Blue Twilight (15 page)

Chapter 30

Lisa read the note one more time before folding and placing it back in her pocket. It felt like tucking her dreams away. The crazy thing was, she didn’t wish Jake any ill will. She hoped his new album was successful, and she’d always remember the opportunity he’d given her. She just had new dreams, bigger dreams, to focus on. “Isn’t that right, baby?” she murmured as she rubbed her stomach. The life growing inside of her is what made her realize, more than ever, that she had to get her life together. Obviously, she wouldn’t be returning to Tennessee. Maybe they could settle here. She was sure she could find work somewhere, and peanut would love living by the beach. It hurt more than she wanted to admit to think about leaving her old life behind, but she had to stop looking back. With her mind made up, she vowed to call a real estate agent in the morning to start the process of selling her home. Feeling better now that she had a plan, Lisa cradled her abdomen. “I’m going to love you enough for two people,” she whispered. “We don’t need him.” Her throat caught on the lie, and a lone tear fell cold against her cheek. Quickly swiping it away, she heard her stomach growl. “Guess it’s time to eat, huh?” she asked and patted her small bump once more before standing.

A snorting noise made her glance around, and she saw a pug waddle its way past her. He was blowing icy puffs of air out as he led his owner down the boardwalk at a brisk pace. Smiling, she lifted her hand in a wave at the dog’s owner who was farther back and slightly hidden in the shadows.
Why did he look so familiar?
Shaking off the thought, she figured she was just tired. Looking forward to food and a shower, she headed back to her hotel.

***

Once he was sure Lisa was out of earshot, Hank pulled the leash to stop the pug from going any further. Pulling his phone from his pocket, he quickly dialed. “I found her. She’s headed your way now.” After another minute of conversation, he put the phone away and picked the dog up as he jogged back toward his car. “I’m getting too old for this,” he huffed as he slid behind the wheel and headed for his next destination.

***

Walking through the lobby, Lisa debated on going to the hotel’s restaurant or ordering something in. She rubbed her arms as she waited for the elevator.

“Lisa?”

She spun around and found herself staring into a pair of familiar eyes. “Debra? What are you doing here? How did you find me?”

Debra looked sheepish for a moment. “Your mom… please don’t be mad at her. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Lisa crossed her arms over her chest. But try as she might, she couldn’t summon the strength to stay angry for long. The elevator doors dinged open and for a moment, she considered getting on and leaving the entire conversation behind. Sighing, she embraced her friend instead. “It’s good to see you,” she finally admitted as the doors closed and the elevator started its ascent without her.

Debra’s eyes shone with tears. “How are you doing, sugar? You feeling okay?”

Lisa blew the hair out of her face. “I guess. A little nauseous still, but it’s getting better.” Shifting her feet, she knew that’s not what Debra was referring to, but chose to ignore it anyway. “I was actually just on my way to get something to eat…you want to join me?”

Debra smiled. “I’d love that. There’s this great place right next to where I’m staying-
The Sandstone
, have you heard of it?”

“Sure, that’s a popular spot with the locals.” Looking down at her less-than-stellar appearance, she added, “Maybe I should change first…”

“Nonsense. Don’t change a thing,” Debra said as she grabbed Lisa’s jacket and started pulling her toward the exit. They stepped out front, and Debra made a show of patting her pockets. “Shoot, I must have set my cell down inside. I’ll be right back.” Lisa waited as she disappeared inside. Coming back a minute later, she smiled. “All set. Let’s go.”

Once they were seated in Debra’s SUV, an awkward silence settled over them. Wringing her hands together, she studied her friend. Clearly, Debra wasn’t going to bring him up.
Good. She didn’t want to know.

After a few more minutes of silence, she wasn’t able to take it any longer and turned toward her friend. “How is he?” she asked quietly.

Keeping her eyes on the road, Debra let out a breath. “The truth?” She glanced quickly at Lisa and at her nod, continued. “He’s miserable, sugar.”

Lisa’s eyes filled, and she turned to stare out the window. A small part of her expected to feel relief at Debra’s words, but all she felt was bone wrenching grief. Sniffling quietly, she watched the familiar beach scenery pass her window.

“He’s an ass,” Debra said suddenly. Lisa turned to her in shock. Debra patted her hand softly. “I can say it because I love him, but it’s true, you know.” When Lisa didn’t say anything, Debra continued. “There’s no excuse for what he did, Lisa. I tried to warn him from the very beginning when I saw what was happening between you two. But he fell so hard, so fast…” At a stoplight, she glanced over and met Lisa’s gaze in the darkness. “I’m not saying it’s an excuse,” she continued quickly, “But that man loves you more than life itself, Lisa.”

Lisa’s throat felt thick, and she had to force the words past the knot. “How can I believe that? He’s married…”

“Lisa, his marriage was over before it even began. He married Alex five years ago—”

“Please,” Lisa interrupted, throwing her hands in the air “I don’t want to hear the details.”

Debra grabbed one of Lisa’s hands as they began driving again. “But you
need
to.” When they reached
The Sandstone
, Debra pulled into a spot and cut the engine before turning to face Lisa fully. “Jake was just starting to get noticed on the music scene, and there was talk that he might land a recording contract. On a trip to Nashville, he met Alex. Everyone could see she was nothing but trouble…everyone, but Jake. He refused to listen to our warnings. He signed the contract and shortly after, she talked him into proposing. Alex insisted on living in Nashville, so Jake left the only home he’d ever known to make her happy. But it still wasn’t enough. When the paparazzi first started sniffing around, Alex ate up the attention. She welcomed it. And Jake…well, you know how he felt. When he started making arrangements to keep his identity quiet, Alex threw a fit. Jake finally started to see what we’d been trying to tell him all along. But by then, it was too late. He told her he wanted a divorce and made arrangements to move back home.”

Debra paused to let the information sink in. Trying to process everything, Lisa could easily recognize Alex as nothing more than a gold-digging, fame whore.

But something still didn’t add up. “But if he filed for divorce, why are they still married?”

Debra sighed. “They are because Alex refused to sign the papers. She always wanted more—more money, more things. She threatened Jake with going to the press with a story that would prove Jake abused her.” Debra pressed her hands to her eyes. “Jake worked so hard to get to where he was. To have it all destroyed by Alex was too much. She agreed to a confidentiality contract that would keep her from contacting the press as long as Jake continued to pay her. He’s done it for years and figured it was just easier than fighting with her…until you came along. He realized he couldn’t keep living half a life. When he left you that first time, it was to try and get her to sign the papers once and for all. They fought, but then a few weeks ago, she finally agreed. He offered her an absurd amount of money to go away once and for all, and we thought she’d finally agreed and it was over. Apparently we were all wrong. The only way she’d agree was for him to sign everything over to her. She wanted his house, all the profits from his first album…she wanted it all.”

Lisa glanced up in shock. There was no way Jake would agree to that. That house had belonged to his parents. He’d grown up there. It meant too much to him. Pressing a hand to her heart, she realized even if they could get past this, there was just no way for them to be together. Alex would always be lurking in the shadows.

Debra looked at Lisa and sighed again. “Yeah, it looks like I’ll have a permanent fixture bunking on my couch…unless you know of anyone who wants to take in a lovesick country singer?”

Lisa’s wide gaze shot to Debra.

Chuckling, she placed her hand over Lisa’s. “But enough talk, let’s go get a drink…well, I’ll get a drink, you get some juice or something.”

Dumbfounded, Lisa sat in the SUV for another minute before realizing Debra was waiting on her. Her mind was whirling. If Jake got the divorce finalized, then they could be together. The question was whether or not she could forgive him. Could she ever trust him again?

“It’s busy in here,” Debra remarked as she signaled a hostess. They were led up toward the front of the restaurant where a makeshift stage had been set up. “They must have a band getting ready to play.” A waitress appeared and took their drink orders.

Debra was still looking over the rest of the menu when Lisa suddenly pulled it out of her hands. “Why did you tell me all of that?”

Debra shrugged. “I thought you deserved to know. You wouldn’t speak to Jake.”

Pressing her palms to her eyes, she groaned. “Deb…”

Debra pulled her hands away. “Listen, you don’t have to decide anything right now. Take some time to think about things. You’ll know when you have your answer.” She patted Lisa’s hand and went back to looking over the menu.

Lisa didn’t think she’d ever figure out an answer that easily. Blowing the hair out of her face, she picked up her menu. As she was narrowing her choices down, a gentleman walked out onto the stage to address the crowd.

“Folks, thank you all for coming out tonight on such short notice. It is an honor and a privilege to introduce our featured act for the evening. And with that, I turn the microphone over to his manager.”

Applause broke out all around their table as another man emerged from the shadows and shook hands with the restaurant owner.

As he stepped into the light, Lisa’s eyes widened as she recognized Hank. “Oh hell,” she whispered.

Debra reached across the table and grabbed one of Lisa’s hands. “Steady now,” she said loud enough to be heard over the noise of the crowd.

Hank grabbed the microphone. “Well, I don’t know how much of an introduction this man needs.” He paused as the crowd erupted into whistles and cat calls. Hank chuckled. “That’s what I thought. His debut album went multi-platinum, and we’re pleased to announce that his second album will be releasing in a matter of days.” He paused again as the restaurant exploded with noise. He made a quieting gesture with his hands before continuing. “Alright, without further ado, let me introduce you to the man, the myth, Ryder!” He jumped down off the stage and made his way to Debra. “Hey gorgeous,” he said giving her a quick kiss. “I see you found our girl.”

“I found her,” Deb murmured. “But I don’t know if she’s staying.”

Lisa barely heard a word they said as she fixed her eyes on the stage. Someone came out and adjusted the microphone and then set a stool center stage. The crowd around her erupted with chants of “Ryder, Ryder!” and Lisa felt her heart rate kick up a notch. When Jake finally appeared carrying his guitar, Lisa thought the roof would blow off with the amount of noise. Pressing her hands to her ears, she couldn’t help but be proud of him.

Jake situated himself on the stool and began strumming a few notes of one of his more popular songs. The crowd erupted again, and Jake smiled. “How are y’all doing tonight?” he asked them. The responding roar made him grin harder. He turned and locked his gaze on Lisa. “You know, this new album has been a challenge. But I had a tremendous amount of help from an up and coming song writer. And so, now, I’d like to play the title track to my new album,
Blue Twilight
.”

Lisa thought she might pass out.
Title track?
He’d made her song the title track to his new album?
Is he insane?
She barely had time to register the thought as Jake began to sing the words she knew so well.

Standing here, on a night like this

Knowing things may never be the same

I give you my heart as I give you a kiss

And with the breeze, I whisper your name

Angel, you’re too good to be true

My heart must be telling lies

For I see Heaven when I look at you

And I see the blue twilight in your eyes

You never see it coming

Until it’s far too late

What the future will bring

Is left up to fate

Angel, you’re too good to be true

My heart must be telling lies

For I see Heaven when I look at you

And I see the blue twilight in your eyes

But for now, in this moment

You are mine for tonight

And I couldn’t ask for any more

Than to love you in the blue twilight