Page 15 of Only for the Moment
“Not a lot.” She paused as if testing out words in her mind. She did that, considering things she said before letting them out. Came from a home life run by judgmental parents.“We’re having some issues with the headliner for the benefit.”
“Chris?” He’d recommended the guy personally, knowing the chart-topping performer would be a huge draw in Australia. “What’s the problem?”
“His record label is pressuring him to drop us in favor of a higher profile opportunity in Europe the same week.”
Damn it, that wasn’tnot a lot. “He said no, right?”
“He says he’s not surewhat he can work out. Which leaves us in the dark as to whether or not we’ll have a major act when ninety percent of our tickets are already sold.”
“That’s fucking ridiculous.” He’d never have pegged the guy for bailing, but then he also wasn’t that close to him. They’d shared a stage a couple of times, and Isaac knew Chris did a good bit of charity work—which was why he’d approached him withthis opportunity. He hadn’t heard any stories on the grapevine that would indicate this. Maybe it truly was just pressure from the label; he of all people knew how hard that was to deal with. “How long before he’ll confirm?”
Grace’s voice went tight, a sure sign she had low hopes for this to work out. “He won’t give us a date.”
“Leave it to me.” Chris would confirm one way or the other today.“I’ll get back to you within twenty-four hours with a definite answer.”
“And if he can’t perform?”
This was the fourth anniversary of the charity’s founding, the fifth anniversary of Oliver’s death. It meant everything to Grace and the kids she cared about so much. He wouldn’t let them down. “Then I’ll have a replacement ready for you, I promise. I won’t leave you hanging.”
Another one of thosepregnant pauses. “You know…you could—”
“No.”
It was gut instinct, that denial. He’d spent five years running from his home, his memories. Going back was impossible. He swallowed the bitter taste in the back of his throat, deliberately gentled his voice. “Grace… I’m sorry, but I can’t.” Face his past? As if his psyche wasn’t already fucked up enough right now. Grace was the only good thing hecarried with him from that time in his life—that and his ambition to succeed.
It was selfish; he knew that. In some ways not being in Sydney kept Oliver alive in his mind, as if his best friend had gone on a trip and would be back any minute. As if Isaac hadn’t had his world shattered when the man who’d been his brother for almost two decades had walked into the surf and not come back. Returningto Australia would be like facing an oncoming train, and coward that he was, he couldn’t do it, not yet. Not even for Grace.
His friend cleared her throat. “Right.” No condemnation or sarcasm, just a mutual understanding of the scars they both carried. The word still burned like acid.
“Five years,” she said on a sigh. “I can’t believe it. I haven’t been sleeping well.”
Neither have I.But hewouldn’t say so; Grace wouldn’t carry his burdens along with her own, not if he could help it.
“I wish I could see you.”
NotI wish you were here. Grace wouldn’t ask again. The guilt threatened to drown him.
“You deserve so much better than me, Grace.”
She murmured a sound—agreement, disagreement; he couldn’t tell. “So do you, my friend.”
“You’ll hear from me tomorrow, I promise.”
“Okay.Love you, bro.”
Bro.Oliver had also called himbrother. He closed his eyes tight. “Love you too.”
He ended the call, staring down at the empty screen for a long time. Next thing he knew, his guitar was flying across the balcony to smash against the heavy railing.
“Boss?”
Nick’s shout was followed by pounding footsteps. Isaac didn’t turn around. No one needed to see the anger tearing him upinside. “It’s all right, Nick.”
The silence stretched out for a long moment. Finally Nick stepped onto the balcony. “What do you need?”
There was only one thing that came to mind, but he wasn’t certain he could get it. He’d sure as hell try, though. “Wanna go for a walk?”
“Sure.”
Isaac headed inside to dress, leaving the shattered remains of his instrument behind. It was the shattered piecesof himself he needed to put together, and it wasn’t a guitar that could do it. It was a woman, and he was going to find her.
