Chapter 67
A fter the ride on the Harley, I notice there’s a new and enticing sparkle in Peace’s eyes that wasn’t there before. Well, it’s not entirely new. Her gaze sparkled a hell of a lot the night we spent together, but when I saw her at the studio the next morning, that sparkle was gone.
It’s my own damn fault. I know my leaving her extinguished it. I’m not entirely clueless, but it must be said that doing the right thing sucks.
“How much?” Peace asks the clerk behind the Guitar World counter.
“Huh?” His gaze on her tits, the guy’s totally not paying attention to her.
“Dude.” I pound on the counter and point. “Her face is up here.”
“Sorry, man.” He shakes his head to clear it. “Are you paying for the part, ma’am, or your boyfriend?”
“I’m paying.” I slide my credit card across the counter to him.
“He’s not my boyfriend.” Peace blushes. “I work for his boss.”
“You’re Bo Jackson.” The clerk stares at my credit card like it has sprouted magical wings. His gaze rises. “You’re the guitarist for Shooting Star.”
“Yes.” Peace nods to confirm. “He is.”
“Your band totally rocks!” the clerk shouts. “I’ve listened to your album about a million times. I’m a huge fan.” He waves frantically to a coworker. “Roberta, come over here. Meet the guitarist from Shooting Star.”
“Oh, man, this is so cool.” Roberta emits a loud squeal, rushes to the counter, and everyone inside the store takes notice. “Love ‘Wish On.’ It’s my all-time favorite song. Can I have your autograph?” Roberta offers me the pen that was perched behind her ear.
“Sure.” I scribble out my name on the stocking sheet she shoves at me. Feeling Peace’s eyes on me, I glance her way as I return the paper to Roberta.
“So happy for you.” Her pretty eyes misty with emotion, she reaches for and squeezes my hand.
“It’s still weird that people recognize me,” I admit.
“You’re an insanely gifted guitarist. This was destined to happen.” She shifts her attention to Roberta. “Would you like me to take a photo of you and Bo?”
“That would be awesome.” Roberta smiles big and gives Peace her phone.
“Lean in,” Peace says. With Roberta’s cell in one hand, she gestures with the other. I throw my arm around Roberta.
The clerk who we discover is named Tom has his photo with me taken. Then practically everyone in the store has a turn. Peace patiently takes all the photos and chats more comfortably with all the fans than I do. She asks them to tag the band and my personal page when they post their photos on social media. She’s warm and friendly and gets them to talk about themselves. She also reminds them to be looking for a new Shooting Star album soon. When the crowd begins to disperse, she shoots a pointed look my way. “Your fans might really like it if you played something for them.”
“Would you?” Roberta gives me a hopeful look.
“Please,” Tom begs.
“Sure,” I agree, already having an acoustic number in mind along with an ulterior motive. “Do you know the words to ‘My Only One?’” I ask Peace.
“Sure, I do.” She smiles wistfully. “That’s an Avery and Justin Jones collaboration. That song is still one of my absolute favorites.”
“I thought it might be.” I grin back at her. She has changed in a lot of ways, but the girl who gave me hope and made me believe in myself is still in there. “It’s a duet.” I frame half of her pretty face with my hand and caress her creamy skin with my thumb.
“Right,” she agrees but looks a little dazed.
“I can’t sing it alone,” I explain. “I need you to help me out.”
“I couldn’t.” She shakes her head. Her silky hair flows over my skin, doing a number on me. Now it’s me who’s dazed. Telling myself to get a grip, I drop my hand instead of stripping her naked in front of everyone.
“You can,” I disagree. “I’ve heard you sing many times.”
“Humming, singing along on the phone when it was just me and you working out lyrics, but not in front of other people.” Her lips tremble as she pins it between her pearly teeth.
“It’s just a few fans.” But with her looking scared, I move protectively closer.
“My dad forced me to perform at school once,” she admits softly. “I completely froze onstage.” A shudder rolls through her. “It wasn’t a good experience.”
“I’m not your dad. I’m not gonna force you to do anything, sweetheart.” I take her hand. “I’m just asking because I’d really enjoy singing with you. Please.” I lower my voice. “The motorcycle ride and now this will be another new experience for us to share. Yeah?”
“Okay.” Her eyes remain glassy, but she nods firmly. I’m not sure if it’s the endearment that sways her or the pleading, but man, oh man, am I happy that she agreed. Leaning forward, I plant a kiss on her, catching the side of her sweet mouth.
“Bo.” She breathes out a fluttery sigh and all of me reacts like I’ve won the grand prize at a carnival game. My heart pounding and my cock banging against the fly of my jeans, I’m aware of cell cameras being aimed at us, but I don’t care. I only care about Peace and this opportunity to let my guitar playing and the words someone else penned speak for me.
In less than a few moments, Tom hands me a guitar. It’s a Taylor travel acoustic. I adjust the tuning and Roberta points out a setup on the show floor that reminds me of open mic night at a coffeehouse.
“Rich sound,” Peace observes as I strum and we walk together toward the small stage. She steps onto the rug and takes a seat on a tall wooden stool. I lean my hip against an adjacent one. Roberta clicks on a live mic and adjusts the height on the pole, bringing it higher for me. Tom offers another corded mic to Peace. It shakes in her grip.
“Don’t be afraid, baby. Keep your eyes on mine. It’s the music that matters. It’s just you and me. This is our place.” The place where my sins don’t matter, where a devil can sing with an angel, where what we lost is found.
Only you could really see
All the good inside of me
Brought me back into the light
Made the living worth the fight
My only
My only one.
My only. My one
Without you, I’m undone
Make every day forever
As long as we’re together
My only
My only one
Be my happy ever after
Heal my sorrow with your laughter
Mend my wounds with just your smile
Even if it’s only for a while
My only
My only one
My only, my one
Without you I’m undone
Make every day forever
As long as we’re together
My only
My only one
Right beside you all the way
There’s no chance I’ll walk away
There’s no price I wouldn’t pay
For you only
If we only had more time
If I could make the clock unwind
Use up every ounce of will
Make the spinning world stand still
For you only
My only, my one
Without you I’m undone
Make every day forever
As long as we’re together
My only
My only one