Page 150 of One Last Shot
So here went nothing.
Oaken pulled up to the curb of Maggie Bloom’s ranch home, seated at the end of a cul-de-sac. Balloons fluttered from the mailbox, tied with ribbons, a sweet sixteen sign in the yard.
Cars jammed the driveway to the house, lined the circle, and spilled out along the street. A pretty home, modest, with a van in the driveway and hostas lining the front walk.
Boo reached over and took his hand, squeezing. He glanced at her. Sometimes the sight of her simply swept his breath away. She wore her hair down today, a jean jacket over a black T-shirt, a pair of faded jeans, and pink Converse tennis shoes.
Pink. That was unexpected. But Boo had stepped out of herself over the past few weeks. He couldn’t believe it when she sat with a reporter and unreeled the story of her kidnapping, along with Reynolds’s rigging ofSurvivor Quest.
She let Oaken take pictures of them together and let him send them to Goldie’s marketing team.
And didn’t, not once, look at social media.
He drew in a breath. “I haven’t been this nervous since my first gig. I stood there in the wings as the band spun up my first song and thought,What am I doing?”
She turned in the seat. “You’re doing the right thing.”
He wanted to believe her. “I should have just sent the check.”
“You’re giving a teenage girl the thrill of her life.”
“Yeah. Then why do I feel like I’m walking in naked?”
“Oak. You feel naked because this isn’t a performance. This is your heart. You’re about to be the real you, the guy who cares about others. For too long you’ve stood in the shadow ofyour sister, at least in your own mind. Today, Oaken Fox steps into the light.” She touched his face, her hand warm. “You need this as much as she does—probably more.”
Then she leaned over and kissed him. Gently, sweetly. Pulled back and met his eyes.
“There you go, rescuing me again.”
“Just go in there and play some music, tough guy.”
Okay, yes.He blew out his breath, then got out and opened the back door, retrieving his guitar.
Spring fragranced the Minnesota air, and the scent of something grilling suggested a beautiful summer day. Memorial Day weekend seemed the right day for this event... Saying thank you to the past, embracing the hope of the future.
Boo waited for him on the sidewalk, then took his hand as they walked to the door. Tightened her grip as he rang the bell and waited.
Kept him from running back to the car, his heart slamming against his ribs.
The door opened. He recognized Maggie’s mother, Stella, from her pictures on the website, although they’d never personally met.
Now he offered a smile.
Stella wore her brown hair back and up, a trim woman, although stress was etched around her eyes. She stared at Oaken, glanced at Boo, then back to Oaken. “I...”
“We’ve never met,” said Oaken as he let go of Boo’s hand and held his out. “Oaken Fox.”
“Yes. I know who you are.” She frowned, glanced over her shoulder, then back to Oaken. “I never... I can’t believe you’re here.”
He sighed, swallowed.Do this already. “Maggie wrote to me and asked me to play for her birthday.”
Stella’s eyes widened, and her mouth opened. “Oh my. I’d forgotten that... I...really?You came all the way from Nashville for my daughter’s birthday party?”
Actually, he’d most recently been here in Minnesota, having a face-to-face with Boo’s father about his intentions. Which felt weird and yet somehow right. And he liked her family, despite her rather intimidating brothers. They’d all arrived for a birthday party for her mother, and seeing them together harkened back to old times with his family. Before.
And maybe again, now that his father had moved to Florida.
“Yes, and . . . can we talk?”