Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
I an
I don’t know how to explain what happens to me when Savannah smiles. It’s such a simple act that has such a profound effect. It almost sounds cliché to describe the feeling as if walls are crumbling. I’d been angry for so long that with each passing year, another brick was cemented around me until I was no longer defensive but numb. But this … this feeling. It’s foreign and sweet. Savi smiles and suddenly I long for something I can’t understand.
Most people would think that it’s always the band members who take advantage of women who hang around after concerts. That we’re the bad guys. The rock stars. The guys all the girls want to fuck. But there’s another side to that scenario. I’d never profess to be an innocent lamb, but more times than not a gorgeous chick with a hefty rack and a full, firm ass found me long before I went looking. Even as tempting as that might sound, there are other dangers that come with that piece of ass, and I’m not just talking about disease. I’m referring to the Benjamins.
One of the things I learned by being in a band was that there are opportunists around every corner. A frisky fuck with a rockstar conjures dollar signs in some of the most beautiful eyes. Most women were thrilled to have the memory, while others wanted more. Secret babies. Tabloid headlines. Tell all stories. All it took was a little dirt, curious reporters, and a gossip-thirsty public. I never cared, but Dash did. He always thought everything through with a level head—then he’d keep me out of trouble. Or, at least, try.
I didn’t know it then but there was a kid inside of me who was looking for love. Rehab required therapy, and that taught me just how jaded I’d become. I had a deep-seated belief that everybody—no exceptions—wants their fifteen minutes of fame.
Not Savannah.
She wants nothing and gives everything. The beautiful blue-eyed blonde scatters love like stardust. I’ve witnessed her concern and care for those she loves. That song … it was perfect.
Absolutely fucking perfect.
* * *
“How y’all doing to- niiiiiiight? ”
Savi shouts and the crowd roars. She launches into Chris Cornell’s “Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart”, and the crowd claps in time. It fuels her and I feel a smile nearly split my face.
I look around the room and something weird starts. Some feeling deep inside my belly. One by one more bodies hit the dance floor, while others wiggle their asses in their seats. It’s not just me that’s feeling something. Everyone is, and the joy inflates the room like it's filled with helium and, suddenly, it hits me too.
Shit!
Is this what being happy feels like? I feel woozy and silly, and I want to laugh because Savi’s joy is coming through the music and it’s fucking infectious!
I clap along with them until she finishes, and the air erupts with rounds of praise. Lots of hollered “Yeah’s!” and a final round of clapping splits the crowd. She responds with a smile that curls her lips nearly to the corners of her eyes. She’s practically glowing.
And my heart’s nearly exploding.
“What a great crowd y’all are!”
She gets a coy look and modesty flushes her cheeks a bright pink as one by one they cease until the room is quiet. Savi bows her head as she slides into another song, and I take a step back to catch my breath. What the fuck just happened?
I’m dumbfounded, or maybe just dumb. Is this what they mean when they say that you’re happy for someone else’s happiness?
I’m almost a little panicky. Fear of the unknown, maybe? I haven’t a clue.
I roll my head around my neck, cracking a few bones as I do the motion. I mentally dissect what I felt to compare it to what I know and shake some strange, unfamiliar feeling off my shoulders. I’ve never felt anything this intense without drugs and I feel like I’m drunk. I mean, I know the happiness I felt when Dash was happy. Even though that feeling was good, it didn’t feel as good as this.
Busted flat in Baton Rouge
Waitin’ for a train …
She cuts through my thoughts with her honey-sweet voice and it’s like I’ve taken a tranquilizer. The panicky feeling mellows, drifting slowly down, and then, I relax. This … this feeling I know. It’s the same one I get when I’m sitting around the fire pit, kicking back, and looking at stars. It’s familiar. It feels like home.
And a woman did that.
Who’d thought?
I lean against the end of the bar. This whole time I’ve been back and forth between working and enjoying the show. Now, I’m using my break to focus on her. She sees me and, we lock eyes. My chest pinches again and I’m starting to make the correlation between it, and Savi.
* * *
A couple of hours pass, and Savi closes out the night with a final song. The crowd scatters and the bar empties. Wait staff bus the tables, stack the chairs, and sweep the floors. Savi lingers, talking with a few stragglers as she walks them to the exit. It’s been a long night. she’s got to be running on adrenaline but doesn’t show it. She’s happy—nearly elated—as she walks on air over to the bar.
“You were on fire tonight,” I praise.
“I feel it.” She looks up at me with eyes of sparkling sapphire.
“Damn! You were good.” Sam adds. “And it was a good night, too. I think it’s the best night we’ve had since we opened.” Sam pauses, then dips behind the bar. He looks out on the floor, puts two fingers to his lips, and blows. The move produces a piercing whistle, and everyone goes still. “C’mon over here.”
They respond, approaching with rags and brooms in hand. One by one Sam pours a little wine into cups, about enough for a swallow or two.
“Everybody grab a glass.” He slides a soda to me, taking a final glass of pop for himself. He looks around at the faces and smiles. “I’m so damn proud of y’all. You did a good job. Not one complaint. Not one! I hope they tipped you well, but I want you to know, I appreciate you.” He lifts his glass. “To Mad Dogs—every dang one of you.”
“MAD DOGS!!! WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!” They bang their glasses with each barking sound, take a drink, then go back to finish so they can get out of here.
Savannah hops up on a barstool while Sam and I wash and rinse some glasses.
“How did this place come about? I mean, how did you decide on a bar?”
“He never told you?” Savi asks me, then turns to Sam. “Tell him the story, Sam. It’s a good one.”
“You’ve heard it a million times.” He answers.
Savi shrugs. “So, I’ll hear it a million and one. Tell him.”
“It isn’t much to tell. I grew up not far from here. Me, and some of my buddies, were riding through on our motorcycles. The town was more abandoned than I remembered but, we stopped, poked through the buildings to see what we could see, and then started looking up stuff—the history of the place.
These buildings have been here since the gold rush days, and they were still solid. The ‘bones were good,’ so to speak. The town was founded by some mad dog men who took a chance on a dream. A crazy idea about gold. We understood them because that’s exactly what we had: a crazy idea.
We came up with the insane notion that we could give the town a new life, give people in the area a place to go, and, with enough growth, give Nashville and Austin a run for their money. Good music, good eats, and a safe place to enjoy the company of friends and family. We’re not where we started but this town’s not near where it’s going.”
“You weren’t afraid of the risks?” I ask.
“Yes! And no.” He pauses. “Once we all started talking about it, others got interested. They liked the idea but didn’t want to be involved in the day-to-day stuff, so they became investors. It’s paying off. New bars are opening and young people pitch us with ideas for coffee shops, cupcake shops, and the like. We have two priorities: keep it nice, keep it safe.”
The door bangs open, and we spin toward the sound.
A lone guy stands inside the entrance, a little off balance, and looking around. Then he stops, pinning Savi with his eyes.
“Savannah. I knew I’d find you.” He stumbles toward her.
“We’re closed.” I step in front of him, blocking him with my body.
He sneers at me, sniffing back like he’s smelled something bad. “Who the fuck are you?” His eyes roam over me from head to toe. “Oh, I know you. You’re the guy from that band. The one who OD’d. I thought you died.”
Smartass punk . My brow hitches and lips quirk as I fold my arms across my chest. “Very much alive—and we’re closed.”
He barrels into me. “I got business here—don’t I, Savannah?”
He looks over my shoulder and I grab the neck of his shirt. “Is he bothering you, Savi?”
“Savi? Awwwww. That’s so sweet.”
His spittle hits my cheek and I walk him a few steps back. “It’s after hours and you’re trespassing. Past your bedtime, dickwad.”
He headbutts me. I blink it off quickly and snatch the front of his shirt in my fist. “Take your drunk ass home.” The words seethe through my clenched teeth. I’m about to throw him out the door, and then …
“What do you want, Drake?”
I freeze and he looks around me. His eyes narrow. His lip curls. “Well, hello, sweetheart,” he cackles. “Been a long time.”
He swats at my hand, but hell would freeze over before I’d unleash this asshole. His tongue darts out to lick the slobber off his lips.
“I came to see YOU!” He thrusts a bony finger at her.
“You’re violating a restraining order.” Her eyes meet mine. “He’s not supposed to be anywhere near me.”
“And what about that little girl, huh? Am I not supposed to be near her either?”
Savannah lunges from the chair. “Get the fuck out of here.”
“Well, what about it, bitch; is she mine?”
Savi springs at him and the only thing between them is me.
“Savannah, No!” Sam snatches her around the waist and her cheeks turn crimson.
“I’ll kill you.” She says, trying to break Sam’s hold.
“Get him the fuck out of here, Ian.” Sam’s order has me flinging Drake, hard. He hits the door frame and flings off it. His chest bumps mine. I fist his shirt once again and put my face in his. “You heard the man. Get the fuck outta here.”
I throw him through the doorway and he trips, his face falling over the curb. He looks back at me as I slam the door and throw the locks.
I take a minute. My chest heaves. I turn and lock eyes with Savannah. “Say the word. I’ll kick his ass.”
Her body sinks. As her posture deflates, she drops her chin and shakes her head no.
* * *
Jeri sidles up next to Savannah in a sisterly way. “Are you okay?”
Savannah nods.
“I don’t mind following you home.” A smile sneaks onto her lips. “I’ve got mace and mad ninja skills. Hiiiii-ya!” Jerri pops up, hand-chops the air, and lands in a martial arts pose which, I’m sure, isn’t an actual pose.
Savannah forces a smile as Sam comes up behind her and lays his arm around her shoulder. “I got this, Jeri. I’ll make sure she gets home alright.”
Savannah looks up at him. “I’m good, Sam. I can drive.” She then looks to Jeri. “Thank you, but I’m okay.”
“Both of you don’t know what kind of crazy he is, or what he’s capable of,” Sam warns.
“Unfortunately, I do know his kind of crazy,” Jeri nods. “I’ll be careful.”
She and Sam exchange a look that I can’t define. She holds his gaze for a moment and behind her eyes I sense that there’s something more to that comment. Some story that maybe I’ll hear one day.
Jeri grabs her purse, gives Savi a tender look, and squeezes her hand. “Call me if you need a friend.”
Savi forces a milquetoast smile. “I will.”
“I’ll be right back. I’m going to walk her to her car.” Sam follows Jeri to the door and, once they clear the entrance, I press for information.
“Did Drake stalk you here?”
“It looks that way,” she says, sadly.
“And he’s an old boyfriend?”
“He’s an entitled, little prick.”
“That much I figured,” I weakly chuckle. I reach for Savi’s chin, lifting her head with one finger. “He scares you.”
“Maybe a long time ago. Now I’m just angry.”
“But he tracked you? Any idea how?”
“I changed my name after I left town. I suppose I could have been more creative. My parents’ murders hit national news and I wanted a fresh start, so I dropped my last name. With all the information on the internet, I guess it was easier to find me than I thought.” Her shoulders pulse a quick shrug. “Also, his dad has lots of connections and resources. If Drake wanted to find me, I’m sure his dad helped him.”
I swallow my rage, and give her a moment, knowing the toxic mix of emotions that comes with being hunted. I barely have time to digest what she’s told me when I hear the familiar sound of Sam’s boots scuffing the floor as he approaches Savannah.
“I’m going to report him. He’s not supposed to be anywhere near you.” Savannah pales and he pauses. “You look like you’re going to be sick.”
“I’m fine,” she insists. I move closer and, like Sam, note the sudden change. He’s on one side of her and I take the other, concerned she might pass out.
“No, you’re not, and he’s the reason. He’s got no business here. He should have gone to jail for what he did. How you convinced your father not to beat the living shit out of him, I’ll never know. The man I knew wouldn’t have let him get away with it.” He runs a hand over his face before meeting her eyes again. “I’ll never understand it, Savi. Never.”
“He never knew.” Savi’s voice is barely audible.
Sam draws back. “What?” Shock lines crease his forehead. “Why?”
“Because I didn’t tell him.”
“Why the hell not?” Anger sharpens his tone. “Your father would ha?—"
“Stop, Sam. He didn’t know and I’m glad.”
“But Savi … you were his pride and joy. You know he would have done something.”
“And that’s why I never said anything to him. I needed time to think. Drake’s father’s a senator. He also has ties with some very shady people. I didn’t want to take the chance that someone would hurt my father.”
“Your father could take care of himself. Are you telling me he knew nothing? I can hardly believe that.”
“He did, I guess, but he gave me my space. I guess he figured I’d tell him and Mom when I was ready. I let them believe that it was just a bad breakup.” Her gaze drops to the floor. “I was embarrassed.”
Sam’s expression withers. “Honey, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. He raped you.”
“Sam!” Savi’s eyes snap to him, then to me, and then she drops her face into her hands.
“Now, you look at me, Savannah.” Sam pulls her hands away and closes into her personal space. She raises her eyes which are shimmering with tears.
“You told me what happened, so I’m surprised you didn’t tell them—but I understand your reasons. Drake isn’t nothing but a piece of shit. Any man who’d hurt a woman isn’t a man, in my book. If he comes near you again, I’ll be waiting for him.”
“Me, too,” I add.
She forces a smile and looks at her watch. “I’ve got to go. Gigi’s waiting for me.”
“I’ll drive you.” I pull the truck keys from my pocket.
“You don’t have to do that,” she says, dismissing me with a wave of her hand. “I’m fine.”
“I’m not taking no for an answer. I’ll drive you home tonight, then bring you back tomorrow. You can get your car then.”
Exhaustion is transparent in her expression, yet there’s still resistance in her eyes.
“Go with him, Savannah.” Sam looks at me. “And, if you see Drake? Kick his ass.”
As Savannah retrieves her purse, Sam wraps his arms around her. “I’d never let anyone hurt you, honey.” His tone is soothing. Comforting.
Savi meets his eyes, forcing a sad smile. “I know.”