Page 24 of Wildfire
I peel off my clothes, slip into my swim trunks and flip-flops, and grab a towel from the linen closet. The sun is still high enough in the sky to warm my skin as I go down to the lake’s edge. I toss my towel on the small dock we built last year and kick off my flip-flops before diving in.
I freestyle all the way to Avery’s family’s dock and rest in the water for a moment before turning back, doing the backstroke. I didn’t notice my mom’s truck pull into the driveway or Renée climb the stairs to her apartment. But when I reach my dock and pull myself out, I catch a movement on her balcony out of the corner of my eye and see her standing there watching me with her guitar in her hand.
She startles when I look her way, waves, and then ducks into the apartment before descending and hopping back in my mom’s truck. They both wave and then tear out of the driveway before I can walk over and chat with them.
I head into the house with a shitful grin on my face. I don’t know why, but catching her watching me makes me feel full of myself as I peel off my wet swim trunks to shower quickly.
And “little Chief” agrees. I’m flying full-staff by the time the water warms up, and I have no choice but to take care of things. Thinking about the first time I saw Renée, with her spidery long legs and the curve of her ass framed by those perfect jean shorts, has me crossing the finish line in no time.
What can I say? It’s been a long time since I’ve been with anyone. But maybe Buzz is right. Perhaps that’s going to change.
Chapter Twelve: Renée
Callie takes me to meet the band, and they are happy to let me sing a cover song with them. I am scared as hell, but I bang it out as best I can. I also harmonize with Georgia, their lead singer, on another song. When I finish, they ask if I have any material of my own. I didn't know this night could get any better, but it does.
"Wow, really? I'd love to play something I wrote last year."
Georgia reaches for her guitar, but I'd grabbed mine from the apartment before we came. So I run out to the truck, grab my guitar, and use the time to try to take some breaths and steady my hands. This is it. This is what my life is going to be like in L.A.
I need to get used to these things.
When I walk back in, I notice Callie off to the side, talking to someone I haven't met yet. I am sort of relieved. I don't want her asking any questions about the lyrics since they're about my mom.
I sit down on the stool in front of the microphone as my heart thunders in my chest. My ears and cheeks feel sunburnt from the heat pouring out of me. But as I start playing, the music just sweeps over me, and I get lost in the way that you want to get lost. Like you forget yourself, and you forget your body, and all you know is the music. All you experience is the way the melody sweeps you off your feet and carries you to that sweet heaven that is the sound.
When I finish, I look up, and all eyes are on me. Now, the thunder is coming from their clapping and whistling instead of my heart.
"That was fucking amazing, Renée!" Georgia comes up and wraps her arms around me. "Please play with us at the festival. Please play that song next week for the opening night!"
"Are you— oh my god, are you serious? You want me to play with you?"
"Yeah, and if you're up for doing some harmonies too, we've got three other cover songs you'd be perfect for."
Callie strolls up with the woman she was talking to, beaming with pride. "Great job, Renée. You're a natural."
My throat catches as I thank her and turn to the band. "So, do we need to practice together before next week?"
"Meet us here tomorrow night and again on Friday. I'll bring you some song sheets." Georgia smiles at me, and the bass player, Trevor, claps me on the back as I walk off the stage, guitar in hand.
"Hey, Renée?"
"Yeah, Georgia?"
"What tuning was that song in? If you like, we can work on some accompaniment."
"Drop D."
"I thought so. It sounded great. I'll bring an extra guitar and have it tuned and ready tomorrow."
I nod and float toward Callie, standing next to the pretty young brunette with emerald green eyes and black-framed glasses.
"Great job, Renée." She pulls me in with a tight squeeze, releasing my chest just a little more from the tight ball that always sits there.
"This is Serena Davis, our town's mayor. Serena, this is Renée. She's helping me finish my boats and gazebo before the festival."
Serena sticks out her hand to shake mine, and when I look into her eyes, it is like I am looking at an old friend. She seems to ooze kindness, and I wonder if there is something in the drinking water in this town.
"How are you liking our town?"
