Page 40 of Fresh Tracks
I think back on some of the better memories from those days, reminding myself they weren’t all bad. “Yeah, he was. Still is. You’ll actually get to meet him soon.”
She doesn’t lift her head, but her eyes flick up to mine. “Is he coming here?”
“Nope. We’re going to a party for the new restaurant that Slade is opening in Seattle. You’ll get to meet Jake in person too.” I point back to the screen. “On that note, I should probably give you the run down on the rest of the guys that worked with the band that might be there.”
I grab the remote and start typing out the letters, searching for a different video I want her to see. If she wants to get to know that time in my life, I know just what to show her.
“You know, you could just look up the video on your phone, then stream it to the TV. So much faster that way.” She smirks up at me and adds, “Boomer.”
“Very funny, Rainbow.” I tap her on the head with the remote, rolling my eyes at her. “Again, I’m not that ancient. Technically, I’m a millennial, just a geriatric one.”
She rests her head down on my shoulder, pulling a blanket over herself while the video I was looking for buffers. My attention stays solely on her as the video starts to play. This close, I take in the winding tattoo of vines and flowers, starting at her elbow, working its way up and over her shoulder and down her back, below her cami. It’s a beautiful mix of brightly colored flowers and greenery, but that’s not what catches my eye. It’s the barely noticeable, but slightly dulled patches of her skin under the tattoo, maybe the scars from the car accident she was in as a teen. I find myself desperately fighting the urge to reach out and run my fingers over that skin, wishing I could soothe away whatever painshe once felt.
Touching her like that — caressing her skin — feels like a line I shouldn’t cross though, as much as I want to.
On screen, the band walks out on stage and I remember it like it was yesterday. Miles is standing just off stage, and I get a sinking feeling in my chest. I let out a deep breath, trying not to dwell on the upcoming party for the restaurant, seeing my former band, and everything that comes with it.
Grace turns to me and my face must be giving away my feelings, because she narrows her eyes on me. “You don’t look thrilled about watching this.”
I sigh and take another drink of my wine. “I know Miles will be there and I still haven’t given him an answer about this reunion tour.”
She raises her brows and her lips part in surprise. “You’re still hung up onthatseven months later?”
CHAPTER 16
TJ
AVERT MY EYES
Seven Months Earlier
I practically jumpout of the water, turning toward the sound of the splash.
What the hell was that?
I look around and see the water rippling out from the swimming hole just underneath the giant boulder along the river bank. I stare at the spot, but there’s no sign of what caused it.
I start to turn back, to focus on casting my line into the river, when I hear another splash. I watch as wet streaks of hair emerge from the spot about twenty feet away. Even though she’s facing away from me, I immediately recognize Grace, Tanner and Clay’s little sister, in the neck deep water.
“Are you OK?” I call out, prompting her to spin around.
She lets out a long, whoosh of air, shaking her head sending beads of water in every direction around her. “Wow. It’s cold.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “Yeah, the river’s fed from melting snow. What are you doing out here?”
She rolls her neck and shrugs. “I wanted to take up cold plunges after my workouts to help with inflammation.They’re supposed to release dopamine and endorphins. I thought this would be the perfect spot to start. It’s beautiful here.”
“It’s one of my favorite spots.” I nod, looking around us as my heart settles down from the sudden surprise of her arrival. I’m glad she appreciates the beauty of this treelined spot on the river.
She smiles back. “How about you? What are you doing out here?”
I quirk a brow at her and raise my fishing pole at my side. “I thought it was pretty obvious.”
She paddles in the water, laughing in amusement. “No one fishes because they want to catch fish. You’re out here for something else.”
Her green eyes match the evergreen trees along the river and I feel like they can see right through me. All my barriers crumble under her gaze and I blurt out what I’ve been thinking about all morning.
“I got a call from my old manager. He wants me back for a reunion tour.”
