Page 68 of Sweet Heat at Bayside
“What’s the plan?” Drake asked, feeling like a fanboy, gawking at his hero on the stage. Boone had come from nothing,literally, and had taken the music world by storm. Drake’s idol was standing before him, his brother was by his side, and they were surrounded by loads of people he knew—and hordes he didn’t—and all Drake could think about was the absence of the only woman he wanted by his side.
Rick shrugged, but his smirk told Drake he knewexactlywhat Serena had been planning all along.
“How did all these people know he was coming and I didn’t?” he asked Rick.
“Boone tweeted earlier today.”
Tweeted.Serena had long ago hired a social media assistant to handle their social pages for the store and the resort. He’d forgotten they even had them.
“Thank you. Thank you so much.” Boone’s deep voice cut through the din of the crowd, and more cheers rang out. “Thank you! My beautiful wife and I are so happy to be here to celebrate the opening of Drake Savage’s Bayside Music and Arts!” The crowd went crazy. “That’s right, so make sure you head inside before you leave and show your appreciation. Buy something from the man who brought this show to you! And just to make it even more enticing, I’ll be autographing purchases for thirty minutes after my set.”
More applause and shouts rang out.
“Before we get started,” Boone said as he gazed out over the crowd, “I’d like to bring Serena Mallery and my man Drake to the stage. Let’s hear it for Serena and Drake!”
The crowd chanted, “Serena and Drake! Serena and Drake!”
The air rushed from Drake’s lungs.
“Go on, man.” Rick nudged him in the direction of the stage, videoing once again.
Drake’s head spun as he crossed the stage.
Boone was a formidable guy, and as he embraced Drake, he said, “Congrats, man. I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you. Thank you for coming.”
Boone put a hand on Trish’s back and said, “This is my wife, Trish, and our little man, J.R.”
Trish opened her arms, giving Drake a warm hug. She was tall and slim, with long dark hair, and dressed in jeans and a pretty blouse, there was not a bit of pretentiousness about her. Their little boy reached for Drake and clung to his shirt. He had a fake tattoo of a heart withMomwritten across it on his tiny arm.
“I guess you get to hold J.R.,” Trish said as she handed him the little boy. “Serena said you were amazing with children.”
A collectiveawwrose from the crowd.
“Where is Serena?” Trish asked. “I was looking forward to meeting her. We’ve been talking about this event for months.”
Months?Serena had set this up for him before they’d even come together as a couple? Drake’s heart broke even more for her to have missed it.
“She got held up in Boston, but she wishes she could be here.” The baby reached up and touched Drake’s cheek with his soft little hand. Drake glanced in the direction where he’d left Rick and was glad to see him standing by the stage, still videoing.
Boone handed Drake the mic and said, “Sell your business, man. Now’s your time.”
As Drake looked out over the crowd, holding the baby in his arms, he spotted friends, neighbors, and too many strangers to count. He had no idea what he was supposed to say in a moment like this, but when he lifted the mic, his words came easily. “Thank you all for coming out for the grand opening and to hear Boone play. Unfortunately, you’ve missed out on meeting one heck of a special woman. My girlfriend, Serena, got tied up in Boston, but she’s the one who pulled this incredible event together and made it possible for you to see this legendary musician.”
Cheers and shouts ensued.
“I hope you enjoy the show,” Drake said, and handed the mic back to Boone. “Thank you for coming out today. I can’t tell you how much this means to me.” He stepped away.
Boone grabbed Drake’s arm. “Where do you think you’re going?”
Trish took the baby from Drake and said, “Have fun!”
She hurried off the stage as another guy handed Drake a Fender Stratocaster guitar and a pick and set up a mic. Drake shot a look at Rick, who was grinning like a fool, just like he was. He mouthed,Holy cow. This is really happening!
“I think you know this one,” Boone said as he grabbed his guitar. He put the mic on the stand, and the pianist began playing “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
Adrenaline pumped through Drake’s veins as his fingers hit the strings, and for the next few minutes he played like he’d never played before—and every single note, every single breath he took was for Serena.
