The Ford Brothers Series Box Set, page 35
“Not exactly.” I answer sheepishly.
Jennifer, who was smiling, gives me a blank look. “Did you….” she gestures with her hand for me to continue.
Feeling righteous, I stick my chest out. “It’s called sex, Jennifer. And yes, we had sex.”
“Really?” they both look at each other, grinning from ear-to-ear.
“Yeah,” I admit, not looking directly at them. I try to focus on my egg roll.
“Was it good?” Jennifer probes.
“Good doesn’t cover it.” my mouth is full. ‘What’s your record?” I ask both girls.
“Record for what?” Jennifer asks.
“Number of orgasms in one night.”
Wendy had placed another chicken ball into her mouth, she begins choking on it. Jennifer smacks her on the back, and she gains control of the coughing.
“Let me get this straight.” Jennifer is blunt. “You had more than one orgasm last night?”
“Four.” I answer immediately.
Wendy chokes again and Jennifer ignores her. She places her chin on her hand and leans in closer to me. “Really.” She says, in awe.
“Really.”
“In one night?” Jennifer confirms as Wendy takes a drink of water.
“Yeah. Two straight away, another shortly after, and the last one not long after the third.”
“Wow.” Wendy says, her voice is cracking from choking. “I thought you could only do that in porno movies.”
“I didn’t think it was physically possible.” I admit. “It was intense.”
“And you’re not like…walking funny or sore?” Wendy asks.
I shake my head. “It wasn’t like jackrabbit sex, Wendy. He’s very gentle.”
“And here I was thinking the sex Brandon and I have is pretty good.”
“Well, it probably is. I thought the sex I had with Mark was good, too. Not four orgasms good, but nice all the same.”
“Are you seeing him again?” Wendy asks.
“I’d like to. But he’s not really a relationship kind of guy.” I shrug. “It’s up to him. I left him my number. We’ll see where it goes.”
“Wow.” Jennifer has folded her arms over her chest and is shaking her head. “Way to get over Mark. You go, girl.” She high fives me.
“Speaking of which,” I say, having a little fun being the center of attention, seeing as Jennifer has been ever since she got engaged. “Guess who pathetically followed me to Mingles last night…to beg me to come back to him…in the parking lot…sitting on his ass, crying.”
Wendy’s eyes bulge. “I’ll kill him.”
Jennifer’s jaw is on the floor.
“I nearly did. It took every ounce of willpower not to put my car in reverse and drive over the son-of-a-bitch.”
“You should have.” Jennifer says as she rises to go answer her phone, which is ringing on the coffee table.
“That’s what he wrote in that letter, you know.” Wendy informs me. “That he’s sorry and he wants you back. Loser.”
“Yeah, well, he has a better chance of me sprouting a third arm than he has of me going back to him. I’d sooner see him dead.”
“Oh my God!” Jennifer cries, raking her hand through her hair, as she talks on the phone. “No. Oh my God. Tell the family I’m so sorry. No, it’s okay. It’s okay. I’m so sorry. Thanks for calling.” She hangs up. By this time, Wendy is on her left side and I’m on her right, trying to console her for what is obviously horrible news.
“Oh, I need to sit down.” She breathes, clearly in shock.
“Sit, sit.” Wendy coaxes. “What happened?” she rubs her sister’s back and looks at me. The color has drained from my face.
As Jennifer sits, she places her head in her hands and begins to sob. “God…” she gasps. “What am I going to do now?”
“What? What’s wrong, Jenny?” Wendy says.
“We can help. Whatever it is. We can get you through it.” at this point, it could be anything from the caterer ordering the wrong meat, to an asteroid set to land in the church at the exact moment that she and Brandon are supposed to be exchanging vows.
“It’s the band…the lead singer…he died this morning.” She cries. “That was the manager, he was crying. It was awful.”
“Jesus. He wasn’t even that old, was he?” Wendy says.
“Apparently it was a freak accident. He’s an electrician.” Jennifer explains tearfully.
“That’s just terrible.” I say. “Before you booked them, you were talking about a disc jockey. Maybe you can call them and see if they’re still available.”
“No, they have an online calendar. I saw it this morning. They’re booked.” She explains. “What am I going to do?” she looks at Wendy and I through reddened eyes. “I guess I’ll have to rent some sound equipment and go nuts downloading from iTunes.” Her face scrunches, as if she’s just eaten a lemon.
I pat her on the back. “Maybe I can help.”
Chapter 21
Wade
After I hang up to Kendra, my phone rings, and I smile, recognizing the number immediately.
“Well, would you look at that? My favorite sister-in-law is calling me.”
“It’s your only sister-in-law.” Julia says. “I didn’t catch you at a bad time, did I?”
“No, not at all, I’m just getting ready to head out to practice in about an hour.”
“Cool. I just wanted to thank you for taking Mary to the show. She had a great time. You got her all liquored up. She was half in the bag when you brought her back here.”
“Then I did my job. How are you feeling?”
“So, so, but better. Listen. I won’t keep you long. I just wanted to let you know that Colton’s coming home next weekend. Thought you might want to come by for dinner. I’m inviting everyone; all the Ford boys and Charles, our neighbor.”
“Charles, too? I’m there.” I say. “Can I bring anything?”
“Na, but if you talk to your brothers before me, just make sure that they’re free. Colton’s desperate to see everyone.”
“Will do.” Then I hesitate. “Do you mind if I um…bring someone?”
“Why? You feel like jamming again with the band like the last time? Sure…that was fun.”
“Err…no. It’s a girl.”
Long pause.
“Julia?”
“I’m still here.” She giggles. “Um…Wade, this isn’t like a…groupie or a ‘chick from the bar’, ‘air quote’, is it? Because Colton and Jack have told me all about those girls, and I’m not interested in having to sanitize my furniture or dishware after having one of those here.”
I bark out a laugh. “Give me some credit.” I take it down a notch. “Her name is Kendra. She’s my lawyer. Well, not just my lawyer.”
“You’re sleeping with your lawyer?” Julia is shocked but she’s also laughing. “You’ve got balls, Wade.”
“Okay, she’s not really my lawyer. Never mind. Anyway, do you mind if I bring her? If she wants to come, that is.”
“Well, now she has to come.” Julia barks out a laugh.
“What do you mean?” I laugh, playing along.
“Because you’ve never asked to bring a girl to a function…ever. At least for as long as I’ve known you, and for as long as Colton’s known you….and Jack…and―”
I interrupt. “I get it, I get it.” I pause. “Listen, don’t go all nuts over her, because I don’t even know how I feel about her yet.”
“Oh, I think you do.”
“Why do you say that?”
“For all the reasons I just said, Wade.”
“Yeah. I suppose you’re right. Anyway, I’ll be there. If she says yes, she’ll be there, too.”
“Okay,” her voice is singsong.
“What.” My voice is flat.
“Nothing.” Her tone says she knows something that I don’t know.
“Whaaaat.” I demand.
“Nothing. I just….”
“Shut up. Don’t say it.” I warn, playing along.
“Goodbye, Wade.” Her voice is singsong again, mocking me.
“Shut up.” I chuckle, and I hear her chuckle, too, before she clicks off.
***
After I got a ride over to Mingles to boost my car, me and the boys had a great practice, and I even got to hash out a new tune that I’ve been working on. Dave, my drummer, finally got his new drums, complete with a logo of our band’s name ‘Take Risks’ emblazoned on the front. We could almost pass for a real band…if we had a manager. “So, what do we do now?” Dave asks as we bring our last practice song to a close. “About bookings, I mean. I know we’ve got our gigs at Mingles whenever we want, but what about branching out? That out of the picture now?”
“Na, I’ll call around. Don’t sweat it.” I wave. “But we’re not going back to that dive in South Carolina ever again.” I cut the air with my hand for emphasis. “No more dumps like that anymore.”
Dave high-fives me. “Here here,” he agrees.
Griffin, the base guitarist, names off a few places. “We should try some of those. I heard they’re looking for a band for some dates.”
“Thanks, man. I’ll look into them.”
“You want me to call a few? I’ve got time.” Grffin offers.
“Na, that’s okay, man. I’ll give it a go first.”
“You sure?” Griffin continues. “’Cause you know you suck on the phone, right?” Griffin’s an internet marketer during the day, working from home. “I think I could give it a better shot than you, man, no offence.”
“Alright, you can give it a go. I’ll give you a higher cut if you can get us into any of those places.” I relent.
“Cool.” Griffin is pleased.
After heading to the gym and going home for a little nap before hitting the stage tonight, as I’m laying in bed, thinking about Kendra, I hear my phone ring. I smile as soon as I see the number on the display. “Hey, I was just thinking about you.” I say in greeting.
“You were?” she purrs.
“Of course.”
“You’re sweet.” She pauses. “Listen, I’m just over at Jennifer’s place, and…gosh, I don’t even know how to ask you this, but, we’re in kind of a bind.”
“What’s up?”
I explain to him what happened. He sniffs. “Holy shit, that’s rough.”
“I know you have your gig at Mingles on Saturday night, but I was just wondering if you’d be able to do this.”
“Well, my gig at Mingles is a standing order. I’ve played there every Saturday night since the beginning. I’m not sure what Blake and the owner will do on short notice.”
“I understand. It’s okay.” My guilt-meter is reaching its maximum capacity. “We can rent some sound equipment and play pre-recorded stuff.”
“Well, now, hang on here.” I lift my hand, thinking about the exposure to a new audience, and most of all, doing a favor for Kendra and her friends. “Let me talk to Blake and Tony and see what we can do.” I pause. “I can’t promise anything, but at least I can ask.”
“I appreciate it. Let me know, okay?”
“For sure. I’ll call you right back.”
I hang up with Kendra and call Blake right away. “Blake, my man.”
“Hey, Wade. How’s the hand?”
“Oh, it’s fine. A little bruised but it’ll do.” I clear my throat. “Hey, listen. Something’s come up and a friend of mine just asked if I can play at a wedding on Saturday. Any chance you can get someone to cover for me?”
“Well, it’s funny you should ask, Wade. I just booked someone to cover for you for tonight, since you hurt your hand and all. I can get them to cover for you Saturday if you like.” He changes tack. “I do get calls every now and again for bookings, you know, Wade. You don’t have to feel like you’ve always gotta play here. Especially with Chuck out of the picture and all…you can play elsewhere if you like.”
“That’s great, Blake. Yeah, sure. The boys have mentioned a couple of other places to play for a change. Maybe mixing it up a bit isn’t such a bad thing.”
“Never is, Wade.”
“Okay, man. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See ya.”
I dial Kendra’s number. She answers on the first ring. “Hey, baby. It’s all done. Me and the boys can cover the wedding.”
Her happiness is palpable. “Are you serious?”
“Yep. Sure am.”
“And you don’t mind covering a wedding?”
“You mean is it beneath me to sing at an event that guarantees at least a hundred guests? Hell, no.”
“Wade. You’re awesome.”
“So, I’ve heard.” I joke. “I bet your friend there wants to me to high-tail it right over, right?”
“It doesn’t have to be tonight.”
“Does she have a plan? Like a song list and some openers…things like that?”
“Remember who this is, Wade.” She says, but in a sweet tone, so it sounds like she isn’t talking shit about her best friend who is probably standing right there.
“Gotcha. Give me the address and I’ll scoot on over. I’ll bring the boys up to speed later.”
“Sounds good. See you shortly.”
Before I hang up, she pauses, and it’s like I can read her mind. “Hey, it’s cool. I’ll be all professional-like in front of your friends.”
“I know.” She says and I can hear the smile in her voice.
“See ya.” I say before hanging up.
Chapter 22
Kendra
Good Lord I’m wet just from talking to him. His voice on the phone is so unbelievably sexy. And that he’s willing to drop everything and rearrange his life for my best friend, it’s just amazing. Jennifer finally stopped sobbing but now she’s perilously going through all her stuff from the other band. “Jesus, I’m not sure if he’s going to be able to sing all these songs.”
“Jen, you’ve heard him yourself. He’s very good. He can handle it.”
Wendy intervenes. “The only issue here I think will be wardrobe. He’s used to playing in bars. Do we get him to wear a suit?”
“I’m not sure if the music fits with a suit.” I supply. “Maybe a white linen shirt and dress pants?”
Jennifer snaps her fingers and points at me. “Yeah. With a suit on they’ll look like a bunch of penguins singing rock music”
“Exactly.”
“Shit. Do we have any food left for him?” Wendy roots through our food.
“It’s fine. We can order more.” Jennifer offers.
Five minutes later I see Wade’s car pull into the driveway and my heart begins to pound. I’m dying to kiss him but it’s not appropriate in front of my friends, under the circumstances. I decide to bypass any awkward situation and meet him outside. “He’s here. I’ll be right back.”
“You sure?” Wendy asks with a raised brow. “Should I call the fire department?”
“Shut up.” I say, smiling.
Wade gets out of his car and looks at me. “Hey,” he gives me an odd look, “whatcha doing out here?”
“I…I just wanted to…”
His gaze slides down to my lips. “You read my mind, baby.” He murmurs, placing his left hand on my side. He leans in and kisses me once, full on the mouth, using enough suction to make a smacking sound.”
My knees turn to jelly. If Jen and Wendy weren’t standing in the front window staring at us, I would take him right here in the driveway. Even though my back is to the window, I can sense their eyes, burning into the back of my head. I should never have told them about Wade and I, but now I have to face the humiliation.
He smells heavenly and he’s wearing a pair of jeans that hug him in all the right spots. He gestures with his chin towards the front of the house. “So, I’m guessing you told your friends about us.”
As I turn around, I see Wendy and Jennifer standing in the window, waving at us with guilty looks on their faces. Wade waves back as my face turns red. I face him again. “It was sort of unavoidable. You kind of branded me last night.” I point nonchalantly to the hickey on my neck. “I had to tell them. They thought I got back together with shitface.”
“Ooohh.” Wade laughs knowingly. “Geez, I’m sorry. I didn’t know I did that.”
“It’s okay.” I wink. “It was worth it.”
He winks back and gestures for me to go ahead of him. “After you.” And he takes my hand until we get to the front door.
“Hi…Wade, is it?” Jennifer jokes.
“Yeah, that’s me.” Wade shakes her hand. “Sorry about the circumstances.”
“Hey, shit happens. Thanks a million for stepping in.”
“No problem.” He looks at Wendy, whose face is redder than mine.
“Hi, I’m Wendy.”
“Yeah, we met at the bridal show.” Wade smiles, shaking her hand.
I want to smack the stupid smile off Wendy’s face, but I know I’ve got nothing to worry about. Wade is the hottest man I’ve ever met, and he does turn a lot of heads. “Do you have a song list for Wade?” I say to Jennifer, breaking the tension.
“I do.” Jennifer says.
“You been practicing saying that?” Wade jokes.
Jennifer catches that and laughs, handing Wade the song list. He studies it as we all sit down. Me beside Wade on the couch, Jennifer and Wendy on the floor. “Does the hall have a piano?” Wade asks.
“No, why?”
He lifts a hand. “No, it’s okay. We’ve got a keyboard for the wedding song.”
I never even looked at what Jennifer’s wedding song was. “What is your wedding song, Jen? I forget.” I lie.
“When I See You Smile by Bad English.” Wade answers. I immediately picture Wade singing that and my heart melts. “There’s a keyboard in that song, but I thought a piano might be really classy at a wedding.”
“We could rent one.” Jennifer says, but the tone in her voice says she doesn’t really want one there.
“No, a keyboard is fine. We have one.”
“Who plays it?” Jennifer asks.
“I do, but my guitarist does, too. He’ll handle it for this one.”
