Chapter 3
Zach
Opening the case, Zach set the violin and bow in their place and shut the top.
It was only a day after he’d had the ‘Helen of Troy’ run-in with his bandmates, but something was different.
No one had said anything, but the tension was higher than usual.
The others were distracted in their playing, and Stephen had been avoiding him all day.
That alone told Zach to be on guard. Every day since his grandfather had died, Stephen had asked about the bank account. Until today.
Zach had played dumb, which was easy to do; they all thought he was stupid anyway. That suited him fine, especially now, because of course he knew the password. Grandpa had his faults, God knew he had more than a few, but being a fool wasn’t one of them.
Besides, Grandpa’s fancy Virginia lawyer, Beauregard Randolph Lee, had told Stephen all Grandpa’s assets had to go through probate. Stupid fuck didn’t even know what that meant.
Truth was, the bank account had been in both their names, so that money had already passed to Zach. He hadn’t tried to access it because he suspected Stephen had someone at the bank watching for any activity. If anyone but Mr. Lee accessed it, Stephen would know Zach had been lying.
He moved his small bag, and mentally checked that he hadn’t forgotten anything important. Years of being ready to move within fifteen minutes of being told kept everyone in the band packed and ready. Nothing to tip his hand.
The butterflies in his stomach were more like angry hornets. Aside from whatever Stephen and the boys were up to, today he was going to meet McAllen.
He hadn’t been this nervous since his first time. Only back then, the hot cowboy he’d been with had stalked him. Bought him ice cream before they fucked behind a trailer on the last night the show was in town.
Zach smirked. It sounded hotter than it had been. Even the memory was better than the real thing. They were both sixteen, clumsy, and virgins. Neither had a condom or lube. Thank God the guy wasn’t big, or he’d have hurt Zach.
But he’d wanted it, that night, with that guy. Troy’s attention had felt good. Good enough that Zach remembered his name three years later. Troy had been totally hot, but still didn’t think Zach should feel grateful for the attention. Kinda like Deputy Hot Stuff.
Only this time, Zach had an agenda other than sex. If he wasn’t desperate, he wouldn’t do this to Deputy Hot Stuff.
The night was warm, and the black jeans and long sleeve shirt of his outfit didn’t help. Neither did his nerves.
Slipping into the energy of the fair, he looked back twice to be sure no one was following him. All those years of sneaking out to meet someone for a night of fun served him well. Back then he’d worried his grandfather would beat his ass for sneaking out. This time the stakes were much higher.
If McAllen and his friend followed their routine, they’d be heading to the food trucks about now. His job was to get there before McAllen bought anything. Not much point in asking him to get something to eat after the show if he’d eaten already.
Fortune smiled on Zach, and he managed to get ahead of McAllen, who’d taken his time walking down the midway. Zach took it as a good omen.
By the time the pair made it closer to him, Zach’s heart was hammering. Why did the guy have to be so fucking nice that he talked to everyone?
“Do you think they’ll actually pay us?” Deputy Hanlon asked. “You remember what happened last time you talked me into doing one of these.”
“Yeah, you got paid… eventually.” McAllen said. “You worry too much, Greg. Besides, your dad will make sure they pay us.”
“Not the point, Colton. I don’t like….” Greg pointed in Zach’s direction.
Zach sucked in a breath and forced his heart to stay in his chest. He could do this. Besides, Colton looked as nervous as Zach. It was cute as fuck, and it made smiling a lot easier.
Trying his best to sell this as a chance encounter and not a prelude to a restraining order, Zach walked onto the midway. He nodded, and damn if Colton didn’t tip his hat. So hot.
“Hi.” Zach’s eye contact made it clear he was greeting only one of them.
Color crept up Colton’s face. “Hi.” He touched the brim of his hat again. “Heard you tonight. You play a real good fiddle.”
Now Zach’s face burned. “Thank you.”
“Think I’ll go see how business is with Sarah Billings’s truck,” Greg said. “I’ll catch up with you when I’m done.”
Colton’s face got redder. “You got it.”
That was the worst pretext for leaving, and the best one Zach had ever heard. They both watched Greg leave. “He’s a good wingman,” Zach said.
“The best. He’s also my cousin, so we grew up together.”
Either Colton was nervous, or he shared too easily. “I’m Zach.” Colton probably knew that from the show, but this made it official. Sort of. He held out his hand.
“Colton. Real nice to meet you.”
“I kept seeing you at the show, but never had a chance to say hello.”
“Yeah, I love your music.” Colton let out a nervous laugh. “The band I mean. Greg might be sick of me suggesting we go listen.”
Which meant Greg was sick of him asking. He hoped Colton had one more ask in him. “I have to get back. I was heading there when I saw you. Would you like to get something to eat after the next show?”
Colton’s first reaction was shock, but it quickly turned into a smile. “Are you asking me out?”
Zach’s face was hot enough to fry an egg. “Would you be offended if I was?”
“You can’t answer me with a question.” Colton huffed. “It’s not right.”
The attempt to sound put off helped calm Zach. “Except you answered me with a question.”
Colton laughed. “I reckon I did, which is poor manners on me. How about I answer your second question first. I would not be offended if you were asking for a date.”
He still hadn’t answered the question, but Zach was willing to overlook it this time. “In that case, yes, I am asking you out.” He crossed his arm and smiled. “Your turn.”
“Well, aren’t you all confidence and swagger.”
Maybe Colton didn’t like his men so forward. Oh God, please don't let him screw this up. “More like nervous and unsure.”
“Not how I see it, but yes, I would like to get something to eat after your show.” Colton gave him a thousand-watt smile, and Zach’s heart started beating again.
It was hard for him to speak when he was grinning like a fool.
There was something about Colton McAllen that pushed buttons Zach hadn’t known he had.
Ones he wished he didn’t have right now.
Things were complicated enough without liking the guy.
“Great. I probably should get back. I came out to get a cherry limeade, but the line was too long. Figured I’ll get one afterward. ”
“That’s my favorite drink too.”
“Wow. Small world.” Not really when you stalked someone. “If you get there before the show ends, meet me at the entrance to the left of the stage. Your right.”
“Yeah? It’s all good me coming to get you?”
“I’m an adult,” barely, “I can have a date.”
“Well, I did assume you were an adult, but you do look young.”
Which was a curse and a blessing at times. “Nineteen, be twenty, middle of next month.
Another grin. “Squarely in the adult world. And since we’re sharing, I turned twenty-four two weeks ago.”
“Happy belated birthday. I’ll have to treat you to something sweet to celebrate.”
“Maybe I should treat you as an early birthday gift.”
God, the guy had the sweetest eyes. It made it hard to think clearly. “Okay, it’s a date. It won’t take me more than a couple of minutes to come out, so head over once we leave the stage.”
“All right.” The way Colton stared at him gave Zach goosebumps.
He liked it, but it unsettled him. Zach could deal with lust, and he avoided infatuation, but this was admiration and desire. He hadn’t had enough experience with that to know what to do.
“I…” He hitched his thumb over his shoulder.
“Right.” Colton seemed as flustered as Zach felt. “The next show.”
Stand in the same corner you always use. He started to put his hand out to shake but pulled it back and waved. “Hope to see you at the show.” Three backward steps, and he spun around to walk back.
Just before he turned the corner, he heard, “You bet your ass I’ll be there.”
Zach was still smiling when he reached the stage. Hovering just by the back edge, Stephen, phone to his ear, glared at Zach. It lasted right about a second as he reacted to something and began talking again. Zach couldn’t hear the conversation, but it didn’t look pleasant.
It also confirmed his fears. Stephen only came around the tent before a show on a blue moon. Should he bail now? Leaving before might give him a moment’s head start, but he didn’t like his chances of getting out the front gate.
Zach hadn’t been followed, or he hadn’t seen them if he had, but it was a long way to the front gate and longer still to town. He’d never make it without help.
Passing the stage, he almost ran into Bradley, who had been skulking by the left corner.
“Where you been?” There was an anxious edge to his question.
Zach leaving had them concerned, which added to his fears. “Walking around.” He didn’t stop and headed for the entrance.
No surprise, Peter popped out just as Zach got to the door. His heart was pounding hard, and he sensed Bradley following him. Checking his watch, he shook his head and tried to sound calmer than he was.
“Jesus, what’s wrong with you all? The show doesn’t start for twenty minutes. I don’t need to be back for another five.”
“Nothing’s wrong, I’m just coming out for air.” Bradley’s answer screamed bullshit. “Why are you so pissy?”
“Whatever.” He played it off like he had everything in recent days. One more show, and that’d be it.
Maddie sat in her usual place and made eye contact the moment he entered. The others might think she was stressing over Zach being gone, but he knew better.
“What?” He held up his hands and hoped his annoyance was convincing. “I’m back in time.”
“Always pushing it, aren’t you, Zach?” They’d done this before too. His bandmates were too stupid to catch on that it was an act. “I’ve let too much slide with you.”
He was supposed to lash out and get nasty, but he couldn’t.
She’d taken care of him all these years, not his grandfather.
The others thought she doted on him because his grandfather had paid her, but she could’ve gotten away with being pure evil to him, and Grandpa wouldn’t have noticed. For a time at least.
Now, she did what they expected to keep up an act.
“Right.” He shook his head and went to his room.
It was barely more than a shoe box, but he had his own space.
Grandpa had given him that much. Stephen hadn’t taken that away yet, but this was the first stop after his grandfather’s death.
If he’d stuck around, Zach was certain he’d lose that privilege.
He left the door ajar and opened his case. One last show, and he’d need to figure out what came next.
Maddie followed him and shut the door. “Start yelling at me,” she whispered so low he barely heard her.
“What! Don’t you have a watch? I’m on time!” He rosined up his bow. “Like that?” he whispered.
“Not mad enough.” She handed him a note. “Listen you ungrateful little shit, I raised you when no one wanted you. All I asked is you not leave between shows. Why is that so hard?”
Zach read the note. Is he coming? Looking up, he nodded and kept his voice low. “Yes. After the show.”
“Well?” her voice got a touch more shrill. “I asked you a question.”
“I went to get a drink. Is that so awful?”
“Yes. I need you here, so I don’t have to worry.” She’d stopped yelling but her voice carried enough for the others to hear. “Next time drink water.”
“Fine!” He reached over and hugged her. When his lips were by her ear he whispered. “He’s meeting me by the door.”
“Good,” she whispered. “I’m going to miss you so much, Zachariah.”
“I’ll miss you too, Maddie.” He kissed her cheek and stepped back. “Is there anything else?”
He said it plenty loud, and attitude dripped from his words.
Maddie screwed on her angry face and flung the door open. “Just make sure you’re ready.”
Oh, I’m so ready. He picked up his instrument and slapped the case shut. “Whatever.”
Zach brushed past her and headed for the stage. One last show.