AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Safe in my spot, I was alone, but I wasn’t unimportant. I owned Footit’s, and I loved music. Hearing my niece’s pretty voice amped up made the hair on the nape of my neck stand up.
Then Kyle began to play, shredding the opening chords. I grabbed the edge of the bar. The son was better than his father.
Claire’s jaw dropping, she turned her head and watched Kyle’s fingers fly, then she got it together to give Kyle a run for his money on vocals. Tommy drummed. The three of them together were fantastic. Smiles were shared as they realized it.
I picked up a glass, polishing it and making plans while watching them.
The front door opened. I looked up, intending to greet the customer as was my habit. They were in for a musical treat, but it wasn’t a customer. It was a wish I hadn’t dared to dream of coming true.
“Barry.” Stunned, I lost my grip on the glass beer mug. It hit the floor and shattered.
He moved right to me as if each needy beat of my heart called to him the way each beat of his called to me. Glass crunching under the soles of his boots didn’t deter him. He swept me into his arms as if we weren’t over but just beginning. My eyes bright, I pretended the same thing and wrapped my arms around his strong neck.
I love you, I said without speaking words I couldn’t say.
I knew in that moment I meant the words in every way they could be meant. He was my best friend, and the keeper of my heart and my secret thoughts if I were free to give them.
His glittering brown gaze trained on the stage where ABCR progeny were still kicking musical ass, Barry didn’t see what my eyes revealed. Exiting the bar area with me in his arms, he marched us to where the action was.
Kyle added his voice to Claire’s, providing accompaniment on vocals. He coaxed some electric-guitar-like feedback from the acoustic strings. While he crushed lead guitar, Tommy ruled on drums.
Then Claire did the vocals alone again. She did the eye thing Prince did, the flowing arm gestures, and his spin moves. Tracing her curves, she also undulated her hips and made the song foreplay like Prince did. I’d seen the YouTube videos of that song being performed. Obviously, she had too.
Kyle grinned, sensing what I did, and Barry did too. I could feel the excitement thrumming from his tensed muscles.
This was the beginning of a new band, a new era.
The shining gazes up on that stage were just like ABCR in the early days. It had been a trip to watch then, and it was a trip watching history repeat itself now. Everyone was kicked back. The music took control. Music was a great uniter. It had to be the priority for a band to succeed.
I’d forgotten, but I remembered now. There was power in music. Sharing it with people you cared about gave you a place to belong.
The only other time I felt that way was when Barry held me.
Addy
“You play the guitar like your father.” I wiggled out of Barry’s arms, unable to stay, even though I never wanted to leave them. I wagged an accusatory finger at Kyle first, then Claire. “Why didn’t you tell me you could sing?”
My niece shrugged. “I don’t sing that well.”
“Bullshit,” Barry spat out, his voice deep and loud like a sonic boom. “I’m Barry.” He pointed to himself.
“Hey, Dad.” Tommy waved with his sticks, then carefully laid them on top of the snare as he stood. “What’s going on? Who’s watching the restaurant?”
“Closed it for a few off-hours. Wanted to meet your friends, and connect with an old one of mine.” Barry gave me a hot look that made my stomach flip and my heart skip a beat.
“I’ve had too many surprises today.” I loosened my grip on my white bar towel that had somehow found its way back into my hands. Throwing it over my shoulder, I turned to Barry.
I didn’t know who could be watching us. It was mostly regulars, but a few patrons I didn’t know had wandered in. Any one of them could be working for Martin. I had no plan to protect Barry other than redirection.
“Why don’t I clean up the glass I broke earlier, pour you a drink on the house, and you catch me up on your life. Haven’t seen or heard from you since everything went to shit.”
I stared at him, a plea in my gaze that saidI know you know I’m lying, but don’t give us away in front of everyone. After all, there was nousanymore anyway.
“Rach and I thought you were dead,” I said.
“The rumors of my demise were greatly exaggerated.” Barry grinned, and his brown eyes crinkled at the edges.
I didn’t know how he could tease at a time like this. My heart broke again just at the sight of him. I didn’t know why he’d come or what that hot glint in his eyes meant. All I knew was that being on the receiving end of it all made me light-headed.
