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“Does he … have anyone back in Nashville? I mean, a romantic someone? He told me no, but … in my experience men lie. A lot.”
Ah, okay. I understood the question now.
“Beck Reed is exactly what you see. There’s nothing hidden. No secret agendas. Or girlfriends. He’s just this gem of a person. You’ll never find a kinder human or a gentler heart. He does all this stuff behind the scenes, too, that no one but those really close to him know about.”
“For example?”
“Like he put together a foundation to put music programs in poor communities. Which I find interesting since he grew up wealthy. Like old southern money type of deal. And yet, he has a heart for kids who have music in them and no way to let it out.”
“How is it possible either of you are single?” Blake asked. “Because I’m out there, trying to meet someone, and all I run into are snakes and weasels.”
I looked down at my feet, debating about how much I should say. When I looked back up at her, she was watching me carefully. “I’m not totally sure about Beck, other than he’s waiting for the real deal, not just a woman who throws herself at him because he’s famous and brilliant. He’s got this deep soul, you know? And most people don’t see how profoundly special he is.”
“But you do?”
“We all do. I don’t know that he knows that to be true, but it is.” My eyes stung talking about Beck in this way. Blake was really good at her job.
“And as for you?” Blake asked.
I hesitated for only a second, giving her my rote answer I always gave to this question. “I don’t know how I could have the type of relationship I want and still stay in the band.”
“Because of the road?”
“That’s right.” And I only want Luci and to have her I have to give up everything I love.
Blake walked me out the main lobby, thanking me again for my time, and from somewhere in the lodge came the sounds of a piano being gently coaxed into a music of loneliness by Beck’s fingers.
I knocked on Luci’s cabin door that evening feeling conspicuous, looking around nervously, as if I were a nefarious criminal instead of a drummer secretly in love with his best friend’s sister.
She opened the door a second later, wearing a pair of loose jeans and red sweater, her hair down around her shoulders.
“Come on in,” Luci said. “It’s frigid out there.”
She shut the door behind me, but not before a gust of cold air followed me into the room. It smelled like fresh popcorn. On the table, she’d set up snacks. In addition to freshly made popcorn, there were red licorice, milk duds, and cans of locally made root beer. A blazing fire was going in the hearth. Extra pillows and throw blankets waited on the bed, as if we were having a slumber party.
“What’s all this?” I asked.
“Just thinking it would be fun to go all in on movie night,” Luci said. “You know … with treats.”
“It’s nice. Thanks.”
“I didn’t know about all that stuff you told Stella. The no sugar thing. I mean, sugar free pudding? That’s pretty hardcore. And I’m a pediatrician.”
“Hardcore is the definition of my dad.” I changed the subject. “The Family Stone is next, right?”
“Okay, you don’t want to talk about it. I get it.” Luci jumped onto the bed and pointed to the stack of movies by the DVD player. Put The Family Stone on already. I can’t wait to see it.”
“Do you want me to bring tissues with me?” I asked as I slipped the DVD out of its case.
“Already have them right there.” I turned to see she had a box on her bedside table. “But bring snacks.”
I grabbed the bowl of popcorn first and then brought the candy over to the bed and settled down on my side. I’m a big guy so there wasn’t much space between us. No wonder she’d ended up sprawled all over me when we’d fallen asleep last time.
“I’ve never in my life eaten in bed,” I said.
“No way.”
“Yep. Just another leftover from my childhood. My dad thinks eating in bed is like murdering your grandma.”
