grinned.

Michael and Annie spent the remainder of the night and most of the next day in bed, only getting out to eat the necessary nourishment to sustain their stamina.  Completely isolated at their location at the end of the dirt road, it would be almost a week before they saw another living soul, but they had each other.  What more could they want?

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

With the weekend fast approaching, Annie called her booking agent to verify her gig schedule for the month.  Regrettably, her first performance happened in just a few days.  She wrote down all the dates and clubs where she was scheduled to appear.  Annie was hoping to have a few more days alone with Michael before she had to drift back into reality, but when she ran her schedule by Michael, he actually seemed excited about the prospect of being her ‘groupie’ for a change.

“Great,” he said.  “I’ll take you out to dinner first.”

“I really don’t like to eat much before I perform,” she said.

“Then have a salad,” he replied, refusing to take no for an answer.  “I’ll make reservations at Lola’s.”

When Annie left the room to find a calendar, Michael called the manager at this restaurant.

“Hey, Jimmy.  It’s Mike.  How you doing?”

“Great, and yourself?”

“Couldn’t be better.  Listen.  I was wondering if you could reserve a table in the back corner for me on Saturday night around seven o’clock for dinner.”

“You’re on-island?”

“Yep.  Matter of fact, I’ll be living here for a while.”

“Excellent!  Maybe we can get you to jam in the lounge some night.”

Michael smiled at the notion.  “Sounds cool.  So how about that reservation?”

“Not a problem.  Will you be alone?”

“No, I’ll be with my wife.”

Jimmy chuckled.  “Wow!  I guess things are going well for you.”

“Like I said, things couldn’t better,” he smiled.  “I’ll see you Saturday.”

Annie spent the two days leading up to her gig practicing, running through different songs, and working out the set list.  She worked on the pacing and tried out some new material on Michael.  He helped her rehearse and gave her the boost of confidence she needed.  And on the day of the show, he kept her busy and her mind off of performing.

With less than an hour before they had to leave for dinner, Annie still found herself rushing around, frantic to find a comfortable matching outfit to wear to the gig.  She was more nervous than she had been in quite a while and couldn’t explain the reason behind it except for the fact Michael would be in the audience.

“I can’t believe you’re getting yourself this worked up, babe.  It’s not like I haven’t seen you perform before,” he said, trying to calm her with his voice.

“The last time you saw me perform was a long time ago.  Things are different now,” she sighed, wiggling into a short black skirt.

“Come here,” he instructed, pulling her against his body.  “You’ll do fine,” he affirmed.  “Now, hurry up so we’re not late for dinner,” he demanded, playfully swatting her on the behind.

Lola’s was already packed with the typical supper crowd, when Annie and Michael stepped into the lobby.  Heads immediately took notice of Michael’s presence.  As usual, he cut an impressive masculine image in a pair of black jeans that snuggly fit his thighs and ass and a crisp white shirt.  His long, rock-star hair hung loose, grazing the tops of his broad shoulders.

Annie sucked in a deep breath and tried to avoid eye contact with the peering faces all focused on them.  Nervously, she reached for Michael’s hand.

“Hey, Jimmy,” Michael smiled, dropping Annie’s hand to shake Jimmy’s.

“You look great,” Jimmy commented, then his eyes settled onto Annie.  He was puzzled at first, then recognition flashed upon his face.

“You remember Annie Logan,” Michael introduced, knowing full well he would.

Annie hadn’t performed in the lounge at Lola’s since her overdose, seven months earlier.  It simply didn’t appeal to her once she knew Michael owned the place.  She had been back to visit a few old friends but, out of embarrassment, she steered clear of Jimmy.  As soon as her eyes connected with Jimmy’s, she looked away, giving him a shy grin.

“Annie, you look like a million bucks,” Jimmy exhaled, giving her a quick up and down glance.  Then his eyes darted back to Michael.  “So, this is the new wife you mentioned on the phone?” he teased, eyebrows dancing on his forehead.

Michael reached for Annie’s hand again and pulled her up along side his body.  “Actually, we’ve been together for quite a while.”

Jimmy’s mouth opened, as if to speak, then closed it in a deep sigh, confusion wrinkling his face.  Michael smiled knowingly and spoke for him.

“Jimmy, it’s a very long story, and one night, when I’ve got some time to kill, I promise I’ll explain it to you.  But, for now, we need to eat so she can make her gig on time.”

Jimmy escorted them to a table for two in the back corner of the restaurant.  It was up against a window, which allowed them a glimpse of the setting sun and the meticulously manicured perennial gardens beside the building.  Unfortunately, the location wasn’t completely private.  Several tables bordered them, most of which were empty.

“How’s this?” Jimmy asked, pulling out a chair for Annie.

“This is fine,” Michael answered.  “See what you can do about leaving these tables empty for the next hour or so.”

Jimmy nodded in agreement.  “And should anyone ask, are you available for autographs tonight?”

Michael glanced at Annie.  “No, not tonight.  Tell them I’m with my wife and I don’t want to be disturbed.”

“Okay.  I’ll send your waiter right over to take your order.”

Michael adjusted himself in the chair and leaned forward toward Annie.  A slow smile formed on this handsome face, as he reached for her hand and kissed the finger tips.  Annie flushed red and nervously scanned the dining hall.

“Michael, they’re staring at you,” she whispered behind her hand.

He laughed and placed his hand up beside his mouth to imitate her.  “Maybe they’re staring at you,” he teased.

Annie rolled her eyes.  “I hardly doubt that.”

They enjoyed a leisurely meal then headed back to town.  Their destination was a club called David’s Island House.  Situated halfway up Circuit Avenue, in the town of Oak Bluffs, the establishment was another favorite among the locals and day-trippers that frequented the island.  The inside was dark and moody with lots of wood.  A small section of a back corner was set up as a makeshift stage for the performers.  The rest of the area was configured with tables to dine.

The place was still busy with the dinner crowd lingering over their meals when Annie hit the stage.  Most were unaware she was even up there singing until three songs into her first set.  Their obliviousness to her presence didn’t bother Annie.  It was business as usual for her.  She was meant to be background music for the dinner crowd until they finished eating.  Then she kicked up the volume and rhythm for her last set, allowing the patrons to dance.

Michael sat quietly off to the right side of the stage area at a small wooden cocktail table that was pushed up against the wall.  He was in plain view of Annie but slightly hidden from the eating patrons in the center of the room.  He sat alone, smiling proudly and clapping after each of her songs ended.

Annie was almost through her last set of the evening when his attendance became detected by two young female fans on their way to the bathroom.

“Oh, my God!” A buxom blonde squealed.  “You’re Michael Wade, aren’t you?”

“Why, are you a fan?”

“We both are,” she giggled, pointing to her redheaded friend.

Michael nodded and forced a smile onto his famous face.  Feeling trapped and not wanting to cause a scene, he decided to engage them.  “Do you have something you want me to sign?” he asked, already holding out his hand to take whatever it might be.