Strings Attached, page 7
Chapter Eleven
What a great feeling to sleep in and have no place to go. No rehearsal. No playlists to compile. No endless boring bus rides. No wondering what damn city you were in. No audience to please—although that was always the fun part.
No nameless girl in bed with you. The only girl on Nikki’s mind was a small-town music store manager. She’d seen glimpses of interest from Drew last night but also apprehension. She wondered what was holding Drew back. It wasn’t how women usually treated her—as if Drew wanted to keep her distance but was fighting an attraction. They barely knew each other, but if there was one thing she was sure of, it was that Drew was nothing like the women she usually seduced.
She didn’t like to think of herself as a player, but that was exactly what she’d become. In her desperation to bury her feelings for Jaymi, she’d lost a sense of who she was and what she needed. She didn’t want any of those women for anything other than sex. She didn’t want to fall in love with them. She didn’t want a relationship with them.
But…she did want someone to love her. Simple.
No. Nothing about love is simple.
She got out of bed at one in the afternoon feeling more rested and refreshed than she had in months. She and the band would have nearly two and a half months off to relax, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy the holidays before starting work on their next album.
Nikki soaped up in the shower. It was heaven to be home. She loved touring and doing shows, but she hated living out of a suitcase. She lingered under the hot stream and savored the familiarity of finding the shampoo without having to open her eyes.
The upcoming holidays didn’t bring happy thoughts. She dreaded calling her mom to discuss Thanksgiving. It was still two weeks away, but she might as well get the call over with today. Better chance of catching her at home on a Sunday. During the week, she was more likely to be with her father, helping him schmooze his next potential campaign contributors.
She had no food in the house, so she drove to Dunkin’ Donuts for a breakfast sandwich and coffee, then headed to the grocery store with a long list. It would be nice to do something ordinary for a change, but when she pulled into the parking lot, she decided she wasn’t in the mood to shop. It wasn’t like her to procrastinate, but what the hell. It could wait an hour or so. She pulled back onto the road and wondered if it was still okay to show up unannounced. Of course, she couldn’t take her to bed today. Or any day anymore. Randi Hartwell had a girlfriend now. A very beautiful catch of a girlfriend named Jule.
She pulled into the driveway of Jule’s New Englander house. Both cars were there, so they were home. Good sign. She gave the horn two staccato honks and grinned when she heard an eruption of barking dogs. Followed by two German shepherds, Randi bolted out the front door without a coat and bounded down the front porch steps. Nikki got out of the car, and Randi caught her in a big hug. Nikki caught Jule’s watchful eye through the kitchen window and waved. Jule put her hand up just long enough to acknowledge her, then disappeared. Oh well. She couldn’t blame her after Jule had learned that she and Randi used to sleep together. Not to mention the time Nikki suggested a threesome, and Jule turned her down flat. Nikki loved her for that. Well, and also because she made Randi happy.
They gathered in the living room. It took a few minutes for the dogs to settle down, but they did so immediately when Jule and Randi commanded them to do so. That was a given, since Randi now made a living as a police dog trainer.
Randi sat on the couch next to Jule. “How was the tour?” Her dog leaned against her leg and plopped his chin on her thigh. Randi fussed over him and scrubbed his neck.
“It went well, but I’m relieved it’s over. Tucker’s getting big.”
“Yeah, he’s over sixty pounds now.”
Jule stood. “It sounds like the coffee’s ready. Be back in a minute.”
It was odd how awkward things felt now. She and Randi had had great chemistry in the bedroom, but their relationship as friends had drifted when Randi fell in love with Jule. Before Jule, they’d go to the club or a party and feel at home with each other. She guessed because they knew there were no strings attached. It was all about having fun and having someone to go out with. Although they’d grown to care about each other, the sex they’d shared seemed to have defined their bond more than anything else. Maybe coming here had been a mistake.
Randi crossed an ankle over her knee and looked at her with a furrowed brow. “What’s wrong, Nik?”
But then, maybe she just had to learn how to be a friend. “Randi, what would you say if I told you I met someone I really think I could fall for?”
Randi dropped her foot to the floor and leaned forward, gazing at her with those dark, sensuous eyes. “I think there will be millions of Passion Play fans with broken hearts out there when they find out the sexiest woman alive is no longer available.”
Jule walked in with a mug in each hand. “Excuse me?”
Randi grinned at Jule and loudly cleared her throat. “I mean the second sexiest woman alive.”
Jule put the drinks on the coffee table and smiled first at Randi and then Nikki. “Is that threesome offer still on the table, Nikki? ’Cause I think maybe Randi’s getting bored with me.”
Nikki’s face grew hot. Jule was the one person who could make her blush. She loved how fiery Jule was, and it was such a turn-on. She had long, beautiful gold-streaked brown hair and a rugged full figure that filled out her jeans and sweater nicely. She was an independent do-it-yourselfer who had done most of the renovations on her house by herself. If Nikki thought for one second Jule was serious, she’d have half her clothes off already.
“Not a chance, angel.” Randi pulled Jule down onto the couch next to her, and they laughed and kissed like teenagers.
Sheesh. It was hard enough being around all the happy couples affiliated with the band right now. She didn’t need this, too.
Jule pried herself away and headed back toward the kitchen. She winked at Nikki on her way. “I’ll give you two a chance to catch up.” She patted her leg and said, “Come on, boys. Time to go out.” The dogs trotted after her, and they heard the back door open and close.
“Sorry about that,” Randi said.
She wasn’t sorry. She was in love. A Brillo pad couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. “No need to be sorry, my friend. It’s good to see you happy.”
“Yeah. It is.” They sipped their coffee, and Randi’s dreamy look finally dissipated. “Tell me about this girl.”
“I don’t even know if she’s interested.”
“Bullshit. Tell me about her.”
Nikki laughed. Without Jule in the room, they both relaxed. “She manages the music store downtown. I bought some new guitars there on Friday.”
“You mean DJ’s?”
“You know her?”
“No. I know the store. I used to be a cop, remember? I know every place in this town.”
“Right.”
“What’s her name?”
“Drew.”
“And?”
“And she’s beautiful and smart and kind of quiet. She teaches music there, too. You should see her with this one student. She’s amazing.”
Nikki filled her in from their first meeting at the store to Drew’s weird warning when they parted last night and everything in between.
Randi nodded and held her gaze. “So, what’s she got that Jaymi doesn’t have?”
“Don’t be an asshole.”
Randi didn’t budge. “Answer the question, Nikki. There’s gotta be something to make her measure up to Jaymi and then some. Otherwise, you’ll go on tormenting yourself forever. What does she have that Jaymi doesn’t?”
She blew out a breath. “I’ll tell you what she doesn’t have. A girlfriend.”
“And?”
She shook her head and shrugged, unsure of Randi’s line of questioning.
Randi walked over and brushed back Nikki’s hair. The soft caress of her hand on her face was intoxicating, a torturous reminder of the heat they used to share and of what they could never share again. Randi touched her lips to her cheek, lingering just a bit longer than she probably should. They’d both be in deep shit if Jule walked in on them right now. Yet she knew without a doubt that Randi would never cheat on Jule.
Randi drew back and gave her a serious look. “I’ll tell you one thing she doesn’t have,” she said softly. “She doesn’t have you, Nikki. If she deserves your heart, then what are you waiting for? Spend some time with her and figure it out. At the very least, maybe you’ll become friends.” She smiled. “Look at what I’ve got now. You never know if you don’t try. Isn’t that what you told me?”
Yes, it was. It was exactly what she’d told her.
Maybe it was time she took her own advice.
Chapter Twelve
Drew retreated to the office to eat her bagged lunch. Mondays were typically slow, and today was no exception. Only one customer so far and two lessons. There was only one lesson this afternoon, so the rest of the day would drag, too. It was discouraging that the holidays were closing in, and she’d only seen a slight increase in sales. Maybe after Thanksgiving, things would pick up. She’d already remerchandised the whole store, bumped up her inventory, determined her specials, and submitted the store’s Black Friday ads. That should help. She just hoped the investment in the glossy quarter-page-sized sales flyers and sponsored ads on social media would pay off.
Her dad knocked on the open door and poked his head in. “Looks like you made quite an impression the other night.”
“What do you mean?”
“Hold on.” He ducked out and reappeared a minute later with a huge bouquet of flowers cradled in his hands. “This just came for you.” He set them on the desk and winked before slipping out again.
Her heart kicked into a drum roll as she wedged the tiny envelope from the plastic card holder. She knew whom they were from. On the one hand, she was flattered beyond words. On the other, she hated to admit she was tempted to let herself be swept up by a rock star who most likely saw her as just another fling.
She lifted the flap and pulled out the card. She smiled at the simple sentiment.
Thank you for the dance—Nikki
She held the card to her heart as she remembered their dance. She couldn’t help it. She loved the way Nikki had looked into her eyes as she sang to her. The way they moved so easily together. The safe feeling she had when she woke up in the limo with Nikki’s arm around her.
Just because she’d never get involved with her didn’t mean she couldn’t at least appreciate the experience while it lasted. Face it, Nikki Razer was hot. Her reverie dissipated when she realized she had no way to call Nikki and thank her. She had no idea if or when she’d see her again. Maybe this thank-you was simply a thank-you. Nothing more, nothing less.
Still, as the afternoon dragged on, she felt anxious with the hope that Nikki would stop by. Although she was sure Nikki must have better things to do than shop at DJ’s.
“Any big plans for tonight?”
Geena’s voice snapped her out of her daze. Drew was ready to leave for the day and was in the office debating if she should leave the flowers there or bring them home and risk the cats getting into them.
“Yes.” Geena didn’t need to know her big plans involved frozen pizza and a movie rental.
Geena looked at her curiously. “Hot date with a rock star, maybe?”
She guffawed. “Please. She is so not my type.”
“A rich, gorgeous sex goddess rock star isn’t your type?”
“You forgot conceited.”
“She didn’t seem conceited to me.”
“You didn’t spend as much time with her as I did.”
Geena rolled her eyes. “Sheez, loosen up, dude. You don’t have to marry her; just have a little fun with her. I get the impression she wouldn’t mind.”
“Not my thing, dude, and you know it.”
“Maybe it should be. A little fling is probably just what you need. And shit, if it’s with Nikki Razer—”
“Good night, Geena.” She shrugged into her coat and decided the bouquet could stay on her desk. Taking it home might give Geena the impression that she attached more meaning to it than accepting a simple gesture of thanks.
Tuesday was a little busier than Monday, and it was their biggest delivery day, which helped pass the time. It also meant she had both her dad and Geena on with her. They spent the morning unpacking cases of merchandise and taking pleasure in what they’d received as if they were opening gifts. No new instruments today, though. Those were always the most fun.
She left them to watch the storefront so she could straighten the lesson rooms. She had students coming in later today. She walked into the strings room and looked at the cello on a stand in the corner. It needed a polish. It needed more than that. It begged to be played. Most of her students studied the usual instruments: guitar, bass, piano, drums. She taught all of them except for drums, which Geena handled. It had been a while since she’d had anyone ask for violin or cello lessons.
She ran a carpet sweep over the floor and a duster over the room. She wasn’t sure why she was compelled to arrange four chairs and music stands in a semicircle. Maybe the universe would pick up on her hint that she’d love a string quartet to walk in and rent the space for rehearsals.
She cast another look at the cello. It was calling her. She took a bow from its case on a shelf, carefully applied rosin, and settled the cello between her knees.
After tuning, she gently slid the bow across the strings. Instantly, her heart rate slowed, and she closed her eyes. She hadn’t played this piece by Haydn in years, but as soon as she got through the first sixteen bars, it flowed with perfection. The soulful sound of the instrument always transported her, like the soothing voice of a lover, to a place of peace and tranquility.
As she played the last few measures, she reveled in the joy of playing simply for pleasure. She flexed her fingers and ran her palm over the smooth wood of the neck. She found her place and began a Beethoven sonata. She slowly drew the bow across for the final note and savored its ring as it faded into the air. She opened her eyes and gasped.
Nikki was leaning against the doorjamb, her thumbs hooked in her jeans pockets and a content smile on her face. She was in her leather jacket again today but had opted for more practical footwear in a pair of high-top suede hikers. She looked perfect.
“That had to be one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard in my life.”
“I find that hard to believe. I’m rusty as hell.”
Nikki raised her eyebrows. “If that’s how you sound when you’re rusty, I’d love to oil you up, because that was amazing.”
Okay. Nikki was flirting again. Say something clever, you idiot. She must have waited too long to reply because Nikki was walking toward her with a killer smile on her face.
She stopped beside her. “Are you hungry?”
Drew was sure her face was as red as Nikki’s Mustang with the inappropriate answers that flooded her mind. She was starving. But not for food. God, what was happening to her?
“You do get a lunch break, don’t you?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Would you care to check out my new ride and join me for a bite, then?”
Drew’s thoughts shifted as she pictured how much money she had in her wallet. She hated that she had to watch every penny she spent, and a simple decision of whether or not she could afford to eat out for lunch irritated her no end. Nikki seemed to sense she was struggling with her answer, which only made it worse.
“A little fling is just what you need.” Now she was even more irritated that she was considering going. Damn you, Geena. No. A fling with a celebrity was exactly the opposite of what she needed.
“I really can’t. I’m sorry.”
Nikki’s face fell. “Oh. Well, would you at least like to come out and see it?”
Geena appeared in the doorway. “Go ahead, Drew. Store’s slow right now. We can handle it.”
Great. First Dad, now Geena. “Okay, okay. I’ll come look at your Jeep. But I—”
Nikki swiftly looped her arm through hers. “See? Geena has it under control. Nothing to worry about.”
She felt a jolt when Nikki’s face lit up, as if she’d expected Drew to turn her down. Could she have really been anxious about Drew’s answer? The thought that Nikki might have a vulnerable side only made her like her more. Damn it.
Drew yanked her coat out of Geena’s hands—how convenient that she’d gotten it for her—and they stepped outside. Drew stopped and stared at the black four-door Jeep Wrangler parked in front of her shop. With the bright sunlight, the luster was nearly blinding. It had oversized tires with black sport rims and tinted windows.
“You like it?”
“Wow, Nikki. That’s really sharp.” She gave Nikki a sideways glance. “Black again?”
Nikki threw her a disarming smile. “What can I say—I look good in black.”
Yes, you do. She caught herself before she said it out loud. Instead, she returned the smile and said, “It is your trademark color. Good choice.”
“Want to sit in it?”
“Sure.” No harm in appeasing her a bit more, was there?
Nikki opened the passenger side door and closed it behind her. She sighed. It was pathetic that the black leather seat was more comfortable than her living room furniture.
Nikki climbed in and buckled up. She turned the key and shifted into gear.
Drew grabbed her arm. “What are you doing?”
Nikki stepped on the gas and pulled out of the parking space. “You can’t just sit in a brand-new car and not go for a little spin! Can you believe how smooth this rides for a Jeep?”
“I don’t have time for a ride—”
“Yes, you do. I already cleared it with your father. The store’s covered.”
“You…you cleared it with my father? When did you—wait, that’s not the point. You tricked me!” An annoying beeping sounded from the dash, as if it knew it needed to bleep out the expletives about to escape her lips.
