Reckless Abandon (November Blue, #2)(62)

’s planning, and it was my job to get you to Concord next weekend.” She knots her fingers and looks at me through her mile-long

lashes. “I’m failing here. You’ve got to cut me some slack. If you don’t want to come riding, that’s fine...just meet us at

Tarryn’s around seven on Saturday, OK?”

“Tarryn’s?” I sigh.

“Yeah, it’s the restaurant where we first had dinner...when Ainsley was there, remember?”

“Oh, yeah, the time I realized I couldn’t live without you!” I laugh, remembering her obvious detest of Ainsley that evening.

“That’s the one. Will you remember how to get there?” Her eyes widen in excitement.

“If I decide to go I’ll see you there, OK?”

“Trust me, Ember, you’re not going to want to miss this. I love you!” She squeezes my neck with all the force her 110-pound

frame can muster and leaves a wet kiss on my cheek.

She and Regan disappear in hand-holding bliss, and I’m left with C.J. at the bar. I study the beer he gave me.

“Thanks again for the beer, that was oddly nice of you.” I don’t know how to speak to C.J. with anything but sarcasm.

“No problem, Rap-”

“Seriously, dude, what’s with Rapunzel?” I cut him off. “Is it the hair? It’s not that long.”

C.J. stares at me with his chocolate brown eyes and sucks in a deep breath before answering me.

“You honestly don’t know?” I shake my head in response to his condescending tone. “Fine. Look, it’s like...you’re the hottest

girl in here on any night of the year. It’s a fact. I mean, seriously, Ember, look around you.” C.J. gestures around the bar with

his beer bottle, eyes widened. “No one comes close. You’re untouchable ...” He looks down and picks at the beer label with his

thumb.

“C.J...what?” Candor is not something I’ve come to expect from him, and I think he’s joking with me.

“And the best part is you have no idea, which makes you a hundred times more gorgeous. So, Rapunzel, you’re in a stair-less

tower. No one can get to you...except for that Bo guy. Why are you locking the door on that?”

“I’m not.” I shake my head in confusion.

“Then meet the poor bastard in Concord next weekend and see what he has planned, would you?” C.J. yawns while he laughs.

“Tired Ceej?” I ask.

“No, just seeing if that girl over there was staring at me. If you yawn, and someone’s looking at you, they’ll yawn, too. Look,

she’s yawning, time to make my move.” With a pat on my back, he slides off his stool.

“You’re a gem,” I chuckle, “poor girl doesn’t know what’s about to hit her.”

“Just go to Concord next weekend, Gorgeous. You deserve it.” C.J. cocks his eyebrow and stalks toward the yawner across the bar.

I finish my beer quickly when I realize that Saturday nights are open-mic night at Tarryn’s. Butterflies that my stomach thought

were extinct burst to life and encircle my insides. Suddenly, I’m struck with a decision that’s truly been months in the making.

Bravery drives me home and holds my hand as I chase the sunrise with my notebook and guitar.





Chapter Twenty-Eight



I have no idea what to expect from Bo as I drive to Concord on this hot late July day. Well, I have some idea, given that it’s at

an open-mic night, but I’m trying to focus on my own surprise. I reassured Rae nearly every day this week that I’d be coming, but

I’ve kept mum regarding my plan. Regan knows, since he helped me with a bit of the guitar work, but I’ve gotten really good in a

short amount of time. Regan and Josh say it’s in my blood— especially now that they know about my parents.

I pull into the parking lot at Tarryn’s at 7:00 on the dot. I don’t need my nerves talking me out of this if I have too much time

to think. A quick scan of the room shows no sign of Bo, Regan, or Rae, though I suppose Regan and Rae never told me they would be

here—they just asked that I be here. I slide my guitar case to my feet as I sit at the bar and order a drink. I’m excited to

share this. I’m ready to share it. All I really need is for Bo to be here. The rest of the crowd is just a bonus.

When the MC checks the mic and announces the first act, I pull out my cell phone and check the time. It’s 7:10. At 7:15, I text

Rae a question mark but receive no response. I try not to check over my shoulder every few minutes, but that’s a task that’s

proving to be impossible.

7:20 ...

7:25...

7:30 ...

7:35 ...

Ainsley.

“Interesting seeing you here.” Ainsley places a hand on her hip as she squares off next to me.

“Is it?” I mumble, turning in her direction.

“Why are you here?”

“I was invited.”

“By who?”

“Bo.” I grin as her cheeks redden.

“Hmm,” she stammers as she tries to recover, “I guess you’ve been stood up, Sweetheart. He’s supposed to be playing right now