Things Lost In The Fire (28 page)

The instant he sat down, someone fell into the seat beside him. He glanced over and eyed the stranger with curiosity.

The young man held out his hand with a bright grin. “Hey. I’m Isaac.”

Brody’s eyebrows rose as he accepted the handshake. “Brody.”

“Odell. Right. I know who you are.”

Brody felt his body tense. “I see my reputation precedes me. You really into Albatross, Isaac?”

Isaac shrugged. “I guess I have to be. My step-dad’s the lead singer.”

A half laugh escaped Brody’s throat, understanding hitting him. “I see. That makes you Sadie’s step-brother.”

“Yep. She told me she invited you here tonight so I just wanted to come over and introduce myself. Let you know that I’m watching you.”

Amused, Brody patted Isaac on the shoulder. “That’s very brotherly of you, but she can handle herself.”

“It’s not her I’m worried about,” Isaac replied easily. “It’s you. No matter what she says I don’t believe you’re not just using her to get a hot story.”

Anger rumbled within him, but Brody didn’t let it show. “Join the club.”

Before Isaac could respond, the lights in the stadium dimmed to black, signaling the start of the show. The crowd exploded with noise as all eyes went to the stage. Several people surrounding him shot to their feet, clapping and cheering in anticipation. Brody shrugged and rose as well, noticing that Isaac had turned away and was busy chatting excitedly with the woman beside him.

Brody watched as silhouetted figures emerged onto the stage, shielded by the darkness. One settled in behind a large drum set, another took stage left and lifted what looked like a bass guitar, and a third came front and center and reached for a guitar. When he secured the instrument over his chest, he hit a few tell tale notes from one of Albatross’s most famous songs, and the crowd screamed with hysteria.

Lights flashed on and illuminated the stage, showing the remaining three members of Albatross. All eyes went to Ben McRae as he polished off a long, haunting note, and hit the mic with his infamously deep and husky voice.

It was a song Brody knew well, one he frequently heard on the radio despite it being thirty years old. Around him, adoring fans sang along with Ben and danced to the beat of Tommy’s bass and Glenn’s quick and clever drumming. The combination was electrifying, and as much as Brody tried not to give Ben credit he had to admit the guy was an incredible performer.

He could see where Sadie’s love of music came from. It was there in her father, and watching the man perform up close was like watching parts of Sadie. Ben lacked his daughter’s quiet softness, but the passion and frank emotion shone with clarity from his eyes just as they did in hers. When the music filled the air, it was impossible to ignore his magnetic pull. The same was true with her. How else could she have built such a fan base with nothing more than a YouTube channel and the mystery of an alias? People were drawn to her, just as they’d always been drawn to her parents.

Clearly all her years of trying not to be them had failed. She was their daughter, through and through.

After they wrapped up the song, Ben called out a greeting to the crowd. They roared with approval and elation, quieting down only when he continued to speak.

“We have a real surprise for you this evening. I know there’s a certain element to Albatross that many of you have been missing…well, tonight we bring it back, but with a twist.” Ben stepped back from the mic and motioned toward the side of the stage, where Sadie emerged. The second the light hit her free-flowing golden hair and face, Brody thought the ceiling might come down from all the noise.

She smiled and waved at the crowd as she approached her father. They exchanged a brief hug, much to the crowd’s delight, before heading for their own microphones.

Brody felt a jolt run through him when Sadie’s eyes fell to his and a pretty smile lit up her face. She sent him a nervous wave just before the band launched into the song.

His heart was racing as he watched her, stunned by the transformation. They’d dressed her up just like her mother, yet her smile and movements were so very Sadie. The sparkling gypsy gown she wore flowed around her legs in layers of silk and lace the color of peacock feathers. Intricate beadwork covered the bodice and thick shoulder straps, leaving her arms bare. She held a wooden tambourine which she tapped in time with the beat, looking like she truly belonged there. Like there was no place else she was meant to be.

When she sang, her voice stole the breath out of him. He’d heard her before, but not like this. Not singing a song he’d grown up listening to, one he’d enjoyed all his life. Her mother may have been a goddess of a woman in her day, but he had to admit the daughter was even more captivating. And from the emotional cheers erupting all around him, he had a feeling the fans couldn’t agree more.

Sadie and her father began the chorus, their voices blending in perfect harmony. Brody lost himself in the image of the two of them together, just as he knew everyone in the audience did. Ben had succeeded in making tonight something for the world to remember. He’d made music history. And Sadie—whether she was ready for it or not—was going to be a star.

The song came to a close and Sadie gave her father another hug, this time tighter and more meaningful. Brody was close enough to see her wipe away a couple tears before waving cheerfully at the crowd. When she stepped offstage, he reached for his cell phone and shot off a text to her. He couldn’t wait until after the show to see her. It had to be now.

A few minutes later she wrote back, asking him to meet her by a door off to the far right of the stage, used primarily for sound and lighting equipment. He took off without saying a word to Isaac and found his way to the door, which opened before he could reach it. Sadie tugged him inside a dimly lit storage area that led back stage and firmly shut the door.

“Hi,” she greeted, facing him with a bright smile on her face. “Well, what’d you think?”

Brody shook his head, drinking in the sight of her. The combination of that dress, the smokiness the makeup gave her eyes, and the delighted flush of her cheeks made her completely irresistible. “For once in my life I have no words, McRae.”

She giggled, unable to help herself. “I can’t believe that just happened. I’m not dreaming, am I? Maybe you should pinch me.”

He shifted closer to her, reaching up to touch her face. His fingertips grazed her cheek and drew back into her waves of hair, his eyes lowering to her mouth. “If it is a dream then it’s a damn good one. You were amazing.”

Sadie’s lips parted, stunned by the heat radiating off him. She had to remember to breathe as she fought to keep her knees steady. “I’m really not. It’s the song, it’s so great. I just sang.”

“It blew me away.” He brought her face within inches of his own, breathing in the scent of her honeysuckle perfume. His other hand found her waist, pulling her in until their bodies were touching. He could feel her shivering against him, and from the desire that softened those bright eyes of hers he knew he was a doomed man.

Those eyes fluttered closed as she leaned in. “Brody, we should—”

The door beside them opened, revealing Isaac. Behind him, the crowd continued to sing along and enjoy the show.

“Sadie, I was looking for you,” he interrupted, eyebrows creased with confusion as he slipped through the door. He assessed the scene, concern tightening his features. “Everything okay?”

Sadie drew back from Brody, embarrassed. Her arms came around her torso as she looked at her younger brother. “Yeah, I’m fine. We were just talking.”

Isaac didn’t seem to believe her. His gaze shot to Brody distrustfully. “Are you sure?”

Sadie sighed. “Yes. Everything’s okay. I promise.”

He frowned. “Okay. I’ll leave you alone to continue…
talking
. If you wanna come watch the rest of the show, you can sit next to me.”

“Thanks, Isaac.” Sadie nodded as her step-brother left. Once the door shut behind him, she let out a rush of breath and faced Brody sheepishly. “Sorry about that.”

Brody rolled his shoulders, wishing it didn’t bother him so much that no one seemed to trust him with her. He’d never cared about what other people thought before, so why start now?

Because it involved Sadie. And Sadie meant something to him.

“He’s just looking out for you,” he replied. “I guess I can’t blame him. I’m more evil-villain-plotting-to-take-over-the-world than Prince Charming.”

Sadie’s face softened with humor. “You’re not all bad. Besides, Prince Charming is boring.”

“Very true.” Brody chuckled, running a hand through his hair. “Look, what you said on the phone last night about me only wanting a story—”

“I’m sorry, I was being unfair to you,” Sadie interrupted, avoiding his gaze. “You deserve better than that.”

“Not really, but I did want to make something clear to you.” He grabbed her gently by the shoulders, urging her to meet his eyes. “I want to keep seeing you. Not because I want a story, but because being around you makes me remember what it was like when things were simpler and I was happy. I don’t want to lose that.”

Her brows drew together. “What about Walker?”

“I honestly don’t give a damn about anything right now except for you.”

“Me…” The word trailed off as the sound of her father’s voice and loud cheers echoed from the stadium. She stared into Brody’s eyes, lost in all that dark intensity. Lost in memories of the past blending with the face of the present. “When did everything change? We were friends, and then we weren’t. And now I don’t know what we are. I need to know that I can trust you.”

He framed her face with his hands, drawing closer to her. A slow grin spread over his features. “Admit it. You like living a little dangerously. And as for being your friend…I don’t see why that has to stop me from doing this.”

She started to reply only to be cut off by his mouth taking hers. Her hands rose to grip the front of his black T-shirt, pulling him in even though her brain told her to push him away. The feel of his hands and the heat of his mouth as it raged over her own fired off sparks of hope and uncertainty within her heart. But soon it and everything else fell away. The sound of Albatross in the background, the fears of what her brother, Tommy, and Tess would say, the ache of wondering what place she had in this strange new world of fame. None of it seemed to matter, not when she could give in to this crazy blend of past and present and savor the awareness of being genuinely wanted by a man like him. By a man who embodied a reckless sort of freedom she craved with every breath she took.

It was madness. But then again, so was he.

When he broke the kiss, he rested his forehead against hers and fought for air. The blood in his veins ran hot and fast with a fire he hadn’t felt in years. From the delirious way she trembled against him, he had a feeling she felt it too.

Her hands weakened their grip on his shirt as her head fell languidly back, inviting him in. He pressed his lips to the soft curve of her neck, consumed by the scent of her.

“God, you’re beautiful,” he murmured.

She stepped back, fighting for some semblance of control. If she didn’t she knew she’d never be able to come up for air. A weak smile curved her lips. “You’re just saying that because tonight I look like the Goddess of Albatross.”

He grinned, though that intensity remained. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

She smacked him playfully on the arm. “Shut up.”

“What? She’s a beautiful woman.” He slowly backed her up against the nearest wall, a predatory look in his eyes. “You know you knock her out of the park, right?”

Her back hit the wall the second before he kissed her again. On instinct, her hands dove into his hair. He gripped her waist, holding her there as his mouth found her neck once more and sent shockwaves of heat through her body. It was like being devoured whole, and her hunger for it alarmed her. Needing to stop, to reclaim her sanity, she pushed him away.

“I really should go,” she said breathlessly, dizzy from the dark emotions he’d stirred within her. “Isaac’s probably wondering where I am.”

Brody nodded, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “Right. Wouldn’t want to worry little brother.”

Sadie frowned, taken aback by the irritation in his voice. “He cares about me.”

“Yeah, you’ve got quite the group of bodyguards ready to protect you from me,” he joked halfheartedly, unsure why he let it bother him so much. “Am I going to have to go through them every time I want to see you? A man can only take so much interrogation before he just gives the hell up.”

She adjusted her dress, unable to look at him. “I don’t know what to say to that.”

“Just tell me you’ll let me in, Sadie. Tell me you don’t give a shit about what anyone else thinks and that I can be a part of your life again.”

Guilt coursed through her as she crossed her arms. “This is a lot for me to handle right now. I just did two things I thought I’d never do and the potential consequences of both are scaring the hell out of me.”

“What are you talking about?”

She looked up at him, eyes bright with unshed tears. “What’s my mother going to say when she finds out I performed with Albatross tonight? And what am I going to do if I let these insane feelings I have for you keep me in L.A. when it comes time for me to leave?”