Under a Georgia Moon: Georgia Moon Romance Book 1 (11 page)

The whole night had been a disaster, at least for him. Hayden hadn’t done anything to dispel the notion they weren’t really back together, and had ignored Chase’s reminders that he had a girlfriend.

On the bright side, at least Hayden’s parents had been too busy schmoozing the Hollywood producer and his wife to pay any attention to Chase’s obvious displeasure at being forced to spend the evening with Hayden.

Whit was very pleased with himself and wasn’t bothered when Chase called it an early night and left in the same limo that had picked him up long before the party ended.

Hayden was furious. She’d promised to follow through on her threat to get Chase fired if he didn’t stay longer. At that point, Chase hadn’t cared what she did or said, and told her so. It only made her angrier.

Pushing thoughts of his ex-girlfriend out of his mind, Chase grabbed his guitar case and headed out the door. He was meeting Jackson at the church before services started to go over the songs with the other musicians slated to help with the worship music today. It would be nice if their band
Chasing Dreams
could do the whole thing but with Beau out of town and Drew staying home to help his very pregnant wife with the kids, the other band would have to do.

The drive to the church wasn’t long. With his window down, and the beautiful weather, he was able to ease some of the tension in his shoulders. The one thing that was still stressing him out a little was the deal he’d made with Addie Heywood.

Now that he’d decided to blow Hayden off, he didn’t need Addie as a girlfriend. She still needed him, and he was happy to help her out, but what scared him was how appealing he found the idea of being Addie’s boyfriend to be.

* * *

Addie stepped out of the car, her stomach a ball of nerves. No matter what she told herself, she still kept thinking about Chase with his messy hair and irresistible green eyes.

As she crossed the parking lot, a light breeze blew a strand of hair across her face and stuck to her lip gloss. She pulled the hair free and hoped she had remembered to bring the tinted gloss with her so she could reapply it if necessary. She had spent a long time on her makeup and hair this morning. Longer than a real girlfriend would take, let alone a bogus one.

The effort had been worth it because, even though it was vain to admit, she looked good. She smoothed a hand down the skirt of her lacy dress, feeling feminine and pretty. Her apricot colored heels clacked against the sidewalk as she and Aunt Janie approached the church doors. Before they could go inside, a striking brunette and a good-looking, dark-haired male stopped to say hello.

“Hey, Miss Janie. Is this your long lost niece?” the guy asked. He had a goatee and dark brown eyes, making him look like a cross between Brad Paisley and Tim McGraw. The messy hair looked just as good on him.

Why can’t women get away with that look?
Getting ready would be
so
much easier.

“Sure is.” Her aunt turned to Addie. “Honey, this is Jackson McCall and his lovely bride, Sydney.”

Jackson?
This had to be Chase’s best friend.

“Hi.” Addie held out her hand.

He took her hand and shook it firmly, a glint of mischief sparkled in his brown eyes. “Hello, Addie.”

What was it with these southern boys? They were all prettier than most girls Addie knew back home.

Sydney placed her hand on Addie’s arm and smiled. “It’s nice to meet you. Chase mentioned he picked you up for Miss Janie.”

Okay, so Sydney is probably prettier than her husband.

Jackson started to laugh. “Yeah, he did.” He put his arm around his wife, still chuckling. “Wish we could’ve been there.”

Addie wondered what Jackson found so amusing. She considered asking him, but changed her mind when the speakers crackled through the open door, and a deep southern voice welcomed everyone to church, encouraging them to take a seat.

“Oh man, I’ve gotta get in there,” Jackson said. He kissed his wife on the mouth and then hurried inside the church.

“I’m guessing your husband is participating in the music today?” Aunt Janie asked.

Sydney looked longingly toward the doors where Jackson had just disappeared inside. “Yeah, I love it when they get to play here. It’s a much sweeter environment to be in.”

The music started, surprising Addie. Back home the only music was the choir made up from their little community. Here it was a live band.

“Oh my, we’re late,” Aunt Janie said, stating the obvious.

Oh good
. Next to having a root canal, making a late entrance was Addie’s favorite thing to do. Naturally, Sydney wouldn’t have a problem going in late. She was probably used to having people’s eyes follow her all around.

“Would y’all like to sit with me?” Sydney questioned, moving quickly toward the door. “I’ve got some seats saved.”

Aunt Janie grabbed onto Addie’s hand. “We’d love to.”

They rushed inside and followed Sydney toward the front. Sydney slid onto an already occupied pew, and Addie took a seat beside her with Aunt Janie sitting on the end. Sydney reached over and hugged the pretty woman she sat next to.

“Thanks for saving me a seat.”

“Sure thing, honey. I hear you had car problems this morning.”

“Yeah, Jackson came home and got me but we made it back just in time.”

Addie loved listening to the two women talk with their soft southern drawls. She was curious who the family was that had saved a seat for Sydney. With all their fair hair they didn’t look related.

“That’s Chase’s family,” Aunt Janie whispered as the pastor greeted the congregation. “I’ll introduce you to them after services.”

Addie discreetly took a look at the Nichols family. Chase’s mother was slim, her skin virtually free of wrinkles. She didn’t look like she could possibly have grandchildren. The man next to her had to be Chase’s father since the two resembled one another closely. Beside him had to be the twins. With their long, blonde hair they looked like angels—mischievous ones judging by the way they flirted with the cute guy sitting next to them.

It suddenly occurred to her that if Jackson took part with the music today, Chase might do the same thing. She didn’t have time to ask Sydney or her aunt as the congregation quieted and the lights dimmed with a spot light shining on a grand piano. Addie recognized Jackson McCall behind the keys, and listened as he began playing one of her favorite Tim McGraw Christian songs.

After the long piano intro, soft lights shone on each one of the other band members. Chase stood in the middle, holding a guitar. He looked pretty good just standing there in his button up shirt and tie. Addie forced herself not to sigh out loud when he started to sing.

She had no idea he was this talented. His clear tenor voice had a raspy, rocker tone to it. Goose bumps prickled her skin and her tummy tightened with awareness. At the chorus, he added his guitar to blend in with the other instruments. The cuffs of his shirt were rolled up and she could see the muscles in his forearms flex each time he strummed the guitar. Oh, how she wished she had her camera with her. She’d love to capture the image of Chase singing and playing his guitar. He was incredible and Addie might have fallen a tiny bit in love with her pretend boyfriend.

The music was powerful and Addie was as spellbound as the rest of the audience. When the song came to an end, there was a stillness, a reverence that only faith filled music can bring. The pastor gave his message, but Addie couldn’t concentrate on what he said. Her eyes were focused on the lead singer up on the stage. Even when the handsome youth pastor made a few comments, Addie barely noticed the guy.

Chase sang another number she wasn’t familiar with but the last song was a popular song that had crossed genres to mainstream radio. Addie was mesmerized by both the lyrics and the musician. She was so tangled up in emotion that when it ended she felt like she couldn’t breathe.

Aunt Janie reached over and clasped Addie’s hand. “You okay, sugar?” she whispered.

Addie swallowed and nodded her head. “That was beautiful.”

Her aunt gave her hand a gentle squeeze as the meeting closed and the congregation buzzed to life. Sydney patted Addie on the back and excused herself, making her way up on stage to greet her husband. Addie watched and was a little envious at the couple’s obvious love for each other, if the lengthy kiss Jackson gave his wife was any indication.

Trying to look for Chase, but trying not to appear to be looking for Chase, Addie caught a glimpse of him before he was swallowed up by a crowd of girls. She stifled the niggling feeling of jealousy. He wasn’t hers. She needed to remember that.

Aunt Janie prodded Addie out of her seat and introduced her to Chase’s family. “Addie this is Amanda and Charles Nichols, Chase’s parents.”

“Hello,” Addie said shaking Mr. Nichols’ hand. “It’s nice to meet you both.”

“Thank you,” Mrs. Nichols said, taking Addie’s hand next. Rather than shake it, she clasped it between her hands and smiled. “Chase told us all about you.”

He did?
Addie was dying to know what he’d said. Amanda released her hand and glanced behind her. “I’m sorry I can’t introduce you to our girls. They’re already off socializing.” She faced Addie again. “You can meet them when y’all come to supper this evening. Is that still all right, Janie?”

“We’re planning on it.” Janie placed a hand on Addie’s shoulder. “Addie made a delicious apple pie we can bring for dessert.”

What?
Her pie had looked worse this morning. And when had these eating arrangements been made?

“Wonderful.” Amanda winked. “Chase loves apple pie.”

“So do I,” Charles said, sounding very much like Chase. He patted a fairly flat stomach. “As you can probably tell.”

Chase’s parents said their goodbyes and exited the row of pews. Addie really liked them, and they seemed very friendly towards her. Unlike the first time she’d met Brandon’s parents who both had made it very clear Addie wasn’t good enough for their son. It hurt to know they’d probably been thrilled when Brandon had dumped Addie.

Aunt Janie tugged on Addie’s hand and introduced her to other friendly members of the congregation. While she smiled and said hello, Addie continued to surreptitiously look for Chase. He was probably still encased by the throng of girls on the stage.

Slowly, Addie and her aunt made it out of the pew and into the aisle, giving Addie a perfect view of Chase up on stage. Sure enough, a whole gaggle of pretty girls were talking with him. He looked like he was having a great time and not at all concerned about his would-be girlfriend watching.

“Addison,” her aunt said, tapping her on the arm. “Stop scowling and go on up there to say hello.”

“I’m not scowling.” At least she hoped she wasn’t. “And I’m not going up on the stage.”
Chase can do the chasing, thank you very much
.

“Oh, stop it now and go on up there.”

Suddenly, Addie didn’t feel like playing this game. Chase said he would come and find her, but he wasn’t in any kind of hurry. “Would you mind if we just went home? I don’t feel all that well and I think I need to eat something.” Preferably something loaded with sugar.

Aunt Janie’s eyebrows drew together. “Sure, honey. I had wanted to introduce you to Pastor Dave but I guess it can wait until next week.”

Addie caught sight of the youth minister. He was kind of cute, and had just as many girls surrounding him as Chase did. Neither man needed Aunt Janie to set them up with her jilted niece.

“How about we just stop by and say hello to him on the way out?” Janie said, nudging Addie toward him.

“That’s fine.”

Addie just wanted to escape. Her head hurt and she was seriously doubting her decision to date a handsome, popular guy like Chase. Sure, they were only going to pretend to date, but it would still involve actual dating. She glanced back up at the stage. Unless he’d changed his mind. She should just grow a backbone and tell her aunt she wasn’t going out with any guy, no matter how persistent she was.

Aunt Janie politely wiggled in between the group of girls talking with the youth minister. She dragged Addie next to her. “Pastor Dave, I’d like you to meet my lovely niece, Addison Heywood.”

The pastor had the bluest eyes, emphasized even more so by his tanned skin. He flashed a white-toothed smile as he took Addie’s hand. “Hello, Addison. It’s nice to finally meet you. Your aunt has told me all about you.”

I seriously doubt it
. “I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not.”

“It was all good, trust me.” He held onto her hand for a few seconds before slowly releasing it. “How did you like today’s services?”

Shoot, she should’ve paid better attention. “I loved it. The music was amazing. I mean, wow—so incredible.”

“The music is pretty fantastic.”

“Not that your message wasn’t good because it was, um…very inspiring.”
Please don’t ask me specifics. Please
.

His lips twitched. “Thank you. Making an announcement about our upcoming retreat can sometimes come across as boring.”

Oh. He’d made an announcement, not given a sermon.

“Nope. Not boring.” Addie could feel her cheeks reddening. “I’m sure you’ll have a great turnout.”

“Especially if there’s good music, right?”

Was that a trick question? Had he mentioned the band would be playing? “I really enjoy music.”

The skin around Pastor Dave’s eyes crinkled and he chuckled lightly. Yeah, the guy was definitely a hottie. Speaking of being hot, Addie was feeling way too flushed. She really needed to go home, or at least outside for a breath of fresh air. Glancing around, she realized Aunt Janie had abandoned her. Licking her lips, she brought her gaze back to the minster’s amazing blue eyes. “Well, it was nice meeting you, Pastor Dave.”

“Please call me Dave.”

“Okay, it was nice meeting you, Dave.” Addie took a step backward. “I better go find my aunt. I’ll see you later.” She made a slight turn and hurried toward the exit only to slam into someone standing in the aisle.

She squealed. Yes, squealed and fell backward. Except she didn’t fall. The person she’d hit grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close so her face pressed against their chest. She sucked in a lungful of air and knew immediately it was a man who had just caught her. And boy did he smell good.