Midnight Diamonds (25 page)

After the service, Silver went to her mother’s house and stayed for dinner. She’d felt the need to be with Amelia and continue the healing. Getting to know her mother for the first time had proved to be a lot of fun. Who knew the Ice Queen had a sense of humor?

Now on the last day and last hour of school before Christmas break, Silver stood outside her classroom, watching her students finish the week. Gifts were exchanged. Lockers were cleaned out except for textbooks no one took home. Trash cans were filled to overflowing, and promises were made to keep in touch on Facebook or Twitter during the long holiday.

Media venues, names, and faces changed, but one thing remained the same: high school would always be high school.

The intercom system beeped and Jackie Calloway spoke loudly to be heard over the chaos in the hallways.

“Attention. May I have your attention? Attention, please! Quiet!”

Silver grinned as she heard the principal lose her patience, but the students lowered their voices.

“This is a reminder that all students and faculty should immediately report to the auditorium for today’s seventh hour assembly.” As if she could hear the same groans that Silver heard, Jackie responded with a strained voice. “Please hurry, so we can get you home for the holidays. We don’t want to delay this any more than you do.”

Several of the students laughed, and everyone began walking to the large auditorium. Silver fell in step after closing her classroom door. It took a good ten minutes before everyone settled into their seats. From where she stood at the back of the large room with the other teachers, Silver noticed a few front row seats had been sectioned off with white ribbon.

“Hey, Sil, there are some seats up front.”

Startled to hear Becky’s voice, she didn’t have time to react before being pulled toward the front row. Digging in her heels, she finally managed to stop.

“Becky! I thought you were out of town.”

“I was. Now I’m back. Let’s go.”

“I can’t sit up front because I have to be back here with the teachers.”

Becky seemed at a loss for words, then she leaned close. “I’m not supposed to tell you, but Clay is singing a song he wrote about his grandmother, and he wants you to sit up front.”

“Ooh, how sweet.” Silver followed Becky down the aisle and sat in one of the reserved seats. Becky sat in the reserved seat on her left. Silver noticed that the seat on the right of her was also reserved. Maybe for Clay’s mother, she thought. At that moment, Jackie Calloway walked onto the stage and spoke into a microphone set center stage front.

“Good afternoon, everyone. We have a couple of surprises for you today. First, the Aquarius Club will be singing a holiday tribute to the Carpenters under the direction of our substitute teacher, Gracie McQueen. And, as a formal announcement, Ms. McQueen has been hired as a permanent member of the staff.”

As students clapped and cheered, Silver smiled at Becky. She had no idea where they’d found the money to hire Gracie, but what an awesome way to end the semester. Two dozen students dressed in tie-dyed T-shirts and blue jeans climbed multi-level risers and arranged themselves into groups. Gracie walked out in a floor-length, canary yellow caftan bejeweled with hundreds of sparkling blue gems in a swirling pattern.

“I love that dress she has on!” Becky exclaimed quietly.

“It’s definitely something we’d never fight over,” Silver said with amusement.

A sound track began of “Merry Christmas, Darling.” The students sang and swayed to the music, filling the room with their voices. Mesmerized by their voices, a frisson of irritation speared her when someone sat down behind her, as if they’d just arrived. She didn’t turn around but she shifted in her seat to let the person know how rude he or she was.

The choir’s next song, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” had everyone singing along. Students in the audience stood up, dancing the best they could in their seats. When the choir was done, the room erupted into applause as the singers bowed.

Gracie came to the microphone. “Thank you, everyone. Clay Stevens is now going to sing a song he wrote for his grandmother who passed away recently.”

Carrying a stool and a guitar, Clay walked out and arranged the microphone lower. He sat down, plucked a few strings, then began playing a hauntingly beautiful melody, and Silver was drawn into his music. The lyrics were simple and sweet, a wonderful tribute to his grandmother, but the chorus moved Silver to tears:

“And I will never forget you

You’ll always be part of me

Though I miss your smile,

It’s only a while,

I’ll see you in eternity.”

Silver’s thoughts went directly to Justin. Her heart had ached for him these past weeks. He’d called several times the past few days, but she hadn’t answered. She had to let him go since he wouldn’t be part of her life. Every night she told herself to get a grip, and every night she cried herself to sleep. Moving quickly past the memories of Justin Rivers had proven to be, quite simply, impossible.

Having the next two weeks off for break would help her to put it all behind her and to be ready for next semester.

She brought her attention back to Clay as Becky pressed a tissue into her hands. The audience gave Clay a well-deserved standing ovation. One of the choir members carried off the stool for Clay, and Jackie came back out to the microphone.

“Wow, that was incredible, Clay. I know your grandmother is smiling down from heaven.” More applause greeted those words. “We have one more surprise today, and I think it’s been a well-kept secret.”

Becky gripped her left arm and looked a bit scared.

“Sil, promise you’re not going to freak out at me.”

“About what?”

Someone sat down on her right and she turned, expecting to see Emily Stevens, but instead saw Hunter Rivers.

“Hunter, what are you doing here?”

“I was in the neighborhood.” He shushed Silver, pointed to Jackie, and took Silver’s right arm in a firm grip.

“He will also be singing at graduation ceremonies this spring,” Jackie continued. Cheers broke out among the students.

Silver frowned and turned back to Becky. “You didn’t.”

Someone touched her shoulder from behind, so she craned her neck to see who it was. Her mouth dropped open when she saw Connie and Amelia sitting side by side.

“Don’t make a scene, dear. Enjoy the show.” Amelia encouraged in a whisper.

Silver whispered to her best friend—correction, former best friend: “You are so dead.”

Jackie’s raised her arms and announced what Silver already knew. “Give a big GaGa welcome to…Justin Rivers!” She carried the microphone off with her.

Pandemonium broke out as loud cheering and screaming echoed in the auditorium. The two people on either side raised Silver to her feet. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t wiggle out of their grasp. Her heart beat so fast she thought it would jump out of her chest.

Justin. Here.

If possible, the noise level went up, though she couldn’t see him yet. After a few moments, she realized why. She’d been expecting him to walk onto the stage from the wings, but evidently he was coming in from the back. A spotlight, guided by one of the drama students, followed his progress into the room.

Suddenly he was there, riding a white horse—where did he get a horse?—wearing a white dress shirt, black jeans and boots, and a white cowboy hat. She remembered Jackie saying he should wear a white hat for rescuing Silver.

He guided the horse to the front of the room, swung one leg over and hopped off, throwing the reins to a young man who led the animal out of the auditorium.

“Breathe,” Becky whispered frantically.

Silver didn’t realize she’d held her breath. She started taking in air again, rapid little spurts that sounded raspy. What in the world was Justin doing here? She took a step forward to leave but was pulled her back down into her seat.

Justin motioned for everyone to sit. “Hi, everyone. Wow, great crowd.” The students cheered for a few more moments as Justin smiled at them, climbing the front steps to the stage. “Clay Stevens? Come on out here.” He waited while students yelled and Clay came out from the wings, carrying a guitar that he handed to Justin. “Man, you are one talented guy. I’d really be honored if you’d consider working on my tour this summer.”

Clay’s mouth dropped open. “Are you serious, Mr. Rivers? That would be awesome!”

To answer him, Justin turned to his right hand woman. “Becky, sign him on.” She gave him a thumbs up with her free hand to show she’d heard him. Clay gave a whoop and ran back to the stage wings.

Silver drank in the sight of Justin. She loved the white hat over his dark hair, and she noticed the small mike on one side of his cheek. When she saw the tight jeans, her stomach clenched. She had washed his jeans…and his Iron Man boxers. God, she loved his tight jeans. She loved his boots. She loved his smile.

She loved this cowboy.

“I appreciate you letting me come here today, because it’s a very special day. Only a few more minutes until Christmas break!”

Clearing his throat while laughter rippled across the room, Justin looked down at Silver, his eyes cautious and hungry.

“Hi, Miss Madison.”

Well, that was one way to silence an entire room of high school students.

Silver blinked to hold back the tears and someone gently poked her in the back.

“Say something!” her mother whispered.

She cleared her throat. “Hello, Mr. Rivers.”

Oohs
and
aahs
sounded all through the room.

“How have you been?”

He was asking in front of all these people? What did he think she was going to say? The Madison blood rose up in her, and she raised her chin.

“How do you think I’ve been, Justin?”

Soft jeers vibrated through the room. Justin walked closer to the edge of the stage.

“Me, too,” he said softly.

His response wasn’t what she expected, and try as she might to stop it, her defenses weakened. She held on, but her heart said to let go. How could she? He’d only hurt her again, and now he paraded her pain around like a circus act. She glared at him, using anger as a shield to let him know she wouldn’t budge.

His next words were for the audience. “One of the reasons I’m here today is sing a new song. Is that all right?”

Silver heard the students cheer their response and saw him smile. In spite of the emotions that flooded her chest, she settled back to listen, realizing her arms were free and she could leave if she wanted to.

* * *

Justin cleared his throat as he adjusted the guitar. He was going all in for this hand, winner take all…or lose all.

“Country music tells a story, so this song is dedicated to the love my grandparents share, and to the woman who inspires me. It’s called, ‘Midnight Diamonds.’”

His fingers began strumming the instrument as he focused on Silver. She watched him with wariness and he didn’t blame her. Maybe this song could say what he wanted her to know.

“Someone should have told us that love is hard to hold.

It isn’t vows or wedding cake or rings of solid gold.

It isn’t moonlight kisses or cuddling in the snow.

Love means holding on when your dreams are letting go.

All I ever wanted was to take hold of this fame.

Now I know this starlight isn’t everything it claims.

I miss the shining beauty and the wonder of your love

It’s the only thing that my heart is dreaming of.

Your tears are precious gems, midnight diamonds in my hands.

I hate the pain I’ve caused you, and I need to make amends.

Of all the gifts you’ve given, the rarest of them all

Is loving me,

Unconditionally,

Even while midnight diamonds fall.

Take away my job and friends, drive away my car.

The one thing I can’t lose is your faith in who we are.

Faith is something hoped for, even though we cannot see.

Love means holding on even when you don’t believe.

Your tears are precious gems, midnight diamonds in my hands.

I hate the pain I’ve caused you, and I want to make amends.

Of all the gifts you’ve given, the rarest of them all

Is loving me,

Unconditionally,

Even while midnight diamonds fall.”

Justin continued to play softly. “Now I need to say a few words and I hope you’ll all listen quietly.” Waving to the side, he waited for Clay then handed him the guitar.

He turned his gaze to Silver, who sat on the front row with a tissue pressed against her face, wiping away tears. Not knowing what she’d say or how she’d react scared the hell out of him, but he couldn’t give up.

One more try.

“Silver Madison, you walked into my life and turned it completely upside down. I nearly ruined yours, so I’m here to publicly and formally apologize. You did nothing wrong, and I callously involved you in my self-centered journey to fame. I’ve never met anyone more honest or open than you.” Gracie came onstage carrying a huge bouquet of fire and ice roses. “I’d really appreciate it if you’d come up here and let me give you these flowers as my way of making amends.”

When she shook her head, Justin walked down the center steps and stood before Silver, holding out his hand.

“I know our path has been rocky, and I have no right to ask it of you, but would you walk with me a little further? Please?”

Light applause began, then grew louder as she took his hand and walked up the stairs to the stage. The fear shining through her tears broke his heart. Stopping beside him, she waited.