This Trust of Mine (22 page)

"I love you, Kayla."

"I love you too, Madison."

Those words were my undoing along with hers. Before we could get
caught in the aftermath of what we had just done on my grandparent's sofa, I
pulled out of her and replaced her panties back where they belonged. As I
pulled my jeans back on, I caught her staring down at my crotch.

"Quiet the eager beaver aren't we?" I laughed.

"I was just thinkin' how much I like the whole goin' commando
thing. Comes quite in handy."

"It sure does. You should probably get goin'. I don't want
you to get in trouble. Come on, I'll walk ya home."

After kissing her long and hard before letting her go inside, I
made my way back up the hill stopping at our spot below the tree. The moon sat
high enough in the sky that it was almost like havin' a spot light on me. I
reached into my front pocket, pullin' out a smoke and sat my worn out ass on
the hard ground. I took a long drag filling my lungs with the intoxicating
smoke, as I took in all the stars laid out across the sky. Although the day had
taken its turns, I realized just how lucky I was to have my family and Kayla,
and that right there was the silver lining in my mind.

Kayla

The next few weeks went by excruciatingly slow. Madison's
grandfather was still hangin' in there, and I could tell how thankful he was
for it. I had finally mustered up enough courage to ask my gran about the
argument she was havin' the other day. I was relieved when she explained to me
how my granddad hadn't told her about Mr. Raine. After that night, they seemed
fine enough. I guess time really does heal all wounds.

It was the day of the music festival in Dallas and Madison was
extremely nervous about leaving his grandfather. Little did he know, that his
grandmother and I had arranged for her and his grandfather to watch his
performance through Skype on my iPhone.

The festival was an all day event, so we all left around four this
morning to make it there early enough for them to set up before they went on at
noon. We were just pulling up to the security gate, when my phone started
vibrating in my pocket. I was with everyone who was going to be there today, so
I quickly slipped it out of my pocket in case it was an emergency.

Joey's picture lit up behind his name on the screen and I almost
didn't answer. We had still managed to remain friends, and we hung out almost
everyday at school, but it was a bit awkward at times. It wasn't the easiest of
friendships to navigate with Madison involved, but we made it work and Madison
was slowly learning to deal with it.

I slid the bar across the bottom of the screen and put on my fake
happy voice. "Hey Joey, what's goin' on?"

"Hey, when are y'all gettin' here? We've been waitin' for
like an hour."

"You're here." My voice rose a few octaves knowing that
Madison would have to see me and Joey together while he was on stage.

 
"Of course I'm
here. It is my brother's band."

Oh yeah. Shit. I caught Madison's scowl out of the corner of my
eye and rushed to get off of the phone. "We're at the gate now. See ya in
a minute."

I quickly hung up and placed my phone back in my pocket. Madison
turned to say something to me, but Cami was quick to cut him off before he flew
off on a tangent.

"I'll be with her the whole time Madison, so just calm down.
That little shit won't have a chance to even say more than three words to
her." She smiled at him before looking back at Glenn. "Sorry baby, I
know he's your brother and all."

He put his hands up in surrender. "Hey I would do the same
thing. I know my brother all too well."

We pulled through the gate and back behind one of the stages off
to the far east side of the grounds. We all piled out of the van, just as Joey
came rushing over with a small brunette in tow.

"Looks like little bro has moved on. Sorry Kayla looks like
you're out." Glenn joked as he walked towards his brother laughing.

I wasn't jealous by any means; I mean why would I be. We were just
friends and I had Madison, but a part of me was a little sad that he had
decided to bring this girl along today. Joey stopped and said hi to his
brother, giving him a big hug before making his way in my direction. Madison
stepped next to me and flung his arm over my shoulders, just as Joey approached
us.

"Hey bro, how are ya?"

"Good Joey, how are you?" Madison was playing nice, but
I knew better. There was a storm raging through him, just waiting to be
released.

"I'm good. Hey KJ, how ya been?" I could tell he wanted
to give me a hug just like he had everyday before school started, but there was
no way Madison was gonna let that happen.

Madison bent down enough to whisper in my ear. "He calls you
KJ?"

"Most people do Madison." I whispered back with a smile.
"I'm good Jo."

"This is Sadie. Sadie this is Madison and KJ."

She gave a small wave, but her eyes seemed to be plastered on my
man. The one standing next to me, with his arm clearly wrapped around my
shoulders. Was this girl for real? Jealousy raged through my system like a cold
glass of water. Madison must've felt me tense underneath his touch, because he
started laughing softly in my ear.

"It doesn't feel so good does it?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I think you know exactly what I'm talkin' about. Now you
know how I feel
every
time you're
around Joey. You have nothin' to worry about pretty girl. I'm all yours.
Forever."

I looked up into his loving green eyes that were already staring
back at me. "I love you."

"Me too. I gotta go help the guys. You gonna be okay?"

"Of course she will be, I'm here with her."

As if right on cue, Cami appeared at my side. "Hey Joey,
who's the flavor of the week?"

"Jeez Cam, you could be a little nicer?" He sneered.

"Could I be? I'm not so sure about that."

"Oh the prospect of having you as a sister, just seems like a
dream come true." He sarcastically chided and Cami just laughed.

Cami linked her arm through mine and started dragging us off in
the direction of where the guys were unloading. I glanced back at Joey with an
apologetic look, but he had already started walking away with mini me.

****

We were minutes away from the band going on, and I was a ball of
nerves. I had never been so nervous in all of my life. I slipped my phone out
of my pocket, quickly connecting it to the free Wi-Fi they had provided for
everyone. When Madison's grandmother's face appeared on the screen, my face lit
up.

"They're just about to go on. Y'all ready for this?"

"Absolutely dear." His grandmother responded just before
his grandfather's face appeared on the screen next to hers. "I've been
ready for this for almost nineteen years."

I couldn't help but feel the love and adoration his grandfather
felt for him. You could tell just by looking at him, that his love for Madison
was that of a son or daughter not a grandson. I smiled at them both as the
announcer came on over the speakers announcing the band. I turned the camera
around, so they could see the stage.

Cami and I had made sure to make it all the way up to the front
before the crowd ensued. There was no way I was missing out on one of the
biggest show's these guys may ever play. The backlights went high and Madison
came walking out with the rest of the band. He had worn a pair of black and
blue, checkered shorts and a short sleeved black V-neck shirt, which set off
every color in his tattoos. I was thankful at that moment that his
grandparent's couldn't see me, because I absent-mindedly licked my lips at how
amazingly gorgeous he looked. Just seeing him up on that stage with his tattoos
on display, did things to me that I only wish I could act upon. His hair was
tucked under that damn ball cap he rarely ever took off with his aviators
sitting underneath the brim; I nearly came in my shorts. Goddamn he was hot,
and all mine.

Madison walked up to the mic, grabbing it in both hands as he
sought me out. When he finally caught sight of me, I pointed at the screen on
my phone. He bent down to see what I was pointing at, when pure joy fell across
his face. He kissed me on the cheek and blew a kiss at the small screen before
standin' up and positioning the mic in front of his full lips.

"I wanna dedicate this show to my grandparents. Without them,
I wouldn't be where I am today. I love you guys."

I held up my phone as high as I could, so they could have the best
view in the place as Madison started to sing the lyrics of their first song.
Towards the end of their set, I turned the camera around to make sure they were
doin' okay on the other end. I was quickly chastised for doin' so by his
grandpa, and couldn't help but laugh as I turned them back around to see their
grandson.

Madison ended the show with the song he had written for me, and
tears welled up, showing everyone the baby I had become. Cami hugged me tightly
to her side as the show came to an end. Madison bent down once again and
quickly kissed me square on the lips. He said a quick goodbye to his
grandparents, promising to be home as soon as we could get there.

I ended the video chat with them as Cami and I started making our
way around the side of the stage. I caught sight of Joey and Sadie out of the
corner of my eye as we snuck around the back. She was pointing in mine and
Cami's direction, and I could only assume she was wanting to come backstage
with us. No way girly.

We were makin' our way over to the guys, when a tall lean,
tattooed guy approached Madison and Glenn. We stood back for a few seconds,
trying to figure out who this guy could be. He looked like a normal patron. He
had full sleeve tattoos all the way up to his neck, which was visible because
of the tank top he was wearing. His hair was spiked up in a short mohawk and he
wore similar sunglasses as Madison's.

"Who is that?"

"I have no idea, but he's hot."

"Cami. Glenn is standing right next to him."

"What makes you think I wasn't talking about Glenn?"

"Ha ha, funny. Let's go over there."

Madison turned as we approached and tucked me under his arm. I
looked between him and the tattooed man to my right, but Madison made no
attempt to introduce us. I stood there clueless as to what was going on, until
he mentioned the record deal up for grabs. I looked up at Madison slack jawed.
Was he seriously just offering them a record deal?

"Sorry, Tony this is my girl Kayla. Kayla this is Tony with
Stealy Records."

"Nice to meet ya Kayla."

"You too Tony."

"Well y'all think it over and give me a call on Monday.
Pleasure meeting you guys."

"Thanks Tony." Madison shook his hand and then turned
towards me, just as Tony walked away.

"Oh my god cowboy, look at you."

"Shh, I'm afraid it was all a dream." He chuckled.

"That's amazing." Before the last word barely made it
out of my mouth, Madison's lips were sealed against mine. I wasn't expecting
him to deepen the kiss as much as he did, but I have to say, I was pleasantly
surprised by it. I pushed my hands up the back of his shirt, gently dragging my
nails down his taut sculpted muscles. When he eventually broke contact, I
looked up at him in a daze with the same shit eatin' grin he had.

"You're amazing. Let's get outta here."

The entire ride home was spent talkin' about the record deal they
were all offered. Surprisingly, they all sat there weighing out the pros and cons
of it all. I was shocked when they all made the decision that if any of them
had doubts, then they wouldn't go through with it. This group of guys really
were in it for the pleasure of playing and nothing else. It was amazing to see
them all stick together.

Madison

We pulled up in front of Kayla's house a little bit before nine. I
assumed her grandparent's would be sleeping, but when I saw her grandfather
sittin' out on the porch waiting for us, I guess I assumed wrong. I wasn't
concerned with what he was doing out there, I assumed waiting for Kayla to get
home safe, but when he motioned for me to join him on the porch, my stomach
sunk.

"Hi sir. Sorry we're home so late."

"It's fine Madison, that's not why I called you over here.
You need to get home."

I knew exactly what he was implying and without saying a single
word, I hopped over the fence and ran all the way to my grandparent's house.
When I flung the backdoor open, I found my grandmother and Kayla's sittin' at
the dining room table. My grandmother's face was buried in her hands and I
could see the tears slowly dropping onto the old wood table.

It took one look from Kayla's grandmother, to know that he was
gone. I sunk down to my knees as every last ounce of air left my body. I
couldn't hold back the onslaught of tears that began flowing from my eyes. Even
though I knew this day was coming, it didn't make it any easier to take.