Page 38 of Full Throttled

“About a year ago, the owner was going to be shut down because so much of the building and electricity wasn’t up to code. The place has been in his family for years and everyone was trying to take the man to the cleaners to get back up to standards. I heard about it and came in, offered to do the job at a decent price and he hired DJ Construction and Gunner’s electricity company to do the work. I make it a point to stop in every so often now but I thought you might like it,” he says with a shrug.

I turn to him and I can’t fight the smile taking over my face. “Like it? I freaking love it!”

Drake chuckles. “Good. Why don’t you go grab us a table and I’ll order us some food.” I nod and watch as he walks over to the bar to place the order while I grab a two-seat table near the wall, it’s close enough to see the stage, but far enough away for us to be able to talk if we want. Drake returns with two glasses of soda in his hand. I notice as a girl in a sequined dress makes her way to the stage.

I turn to Drake. “Oh, there’s live entertainment tonight.”

Drake laughs. “Don’t get too excited. There will definitely be entertainment, but I can’t promise it’ll be good. It’s karaoke night,” he explains with a wink. I see the challenge in hiseyes. That flutter in my stomach leaves instantly because I know that without a doubt, I do love Drake James. No one knows me the way he does and I wouldn’t want them to.

Thirty

Drake

I hadn’t figured out what our date was going to consist of until a few hours ago. I had wracked my brain trying to come up with something that would put her at ease and a smile on her face. I finally remembered how much Zoey had loved karaoke. My parents even got her a karaoke machine one year for her birthday. Coming to Mack’s Karaoke Bar was a no brainer at that point. I’m in the middle of packing an overnight bag for Aubree. I know Gunner was right when he said that no one minded watching Aubree for me, but I still hate to leave her for an entire night. I almost feel like I’m not living up to my parental duties, as silly as that might sound.

Jovi and Summer just got back from Sunnyville, visiting Summer’s best friend Baylor. Baylorhad been up in Sunnyville for a month visiting with her family. Some stuff had happened at her job and she needed a break.Summer had been distraught and wanting to visit her best friend sincebefore Baylor had even pulled away from the driveway.Jovi surprised her by setting up a trip and lining up a babysitter for their daughter Halen.

Kynlee, my uncle Ace’s wife, and Hollis, my uncle Bowie’s wife, had been trading off mom duties. Tonight along with Londynn, they were hosting a hugesleepoverfor all of thegirls. Aubree was excited and I knew they would take care of her as if she is their own, but I still hated to leave her. I packed her sleepwear, favorite blanket and pillow along with her copy of Nightmare Before Christmas. She comes into the room. “I’m all ready to go. Here’s my toothbrush,” she tells me, as she holds out her toothbrush and bubblegum flavored toothpaste I placed into a bag earlier for her. I smile and drop them into the backpack.

I sit on the bed and motion for her to come sit in my lap. She smiles and rushes towards me, causing my heart to melt all over again. I’m off the crutches, but movement still hurts from time to time especially squatting down to the eye level of my three year old. “So, I know this is the first night you’ll spend away from home and not be at grandma and grandpa’s. I want you to know I’m only a phone call away, so if you want to come home all you need to do is let one of your auntie’s know and they’ll call me. I’ll be there to pick you up.”

Aubree shakes her head before resting it on my shoulder. “I love you, but I’ll be okay.”

This little girl is too much sometimes. I chuckle and press a kiss to the top of her head, breathing in the soothing scent of baby lotion and lavender. “Well, I love you too, Love Bug.” After that we head out for the night. After dropping Aubree off at Kynlee and Ace’s house, I head over to the clubhouse to pick up Zoey. I haven’t been this nervous since the first night completely alone with Aubree after Jules left. I’m not one to get nervous over things often, but Zoey isn’t something simple for me. I know that tonight can change everything, I can feel it in the pit of my stomach.

Normally, I’d hit some traffic on my way to the clubhouse, but the one time that I need some time to collect my nerves and put my game face on…there’s barely any traffic. The clubhouse comes into view all too soon. As I open the door, I take a deep breath but nothing could have prepared me to lay eyes on Zoey. Words escape me as I drink her in. This is a dream come true for me, but I don’t want to come across too eager. She’s already put distance between us and I think it’s because I confessed, I loved her. Of course, I meant it, but Gunner was right. There is that uncertainty in Zoey’s eyes that scares me. I know she’s a bit of a flight risk and I don’t want to put too much on her too quickly and send her running. I have to keep that in mind tonight.

As we make our way to Mack’s, I find my eyes pulled to Zoey more and more. Once we’re inside, I have her find us a table while I order us some food and drinks. As I now listen to the tone deaf girl on the stage, strut around like a chicken and shake her hips to an unknown beat I can’t help but watch as Zoey laughs. Everything about her draws me in, it always has. Those dark brown tresses,tawnycolored eyes, the knowing smile she gives me from time to time. She catches my eye and I watch as a blush creeps up her neck and into her cheeks. I’m consumed by her in those moments and she doesn’t even know it. I lean forward so that I can speak into her ear. “You know, I never knew watching karaoke could ever be so entertaining.”

Zoey laughs before turning to face me. “Of course it is. Have you ever watched a singing competition show on TV?”

I shake my head and it’s true. Pop music was never my thing really. I knew Zoey never missed an episode of American Idol. It was her favorite thing, something Zayde had given her hell about from the time when I met them. Back then, Zoey had sung along to everything and she actually wasn’t a bad singer. She could carry a tune. I still remember the first time she told me she wanted to own a karaoke bar one day. We had been sitting on the beach, the sun was starting to set and she had her eyes hidden behind a pair of large sunglasses. I knew they were hiding the evidence of crying. That’s the only time she ever remembered to wear the sunglasses back then. I asked her what her biggest dream was. She had shaken her head and looked away, mumbling that it was silly. I had kept pestering her until she told me. Finally, she said okay and told me she wanted to own a karaoke bar one day. I had asked her why. It seemed like an odd goal to me. I still remember the rise and fall of her shoulders as she sighed in defeat. I wasn’t trying to put the idea down, but she was used to that from people in her life. “Music can heal your soul. It takes the wounds and creates a scar, making the pain bearable. It can make you laugh, smile, cry… Music is the emotion that we can’t speak out loud.” Her words had hit me like a ton of bricks then, and as they bounce around in my mind now, it’s like hearing them for the first time all over again.

After Zoey left though, I couldn’t bring myself to watch a signing competition or have anything to do with karaoke. I may have even taken my hurt and anger out on the karaoke machine my parents bought for her. It was wrong and immature, but at the time, I didn’t know what else to do. Zoey’s hand lands on mine. I can see the question in her eyes. “Are you okay?”

I didn’t even realize I had zoned out while lost in the memory. “Yeah, I was just thinking.”

“About?” she asks. I see the nervousness hidden in the pools oftawnyliquid.

I smile. “About how you always wanted to own a karaoke bar.”

Zoey’s face lights up as a smile graces it. “You remember that?”

I nod and give her a look that could only say of course. “I remember all of it.” Zoey’s eyes heat as do her cheeks once more. I could get used to making her blush, in all aspects of life. I quickly reprimand myself mentally for being a typical guy. “You should go up there.”

Zoey’s eyes go large with surprise before she starts shaking her head. I quickly grab her hand and lace my fingers through hers, bringing it to mylips. Ikiss the back of it. “I can’t.”

“Yes, you can and you should. It’ll be fun for you. Plus, you will be so much better than tone deaf Tammy up there,” I say, with a chuckle.

Zoey laughs, but still looks uncertain. She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth. Taking a deep breath, I see that determination I’ve always admired in her eyes. “Okay, but only if you come sing a duet at least once before tonight is over.”

“You’ve got yourself a deal, Darlin’,” I tell her, before giving her a quick kiss on the lips. I swear I’d agree to anything for this woman. I watch as she struts toward the DJ. I’m curious to see what she picks to sing. Zoey waits beside the stage as the other girl finishes. Once she’s done, Zoey takes the stage, mic in hand, looking like a natural. When the first few chords of the songs starts up, I can’t help but laugh. That’s my girl, I think to myself.

Thirty-One

Zoey

As I make my way to the stage, I’m wracking my brain for a song to sing. I haven’t sung in front of anyone in a long time and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. As I step up to the DJ, it hits me. I know the perfect song. A song that holds a lot of memories for Drake and me. I don’t know how many times we’ve danced along in my room or sung along in the car to this song. To most it’d be funny, but for me it was some of the best times of my life. It was one of my favorite songs. “If It Makes You Happy,” by Sheryl Crow. It was my go to anthem back in the day. I know Drake recognizes the song immediately because of his large smile and the slight shake of his head.

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