Chapter 10
TEN
ROYCE
The bell chiming over the door of the Drip was incessant. So much so that I drafted a text to my Aunt Natty. Her coffee shop was too popular for her to have something as obnoxious as a bell chiming every time someone walked in.
Me: Aunt Natty, you have to remove the bell over the door. I’ve been sitting here for over ten minutes, and the bell hasn’t stopped chiming.
Typically, when I texted her, Rook, or Ryle, they’d respond the next day.
Uncle Silas wasn’t the texting type. If I saw him in person, he’d side-hug me, but that and letting us play in his lemon orchard was about as much affection as he’d ever shown.
Which was why I was surprised when my phone pinged with a new text.
Aunty Natty: Royce! Oh my gosh, I’ve missed you, sweetheart. You know what, I’m going to ask Ford if he’ll remove the bell because we can’t have incessant chiming.
Me: You’re the best. Also, when are you coming back this time?
Rook and Ryle had been enrolled in academies abroad, but Rook had graduated well over four years ago and Ryle was on track to finish this year. So really, there was nothing keeping them away anymore unless they were worried about Max like Dad was.
Aunt Natty: Hopefully soon. Actually, how would you feel about going to the cottage and sprucing up the place? Just dust, and air everything out, maybe put on some fresh sheets? I’d pay you, sweetie.
Me: Of course I will, no need to pay me. I’ll head over right before I go into work tomorrow.
Aunt Natty: You’re the best. Love you, see you soon!
“Hey, you’re here.” Julian slid into the chair across from me, drawing my attention.
I set my phone down, watching him check his own. “I’ve been here for nearly twenty minutes.”
We agreed to meet at one, and it was almost half past the hour.
His handsome face twisted in a wince. “Sorry, babe.”
I hated when he called me that, and I’d told him as such several times.
“You wanted to chat?” I sipped from the coffee I had to buy myself since he’d arrived so late.
He glanced over my shoulder briefly, toward the chiming door at my back. “Yeah, I wanted to ask if you’d consider getting me a spot at the Hollow for a friend of mine?”
“Uh…” Wow, he was asking me to do him a favor while also helping someone else…this felt weird. “Can you give me some more information?”
He touched his cell again, making my eye twitch. “So, it’s someone I grew up with. She’s traveling through Virginia on these small tours, playing coffee shops and smaller venues. I mentioned the Hollow, and she was wondering if there was any way to fit her in this upcoming weekend.”
Irritation bristled under my skin as I smashed my lips together.
Not once had he even come down to the Hollow to see me, much less take actual notice of how incredible of a venue it was.
I didn’t blame him for trying to help his friend out, but how he assumed I’d drop everything annoyed me.
“I already have a band slotted for this weekend.”
Julian’s gaze trailed someone over my shoulder, and I realized a second later that Ford had walked up to the counter.
He was in his club cut and white T-shirt that revealed all the ink spread out along his arms. The man across from me shifted in his seat, seemingly uncomfortable, which reminded me of his utter dislike for the Stone Riders.
“Is everything okay?” I asked, flicking my eyes to Ford and back to Julian.
He leaned closer, furrowing his dark brows. “No, I just…why wear the leather vests inside places? I don’t get it.”
From anywhere in the shop, it would look like we were cozy or flirting.
Which was probably what Ford saw when he turned with his black coffee in his hand.
His glower was typical Ford, but after the moment we had in his work trailer, it felt different.
I instantly sat back, holding his gaze, but he flicked a curious glance to Julian then back to me.
I nearly shook my head, as if to tell him that I wasn’t on a date, but what difference would that make to him? I probably imagined the moment we had, even if he did say that he could never touch me because he wouldn’t stop. He hadn’t made any sort of move after that.
Ford took a sip of his coffee, locking his focus with me for two long seconds before turning and walking away. Right as he got to the front door, he ripped down the bell that hung above the frame.
I tried to fight a smile, but lost.
“So, what do you think, babe?”
Still watching the door, I rolled my eyes before turning back to Julian. “I already have a band booked, but I’m happy to keep your friend on the callback list.”
“There’s no way to push her up?” he all but begged.
“No, Julian. There’s not. These bands applied for their slot months ago. I’m not going to bump them for your friend who is randomly stopping through town.”
He began attempting to convince me, but I pushed his voice out and thought back to what my dad said about how Julian couldn’t keep me safe. He’d never been more right.
All I needed to do was officially cut him loose.
Rodney works for the mob.
Rodney works for Max.
What if Rodney worked for the devil?
Rodney serial killer?
My chin was propped against my palm as I wrote out my thoughts and crossed them off as I considered the likelihood of each idea. I had a pink planner in front of me with stickers, Post-its and markers. I didn’t care where I was, I brought them with me everywhere.
“This seat taken?” Someone slid onto the stool next to me, breaking my concentration. I fought the goose bumps erupting along my arms as I turned toward the hazel eyes already watching me. His voice sounded as rough as gravel and yet it grazed my ear as smooth as glass.
“It was holding my jacket, laptop bag, and purse,” I couldn’t help but smile at how Ford looked perched there, among my things. He hadn’t moved a single item.
“So, no, then?”
“What are you doing here?” Why did my voice sound so flirtatious, like I was one of the girls from the club, simpering in his presence.
Charlie gazed at me briefly, and I held up two fingers. With a nod, my favorite bartender turned his back to us and prepared our drinks.
“Did you just order for me?”
The music blared, so I had to dip my face closer to say, “Charlie makes the best drinks. Trust me, you’ll like this one.”
“So whatever he gives me, that one is your favorite?”
“I guess you could say that.” I tilted my head in curiosity. “Why?”
He shifted slightly. “I think you might have been right about how I don’t exactly know you anymore.”
I didn’t know what to say, but his knee shifted to where it touched mine.
“So tell me what else. You like getting tattoos?”
My face felt warm. “I do but I collect them like secrets. Placing them in places no one can see.”
His mouth twitched, right as the drinks were slid in front of us. He eyed the planner in front of me and lifted his chin. “You like to be organized?”
Lifting my shoulder, I explained. “I do for the Hollow. For my own life, I don’t mind being chaotic. I like pink, that hasn’t changed. I like riding, and baking if I get to eat whatever I’m making.”
“Do you still like those fields out by your house?” The way his eyes seemed to brighten at the mention of those fields, I was nearly robbed of speech.
How did he know about those? I loved walking in those fields as a kid.
I used to do that for hours if Mom and Dad let me.
I’d dance out there, I’d sit in thunderstorms out there, and write out ideas for the Hollow.
I kissed Connor for the first time out in those fields because he knew they were my favorite place. Maybe he’d told Ford.
I opened my mouth to reply, but the band finished their set, which meant I had to run to greet them. “Shoot, hang on. I’ll be right back.”
I wasn’t sure if Ford would still be there when I returned, but I had to focus on my job. The band thanked our venue for hosting them, and I slipped through the back curtain onto the stage seconds later. The mic waited for me as I took position in front of it.
“Let’s give it up for Hankered.” The room exploded with applause.
My face hurt from smiling as I stared out at the hundred or so people gathered along the floor.
When I was a kid, there were couches and tables set up, but once Rodney took over, he’d cleared it all out for the dance floor.
Now, there was just seating near the bar and along the walls, in some places. Otherwise, you’d have to go upstairs.
“We have another incredible set prepared for you, but while we wait, go give Charlie a visit and order my favorite drink from him. It’s a lavender sunset; you won’t be sorry!”
I caught Ford’s smile as he sipped the drink that I had ordered for him.
There was an odd spark in my chest at seeing him sitting there, in my spot, and watching me work.
The smile cresting his handsome face made my knees feel weak, and the words he’d spoken earlier became like an anthem in my head.
I wondered if I could test the no touching waters with him, see how serious he was about it.
I turned the mic off and turned back toward the band.
“Royce, you’re the best.” The band members began hugging me, which was normal, but when I got to the bassist, it got weird. His arms twisted around me in a tight vise, his lips landed near my ear, and with the way we were positioned near the curtain, I didn’t think anyone could see us.
“I saw that video of you. I haven’t stopped fucking my hand to that image, and I knew playing here tonight that I’d see you. Baby, your short skirt is doing things for me.”
My heart squeezed and thudded against my chest as panic swarmed me. My throat swelled, and my eyes burned as I pushed him away, but his hold on me was rock-solid.
“Let me go.” I rasped angrily, but all we did was back up, where I’d be hidden from sight within seconds. Tears gathered as I tried to breathe. His bandmate saw me struggle with him, but didn’t do anything to help.