He couldn’t help but think Mary Whaley was meant to cross his path exactly when she did. He was ready for her.
* * *
He caught up with her once things had calmed down and they’d gotten back to the hotel. Adrian, Miles and Gillian had gone to bed, as had Erin and her family.
He tapped on her door and she opened with a smile.
“Wanna come take a walk with me. See New York this late?”
She smiled. “All right.”
He liked that she wasn’t afraid. New York City was, in his opinion, the most exciting city on the planet. He loved it there and he dug that she didn’t hesitate to jump in and enjoy it with him.
Though it was late, the path down by the river wasn’t deserted at all. Couples walked, people jogged, dogs walked their owners. He and Mary strolled, hand-in-hand, and he relaxed a little bit more as each minute passed.
“I like being with you.” He sighed happily.
“Thank you. I like being with you too.”
“How’d you like the show tonight? Is this your first time backstage?”
“It was. I have to say it’s pretty amazing. I figured it’d be cool and all. I love live music so much. I’ve seen many, many shows from out front. But so close, with all the activity that goes on behind the scenes? Amazing. I have so much more appreciation and respect for what you all do now. Plus, no tall guys blocking my view or spilling beer on my feet. That’s a win too.”
He laughed. “Ah yes. Or the narrowly avoided puke incident that leaves you twitchy and nervous any time anyone else leans forward.”
“Scars you forever.”
“I’m thinking of buying a place here.”
“Really? To live in New York full time? I mean, around touring and all?”
“No. I have a place in Oregon and that’s my home. But to retreat. Like after a tour when I want to stab my brothers in the face because I’ve been on a bus with them for months at a time.”
“I totally get that. I mean, not that I’ve been on a bus with my brothers for months. I’d be in prison right now if I had. But sometimes you need a place to escape to for a while.”
“Will you come out to our last show? I’ll send you tickets.” He hadn’t planned on asking, but now that he had, he was glad.
“When is it?”
“Little over two weeks from now. At the Gorge.”
“I’ll have to look at my schedule. The end of summer has turned out to be pretty busy for me so I might have a job. But if I don’t, yeah, I’d love to. But you don’t need to fly me anywhere. I can drive to that. It’s only three hours. And, if you like and you have the time, you can stay at my house for a night or two after. Or whatever. I know you have other things to do.”
She flustered him. On one hand she’d invited him to stay with her. On the other she seemed so casual about his invitation. He didn’t know what he expected. But being off balance wasn’t something he was used to. Or confident about.
He’d have to let it play out the way it was supposed to, he guessed.
He squeezed the hand he’d been holding. “No. I’d like that. You can make me that soup. You did promise.”
She laughed. “I did. And I will. For now, I’m so hungry.”
“Do you like tacos? I know this place that’s open late.”
“Who doesn’t like tacos?’
9
Honey, I promise I will not break your business.” Jules patted her shoulder. “It’s one day. You’re finishing up the job before you leave, for goodness’ sake.”
Mary knew all this. But leaving to go to the Gorge to see Damien had come so fast, and she worried.
“If anyone calls, I’ll have my cell.”
“No one is going to call because Daisy is handling everything should there be an emergency. Which there won’t be because, hello, one night. You’ll be back and everything will be fine. Go on and have a good time.”
“You’re not going.” This was the first time she’d ever put someone before her business when they weren’t sick or in dire straits. It made her nervous.
“No. But my boyfriend isn’t in the band. And my business is different than yours anyway.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
Jules rolled her eyes. “Puh. Leeze. You turned away a job for tonight to do this instead. You never do that. He’s obviously someone to you. Plus, he’s sending a fucking helicopter to pick you up to fly you to the Gorge. Guys like him don’t do that for casual flings.”
The helicopter thing was pretty freaking awesome, she had to admit.
But she didn’t miss the concern on Jules’s face and it agitated her.
“Look. He’s a nice guy. We have smoking sexual chemistry. I enjoy him. But he’s a rock star. His life is on the road and mine isn’t. I can’t even imagine living like that. It’s fun to visit. I’ll have a great time while we’re together. But this thing isn’t permanent and you know it.”
“You’re not the fling type. If he’s not your boyfriend, what is he then? What does he expect from you, and can you give it and walk away unscathed?”
Mary made a face at her friend. It shouldn’t have pushed her buttons. She knew they all cared about her and said this stuff out of concern. But it pissed her off that they assumed she was fragile.
“How do you know what type I am? Also, this is more than a fling. Less than a relationship. I’m getting really, really tired of people telling me what I am and am not capable of.”
“I’m just saying . . . his life is not yours. He’s not in a different lane, he’s in a different hemisphere. I love you. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Who wants to see a friend get hurt? My assumption is that all of us would prefer that none of the rest get hurt. But back when you were trying to work this thing out with Gideon and Cal, I supported you. I trusted your ability to make it work, or to deal with the outcome if it didn’t.”
“Cal and Gideon live here. They wanted to make something with me that was permanent. It’s different with Damien. We don’t even know him that well. A one-night stand is one thing. But this is uncharted territory for you. He’s an expert here. You’re not. This isn’t the same as what I have.”
“Didn’t I just say that? Like three minutes ago? We’re not moving in together! And I’m saying this because I love you, but if anyone else spoke to me the way you all seem to have been lately, I’d punch them in the throat. Stop assuming I’m a moron.”
Jules blushed, speechless for long moments. “I don’t assume any such thing. But you’re not their type of people.”
“Their type? This again? Like Adrian isn’t Gillian’s type? Better hop on over there and tell her. Or is it only me? Only now that you’re in a relationship that you feel so free to hand out advice based on what you think I am? And you admitted you didn’t know him, so how do you fucking know what his type of people is anyway? When did you become so judgy?”
“Is that what you think this is?”
“I think you and Daisy like to believe this is about protecting me. But in the end, it makes me feel like you find me incapable of being a big girl and having a nice fun thing with this guy until it loses steam. I’m not stupid. I’m not a virgin. And you’re not Dr. Ruth because you’re in a relationship.” It hurt that they didn’t believe in her. That they didn’t trust her damned judgment.
“You’re being a bitch.”
“Maybe. I’m also right. You don’t like it. I’m leaving now because I do love you and I don’t want to fight with you. I know you care about me. I’m asking you to back the fuck off right now because despite what you may think, I know what I’m doing.”
Jules sighed. “Don’t leave with this mad between us.”
Mary stepped to Jules, giving her a hug. “Tell Cal I said to get his nose out of my business. I know where this is coming from. He’s worried. But I have always supported his life and his choices, and it’s supremely messed up that he can’t find it in himself to do the same for me.”
She walked out, frustrated.
The truck was prepped and loaded for the breakfast she was catering. Her assistant would handle the cleanup so she could get to the helicopter-pad thingy in time.
Her annoyance faded as she thought about that part. A helicopter.
She knew they worried. But Mary was having the time of her life. They both had a good time. She wasn’t in love. She was in like. He was in like. He wanted to shower some rock star in her life; who was she to turn it away?
* * *
He met her at the helipad, helping her out with a big grin.
“Girl could get used to this stuff. Hope you don’t mind, but I brought my camera.” She held it up after taking shots as they flew over the venue. Over the river and then as they landed.
He kissed her once they got away from the helicopter. “Hello there. Long time no see.”
“Hello right back.”
“Take whatever pictures you want. We don’t mind. I doubt Adrian will either.”
“Thank you.”
She wasn’t an artist like Daisy was. But she liked taking pictures, and while they were in New York she realized there was so much to the backstage world at a show that she thought would be beautiful to photograph, so she remembered to bring her camera this time.
“Wow. You know I’ve been here to at least ten different shows. But seeing it from this perspective is pretty amazing.”
The Gorge Amphitheatre was in the middle of nowhere. A hot, dusty parking lot. A venue with no real shade. And yet people came out because of the amazing acoustics and the view. The stage sat between the audience and the Columbia River just beyond. Totally stunning, and once the sun went down the heat was a memory. The breeze came up, the sky turned purple and you were suddenly all right with the fact that it had taken you nearly an hour to get the few miles from the freeway exit to the parking lot.
She’d seen the tents and outbuildings she figured were for the artists performing, but wow, they got a view too. A view not only of the river but of the bowl the venue sat in. Up the sloping hillside from the seats to the lawn, already dotted with blankets and early arrivals.
“Last time I was here I sat way back there.” She pointed and he laughed.
“Funny how short a distance it is, but how long the trip can be to get here.”
“You’re very down-to-earth about your success.”
“What else can I be? I could let it go to my head, but fame is fleeting. I want to appreciate every moment I have it, but be grateful for it and know it could just as easily go away. We can’t all be Adrian.” He snorted.
“He says pretty much the same thing. Not that everyone can’t be him.” She quickly amended. “But that he wants to be grateful and never take it for granted.”
“When you have people like him around you, it’s not quite as hard to stay grounded.” He tugged on her hand. “Come on. Let me take you back to where Gillian is. I promised her I’d bring you when you got here.” He stopped and she nearly bumped into him. “Though I would love to hog you all to myself.”
“We have a few days. You can hog me all you want when we get to Bainbridge.”
He smiled. “Yeah. I’m counting on that.”
There was a labyrinth to get through, crammed with activity. He put a set of badges around her neck. “This will get you everywhere you need to go. If you get lost or whatever, the number for our guy is on the back there. Call him and he’ll come get you. He knows you’re here.”
It was . . . nice that he wanted to take care of her. Truthfully, the whole thing was sort of overwhelming, even as it was exciting. She wasn’t going anywhere anyway.
Vaughan strolled out and when he saw them he raised a hand in greeting. But when she got close, he bent to hug her. “It’s Mary. Nice to see you.”
“Thanks. Excited to see the show tonight.”
“Tour closers are always the best. Paddy had a cold, but he’s doing much better. Adrian is in high spirits. You just missed Ezra and my parents. They came to see us last night in Portland.”
She wondered what, if anything, Damien had told his family about her. Probably nothing. Maybe.
“Too bad. Did you guys get to visit a little at least?”
“Yeah. But we’ll be back home soon enough. Gonna be nice to sleep in my own bed for a change.”
“Amen to that.” Damien waved and Mary turned to see Gillian coming over.
She hugged Gillian tight.
“So glad to see you. I’m happy you were able to come.”
“We need to do sound check. I’m going to leave you with Gillian, but I’ll come find you once we’re done.” He gave her a kiss, one that surprised her, but she liked it anyway.
“Okay.”
“Well now.” Gillian smiled. “I do believe our Damien is sweet on you.”
“Speaking of sweet on, where are your men?”
“Nice way to change the subject. We’ll be back to that momentarily. Adrian is off with Erin doing heaven knows what. Probably plotting on how to buy Miles more guitars. As if he has a shortage.”
Mary linked her arm through Gillian’s. “He’s one of them now.”
“A Brown you mean? Or a musician?”
“Both.”
“This is true. He decided in New York that he wants to go to the arts high school now. So I told Adrian he has to drive the boy to Seattle every morning and pick him up every day.”
“He’ll benefit from it, you know he will.”
They went to sit in the shade cast by a fabric overhang. Someone brought them cold drinks and said food would be arriving shortly. Gillian seemed to have adjusted to it, but Mary was a little starstruck by it all.
“I know. I’m trying. He’s losing his anonymity. I’d hoped to protect him better but once he got up on stage the pictures came out and people recognize him now. He’ll be safer most likely at the new school. But he’ll have to make new friends and spend time commuting. But he’s quite good, isn’t he?”
Mary nodded. “He has a gift. It would be a crime not to nurture it.”
“Which is why I agreed.” Gillian sighed, looking out over the area. “He’ll thrive, like he should.”
Knowing Gillian had a lot to process, Mary left it alone for the moment. Instead she indicated the drinks they’d been handed and the way people stopped to check on them. “Wow, this stuff is . . .”
“It’s odd. But then you just sort of, I don’t know, deal with it I suppose. I have a handler. The one who gave us the drinks just now. He’s a lovely man, makes sure I keep hydrated, that I get fed and don’t get left on the outside of all this security. Miles and Adrian have one too. It’s . . . well, I’m not used to it, but it’s the way this world goes. I’m trying.” Gillian sighed. “I seem to be saying that a lot. It makes Adrian happy to be out here. He’d be miserable if we weren’t with him. So we’re here. It’s good for Miles. And it’s good for me to have this understanding of what Adrian does. Of how much goes into his career. Plus, it’s rather fun. Most of the time. The groupies are not fun, though.”
Groupies. She cringed.
“There’s a lot of security. Adrian’s quite cross when they get in to where his dressing room is, so it’s a rarity. But they seem to always be at the periphery. And they have absolutely no qualms about coming on to him right in front of me, or in front of Miles.”
“Ew.”
Gillian laughed. “Succinctly put. Those Hurley boys do love the ladies. Not Damien though,” Gillian added.
“In New York, outside a restaurant, two of them approached him. Just sort of stepped in front of me, edging me out. Like I wasn’t even there. I was pretty astonished.”
“People are usually nice. They get so excited to see Adrian, and who am I to get mad when they’re such big fans. He’s flattered. They’re the reason he’s out here. But those few . . . well, it makes it tough sometimes.”
“Everyone at home is on my case because they think I’m blinded to this world by stars in my eyes. Like I’m so na
ive I can’t be with him without falling in love and getting crushed because he’s not a forever type of guy.”
Gillian sighed. “I’ve spoken to Jules a little about it. I’ve gotten to know him. Damien, I mean. He’s a good lad. Parties a little hard at times, but not so much that he can’t stand. He loves his family. He’s quite talented. And he is truly sweet on you.”
“I’m not expecting anything long term out of this. I wish they’d believe me and realize I’m not a moron.”
“You know they don’t think that. This is not your world. Or mine, for that matter. It’s fast and brutal, and if you scratch the surface there’s loads of heartbreak. They see the bad and worry that it’ll affect you. You’re ours, part of Delicious; we adore you and would neuter anyone who harmed you. But at this point I have a unique perspective, I think. Being back here, watching this world from this side of the stage gives me insight I didn’t have before. Yes, it can be wild and crazy. But at the same time, you get to know these boys and how they are. Being on the road means they’re in hotel after hotel, plane after plane, or on the bus. They’re close, the Hurleys. He’s not a rogue or a rake or anything like that. Though he was before. He’s intelligent. Well spoken. Respectful of what Adrian and I have. He’s good with Miles. I met his parents yesterday, and his oldest brother. They’re lovely people. His mother”—Gillian paused to laugh—“is quite a bit like yours. She’s bossy and irreverent and totally capable of managing four boys who you know must have been frightfully wild as children. You’ve spent your life taking care of us. Being a shoulder and a sounding board. Delicious wants you to be happy, and they worry about this life. But I’m living this life right now and it’s not as bad as one might believe.” She squeezed Mary’s hands.
Some food arrived and in her head, Mary thought she could do better, though it was tasty. Gillian’s support was important and it made her feel a lot better to know that at least someone understood.
It was enough for the time being.
10
He woke her gently once he turned the engine off. “We’re at your place, Curly. Wake up.”