Chapter Sixteen

 

Smoke sipped his beer and stared out at the dance floor. “Where’ve you been?” he asked Nate who came in from the patio and sat down beside him.

Nate laughed. “Don’t worry, not doing anything bad.”

Smoke smirked. “Is it weird that that didn’t even occur to me?”

“Is it weird? Hell, yeah, it’s weird, but not as weird as the two of us sitting here drinking a quiet beer while there’s a whole club full of fun on offer.”

“It’s not fun anymore though, is it?”

Nate shook his head. “Nope. And if you really want to know where I was, I was outside texting Lil.”

Smoke laughed out loud at that. “Seriously? We’re out on my stag night. All I can think about is Laura and what she’s doing, and you’re sneaking off to text your girlfriend? What happened to us?”

“Love.” Nate shrugged. “I never thought it’d happen to me, or you for that matter, but it seems it even happens to the best of us.”

“Yeah. I tell you what though, I’ve never been happier.”

Nate nodded.

“Are you and Lily okay? It sounded like your wedding plans might be an issue.”

“We’re fine, the two of us, but her family don’t make things easy. To be honest, Lily doesn’t help it, she’s so damned stubborn when it comes to them. I think they walked on her for so long that now she won’t even compromise on the tiniest detail with them.”

“I can’t say I blame her. I was the same for years; it takes a long time to get over that kind of thing.”

“Yeah, I suppose.”

They sat there in companionable silence for a while, watching the dance floor and drinking their beer.

Dan came to join them and sat down with a smile. “This is very civilized.”

“Yeah,” said Smoke. “You mean tame?”

Dan smiled. “I wouldn’t say that.”

“Only because you’re too polite,” said Jack as he came to sit with them. “What’s up, Smokey?”

“Nothing. This is good. I said I just wanted a quiet beer and that’s what I’m doing.” He raised his glass.

Jack shook his head. “What would it take to cheer you up?”

“I’m fine. Seriously. If you guys want to party, have at it, have fun. I’ll be right here.”

Dan was fiddling with his phone and a sneaky smile spread across his face. “Are you sure you want to be right here?”

“Yeah. Why? Don’t you?”

Dan got to his feet. “No. I don’t, and if you check your phone, I don’t think you’ll want to stay, either.”

Smoke pulled his phone out of his back pocket and smiled when he saw he had a voicemail from Laura. He looked up at Dan, but Dan just shrugged.

Smoke went out onto the patio so he could hear. Just the sound of her voice made him smile. “I know what I want to do. I’m not sure if you’ll be able to guess what it is. Call me if you want to find out.”

He dialed her number and waited.

“Hey, did you guess what I want?”

He chuckled. “No, but can you guess what I want?”

“Probably, but we’re not supposed to do that the night before the wedding.”

“I don’t care. I still want you.”

“You’d better come get me then, huh?”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. I miss you. This place is awesome, it’s a great night, but it’d be so much better if you were here.”

“I’m on my way. But where?”

She laughed. “We’re in LA at Oscar’s new club, Six. Lawrence and Clay are playing here tonight.”

Smoke scowled. “So, you’re on your bachelorette party with a bunch of guys?”

She laughed. “And I suppose you’re telling me there are no women in Vegas?”

“None that I’ve noticed.”

“Just get yourself here. There may be guys here, but my guy isn’t here, and I want him.”

“I want you, lady. I think I need to remind you that you’re all mine.”

“And how do plan on doing that?”

He chuckled. “I think you know how.”

“I do.” The way she breathed the words had him hard for her. He wanted her under him, her legs wrapped around him as he made her his.

“I’m on my way.”

~ ~ ~

“Here, sugar.” Kenzie put a drink down in front of Piper. “Get that down you, then come and dance.”

Piper laughed. “I don’t need that to dance. Let’s go.”

Kenzie shrugged and then picked the glass back up and downed it herself. “Whatever you say.”

They collected April and Holly on their way to the dance floor. This was fun. Piper wasn’t used to having a group of girls to hang out with. She was more used to being the lone female with a group of guys—when she went out at all.

“That guy hasn’t taken his eyes off you all night,” Holly told her.

Piper glanced at the guy who was leaning on the balcony. He smiled, but she looked away. She wasn’t interested.

“What’s up?” asked Kenzie. “I thought you’d be on the prowl, you’re the only single woman amongst us. You can have your pick, and that guy’s hot.”

“Not as hot as Cameron,” said Holly with a laugh. “I think she’s saving herself for tomorrow night.”

“Ah. I don’t blame you,” said Kenzie. “You’re going to keep up the tradition of the best man and the bridesmaid?”

Piper smiled. She was hoping to.

Missy had come to join them, and she grinned at Piper. “You don’t have to wait till tomorrow night if you don’t want to. Haven’t you heard?”

“Heard what?”

“The guys are on their way.”

“They are? Why? How? Who’s flying?”

Missy laughed. “That nearly put a stop to the whole thing, Jason’s flying one plane. He hadn’t had a drink, and they ended up hiring a guy at McCarran to fly with Smoke. From what Dan said, Smoke isn’t too happy about it, but he can’t get behind the wheel after even one beer.”

Piper smiled. She could imagine Smoke wouldn’t be thrilled at letting someone fly for him.

Holly shook her head. “Are we ever going to get a bachelorette party that doesn’t include the guys? They crashed Em’s party, they crashed yours, now they’re crashing Laura’s. I bet she’s pissed.”

“Nope, she invited them herself. She couldn’t stay away from her man till tomorrow. I think that’s awesome.”

“Aww, I do, too,” said Holly.” She grinned at Piper. “And I’ll bet you do. I bet Cameron will swoop straight in.”

“I hope so.”

Missy laughed. “That’s the spirit.”

Piper looked up at the stage as the music ended. One guy had been on earlier. He was good, but she’d never heard of him before. Now the DJ was saying that Matt McConnell was coming on. He was great. She and the others made their way off the dance floor and went to sit down. This would be good.

She took a seat next to Marianne. She’d always loved Laura’s mom.

“Are you having fun, sweetie?”

“I am,” said Piper. “Are you?”

“Yes. I wasn’t sure about coming along with you all, but this is fun.”

Laura came and sat down beside her. “Did she tell you about Clay?”

Piper shook her head and had to smile at the way Marianne blushed. “What? The way you’re blushing, it must be something good.”

“Good?” asked Laura. “It was amazing. She bowled him over.”

“That’s awesome. He’s wonderful.”

“He is,” agreed Marianne.

“It’s pretty obvious he thinks you are too,” said Laura.

Marianne blushed again. “Oh, look. Here comes Matt.”

They all went quiet as Matt McConnell came out on the small stage.

~ ~ ~

Hope stood backstage and watched as Matt went out. Autumn came to stand beside her. “It seems to be going well,” said Hope.

“It is. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t too keen on them playing here, but there was no way I could talk any of them out of it. Your cousin seems to be quite persuasive.”

Hope laughed. “You could say that, but then he and Clay have been friends for years. They did a big fundraiser show together and struck up friendship.”

“Oh, I know all about it,” said Autumn with a smile. “They’re an unlikely pair, but they have a strong bond.”

“They do.” Hope hesitated but decided to ask the question that had been bugging her since she’d arrived. “Are you and Matt … Did you used to …” The look on Autumn’s face stopped her in her tracks.

“Are we together? Is that what you’re asking?”

“Or did you used to be?”

“No. Why?”

“I’m sorry. It’s none of my business. You just seem so close. You seem to understand each other so well, yet you’re obviously not together. I wondered if he was your ex.”

Autumn laughed. “No. He’s not. I’m his manager. I suppose you could say we’re friends. But we’ve never been together and …”

Hope raised an eyebrow. “Were you about to say and you never will be? Because I don’t believe that.”

Autumn shook her head and blew out a sigh. “He drives me nuts!”

“Does that mean you’re nuts about him?”

Autumn met her gaze and thought about it for a moment. “God, I hope not! And in a swift change of subject,” she said with a smile, “what about you? You and Chance seem so happy together. Where’s the baby?”

Hope smiled. “He’s with Dave and Monique. I hate to leave him, but they love having him, and they have to take turns with Dad.”

“Where is your dad? I thought he was coming tonight.”

“He was, but then when it turned into Laura’s party, he bowed out. He didn’t go to the stag night because he doesn’t know Laura’s fiancé.”

“That’s a shame. He could have come since everyone’s going to be here.”

Hope grinned. “That’s a good idea. He’s in town. I should call him. See if he wants to.”

~ ~ ~

“I’m guessing you’re happy about this change of plan,” said Ben. He was sitting next to Cameron on the minibus that was taking them from the airport to Oscar Davenport’s nightclub

Cameron smiled. He was. He was looking forward to seeing Piper all dressed up for a night out on the town.

Jason turned around in his seat to smile at them. “I hope your intentions are honorable?”

Cameron raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t sure how to answer that or why it would matter to Jason.

Jason shrugged. “Sorry. It’s not my place to say anything, but then it kind of is, too. Piper’s one of us now. You know she’s working at the flight school?”

“I do. Don’t worry. I like her, that much seems to be obvious to everyone, but maybe it’s best left alone.”

Ben chuckled beside him. “If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that one. Just roll with it Cameron.”

“Roll with what?” asked Smoke as he made his way down the bus.

Cameron shrugged. “It seems you’re not the only one who doesn’t like the idea of me and Piper.”

Smoke held up a hand. “I’m saying nothing. It’s your business whatever you decide.

Their dad leaned over and smiled at them. “For what it’s worth, I like the idea. If you can find yourself a nice wholesome, small-town girl, I’ll be happy.”

Cameron exchanged a look with Smoke, and their dad laughed. “Don’t worry. I’m not interfering; I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m trying to reassure you that there won’t be any parental disapproval, no matter who you get involved with.” He nodded at Smoke. “I’ve learned my lesson there.”

Cameron smiled. “Thanks, Dad.”

“Mr. Hamilton?”

All three of them turned to see who had called their name from the back of the minibus. Chance laughed. “Sorry, I didn’t think. That could be any one of you, couldn’t it? I meant Mr. Hamilton Senior.”

“Please, call me Cole. I don’t think there’ll be any confusion there. You all know Cole Junior as Smoke.”

Cameron had to smile at the way he put his hand on Smoke’s shoulder. It seemed that rift was now completely healed.

“Well, Cole, sir,” said Chance. “I wanted to help you over your disappointment at being dragged away from Vegas. I just got a message from my wife, and she asked me to tell you that a friend of yours will be there when we get to the club.”

Cameron laughed. His dad hadn’t been too keen to head to LA, he’d kept grumbling that he was supposed to be getting a night away from his wife. “Really? Who?”

“My father-in-law, Seymour Davenport.”

“Excellent. It’ll be good to see him. Such a small world.”

“It is,” called Graham, from up the front of the bus. Cameron had met him earlier. He was Pete’s dad.

“You know him, too?”

“I do.” Graham got up and made his way back to sit beside Cameron’s dad. The two of them were soon deep in conversation, and Cameron smiled at Smoke.

Ben grinned at them. “Isn’t it amazing how everyone knows each other somehow or at least knows someone who knows someone.”

“It’s like those six degrees of separation,” agreed Jason. “Everyone in the world is connected somehow.”

Smoke grinned. “I like it.”

“I do too,” said Nate, “but I like it better that in a few minutes there won’t be any degrees of separation between me and Lily.”

Pete slapped the back of his head. “And I thought you’d be the one who held out to stay in Vegas.”

“Nah,” said Smoke. “He’s a reformed character. Just like me. A changed man.”

Cameron smiled. His brother truly was a changed man, and Cameron couldn’t be happier for him.

~ ~ ~

Laura kept turning to look at the entrance. She couldn’t wait for Smoke to get here. Matt’s set was over, and Lawrence and Shawnee would be on soon. She’d love for Smoke to see them sing, but mostly she just wanted him to be here. She looked around the group. Most of them were sitting chatting. Kenzie, April, and Piper had gone off to dance again. Her mom was talking with Aunt Chris and Hope. Laura went over to join them.

“Any news on when the boys will be here?” asked her mom.

“Chance texted me to say they should be less than ten minutes now,” said Hope. “I’m glad because Dad’s outside, and he was worried about coming in to sit with all the girls.”

Aunt Chris chuckled. “He needn’t worry. I’ll take good care of him.”

Laura’s mom laughed. “And I’m sure he wouldn’t need to worry about all the girls. You wouldn’t let anyone else near him!”

Hope looked at Laura who rolled her eyes. “Don’t mind my aunt. She has something of a crush on your dad.”

“Ooh. How do you know him?”

“I don’t.” Aunt Chris had the good grace to look a little embarrassed. “Only from seeing him on TV and when he came to the lake for your wedding. He’s a very good-looking man, and he seems like a good-hearted man.”

“He is. Oh, look. There he is now.” Hope waved, and Laura followed her gaze to where Seymour stood at the edge of the balcony scanning the crowd. Even she had to agree that he was a good-looking man. She liked him. They’d chatted a little at Hope and Chance’s wedding. She looked back at Aunt Chris who looked thoroughly embarrassed.

“I’ll just pop to the ladies’ room.”

“Oh, no, you won’t.” Laura laughed as her mom took a firm hold of Aunt Chris’s arm. “You’ll stay right here and meet the man.”

Her chance to escape vanished as Seymour arrived at the sofas where they were sitting and smiled around at them. “Good evening, ladies. Laura. Congratulations.”

Laura stood and wrapped him in a hug. She wasn’t a big hugger, normally, but he looked like he needed it, and she was touched that he even remembered her. “Thank you. And thanks for coming. Don’t worry, the rest of the guys should be here any minute.”

He held her gaze for a moment as she stepped back. “Thank you.”

“Let me introduce you to everyone,” said Hope. “This is Marianne, Laura’s mom.”

“Nice to meet you,” said Seymour as he shook her hand.

“And this is Chris Benson, Laura’s aunt.”

Hope and Laura both watched with interest as Seymour and Chris shook hands. They held each other’s gaze for a few moments longer than they held onto each other’s hand. “It’s a pleasure,” said Seymour.

“It is,” agreed Chris.

Laura grinned at Hope. “Is it time to go and meet the guys?”

“It is,” said Hope.

“I thought so,” agreed Laura’s mom and led them away.

Once they were at a safe distance, they stopped and looked back. Chris and Seymour were sitting on the sofa, turned toward each other, chatting as if they were old friends.

“Wouldn’t that be something?” asked Laura.

Hope grinned at her. “Wouldn’t it just! Let’s keep our fingers crossed.”

Laura’s mom laughed and held up both her hands—with fingers crossed. “I’ve been keeping mine crossed for weeks that your dad would be here tonight. She thinks he’s wonderful.”

Hope nodded. “He is. I can tell he likes her. I just hope he’s ready.”

Laura raised an eyebrow, but Hope shook her head and smiled. “Sorry. I’m getting carried away. It’s just a night out, right?”

“Right,” Laura agreed, though she knew they were all wondering if it might turn into something more than that.