Music Notes (Heartbeat #3) Page 9

  “Here, let me sit up and give you some room on the bench.” I swung my legs over to one side and sat up straight. “Do you want anything to drink? I could go back inside and make you a lemonade or iced coffee?”

  “No Madison, I just wanted to stop by and see how you were doing. I know Rand is on his tour. I have listened to all his new music, and clearly see his inspiration is you. Believe it or not, I am very proud of my son, but knowing that you are with child, he should be here with you.”

  “Well, he will be returning soon. After two more states and several more shows, he will be home for awhile. I think he got a little carried away with all the songs he wrote about me…just a bit. And we aren’t with child.” I looked at him and smiled at his puzzled look for I was definitely showing a huge belly bump.

  “I’m sorry for being forward, but you do look awfully pregnant,” Paul commented looking slightly amused.

  “Please don’t apologize. I am very pregnant, but we are with not one child, but two. We are actually having twins.” I beamed at the announcement; I could never get used to saying that.

  “Well double congratulations my dear,” he said and smiled genuinely. “I came to tell you that I hope one day I will be a part of your lives.” He stopped and dropped his head and then continued, “I would give anything I have to have my son back and to make this right, to make us better, and to finally have his forgiveness. I would give anything. In the past I fell into my own insecurities which made me run away like a coward from everyone who meant something to me. For the longest time I was convinced that only bad things were fated for me and those close to me. Now, I see you and my son and all the happiness you share.”

  “Paul, I think he has gotten past what happened and just moved onward. Rand has so much going on in his life now that he hasn’t had a moment to dwell on any of the past. I think for once he is truly happy. Maybe one day you and he will make peace.”

  “So why are you out here all alone sitting off in this corner of your property today?” Paul was making an effort at conversation.

  “Well this area is special to us, so let me tell you why. We placed this bench here in order to come here and think when life got hectic for either of us, and also to remember our loved ones. I sit here often and wonder where Rand is at the moment in his busy tour schedule. I sit here and remember my father and Rand has spent time here reminding himself of how he was a great son to his mother and a wonderful brother to Ashley.”

  “I messed up Madison. For so long I held on to the idea that music cursed everything, taking away all those I loved. I wasted so much time on being upset and hurt and feeling sorry for myself.” Paul was apologetic in his tone.

  “There is always tomorrow to make things better. Let’s take baby steps, and see if Rand will meet with you once he gets home and is back to his routine here,” I chuckled at my comment of baby steps. Just then I got a sudden cramp that had me lean over taking a deep breath and blowing it out.

  “Madison, are you okay?” Paul was up on his feet in front of me.

  “I just had a pain but now the babies are kicking up a storm. I guess they were moving and getting themselves comfortable.” As I looked up at Paul, his eyes started to shine. “Do you want to feel them kick?” I reached out and placed his hand on the top of my belly. Just then his hand jumped, and he surely felt the inside beat.

  “That is amazing. I never felt anything like that,” he was now teary eyed and wiped the wetness from the corner of his eye.

  “You mean you never felt your own children while they were in your wife’s belly?”

  “No, I never got the chance. We were always arguing about the music industry, even back then. There was never time as precious as this one you just shared, so thank you.”

  My phone sounded and I knew it was Rand. I suppose he just landed, and I had to take the call because if it went to voice mail he would begin to worry. “Excuse me Paul, I have to take this for a moment.” I turned my back to Paul for a bit of privacy and spoke softly, “So you landed safely…I was sitting out here on our bench and wondering where you were in the world at this moment.”

  “Love we arrived fine. Just missing you already, and I love you so much!” Rand’s voice carried through my phone directly to my heart.

  “I love you too.” I said more softly knowing I had company present. Before our call ended, he told me he would check back with me after he got his luggage. When I turned back to continue to talk with Paul, he was gone. I heard the sound of an engine start up, and I knew he had again left as suddenly as he had arrived.

  * * *

  Calling Madison to tell her we arrived safely is my normal routine. As scared as I was to screw things up, and feeling so awful and disgusting for what almost happened last night with Meila, I am more determined than ever not to blow this. I am going to continue to make Madison feel that everything is fine, and then she won’t worry. I reach for my luggage only to see next to me, a pair of gorgeous legs in the shortest shorts—if you could even call them that. I followed the path up those tan legs, and continued on up until I could see a very happy smile looking right at me. Meila seems pleased at the path my eyes took in checking her out. I shake my head, not going there I said in my head, and I grabbed at my bag not even waiting around to offer to get hers. I have to get away from her. I don’t feel like dealing with her game.

  I stayed in my hotel room all day long, despite the guys calling me to come out. I told them I felt a bit under the weather, and wanted to be rested for the show this evening. It wasn’t a complete lie, I did feel pretty rough. It was to be our first performance in Texas. I had traveled here before as part of the Rolling Isaacs, but now I was here as Max Rand. Finally, my room was silent with no one calling to get me out. As I lie back on the pillows and look at the ceiling I begin thinking of all the events of the past twenty four hour period. I was so close to fucking everything up. So close. I now have to make certain to play to the fans, and put his mishap behind me. I pull out my phone and call my wife. I want to hear her sweet voice. I am so frustrated from last night, and so tense from being in close proximity to Meila on the airplane for hours that I need relief and I know that I only want that from my one and only love. “Hey Love, what are you doing right now?” I started as pleasantly as I could.

  “Oh, just finishing up some revisions that started to come back to me from the editor for my novel.”

  “Well, can I take you away from that for just a bit?” I didn’t want to beg, but God I needed her so badly. “Love, I really need you with me right now… I need you to make me feel good.”

  There was silence, a long period of open air. “Rand, I know what you need. So, are you lying on your bed? Are you thinking of me?” She began speaking softly.

  I closed my eyes, “Yes Love, yes.” Her words were repeated over and over—her love for me, and how she wanted to taste me. It was exactly what I needed. Exactly the distraction I was looking for. With the sound of her voice filling my ears, and the images of her running through my mind I took this matter into my own hands.

  She giggled a bit at my shouts of “Oh Madison, Madison, MADISON!”

  Still giggling, she said, “Rand, I love it when I make you call out my name but please don’t ever do this in public and no matter how many times you repeat my name it will not become the name of our daughter.” I had to laugh at her humor as I got off the bed to clean myself up. Her teasing definitely lightened my mood.

  “Hold on Love, I need just a minute.” When I came back from the bathroom and got back on the phone with her it was like a cinderblock had been lifted from my shoulders. We laughed and she was telling me about her new cravings. I could have stayed on this call forever.

  Hours later, after I had ended the call with my wife and taken a nap, there was a loud rap on the door and I heard, “Show Time,” being hollered by Maxwell. Wow, the hours flew on by. I got up and let him in. I told him I needed five minutes to shower. He looked at the bed all messed up and asked, “Di
d I interrupt anything here?”

  “No Maxwell, I was just napping and I guess I was all over the bed. I am completely alone here. Why wouldn’t I be? My wife is home, not here.”

  Maxwell simply put it out there, “Well boy, I heard chatter about you and Meila. I hope for your sake it isn’t true.”

  “Maxwell I almost screwed it up, but believe me nothing happened. Nothing happened. I had too much to drink, and was confused, but I’m straight as an arrow now. And by the way, you could have kept all this drama away if you had Killjoy open for me.” Maxwell laughed and seemed relieved, and I knew that he believed me. He never second guessed me when I gave him an answer.

  Tonight I stayed away from the stage until it was my time to go out there. I could hear the songs Meila and her band were belting out. Tonight she changed her play list majorly to reflect relationships gone badly in her lyrics. I wondered if she was doing this to get back at me. I didn’t care, we had several shows here to accomplish and then we would be heading to New York. Our performance was really a lot of fun tonight as several times I backed away and let the band rip it up. The fans were amazing, and seemed to love it as each band member added a solo of their talents. As I watched each of their faces I knew they were having the time of their lives…except for Kent. He didn’t seem to have his head completely into the music. After the show, I looked over to Kent. He still looked distant, and I caught that same look from him that he had on the stage earlier during our performance. I lightly shoved his shoulder and I asked him, “Now what’s up with you? I told you I wouldn’t screw up again and I’ve kept my distance from Meila since we flew out of California just to make sure.”

  “No man it’s not you. It’s my girl. Cecile said she needs to have some time to herself and I have no clue what that means. I give her all my attention and every moment of my free time, so what the fuck?”

  “Kent who knows what goes through women’s heads. If you figure out how to understand women you’ll be rich. But man I do see that she cares about you. Women can surely confuse the shit out of you. So, I say let’s go hang and you and I discuss the other thing that we love so much…our music.” I knew what Cecile was really doing, juggling Kent and Connor although it wasn’t my place to tell him, she had to do that. Madison had shared with me more of what the love triangle was, I only hoped my man Kent would be the winner. Kent and I headed out, and I was thinking that he and I were getting pretty tight on this tour. Years back, neither one of us would have believed we were capable of being a one woman guy, let alone me be the first of our band to get married.

  All the gigs in Texas, night after night in the various cities blew by so fast. We were knocking out the daytime scheduled promos and any of our radio shows with such ease. I really loved every one of my performances. I began to notice that Meila seemed to step up her game. Her outfits were getting less and less, and she made certain to strut close by so I would see her. She was extremely hot. There is no way I would deny that, but she was coming on way too strong. All I could see each time I looked at her was that I was dodging a wrecking ball. A very sexy one at that. I kept my focus on the fan girls who suddenly were less threatening. I knew how to make the girls yell as they danced to my rock music in their cowboy boots. At one of our shows, I saw a couple in the front row kissing. The sight of the kiss caused a momentary flashback to when Madison was in Houston and brought her ex-husband Thomas to the show. I remember seeing them kiss, and I seethed with anger. I hesitated just a bit in my vocals as I was overcome with the memory of that emotion. I shook it off, and pulled myself together. I had my girl, my writer, my soul mate, my wife. I had it all and I belted out the rest of the verse perfectly.

  All of us were feeling exhausted. I thought it was only me, but these last few shows beat us up. We were all silent on the plane as we headed to our final destination—New York City. Just touching down at the airport in New York felt so much like being home. It was early in the morning when we arrived, and we were welcomed by a summer storm. The lightning danced across the sky. I knew there would be no hitting this town upon our arrival. I even had to nudge Isaac and Raeford to get them up from their seats. They both moaned and complained that they wanted to stay asleep.

  I don’t even remember checking in and hitting my bed. I awoke to a stabbing pain in my back, and it was toward the center above my hip. As I turned, I sucked in a deep breath. Today the pain was piercing. I thought maybe it was from sitting on the plane for a long time. I reached over to get my phone remembering I never even called Madison when I landed. That was odd as I never forgot. Sure enough there were several missed messages from her, and the last one let me know she was pissed. I had my phone silenced since the flight departed for New York.

  I left you many messages and I hope you have landed and are okay. At this point I am really worried and will reach out to the responsible, mature man of the group, Maxwell, for a travel update. I still love you but you have had me up most of the night.

  I decided to text her first instead of call her to test the waters.

  Madison, I know I can be an irresponsible ass, remember though that you like my ass, but Love I am so sorry, I don’t know what air we all inhaled on our plane ride but every one of us was wiped out. I hope you are sleeping soundly now. I am sure Maxwell let you know we arrived fine. Oh and if you are still upset with me, know that I love you so much and I am almost done with my tour and will be coming home to you.

  She shot me back a text so quickly.

  I can’t stay upset with you, I was more worried. My mom came over and we got to spend time together. She was giving me plenty of tips on raising babies. Only, she kept saying that she had no idea how a rock star could be a devoted daddy because his music would be taking him everywhere. But she loves you and said she believes we will make this all work.

  Babe – your Rock Star is just an average guy in love and would never, after this tour, put his music above his family. You know you are always first in my life. And I cannot wait to see you to show you just how much of a priority you are.

  Madison texted me back and a small heart image appeared on the screen. I smiled and all I could think about was that I was almost home. I stared at the little heart on my phone, and felt it tug at my chest which felt incredible but then as I tried to get out of the bed, I felt the pain and stiffness in my back that wouldn’t disappear. I made a note to remind Madison to make me see the chiropractor when I returned home. I would put it off but if I told her she would remind me or make the appointment for me. I guess I pulled something in my back. I was sure this hotel had a spa or gym. I decided to head out and grab a coffee and a bite for breakfast, and go find the Jacuzzi. That, I was sure, would do wonders for my back.

  I took my phone and rested it on the hotel towel as I leaned back to rest my body submerged in the warm bubbling water. I heard the chirp of a message coming in.

  Babe – I was going to surprise you but I can’t keep a secret long from you, I have arranged with Jillian to come to your final show in New York. She and I need some time together as well and she cleared her work schedule to actually catch up with Raeford. I feel really good and I will just stay to the side of the stage again so no one pushes this big belly girl around. And yes my belly is enormous.

  The pain in my back was easing, and my day was getting so much better. I was excited now that I would have my wife for the final show. This news would certainly give me a mental boost to carry me through our days and shows here in New York. Nothing would be finer than to have her wrapped in my arms after I finished playing this tour. I and sent her a message.

  I am in the Jacuzzi resting my tired body and thank god I’m in the water, you just gave me a hard on telling me you’re coming here soon. I cannot wait to see you. I will—I promise—call you tonight after our first show to hear your voice and then sing you to sleep. I look forward to getting through these shows quickly now since you will be up here. Oh and Love, I love you so freaking much!

  Just as I typed out
the last of the text, the door to the Jacuzzi area opened and a cool breeze flowed in and it felt refreshing. As the warm beads of sweat were rolling down my face I looked over and froze in place. Meila walked in and stood in a black studded bikini. Her body was ridiculous. As if it wasn’t already hot enough in this room, the temperature heated up about twenty more degrees.

  “Do you mind if I join you?” she purred.

  “No this is hotel property, enjoy it.” I was just starting to climb out and leave her there when she noticed at the same time I did that I still had a definite bulge in my swimming trunks.

  “Rand, glad to see I have that affect on you. Please don’t go. Plus if you leave everyone in the hotel will clearly see you with your shorts tented. I don’t think you can get through the lobby with a soul missing that.” She seemed pleased and licked her lips.

  “Meila, nothing is going to happen between us. I don’t want to be rude. I want to be clear. I was very drunk and made a move on you but I thought you were Madison. It’s that simple, don’t read anything more in it.”

  “Rand, stay and relax. I am not going to try anything on you. I will wait because I know you felt something when you kissed me, when you felt my reaction to your touch. I know you felt that. I know that rock hard bulge that pressed me into the elevator wall was not just my imagination. And I almost forgot to tell you the best part, that night I had nothing on underneath my skirt.”

  “Oh come on Meila, STOP THIS! Right now, we have several more shows to complete and that’s what I want to do. I don’t feel anything more for you than business. It’s just business.” I remained standing, holding my ground.

  “Well if it’s so all business as you’re saying, your body didn’t get the memo. You haven’t looked at my face once. I hear you Rand, you think this is all business? I say maybe it is but…risky business.”