Crazy in Love (Blue Lake #3)(62)

“Yeah.” She smiled, feeling lighter. “I know.”

“I saw the picture on the Internet, the one with you and Cole in your kitchen. I didn’t want to be the first one to bring it up.” Joey sat back on his haunches. “Is that why you didn’t say anything? Because you think you have it with him? Is he ‘the one’?”

She shrugged and bit her bottom lip. “I don’t know, but I don’t want to waste my life wondering.”

“Good call.”

He kissed her hand, helped her up, and then escorted her back to his truck.

It was then that she realized Joey would always be a gentleman…he simply wasn’t hers.





Chapter Eighteen





After Trigger Happy, the last song of the first act, Cole ran backstage and guzzled the bottle of water that had been left for him. The band continued to wail as the lights dimmed and their solos started. Cole had ten minutes to take a breather, drink some water, and wipe the sweat off his bare chest while the crowd became amazed by the talent of the drummer and lead guitarist.

So far, Cole had brought the show down. The crowd’s energy was staggering and over-the-top. So much more than he anticipated. According to what Rita told him before the show started, Harrah’s showroom had remained sold out. Either Scratchy’s fans were more eager to watch a rock show than they’d expected, or seats that opened up were immediately sold.

Rita appeared beside him and handed him a towel. “You’re killing it out there,” she said. “Do you hear that crowd?”

Cole nodded, swiping the towel over his chest. “Did you let the showroom manager know about the change of plans for the end?”

“Yes, but are you sure you want to do this?”

“No turning back now.”

And if his songs were well received, if he didn’t get booed off the stage afterward, he’d call Rachael and invite her to the show tomorrow night. He’d surprise her with front row seats so she could hear the songs she’d inspired.

She had to know how much he thought about her, how she plagued him in the best possible way. He’d never known anyone like her, so giving and caring, so attentive, yet self-assured and independent. And she didn’t look at him like Cole Turner the rock star. It was as if she wasn’t blinded by Hollywood’s glitz and glamour and truly liked him for who he was…the thought gave him strength.

With Rachael at his side, he felt whole in a way he’d never known.

“All right,” Rita hollered over the screams of the crowd. “Ronnie’s solo is almost over. Go out there and hit ‘em hard. When the lights black out after Darkness Awaken, I’ll bring you your favorite guitar and a barstool. That’s all you need, right?”

No, he needed Rachael beside him to share this moment with. What he was about to do was completely different than anything he’d ever done before. These were the songs of his heart. Once the words left his lips, he’d be exposed. Vulnerable. What if they hated the songs and rejected him?

Nerves rattled in Cole’s stomach. If Rachael were here she’d know what to say, and how to soothe him.

“That’s all I need for now,” he said, but he needed Rachael like the air in his lungs and the guitar slung over his shoulder.

Adjusting the guitar strap, Cole darted back onstage to sing the last set before his own songs.



* * *



Rachael drove hard and fast, and when she pulled up to Harrah’s in Tahoe a mere two hours after leaving Blue Lake, she thanked the Lord above that she hadn’t gotten a speeding ticket.