Page 47 of Out of the Blue

Her words spur me on. “It’s funny you say that. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but I’m in a band and we’re touring the eastern part of the United States.” I omit the fact we’re opening for Hunte. I’ll get to this delightful piece of information later. “Our next stop is in Manchester. Do you think.” I clear my throat. “Would you and your family want to come and see us perform tomorrow night?”

“Oh, honey! How exciting! I’ll make sure to change whatever plans we have to be there. Where are you playing? One of the bars on Franconia Street?”

I trace the company’s logo on the cup. “No, not any of those bars. We’re going to be at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford. Is it far from where you live?”

“The. Bank. Pavilion,” she sputters.

“Yes. We’re not the headliners, we’re the opening act.”

She recovers her grace. “You soon will be! Who are you opening for?”

It’s now or never. “In an odd twist of fate, we won a radio station contest back in New York City, and the prize was this tour.” I steady my voice. “We’re opening for Hunte.”

Coughing takes over the airwaves. “Oh my.” More coughing. “Have you told him?”

“No.” My single syllable is definitive and hard.

“Oh, okay. Does he treat you well?”

“He treats everyone with respect as far as I can see. But I don’t spend any time with him if I can help it.”

She’s quiet for a few moments, which I allow her. After all, it’s not every day you reconnect with your nephew who admits he’s touring with his father, totally unbeknownst to said sperm donor.

“I’m glad. At least you’re forging your own relationship with your father, even if he’s unaware his blood runs through your veins.”

I’m done talking about him. “So, will you be able to make it? I can leave tickets and backstage passes for you at Will Call.”

“I wouldn’t miss this performance for anything in the world, Trenton.”

Her words settle into my soul, releasing a fragment of happiness I believed never would reappear. “Pleasecall me Trent. And I’m looking forward to seeing you and Uncle Casey. And finally meeting my cousins.” I pause a beat. “I love you.”

Chapter 15 - Cordelia

As I overhear Trent’s last words to his aunt, the results for my search about “how to overcome writer’s block” fill my screen. Since my work concerning stage fright has been helping him, I’m confident I’ll get some great tips about this new issue from my search. His life seems to be getting back on track. Sipping my coffee, I write down ideas to help my boyfriend.

My pen lifts from the hotel’s notepad.Boyfriend. I swore after Big Rolls no one would ever get that moniker from me again. Yet here I am, doling it out without reservation. During the call I just had with my sister, Juanita even teased me about him, but I shut her down. In my heart of hearts, I know he’ll leave me like everyone else in my life. Our agreement certainly isn’t permanent. Maybe we’ll last until the end of the tour, but who knows? At least I’m getting some great sex out of the deal.

“She’s coming. She’s bringing her whole family.”

I drop the pad onto the table and focus on Trent, who’s standing in the bedroom doorway, wearing a gigantic smile. I grab my cell and snap a photo. “Fans will love this one.”

He strides over and places his hands on my shoulders. Bending down so our eyes are even, he whispers, “Thank you.” His lips cover mine. This kiss is different from our usual ones. It lacks urgency, the frenetic desire underscoring our relationship. My heart reaches out for more, yet I pull away. Such emotions won’t take me far.

“I’m guessing things went well with your aunt?”

“They did. They’re coming to the concert. Oh, do you have any tickets? I told her I’d leave some for her and her family at Will Call, together with backstage passes.”

“I’m so happy for you. But to answer your question, no, I don’t have any tickets.” Since the band’s connections with Apex, Raine and his boss—Hunte’s tour manager—Keith Davos, both were called away for some label planning meeting last night, I venture, “I think you’re going to have to ask Braxton.”

My pronouncement lands like a heavy rock in a puddle. Trent plops down on the sofa next to me, takes a sip of his coffee, and places the cup on the floor. “Yeah, I want to avoid that at all costs. I’ll ask the guys when we get together to practice.”

Even though I’m pretty sure none of them will have tickets either, I reply, “Sounds like a plan.”

Despite everything, he dons a smile. “Auntie affirmed what you said. The reason she and my mom had a falling out was over my father. She was the only person in the family to know the truth and they fought about whether to tell me all the time. When the opportunity for her to get married and move away came up, she ran for the exit.” He tugs on one of his dreadlocks. “Can’t say I blame her.”

Entranced, I watch as the sunlight bounces off the natural blondish overtones in his hair. “You’re such a striking man.”

He sits taller. “Now that’s something I could hear every day.” He reaches over and slides me toward him. He kisses me with all the passion and relief he’s clearly feeling.

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