Things Lost In The Fire (12 page)

B
RODY WAS stunned. The only thing he could think was, holy shit, that’s Sadie McRae.

At first he thought he was hallucinating. It couldn’t be. The guy said the woman’s name was Piper something. It had to just be a trick of the light.

But when he slipped from the barstool and made his way closer to the stage to get a better look at her, he knew he was right. She had different hair, but that face, those eyes, that voice. She even had the same self-conscious, nervous smile that brought out a dimple in her right cheek.

How long had it been? Eleven years or more, he realized. Eleven years since she’d all but disappeared. She hadn’t even said goodbye.

At the time he hadn’t blamed her. After what she’d been through, how could he? But they’d been friends once, students together at Harvard-Westlake in Beverly Hills. Though he was two years older than her, they’d been thick as thieves for nearly four years before
it
happened.

He sipped his beer, watching her intently. Years had passed since he’d last thought about her or the scandal involving her mother’s drummer, Lee Walker. Back then it was all anyone could talk about, which was why he assumed her father sent her away. Somewhere up north, he recalled, though he couldn’t remember where. So what brought her back here, to a stage in Hollywood under a fake name?

It was just the kind of mystery he lived to solve.

He smiled to himself as she sang, marveling at the sight of her. She looked so confident, so mysterious and sexy. Such a radical change from the Sadie he once knew. He was curious to find out if it was all an act, or if she really had changed. Part of him hoped she hadn’t. He’d gotten a kick out of the girl he once knew. It’d be a shame if the woman wasn’t the same.

When she switched into a more up-tempo song, he gazed out at the crowd and watched the people dance and sing along with her. He’d never seen The L.A. Rock Lounge so packed before, especially for an artist he hadn’t even heard of. Clearly she had quite the devoted fan base.

He wondered if any of them realized they were being fooled. This Piper person didn’t exist—it was only a clever cover for someone who had a good reason to avoid the spotlight. What would happen if they
did
know who she really was? Would they love her even more?

She was the only daughter of two of the greatest rock gods to ever grace the stage. The progeny of legends. He was curious to find out why she hid behind the alias. Was it out of a need to prove herself without her parents’ reputations? Or was it something else altogether?

Either way, he enjoyed knowing her secret while everyone else was fooled. It amused him to watch her and know her, even though she had no idea he was there.

Soon she would. And then he’d have his answers.

SADIE KEPT her cool until the second she was offstage. She crumpled into Tess’s arms, her knees finally giving out.

“Oh my God. Did I just do that?” she breathed, trying not to hyperventilate as her lips spread in a wide grin. The crowd was still roaring with praise for her as she met eyes with her friend.

“I’m so proud of you.” Tess hugged her tightly, tears in her eyes. “You were fabulous.”

“I was terrified,” Sadie admitted, her entire body quaking with the thrill of victory. She’d conquered her biggest fear and lived to tell about it. There was no greater high than that.

“Well, you barely showed it. Now c’mon, you deserve a few minutes to rest those lovely vocal cords of yours.”

Sadie nodded, still fighting to catch her breath. She let Tess take her back into the dressing room, where she collapsed into a chair and closed her eyes.

“That was…incredible.”

“I know.” Tess busied herself removing Sadie’s stage makeup, a permanent smile plastered on her face. “You rock, girl.”

“I do, don’t I?” Sadie laughed giddily, her entire body relaxing as relief swam through her.

“So…would you be willing to do it again sometime?”

“Yes,” Sadie blurted out, only to second guess herself. Her eyes flew open. “Wait. I don’t know. Maybe?”

Tess pursed her lips. “You know you want to. Admit it, what you did tonight made you feel more alive than anything you’ve ever done.”

“Okay. True.” Sadie let out a long breath, weighing the decision in her head. “I do
want
to do it again. But I don’t know if I
can
.”

“Why not?”

“Eventually someone’s bound to figure me out. I mean, I’m getting a little too public. If I start doing more shows, then more offers for recording contracts will come in and I won’t be able to explain the reason why I have to turn them down.”

“You know how many musicians would
kill
for a recording contract?” Tess asked, shaking her head. “I get your point, but I think you’re being a bit of a Virgo right now.”

“I know.” Sadie sighed. “I worry too much.”

“You need to chill out and go with the flow. This makes you happy, so do it.”

Sadie looked in the mirror after Tess finished removing the makeup, pleased to see her own face staring back at her. Though a part of her missed the mysterious woman she’d become for the last few hours.

“I’ll commit to one more show, but nothing more than that.” She attempted a smile for Tess. “Can we go home now? I need wine.”

“If by wine you mean more champagne, then you’re in luck. I stocked up.” Tess patted her shoulder and turned to start packing up their things. “Why don’t you get changed and go out to the car, I’ll just be a second. I need to talk to Leon about booking you that show.”

Sadie grabbed her purse and shoved the makeup bag inside. “Okay.”

She changed into jeans and a white T-shirt, then looked at herself one more time in the mirror, debating whether or not to remove the wig. Deciding it was best to maintain the disguise until she was safely at home, she left the room and headed for the exit that led to the discreet parking lot for performers and security.

When she opened the door, a small crowd of people greeted her.

“Oh.” A wave of panic hit her as she took in the smiling, excited faces of some fans who’d found their way to the backstage door.

One girl about her age walked up, nervously holding up her cell phone. “I love your music so much. Can I take a picture with you?”

Sadie bit her lower lip, unsure what to do. She shot a nervous glance to Tess’s car, which was parked several yards away. She wondered if she took off at a run if the crowd would follow her.

Don’t be stupid. Of course they would, and then everyone would talk about what a lunatic you are.

“Sure.” Sadie tried to smile and posed with the girl, hoping she had just enough makeup on to where no one would notice her real identity. Not that anyone gave a crap about Sadie McRae anymore, she reminded herself. Though she had to admit, they seemed to love Piper Gray.

As the others in the crowd approached her to take pictures and get autographs, she spotted a man dressed in black leaning against a nearby light pole smoking a cigarette. The light above him cast dark shadows over his face, giving him a dangerous look. Her stomach did a nervous flip and she had to look away.

“Thank you so much. You’re amazing,” another young girl said, all but gushing at the sight of Sadie. “Please do an album. We’d all buy it in a heartbeat.”

“I…might.” Sadie attempted another smile as the last few fans trailed off, waving goodbye to her. She started toward the parking lot, then realized the stranger was still watching her. Her hand tightened instinctively around her purse strap as she thought of the pepper spray she kept inside. Could she get to it in time if she needed to?

Realizing she had no choice but to walk past him, she kept her eyes focused on the ground and began to walk. In her peripherals, she saw the man blow out a puff of smoke and toss his cigarette to the ground, putting it out with his Converse sneaker.

Just keep walking. Please don’t talk to me. Please.

She made it past him, her breath stalled in her lungs. After a few paces, she released it.

Then he spoke.

“Sadie McRae.”

She stopped dead in her tracks, whirling around to face him. It took her a second to realize he’d used her real name. Not her stage name, not the name everyone at the venue knew her by. He knew her
real
name.

Oh God.

She turned around again and practically ran for the car. It wasn’t until the stranger followed her and grabbed her arm that she stopped. She flung her elbow upward, nearly clocking him in the nose.

“Leave me alone!”

“Christ, McRae, calm down.” He took a step back and held both hands up in apology, an edgy smile crossing his face. “I’m not here to hurt you.”

“What do you want?” What she really wanted to know was how he knew her real name, but that question would only validate his claim.

“You don’t remember me? I mean, it’s been eleven years, but who could forget this face?”

He smiled again, this time with a kind of cocky, carefree swagger that lit up his roguish features. She stared into his eyes, dark and filled with charm. Her heart leapt into her throat as recognition hit her.

“Brody?” Without hesitating, she launched herself into his arms, a disbelieving laugh escaping her lips. “What are you doing here?”

“I should be asking you that question.” He held her, startled by her easy affection and oddly grateful for it.

“I…I’m singing.” She pulled away from him, feeling awkward. “Did you…”

“See? Yeah, I saw.” He tapped under her chin to bring her eyes back to his. “I never thought I’d see you on a stage.”

“I know, right?” She laughed and adjusted her wig, making sure it was still in place. “Shy little Sadie, scared of her own shadow…”

“No, shy little Sadie who swore she’d never be like her parents.”

She felt a lump form in her throat and tried to swallow it. “I’m not
like
them. I just sing for fun.”

“You killed it out there. I’d say you’re more like them than you realize.”

The observation bothered her, but she tried not to show it. “Thanks…so how have you been?”

Brody tucked his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “Not as good as you. You look great.”

“Thanks…again.” She crossed her arms for lack of something better to do and tried to act cool. Why was she so awkward? He was just an old friend. Though everything was different now, wasn’t it? She wasn’t even that same person anymore. And he…well, he looked like life had dealt some heavy blows that sharpened every last edge of him. “Anyway, I should probably—”

“Excuse me.” Tess stormed over, stepping between Brody and Sadie. She eyed Brody with intense dislike. “You need to go now.”

A cynical smile twisted his lips. “Hey, Tess. Long time no see.”

“This was a cute little reunion but it’s over.” Tess turned to Sadie, reaching for her arm. “C’mon, let’s go.”

“Oh.” Sadie blinked in confusion, staring back and forth between the two of them. “Okay. Why?”

“He’s bad news, honey. Just trust me.”

Sadie locked eyes with Brody. “You won’t tell anyone about me singing, right?”

Tess scoffed. “If he does, he can expect a big fat lawsuit coming his way.”

Brody ignored Tess, his irritation softening at the fear he saw on Sadie’s face. She was clearly terrified of everyone knowing who she really was. “My lips are sealed.”

“They better be.” Tess led Sadie toward the car, leaving Brody behind.

He rocked back on his heels, sad to see her go. Again. “You never said goodbye to me, Sadie. Not then or now.”

Sadie shot a look over her shoulder and managed a smile, amused by him despite Tess’s warning. “Goodbye, Brody.”

Seconds later they were climbing into the car. When Sadie turned to look back, he was already gone.