Melody, page 9
We narrow it down to a couple of shows that we think everyone will like, but we don’t know when Rory will have time off from the band.
“I guess we need the entire schedule before we can make these decisions,” I say.
“Yeah. I’ll text Rory and see if she has it.” Maddie grabs her phone, taps on it. “She’s not responding. She and Brock are probably doing the deed.”
“Oh my God…” I’ve always known Brock was a player, but I don’t like to think about it.
“I know. She’s living with Brock in the guesthouse behind Joe and Melanie’s. And Callie is living with Donny in the guesthouse behind your parents’ place.”
I nod. “Oh, I know. Their houses are being built. Both of them.”
Maddie sighs. “It’s all so foreign to me. Having the resources to just build a house whenever you want, and the land to build it on.”
“You guys have quite a bit of land here.” I rise from the bed and look out Maddie’s window that faces the backyard. Beyond the vast yard lie the charred remains of the Pike vineyards.
“True. Jesse talks about building a house on our property, but he hasn’t been able to afford it yet.”
A house on our land or on the Pike land—doesn’t matter which—for Jesse and me. He may not be able to afford it, but I can.
“Anyway,” Maddie continues, “we’ll have to table the discussion on the show until we have the schedule from the band.”
“Is Jesse here?” I sit back down on the bed.
“I think he’s in his room, working on lyrics.”
“He’d have the schedule, right?”
“Yeah. But I don’t like to bother him when he’s working.”
“All right.” I let out a sigh. “On to the next thing, then. So we’re going to do all the touristy things, the palaces, the abbeys, Big Ben. We’ll eat pies on Fleet Street and see a show in the West End. What else?”
“We have to have a pint.”
“A pint of what?”
“Of beer, silly.” She punches my arm. “When they order an ale, they ask for a pint. Didn’t you do any research before deciding to go on this trip?”
Uh…no, I sure didn’t. I’m going because Jesse is going. I can’t say that to Maddie, though, so I settle on, “I’m not a big beer drinker, Mads.”
“Okay. You can have whatever you want, but I’m having a pint.”
I pause a moment. “You know what? We’re going for the experience. I’ll have a pint too.”
“Good. That’s what it’s all about, after all. The experience.”
I smile at my friend. “We both gave up our last semester of college, which was going to be full of parties. So yes, Maddie, we’re going to make this an experience neither one of us will ever forget.”
I plan to make it an experience her brother will never forget too.
Chapter Sixteen
Jesse
Christmas Day…
A modest number of wrapped gifts sit under our decorated tree. We didn’t have a lot of money to spend on shopping. Rory and I got our signing bonus for the band, ten thousand dollars each, but we gave most of that to our parents to help with expenses.
They didn’t like taking it, but they did it anyway.
Because that’s what families do. They take care of each other.
Still, we each managed to get one gift for each family member.
We all open our gifts, with Maddie playing Santa, handing them out.
She’s done that since she was old enough to, and since she’s the baby, none of us have ever challenged her on it.
Mom takes a giant trash bag and starts picking up discarded boxes and wrappings.
Brock and Donny are both here, doing Christmas with us this morning. The Steels celebrated on Christmas Eve.
Maddie picks up a small box wrapped in bright-red wrapping with gold dragons and holly etched on it. “Here’s one more gift, but it doesn’t have a tag.”
“That’s strange,” Rory says. “Why don’t you open it, Mads? Maybe we’ll be able to tell who it’s for.”
“Works for me.” Maddie rips the paper from it, and inside is a white rectangular box, like the kind that would hold large jewelry. “Here goes.” She takes off the lid.
Then she gasps.
“What is it?” Callie asks.
“It’s beautiful.” Then she hands it to me. “It’s for you, Jess.”
I raise my eyebrows. “It is? Okay, which one of you forgot to put a tag on your gift?”
“You got all our gifts.” Callie grins. “This must be from a secret admirer.”
I look inside the box. Nestled on cotton is a brass belt buckle with a dragon—one that looks a lot like our Dragonlock logo—etched on it.
“I think this might be for Dragon,” I say, but then I notice the engraving below the dragon.
In block letters. J E S S E.
“Why would anyone leave a present for Dragon here?” Rory asks.
I shake my head. “Never mind. I was wrong. It’s for me.”
“Are you going to show us what it is?” Brock asks.
I pass it around, the buckle still lying on the cotton. My family oohs and aahs over it.
“It’s perfect for you, Jess,” Dad says.
“Yeah. I love it. But who’s it from?”
The box goes to Donny, and he lifts the belt buckle. “May I?”
“I think you already did.”
He turns it over, and then his jaw drops.
“What?”
Don pauses a second before he says, “There’s engraving on the back too.”
He puts it back in the box and hands it to me.
He doesn’t look happy.
I take the belt buckle, turn it over, and—
Now my jaw drops.
With lots of love, Brianna
“You want to explain that, Pike?” Donny demands.
I open my mouth, but words don’t form, until finally, “I don’t have an explanation.”
“Something going on with you and my sister?”
This time, the whole family’s jaws drop in unison. It’s almost comical.
“What’s it say on the back?” Maddie grabs it from me, and her eyebrows shoot right off her forehead. “Oh my God…”
Mom grabs it from her then. “Brianna? Brianna Steel?”
None of us know any other Briannas.
“Jesse…” Dad says. “She’s so young.”
I shake my head vehemently. “You guys are all looking at me like you think I know what this is about.”
Except for that one kiss we shared… That was over a week ago. I haven’t seen Brianna since then. Rory and I have been busy working with the band, coming up with our repertoire, and making tweaks in the music and choreography.
Donny is glowering at me.
“Give it a rest, Steel,” I finally say. “That’s my sister you put a ring on.”
He says nothing. How can he? I’m a hundred percent right.
“When was she over here?” Donny says finally. “Someone had to leave it.”
“She’s been here several times.” Maddie rubs her jaw. “We’ve been talking about the trip. But I’ve always been with her. I would have seen her put it under the tree.”
Donny rises. “I’ll find out what’s going on.”
Callie pulls on his hand. “Donny, no. This isn’t your business.”
“The hell it’s not.”
Callie pulls Donny back down beside her on the sofa. “It’s not. Your sister’s a grown woman. This may not even be from her.”
“You know another Brianna?”
“Does that even matter?” Callie asks. “You guys are assuming this gift has some hidden meaning. It could just be a thank-you gift from Brianna to Jesse for agreeing to let her come on the tour.”
Yeah. That must be what it is.
Except… If that’s the case… “Then why didn’t she get you anything, Ror?”
“Everybody knows you’re the leader of the band,” Rory says.
But from the looks on their faces, not one of them is buying that explanation either.
Only one thing to do. I’ll have to go see Brianna. I can’t do it today. It’s Christmas Day. Family day.
But then I see Donny still glaring at me, and I know I have to go see Brianna and question her about this. Because if I don’t? Donny will do it for me, and that won’t be pretty.
“Nothing will be solved in the next half hour,” Mom says. “So everybody get in the kitchen. I’ve got our breakfast all fixed.”
Mom makes us eggs Benedict every Christmas. Something her mom used to do, and it’s a tradition that I’m sure Callie and Rory will continue with their families.
Fine. But this afternoon—once I’m positive all the Steels are up, dressed, and showered—I’m paying Brianna a visit.
I’m not sure what this is about, but one kiss doesn’t mean anything.
Even if her lips were the sweetest I’ve ever tasted.
Chapter Seventeen
Brianna
“What do you think?” I ask Diana as I twirl around my bedroom in the dark-red pleated halter dress she got me.
My sister’s eyes beam. “I think it looks amazing on you, just like I knew it would.”
“You’re one of the only people who knows how to pick out clothes for others,” I say. “I was always surprised when you went into architecture. I figured you’d be some kind of fashion designer or something.”
Diana shrugs. “I considered it, but fashion is so fleeting, you know? If I want to be remembered, I need to design something that will be around for a long time.”
“Buildings will be around for a long time, for sure.”
“Yes, if they’re designed and built right. Which mine will be.”
I have no doubt of that. My sister’s a genius. She always got the best marks of all four of us kids. Straight As all the way for Diana Steel.
Everyone’s always had a soft spot for Diana. She was the first girl born into this generation of Steels. My parents adopted Dale and Donny first, and when Aunt Marj married Uncle Bryce, she adopted Henry. Then Uncle Joe and Aunt Melanie had Bradley. So four boys, and then Diana.
She was doted on for sure.
Then came Brock, Ava, and Dave, all in a row. My parents and aunts and uncles used to call them Huey, Dewey, and Louie because they were the same age and always together.
Then the awesome foursome, again, nearly all in a row. Gina, the twins, and me.
That’s the end of this generation of Steels.
It’s amazing that we’re going to have a new generation soon, with Dale married and Donny, Brock, and Ava well on their way.
“I’m going to take this dress to Europe.”
“Are you sure?” Diana touches the fabric of the skirt. “It’s more of a summer dress. The UK in January can be vicious, I’ve heard.”
“So I’ll wear a coat.” I twirl around and watch the skirt flow gracefully, accentuating my hips and legs. The silky fabric gently billows and catches the light as I move. The halter neckline frames my straight shoulders and emphasizes my neck, while the bodice fits snugly, highlighting my curves before flaring out into a full, pleated skirt. “This dress looks dazzling on me. You have a good eye, Dee.”
“Why is it so important that you look dazzling in the UK?”
I stop twirling. “You know I always like to look my best.”
Diana tilts her head. “Brianna, I got you that dress because you don’t have anything like it. You wear jeans and cowboy boots all the time.”
She’s not wrong. Diana has always been more feminine than I am. But if I’m going to catch Jesse Pike’s eye…
“Brianna, look at me.”
I take my gaze away from my own reflection and turn to my sister. “What?”
“You look beautiful. But I get the feeling…”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t try to be someone you’re not, Bree. It never works.”
Not only is Diana the smartest of all the Steel kids, she’s also the most intuitive. She always seems to know what I’m thinking before I do.
“Don’t be silly. I can enjoy a dress every now and then.”
“Of course you can. Why else would I have bought it for you? But my point is that you don’t have to be someone you’re not to impress anyone.”
“Who says I’m trying to impress anyone?” I ask innocently.
“No one’s saying that.” This time Diana’s feigning innocence.
I let out a heavy sigh. Diana’s the closest person in the world to me, and I have to confide in someone. “Listen, Dee, let me tell you a little secret.”
She smiles then. “I’m listening—”
A knock on the door interrupts us.
For crying out loud…
“Yeah? Come on in,” I say with exasperation.
Mom enters, wearing leggings and a sweatshirt. Our mother is still so beautiful, even nearing fifty-one. There’s hardly a wrinkle on her face, and only a few streaks of silver in her hair, which she keeps covered with hair color. Her figure is still stunning, and her eyes are magnificent. No wonder Dad calls her blue eyes.
“Bree, there’s someone here to see you.” Then she looks at me. “Is that the dress from Diana? You look amazing.”
“Thank you,” I say. “I absolutely love it.”
“Certainly not your usual style,” Mom says.
“Which is why I bought it for her,” Diana says. “She may only wear it once or twice a year, but it’s perfect for her body type.”
“Indeed it is,” Mom agrees. Then, “It’s Jesse Pike. He wants to see you for some reason. He wouldn’t say why.”
I widen my eyes, my heart pounding. “He’s here?”
“Yeah. He wants to see you. I assume it has something to do with the tour.”
“Yeah, that must be it.” I turn to Diana. “Unzip me, will you?”
Diana turns me around, makes me face her. “Why don’t you keep it on?”
I look down at my legs. I haven’t shaved in a few days, and dark stubble is starting to erupt.
“Oh, hell no. Unzip me.”
“I’ll tell him you’ll be right down.” Mom leaves, closing the door behind her.
Diana helps me out of the dress, and I throw on a pair of jeans and a sleeveless T-shirt. I keep my feet bare. My bronze polished toes still look good from my pedicure a few days ago.
“You seem nervous,” Diana says.
I try to still my fidgeting body. “Why would I be nervous?”
Diana curls her lips into a surly grin. “I don’t know, baby sis. Why don’t you tell me?”
“There’s nothing to tell.”
“You may as well tell me now,” she says. “I’m pretty sure you were going to before Mom interrupted us. We both know you’re going to tell me at some point, and I have to leave soon. I’m meeting Ashley over at her and Dale’s house for dinner tonight.”
“Oh, she invited you?”
“Yeah. Since we had a big dinner on Christmas Eve, Ashley decided to do dinner tonight with just Dale and her mom, Willow. Since Ash and I are friends, she invited me.”
“Okay, sounds fun.” I attempt to look my sister in her eyes, even though I’m pretty sure I’m not fooling her. “But there’s nothing to tell, Diana. I swear.”
Lying to my sister is never a good look. She already knows it’s a big fake.
But I scurry down the hallway to the foyer where Jesse Pike stands, looking more handsome than ever.
“Jesse,” I gasp. “Did you cut your hair?”
His hair is normally around the same length as my brother Dale’s, but now it’s been cut and layered so it sits right above his shoulders.
And damn…he looks even better.
“It was time,” he says in his rich drawl.
“Why?”
“Easier to manage for the tour.”
“Right. That makes sense.” I clear my throat. “You wanted to see me?”
He points to the belt buckle that he’s wearing. It looks great against his medium-blue jeans.
“Is this from you?”
I blink, my heart pounding like the hooves of a wild mustang, unconstrained and free. “Of course not. What would make you think that?”
He removes the buckle, hands it to me.
“It’s really beautiful.”
“It is.”
“Whoever bought it has exquisite taste,” I say, “but why do you think it’s from me?”
“Turn it over.”
Right. I had it engraved With lots of love. That was it.
I turn it over and—
“Oh my God!”
“See what I mean?”
That stupid clerk. I told him to engrave With lots of love. Not With lots of love, Brianna.
Damn it all to hell! I knew I should have unwrapped it and looked at it before I put it under the Pikes’ Christmas tree.
What was I thinking?
“That right there is why I think it’s from you,” he says.
Embarrassment wells through me. My cheeks are burning. “It was meant to be anonymous.”
He frowns. “Why?”
“I don’t know.” I drop my gaze to the floor and then wander around the living room aimlessly. “I saw it and I thought of you. Every time I see you, you seem to have a different belt buckle on. This one was beautiful.”
He closes the distance between us and takes the buckle from me, the warmth of his hand making my stallion heartbeat turn to wild antelope. “If it was supposed to be anonymous, why is your name on it?”
I sigh. “Tell me and we’ll both know. The clerk fucked up.”
His gaze softens then, and his dark eyes burn into me. “Brianna, I’m not looking for—”
I hold up a hand to stop him. “That’s not what this is about, Jesse. I just wanted you to have it.”
He places his hand on my shoulder—my bare shoulder—making my flesh burn. “Good. Then we have an understanding?”
“Of course. I mean, it was only one—”
He touches his fingers to my lips. “That never happened.”
My heart cracks a little then. He truly isn’t interested. Perhaps he’s attracted to me—I mean, you can’t kiss a person like that if you’re not—but he’s not interested in me in that way.
