Ruining the band’s reputation was one thing, but he also dragged Rodney’s name through the mud. Ever since the accident, he’d always felt he could reclaim his identity any time he wanted. Now, he’d be ashamed to.
He may not even have a choice. Each time he stepped off the boat, he lived in fear of being discovered. Whenever someone looked at him too long, he forgot to breathe. Dee had probably spread his description around here far and wide, which didn’t help.
Part of him wanted to return to his life. So bad he could taste it. Another part wanted to stay lost here forever. He’d gone from one extreme to the next, and neither felt right. Not long-term, anyway.
He flipped more pages until he reached the Washington politics section. And he found his eyeballs staring at something he never expected to see. A closeup of Dee kissing some white man with dark hair. She looked really happy, too.
After the churning in his gut calmed down a little, he read the headline. Okay, she’d gotten elected as attorney general of D.C. So, had that guy—Ted, the paper said—given her a celebration kiss, or did they have a thing? And if they had a relationship, why was she looking for him down here?
A tugging on his sleeve pulled him out of his funk.
“It’s time for my singing lesson,” Timothy said, his face lit up with the usual big smile.
“Oh, yeah. Let’s get those alligators out there to sit up and take notice.”
After they were done, Karen told the boy to go do his homework and sat with Rodney on the deck.
“The boy is gettin’ awfully attached to you,” she said. Her voice wasn’t hopeful or accusing. Just matter of fact.
“I know.” He also knew it wasn’t fair to keep leading them on.
The longer he stayed, the harder it would be to leave. He stared out at the sun rippling on the brownish-red water, as rich and earthy as the woman sitting beside him. Karen would be a better fit for him if he truly wanted the simple life. And it would be so easy. He already lived with her. Was already part of the family. They were right for each other. The same way Ted was probably right for Dee.
She’d obviously moved on. Wasn’t it about time he did, too?
* * *
Before a show in Jacksonville, Florida, Jack paced backstage.
“No, Eric, that’s not right,” he told the new lead guitarist. “Not at all.”
“It sounds okay to me,” Mitch said. “Why don’t you lighten up?”
“Yeah,” Cliff agreed. “You’re acting like a real slave driver. Nothing is good enough. Even Jack was never this bad. The crash really changed you, Rodney.”
A chill ran though him at the mention of the accident and his old identity. Oh fuck. Did they know? And, if they suspected, who else did? Besides Rodney’s ex-girlfriend. Although, if she’d planned on squealing, she probably would’ve done it by now. He couldn’t resist sneaking a glance at Linda.
You know better than to open your mouth, don’t you?
She didn’t say a word.
Frustration rippled through his limbs. He needed another upper, or maybe a downer. Hell if he knew anymore. He just needed something.
“Do as your told!” he yelled at Eric. Then he pitched his microphone stand across the room because it felt good.
It felt so damn good, in fact, he unplugged the amp and tossed it next.
“Hey!” Mitch shouted. “That’s an expensive piece of equipment.”
“Ask me if I give a fuck,” he shot back.
“You’re losing it, Rodney,” Drew added, leaning over his keyboard like a mama bear protecting her cubs. “You’re really starting to lose it.”
“Yeah, and you’re turning Breeze into something it’s not,” Mitch said.
“You’re damn right,” he said, holding up his index finger. “I’m making it better. And you know why? We defeated death when that plane crashed. We got a second chance, and I’m not going to let us blow it.”
Careful, buddy. Realizing he was about to say too much, he shut his mouth.
What did they know, anyway? Selfish, lazy assholes, all of them. He just needed his next hit.
* * *
Dee had dinner with Ted in Georgetown as they’d done so many times since she’d taken office. Neither had time to cook, so it suited them to eat out. The press loved them and portrayed their interracial relationship in a positive light, making them role models for the future in a society trying to embrace diversity.
Tonight, they’d chosen 1789 Restaurant. She wore the outfit he’d bought her—a white designer dress trimmed in navy blue with matching high-heeled spectator pumps. They hurt her feet, so she slipped them off under the table.
“We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” he joked.
She smiled. The man had been growing on her. Their relationship was so tightly interwoven with their political careers, it couldn’t help but grow, too. He ordered for them. By now, he knew what she liked to eat and drink.
They’d gone to parties, toured museums, and picnicked on wine and cheese in Old Town Alexandria’s Waterfront Park. The only thing they hadn’t done yet was sleep together. She wasn’t ready. Luckily, he’d been patient. But, what if she’d never be ready? Was it fair to lead him on?
While they waited for their food, they talked shop.
“Thanks to your litigation efforts, the elderly residents in the Barnaby apartment complex will get to stay in their homes,” he said.
She covered her face with her hands. “Seriously? That’s amazing.”
“I’ll say,” he agreed. “You’re really making a difference, Dee.”
“You know, I like being an elected official better than an attorney.”
Ted lifted his glass of champagne. “Then, we’ll have to see to it you get elected for something for the rest of our lives.”
The way
