Page 29 of Strike A Chord

“You won’t believe it.” He took a sip. “Well, you remember the whole sordid story that started this?” When I shook my head, he continued. “Well, that little twink I got caught with was at the show and I guess he’s been working on his right hook.” Josh chuckled. “Little shit hit me square on. I tripped on some cords and fell on my ass.”

“Nice. So, they got two shows out of you?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I guess they did. This was right as we headed up on stage, too, but we rocked the shit. The crowd was wild, and the energy was off the charts. We had them eating out of the palm of our hands. Heady feeling. Afterwards, security was waiting for us and escorted us to the Masterson bus. Well, Diamond and Easton’s bus. Verbally, all hell broke loose. But I stood my ground and said my peace. In the end, Sal agreed but Stoli ain’t happy.”

“Stoli? Isn’t he with Social Sinners?”

“Yup. Sal made him our mentor, mine specifically.”

“Hold up. Are you shitting me?”

“Nope. It’s gonna get really fucking interesting. Funny thing is his husband, Joey, the one that got the short end in that whole shitstorm. He’s the one who stuck up for me during this.” Josh shook his head like he still couldn’t believe it. “It was crazy.”

“Wow. That’s a great show of his character. Sounds like a real stand-up guy.”

“Yeah. A lot of shit got aired out and promises were given, and I fully intend to keep every fucking one I made.” Iron determination. One of the many things I’d grown to love about Josh. “I owe it to myself and to my band brothers.” Josh had been alone for so long that was all he knew. To hear him include the others in that statement said a lot.

“Now about the special person comment?” Saved the best for last knowing it would make him laugh.

“Yeah, I’ve got a special person. He just kind of burrowed under my skin and now I can’t shake him loose. I kinda love him.”

“Well, he kinda loves you, too.” Not sure if he remembered our brief conversation last night, but this worked just as well. “What time is your meeting tomorrow?”

“Ten a.m. sharp and I am ready.” Confident Josh was a sexy thing. “You’re looking at me like you want to eat me.”

“Something like that. But unfortunately, I’ve got to get to work.” Holly and Daniel had the day off which left Della and I to run the show. Together, Josh and I got the kitchen cleaned up and I walked him to the door where he reverted to his shy, unsure self. “Hey,” I tugged his hand, and he easily came and laid his head on my shoulder. He felt so damn good in my arms. “This is us, remember? Touching, kissing.” When our lips pressed together, I regretted having not already done it this morning. “Is always acceptable.” After a few more minutes, it was time to say goodbye. “And Josh?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

When our eyes met, his tears spilled over. “I love you, too.” One final kiss before he left, though I knew he’d show up at the bar later and I couldn’t wait. Just having him near was perfect for me.

“It’s hard, isn’t it?” Mom’s voice startled me.

“What’s hard?”

“Watching the one you love leave.”

“Yeah, but I know it’s not forever.”

“So, he is the one?” Had she been waiting for me to find that? My forever?

“Kinda early to say for sure, but it feels like it. I understand we both have intense jobs that require long hours apart, but I find myself staring at the door when I’m at work waiting for him to show.” How hard would it be once he was on the road for weeks on end? I didn’t have the kind of job I could just up and leave to join him. Sure, I was the owner but I was an owner amid rebuilding and revitalizing. And right now, I’d hired all the manpower I could afford so the rest was up to me.

“If your hearts are in it, you’ll find a way.” Mom always knew what to say. Hell, I was pretty damn sure our brains were connected at times. “That boy needs a lot of love and special handling. I can see it in his eyes and in his actions. He hangs on to your every word and counts on you to say and do the right things. To take care of him and his heart. He’s head over heels for you.”

“That’s a lot of responsibility for these shoulders to carry, Mom.” I only hoped and prayed I didn’t fail Josh.

“Nah, not for my boy. He’s got a heart the size of the world and a brain to match. Josh was meant for you. You’re just what the other needs. You can say it’s early and you hardly know each other, but the heart knows what it wants and once it finds that in a partner, it doesn’t let go.”

I hoped like hell she was right ‘cause my heart was all in. My brain would catch up later.

Chapter Thirteen

Josh

The four of us pulled up to the guard shack at Sal’s house at nine forty-five a.m. and I was a nervous wreck. We’d already hashed shit out at Rocktoberfest, but this was huge, and anything could happen. What if he changed his mind? That would fucking break me and it would crush the guys.