“You looked a little flustered.”
“I’m fine,” said Jake, trying to sound calm. “It’s hot out there today.”
“Sure is,” agreed the band’s bass player as he passed out the burgers. “I called Kola. She said Lori was on her way over to our place with the kids. Think they have a pool party planned.”
“Sounds good to me,” sighed Jake as he set his coffee down and picked up his burger.
It was dusk by the time Silver Lake called it a day on their rehearsal. As they walked back round to the front of JJL to head home, Jake was relieved to see there was no sign of Nicole’s BMW. The incident from lunchtime had preyed on his mind all afternoon and he had half expected to find her waiting for him outside. Apart from their trucks and cars, the only thing Jake spotted were lightning bugs flitting about among the tall grass.
“Night,” he said as he reached his truck. “See you back here in the morning.”
“Todd,” called out Grey. “You’re on coffee and donut duty tomorrow.”
“Sure. I’ll pick them up on my way in,” promised the youngster before adding, “Jake, don’t be late!”
“As if I would!” he laughed. “See you in the morning.”
As he started the truck, Jake noticed there was a note under his wiper blade. Opening the window, he stretched round to retrieve it. As he’d suspected it was from Nicole. Without bothering to read it, he tossed it into the passenger side footwell and started the engine.
The final day of rehearsal ran smoothly. No split drum heads. No broken strings. And, by the time the band were packing up late afternoon, they all felt more confident about the show ahead of them. As had become a long-established Silver Lake tradition, they were gathering at the beach house after rehearsal for a BBQ.
Checking his phone, Jake called out, “Grey, Kola and the girls are at our place. You’ve to bring over some chicken that Kola left at your place. Some marinated skewers or something.”
“Thanks. I’ll swing by and pick it up on the way over.”
“What have I to bring?” asked Todd, fastening the catches on his guitar case.
“Lori said something about needing more shrimp when I spoke to her earlier.”
“Two pounds enough?”
“More than enough.”
“Great,” said Todd. “I’ve a couple of errands to run but I’ll be there by six-thirty.”
“Take your time. We’ve got all night.”
As the sun dipped lower in the early evening sky and the BBQ embers burned low, the three members of Silver Lake took the kids down to the beach to play. They’d all eaten their fill but the youngsters were bored confined to the house and deck. Grabbing a soccer ball, Jake was the one who suggested they let the kids run off the last of their energy.
Amid squeals of laughter, the extended Silver Lake family played on the soft sand in front of the beach house. After a few minutes, when he thought none of the adults were watching, Jesse made a bid for freedom and ran off along the beach towards Rehoboth.
“Daddy!” screamed Melody a few seconds later. “Jesse’s escaped!”
“Damn,” muttered Jake as he headed off in pursuit of his son.
It never ceased to amaze him how fast the little boy could run but he managed to catch up with him swiftly. He was running along the waterline watching the waves rather than where he was going. Before Jake could grab him, Jesse careened into a jogger causing them to stumble and fall.
“Lord, I am so sorry,” apologised Jake, reaching out to help the fallen runner to their feet. “You ok?”
“Twisted my knee but I’ll live,” replied a familiar voice.
“Nicole!” he gasped then, realising that Jesse had run off again, added, “Wait there.”
A few moments later he returned to where Nicole was sitting on the damp sand rubbing her knee with Jesse in his arms. The small boy was sobbing loudly about having been captured and reprimanded.
“Jesse, say sorry to Nicole for knocking her over,” instructed Jake firmly.
“I sorry, lady,” said Jesse tearfully.
“No harm done,” replied Nicole, smiling up at the little boy and Jake.
“You sure you’re ok?” quizzed Jake, unable to help himself from sounding concerned.
“I’m fine. Honestly,” purred Nicole. “I might cut my run short though and walk back.”
Balancing Jesse on his hip, Jake reached out with his other hand and helped Nicole to her feet. She held onto his hand just a little longer than was necessary.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“If you’re sure you’re ok, I’d best get this little dude home,” said Jake, keen to get out from under her gaze.
“I’m fine, Jake,” she assured him, reaching out to rub Jesse’s back. “And it was nice to see you again, Jesse.”
Overcome by shyness and tiredness, Jesse buried his tear-stained face in Jake’s shoulder.
“I’d best make a move,” said Jake. “And sorry again.”
“No harm done. See you tomorrow night,” replied Nicole as she turned to leave.
“Night,” said Jake, only registering what she’d said after he had started to head back to the house. It had totally slipped his mind that he’d added Nicole to the guestlist for the show.
Fans were already queued up outside the Ram’s Head when the Silver Bullet pulled up shortly before noon next day. Ignoring Jethro’s stern warning about being on a tight schedule, the three members of Silver Lake paused to spend a few minutes with the die-hard Silver Lakers, posing for photos and autographing anything the fans presented to them. As had become the norm, there was one fan who wanted the band to sign their body with a view to getting it tattooed later. This time, it was only the guy’s shoulder and Paul joked with him that he was relieved that it wasn’t
