17. Mac
“Mac, we have a problem.” Kayla stood in front of me with wide, frantic eyes; her pulse raced in her throat.
I licked my lips and leaned back against my kitchen counter. “I know, babe, but we really don’t have time. The parade starts in less than an hour.”
Her lips tugged into a reluctant grin as she rolled her eyes. “I’m serious. We spent so much time on the float and didn’t think to put someone on it.”
I patted my chest. “I’m right here. Famous rock star, sound familiar?”
“No way,” she shook her head. “I’m not asking you to do that. This is your time off to write music and relax. To rest your voice.”
That’s why I love you. It was on the tip of my tongue to say the words out loud, but the moment was perfect, and I knew it because I’d already picked out the perfect moment. “I appreciate the concern, Doc, but you didn’t ask.”
“I’m serious.” She paced in front of me, wearing nothing but one of my t-shirts.
“Me too. I’ll grab my guitar and prep a song or two, and you go home and change, then see if you can find me a microphone. Problem solved.”
She nibbled her bottom lip, which I found irresistible, and I wanted to join in, nibbling that lip myself. “Are you sure?”
“Positive.” I smiled and pushed off the counter because I couldn’t keep my hands off her when she was near. “Now are you going to keep freaking out and make us late while I calm you down, or are we doing this?”
“Okay, fine.” She put her hands on my shoulders and pressed her lips to mine. “Thank you. I,” she hesitated and then smiled, “I’m crazy about you, Mac, you know?”
“I do now.” I kissed her again, slowly. Deeply. With so much intensity that it stole my breath. “See you at the parade, Doc.”
Minutes later, she was dressed and leaving through my front door.As
soon as Kayla was gone, I put on my clothes, grabbed my guitar, and set my plan in action. Downtown Holiday Grove was packed. It looked as if every single person in town had come out for the parade, which only piqued my nerves a little. There were booths set up selling beer and cocktails, water and snacks, and even St. Paddy’s Day merch. It was a whole event, and that put a smile on my face.
Some of the floats were already in position while others were putting the finishing touches on their It was an incredible turnout, and I smiled to myself, thinking about how much Kayla would both love and hate this.
“Mac,” Kayla called out to me, eyes wide as she approached. “We’re now the last float in the procession, so you have time to warm up or whatever.”
“You got the mic?”
She shook her head. “I’m going now. It took a few phone calls to figure out where it was left after the last Theater in the Park festival.”
That was exactly what the mayor had said when I called. “We’ll be fine, babe. Promise.”
She flashed a smile. “Okay. Yeah. It’ll be fine. See you in a bit.” She pressed a quick kiss to my lips, smiled, and then took off.
As soon as she was gone again, I made my way to the community center parking lot, where I found a welcome sight. “You made it!”
Rox, Teddy, and Sy had all come through for me. Rox approached first, a big grin on his face. “Wonders never fuckin’ cease, brother. You’re in love with a woman. A doctor at that.”
“We’re so proud,” Teddy teased, both hands resting over his heart.
“You got the music?”
They all nodded. “Shit, man,” Sy began. “These songs are great. Platinum in waiting.”
I shrugged at his praise. “I was inspired.” That was an understatement. Kayla had been my muse in every way possible. The songs flowed because she’d helped me find my passion for living again. “The float is back here.”
We got set up and did our sound check as quietly as possible to avoid drawing any attention. The float was large enough for all four of us, but with our instruments, we needed some reinforcements, which was where Lee assisted by getting a flatbed for the guys to follow behind me. It wasn’t ideal, but this wasn’t about the float.
“Mr. Lancaster,” the mayor flashed a smile as she approached slowly, eyeing each of us. “We’re ready. You’ll have about two minutes on the float before you arrive at the space where most of the town is congregated. Good?”
“Great, thank you so much, Mayor Stevens.”
“Thank you; this is going to be a parade for the books! Good luck.”
We started to move, and the guys began to play strains of old favorites. I joined in absently, scanning the crowd for Kayla. “Doc!” I called out when I spotted her, and she spun around, eyes wide, mouth parted, shock evident in her hazel eyes.
I smiled back. “Surprise.”
She looked to her right, where the boys pulled up behind me as both vehicles came to a stop. “What is happening?” she mouthed.
“I came to Holiday Grove because this is my brother’s new home and to work on our next album. It wasn’t going too well at first, and then I found my muse.”
Kayla put both hands to her cheeks.
“That’s right, Doc, I’m talking about you.”
The crowd cheered; some of them turned back to look at her, but mostly they were focused on the band.
“You see, this sexy, brilliant woman and this crazy little town of hers reminded me of how much I loved music. Writing songs, creating melodies and hooks—it was like the first time all over again.”
She shook her head, her face bright red from the attention. “Mac.”
“I fell back in love with writing music, with songwriting too. But mostly, I fell in love with you, Kayla. Heart pounding, can’t-wait-to-see-you, touch you, taste you, feel you—in love with you. And babe? These songs are for you.” I sang; my gaze never left my woman’s, and hers never left mine.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she watched me play and swayed to the music. Joy lit up her hazel eyes while her hands remained over her heart until the last note was played.
“Thank you, Holiday Grove, for indulging me today. The first round of drinks at Ol’ St. Nick’s is on me!” There was a stack of dingle pies warming in my oven just for Kayla, and I was a man of my word. Levi had come through for me, so I went above and beyond for him.
Had to, since this was my new home.
“Mac Lancaster, what the hell was that?” Kayla made her way to the float, smiling up at me despite the fierceness of her question.
“That, Doc, is what the kids call a grand gesture . I’m hoping it conveyed how I feel about you.”
“Oh, it did that all right,” she laughed and held her hands up.
I pulled her onto the float and wrapped my arms around her. “And how do you feel about those feelings?”
“Overwhelmed,” she admitted with a laugh. “And happy, Mac. So damn happy. I love you too, but unlike you, I was too damn afraid to say the words.”
“You almost did this morning.”
Her smile brightened. “I did, but again, I was scared.” Her palms cradled my face, and she looked deep into my eyes with a heavy sigh. “But I love you too, Mac. I know it’s fast, maybe too fast, but I haven’t felt this way about anyone. Ever. I love that I can be myself with you, all parts of me from goofy to nerdy, and you love them all. Just as I love all the parts of you. A lot.”
“Kayla, do you know how it feels to hear you say those words?” My heart raced. The blood in my veins vibrated with the excitement that pulsed through me. “I’ve never been so terrified in my life, laying my heart out like that.”
She laughed. “And you thought doing it in front of the whole town was the least terrifying option?”
“I wanted to surprise you.”
“You did,” she whispered as her thumbs caressed my jaw. “Mac, this was such an amazing gesture. I’ll never forget it.” She leaned in close. “You brought your whole band!”
“They were happy to help. Believe me.” They were watching us, even now.
“Want to meet them?”
She rolled her eyes. “Obviously. But I need you to know that I’m not expecting you to change, Mac. Music is your gift, and I don’t ever want you to feel like you have to stifle that for me.” Her golden gaze was so earnest, so fierce. “We’ll find a way to make it work.”
“Damn right we will, because I put an offer on the rental, and it’s over asking price, so I’m pretty sure they’ll accept it. I want us to live there. Together. Every break, I’ll come back here. To you.”
She smiled. “And I’ll come to you as often as I can when you’re on the road.”
“Just say the word, and I’ll have the jet pick you up.” My heart was light and free, and so damned happy. “Kayla, this is happening.”
She shook her head. “It’s already happened. We’re just catching up.” She pushed up on her toes and pressed her lips to mine. The kiss was hot and slow as she poured her love into it, into me. Kayla smiled against my lips as the cheers and whistles of the town grew so loud they were almost deafening. “I guess the town got two shows today.”
“You know this is probably going to go viral, right? The performance, the declaration of love, that hot-as-hell kiss.”
Her cheeks pinkened adorably. “Then they’ll get to see what it’s like to really be loved by a damn good man. I told you, Mac, for your love, I’ll brave the bad parts. It’s worth all of the good parts.”
I kissed her again, this time with more passion. My hands slid through her soft waves and angled her into a position that allowed me to savor every inch of her mouth. I had already given her the words, but with that kiss, I promised to always show Kayla what she meant to me. How she made me feel. Our tongues danced in a frenzy; hands roamed everywhere even though we were in front of the whole damn town.
Kayla pulled back first, breathless and smiling. “Mac, everyone is watching.”
I nodded. “And they’re green with envy that all of this is yours.”
She dropped her head forward until her forehead pressed against my chest, her body shook with laughter. “Let’s go home, lover boy, so I can make you mine properly.”
“Hell yes.” I wrapped an arm around her and spun her towards the band. “Guys, give us a couple of hours?”
Kayla smacked my belly. “Mac is coming with me. You can hang at his place if you don’t want to go to Ol’ St. Nick’s.” She covered her blushing face again. “Sorry. It’s nice to meet you, by the way.”
“Bossy and beautiful,” Sy said. “Love it. She’ll keep you in check.”
Teddy laughed loudly enough to draw even more stares. “Can’t wait to get to know you, Doc.”
She blushed again but found her courage. “Dinner tonight. Mac’s place.”
I held her close and kissed the top of her head. “Our place.” Kayla shivered beside me. “I can’t wait to fall asleep with you in my arms and wake up with your naked body pressed against mine.”
“Me neither. Love you, Mac.”
“Love you, Doc.”
Who knew this crazy little town had just what I needed when I didn’t even know anything was missing?
The END