What to Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection (WTRAFSOG Book 9) Page 68

  Waves of need wrapped around her.

  Then she pulled away. Abrupt. She opened her eyes and stared at Randy. She sucked in a breath. “What was that?” Crap, she sounded so utterly ridiculous.

  “Well, I’ve only heard rumors, but I think that was a kiss.” Randy raised a brow as the left corner of his lips twitched upward.

  She shoved at him playfully. “I know that much!” she shot back. Her brain was foggy as she kept repeating that kiss in her mind.

  “I’ve always wondered what it would be like to kiss you like that.” As if he hadn’t meant to say it, Randy’s eyes went wide. He’d also hesitated, like he wanted to say something else.

  “Oh, really now?”

  He nodded.

  “What, I was your teenage fantasy and you had to find out years later?” she joked. What a terrible thing to say. Insensitive. Even as a joke, why did she have to say that! Word vomit. She hated it!

  He didn’t seem fazed by the comment. Instead, Randy took her hand. “You were never ‘just’ a teenage fantasy, Blaine.”

  What?

  “Randy-.”

  “I’ve always felt something for you.”

  “Don’t. Don’t do this. Not now.” Not when she had no idea where her life was going. Not when Randy’s dreams were getting ready to come true. Not when she had no idea how she felt about Randy Hughes the way it seemed he felt about her. She’d always thought he had one of those teen crushes. Had he really had feelings for all these years and she’d up and left? Not that she ever really thought of him that way before, but there’d certainly been something more between them since she came back last year. Then she’d left again, only to go back to a nightmare.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m telling you this now. It just happened. I wanted to kiss you, I mean really kiss you ever since my crazy nieces and nephew egged it on earlier.”

  “Randy, stop,” she pleaded quietly. Did she really want him to?

  He took a step back and released his hold on her. Hurt flashed in his eyes. Damn, did he think she didn’t feel that way? Not that she knew how she felt. She wasn’t trying to reject him. “Sorry. You’re right. I don’t know why I had to go say something.” He turned away, busying himself with folding up the blankets.

  Her heart sank. Damn. How could she fix this? She approached him and gently coaxed Randy to turn around to face her again. “That kiss was amazing. You’re a great friend. I just don’t know if I’m ready for anything more. I don’t know if I want to have you tell me every single feeling knowing that I’m not in the position to get involved. The last thing I want is to hurt you.”

  “I’m not afraid of being hurt, Blaine.” Randy dropped the blanket. “I don’t want you to hurt. Let’s just forget I said anything, okay?”

  “If only. We’ve both said a lot of things the past few days that we can’t forget or take back. I don’t want to leave with this hanging over us.”

  “I promise I won’t kiss you again.” Randy grinned.

  “Well, that works, but I did instigate it once.”

  His grin faded. “Hey, just know I’m here for you. Thank you so much for tonight. I think next time I’ll bite my tongue.”

  She laughed and hugged him. “You were amazing. So you got a little in over your head, but it worked out. You’re a good man, Randy. I think I’m going to go now. Catch you later.” She needed some distance to really take in what just happened here, and what Randy was trying to tell her before she had to stop him. He helped her gather all the stuff she’d brought and walked her to the car.

  “Keep that spark alive, Blaine. You have a passion still inside you. All you needed was a little push.” Randy leaned close as she situated herself in the driver’s seat. “Drive safe.” With that, he headed inside.

  What a strange end to the night. Maybe she should have let him finish. She hoped she hadn’t ruined anything between them. Why were relationships so complicated, especially with long time friends?

  Chapter Seven

  “Today is the day!”

  Blaine looked up from the book she was blankly staring at instead of reading to see what her brother was so excited about. She’d been doing a lot of that lately, just spacing out and thinking too much. The past few days she hadn’t spoken to Randy much, and she still felt weird about the way they left things. With a deep sigh, she put the book down and focused on Jameson. “The day for what?”

  “Avery and Luke are coming back today, so we’ll hear our song on the radio for the first time! I called everyone else and told them to meet us at the inn. Luke knows to head there, but he has no idea why. I did go ahead and tell Belinda so that someone else knew.”

  “This is so exciting! I can’t believe it’s finally happening!” Melody squealed, running in to the living room from the hallway. Blaine watched as her brother picked her up and twirled her around in the air. She had to admit that he really was happy. Good for him. Jameson deserved happiness. Avery was right. Melody did suit him. They looked good together.

  Then it dawned on her. The band would be getting together. She’d see Randy today. Other than exchanging a few texts, that was all the contact they’d had since the night of the kiss. Well she needed to get over it. Today was the day to celebrate the band’s next step to success.

  “How long until it’s time?” she asked.

  “About an hour,” Jameson replied, setting Melody down.

  “Perfect. Give me half that to get ready. No way am I missing this! Is Mom coming too?”

  “As far as I know. I’ll check with her. She’s not even home. I have no idea where she went.” Jameson reached for his phone as Blaine slipped past him to head for the shower.

  True to her word, she was ready in the time frame she’d said. Nearly an hour later, they stood around the rec room of the inn.

  “What’s going on?” Marty asked as he made it.

  “You’ll have to wait. Just trust me on this.” Jameson shot him a sly grin.

  Blaine looked around at all the curious faces. Oh, this was going to be huge. Her gaze landed on Randy and their eyes locked. Her heart fluttered and she wondered how awkward the other night was going to be for the two of them. She should have just let him say what he wanted to. She’d been rude to brush him off that way, no matter how weird she felt. She never knew when to shut up. What a mess. She looked away.

  Belinda had already changed the radio station and left it on. No one seemed to comment or notice. Jameson had his phone in hand and planned to text one of the guys at the station when Avery and Lucas arrived. He waited impatiently, walking around with a nervous smile. Mrs. Callimer held Emily, who cooed and laughed.

  “I hear footsteps.” Melody took a peek. “Oh, it’s your mom, Jameson!”

  “I made it. What’s up?” Mom asked.

  “Just wait,” Jameson said.

  Five minutes later, they all heard Avery and Lucas.

  “We’re back! Hey, what’s this, a welcome party?” Avery drawled, making a beeline for her mom and Emily first.

  Blaine watched Jameson. He sent a quick text.

  “Welcome home, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett!” everyone shouted, almost in unison.

  Avery grinned, holding her daughter close. “Y’all are awesome. I have so much to tell you!”

  “Well, we’ve got a little something for you first.” Belinda turned up the radio. All eyes were on her now, as everyone who didn’t know was bursting with curiosity.

  The disc jockey’s voice filled the room after the current song ended.

  “We have a very special announcement for everyone! We have a local band who’s just finished their demo. In fact, their lead guitarist has worked for our station for years. We’re very pleased to be able to bring you a track off the demo for Baby Stetson. We heard some of these songs already, and let me tell you this band has it going on. Thank you Jameson Grant for giving us the opportunity to play some of your music. This track is called Love In a Small Town. Here’s Baby Stetson!”

 
; “Oh. My. God.” Avery’s jaw dropped. Lucas took Emily from her as she could hardly contain her excitement. “Jameson-”

  He put a finger to his lips as the music played.

  Avery had tears in her eyes. Lucas grinned proudly. Jameson practically bounced. Melody threw her arms around him. Melody’s brother Chris stared at the radio. Marty and Randy exchanged a high five. The drummer … Blaine forgot his name, pretended to drum on something. Belinda stayed by the radio with a happy gleam in her eyes. Mom and the Callimers were stunned.

  When the song ended, everyone erupted in cheers.

  “Jameson Grant, you are absolutely the best! I can’t believe you arranged this!” Avery hugged him. “Wait, yes I can, but oh my God that was amazing!” She let him go and hugged Melody. “Gosh, you guys. This cloud nine I’m on doesn’t end. I love it! I love all of you. What an amazing thing to come home to.”

  “Jameson, I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!” Mom hugged him, too. Pretty much everyone exchanged hugs and high fives. Excitement hung in the air.

  “It helps to have a bit of an in with a radio station.” Jameson couldn’t stop grinning. Blaine hugged her brother. What a moment for Baby Stetson, and she was finally here to enjoy one.

  “It helps that your hard work paid off. All of you. I’m ready for Baby Stetson to be a hit.” Belinda clapped. “Welcome home, Bennett family.”

  The rec room of the inn was all abuzz with excitement. Randy had to get a grip on the amazing reality of the situation. One of their songs just played on the radio! Holy cow! He wondered if any of his family happened to be listening to the radio at the moment. Not that they’d be as excited. What a rush. Hearing the song play on the radio was just as awesome as playing it live.

  “You rock, Jameson,” he said to his long time friend. “How the hell did you manage to keep that a secret for so long?”

  “Oh, it wasn’t easy!” Melody poked Jameson in the side playfully. “I had to remind him when he thought about calling one of you that this was a surprise.”

  “Yeah, she speaks the truth. This wasn’t easy at all.” Jameson grinned, giving Randy a high five. “Everyone knows I’m terrible at this kind of thing.”

  “Well, you pulled it off perfectly,” Lucas said.

  “It helps that Avery was away for awhile. She would have seen right through me. I only told a few people. I’m just stoked the station was so interested and willing to play it!”

  “I think this calls for a celebration, but we’ll have to schedule it for later.” Avery wiped her eyes, still grinning from ear to ear.

  “You say the word and I’ll be there,” Randy promised. He searched the crowded room for Blaine. He really wanted to clear the air with her. The past week sucked. He found her standing next to her mom. “I hope you two had a great honeymoon.”

  “It was perfect.” Avery let out a sigh of happiness. “But I’m also glad to be home, too. I missed Emily and everyone.”

  “Hey, we still have to finalize our set for the fair performance next week,” Jameson reminded her.

  “Right. Okay, what do you say to practice tomorrow evening? Does that work for everyone?” Randy nodded, as he had nothing planned and would already be home from work by then. Jameson, Melody, Marty and Sean also agreed.

  “My house?” Jameson asked.

  Avery nodded. “Works for me.”

  So it was settled. Avery and Lucas said good bye to everyone, took Emily and headed home for a little quiet time. Randy made his way over to Blaine.

  “That was awesome, wasn’t it?” Her smile reached her eyes. She’d avoided him earlier and he knew it, but at least she wasn’t hiding now.

  “Epic kind of feeling.” He still felt the adrenaline rush, just as much as if he were playing on stage. “I love that we all got to enjoy the moment together.”

  Heat rushed to her cheeks and she lowered her gaze.

  Randy reached out and gently touched her hand. “Blaine, about the other night-”

  “Oh, can’t we leave that be?”

  He sighed. “I wish, but we’re both feeling awkward and I don’t like it. You’ve been avoiding me,” Randy accused.

  “I have-” Then she sighed. “Yeah, okay. I have. But it’s not just you. I’ve been fielding calls because of Frederic’s drama.”

  “What did he do?” Randy had to be careful not to raise his voice, as he figured Blaine still hadn’t told anyone else about him.

  “Lying through his teeth, that’s what. I don’t really want to talk about it here.” She gestured at the remaining friends and family.

  “If he’s harassing you.”

  Blaine put a finger to her lips as Jameson, Melody, Chris, and Mrs. Grant walked up to them.

  “Want to join us for lunch?” Mrs. Grant grinned at Blaine and then Randy. “You, too! We’re celebrating your success!”

  Randy shook his head. “I have to head out soon. I have work later and I need stop by my parents for lunch.” He’d bet if he told them about being on the radio he wouldn’t get this kind of reaction. No, he’d probably get another lecture about growing up and finding something real for a career.

  “I bet they’ll be over the moon about this!” Mrs. Grant squealed.

  No, they wouldn’t.

  Blaine’s eyes met his. Randy could tell she knew how he was feeling right now. She knew how his family was.

  “We’d better go, Mom.” Jameson said quickly. “See you tomorrow for practice, Randy.”

  Randy blinked, once again distracted by Blaine and the dread he felt about going to a family gathering. Like Blaine, Jameson also knew how his family felt about music. “Bye guys.”

  Blaine was the last to exit. Randy caught up to her, took her hand and squeezed. “Hey. If you need to talk, call or text me.”

  She stopped and glanced up at him.

  “You can’t keep holding everything in. It’s not good for you,” he said.

  Blaine nodded. “I know. But everyone has good things going on-.”

  “Don’t hide behind everyone’s good things. I love that you want to be there for everyone, and I know you think you need to make up for being gone, but it doesn’t mean you can’t talk about your life, Blaine. Everyone cares. Everyone worries about you and I’m the only one that has even the slightest insight, and even that’s by accident. Just because I tried to tell you my feelings the other night doesn’t mean I’m not here to listen. Just remember that.” Since he knew he wasn’t going to get any more out of her right now, Randy left it alone. He let go of Blaine’s hand, turned around and walked away. Time to face his own family.

  Right before he climbed in his truck, the phone rang. His cousin’s number registered on the caller ID.

  “Randy, I just heard your band on the radio! How did I not know this was happening?”

  He laughed. “Until it happened, I had no idea either. Jameson works behind the scenes at the station and he set this all up. We all gathered around waiting for our lead singer to come home from her honeymoon Jameson had them play a track.”

  “Good song! I can’t wait to hear the rest of what you have. Wow. I was in the car with Andrew when it came on and I had to pull over. He’s pretty stoked, too. Good job!”

  “Thanks man. That was a feeling I’d love to have over and over again.” Randy grinned.

  “Andrew says he’s gonna tell everyone at school he’s going to be famous by association.”

  “Ha. We’re far from famous yet, but his enthusiasm is awesome.”

  “Anyway, I have to get back to work. I took a short break so I could call and congratulate you. I know I may not be fond of the music scene, but I’m rooting for you and the band.”

  “That means a lot. Thanks for calling and letting me know.”

  After he’d hung up the phone with his cousin, Randy felt a little better. Pulling up in front of his parents’ house and seeing his sisters and their families cars, he wondered again if anyone heard the radio and what they would say.

  As he w
alked up the pathway to the house, the front door opened. Madison and Frank bolted from the house, heading straight for him.

  “Oh my God! Uncle Randy! I heard your band on the radio! I forgot your lead singer’s name, but she can hit some notes!” Madison pummeled into his arms. “Oh, and will you ask Blaine if she’ll teach me more dance?”

  “She hasn’t stopped dancing around the house since that night.” Frank laughed, holding out his hand for a high five.

  “Guys! Let your uncle come inside before you surround him!” Marsha called. She stood in the doorway, arms folded across her chest, but she wore a smile.

  “I’ll ask Blaine, and our lead singer’s name is Avery,” Randy said as Madison let him go. He followed them to the house. As they disappeared inside, Marsha stopped him at the door.

  “Don’t get her hopes up. I can’t imagine Blaine making time before she leaves,” Marsha said quietly. Her eyes darkened.

  What did she have against Blaine? Randy heard the tone in her voice. He almost spilled the beans about Blaine staying in Harmony’s Echo, but held his tongue. He wasn’t supposed to say anything. He had to stick to it.

  “Why wouldn’t she?”

  Marsha shrugged. “Why would she? I mean, isn’t she royalty in the dance world or something?”

  “What? Where is all of this coming from?”

  “Well, she took off, barely came home and is pretty well known in Hollywood, isn’t she? I mean, she’s in the magazines, too. She works with one of the hottest instructors known to woman.”

  Ha. From the sounds of it, Frederic was nothing but a womanizer who shot other people’s dreams down.

  “Just because Blaine worked in Hollywood doesn’t mean she’s royalty and forgets about other people. She’s still the down to earth girl I’ve always known.”