Wasted Heart (24 page)

“Did he make you cry?” Kane asks before kissing her back.

“No, he didn’t. We had to talk. I’ll tell you all about later,” she says quietly to him, but I hear her. Turning back towards Rhye, she says, “Rhye, you remember Kane. Right? He’s my husband now.”

Rhye moves his eyes from me back to her. “You married
that
bastard?” he asks, giving this evil little smile towards Kane. If I hadn’t gotten to know Rhye better, I would be worried that he was, in some way, jealous, but now I see he’s messing with him for the hell of it.

“Yeah, I guess I was the better one,” Kane replies, standing taller, but never letting go of Jay.

“What the fuck ever,” Rhye says, balling up his fist and rubbing it with his other hand.

Way too much testosterone for me. “I’m thirsty. Can I get something to drink?” I ask the entire room. Whoever will answer, wins.

“Sure,” Jay replies, looking worried to leave Kane’s side.

“I’ll just grab something from your fridge if that’s okay?” I reply, not wanting her to move in case she’s the reason Kane is standing still.

“Help yourself.”

I walk over to the fridge and see that a beer bottle is sitting on the kitchen counter, the label laying in shreds around it. I assume it is Rhye’s. Opening the door, I grab Josh and me a bottle of water and another beer for Rhye. I normally wouldn’t make myself at home in a stranger’s house, but the situation warrants a change of atmosphere.

“While I’m in your fridge, do you want something to drink, Jay?” I ask. Wouldn’t it be tacky if I didn’t ask?

“No, but thanks,” she replies then laughs out loud. I join in. This is the weirdest conversation I’ve ever had in my life.

“Heads up, Josh,” I say, tossing him a bottle of cold water. Walking around Jay and Kane, I stroll right up to Rhye and kiss his lips. I have no clue why I’m doing it, but his mouth feels so right against mine. Pulling back, I see the look of surprise, and then he leans down to kiss me again. He lays one on me that turns my world inside out, wrapping his arms securely around me. With the drinks in my hands, I can’t return the embrace, but I try. When he pulls back, he smiles at me and looks at the beer in my hand.

“For me?” he asks, reaching for it.

Nodding, I let him take it and turn when I hear the laughter getting louder behind me.

“Point made,” Kane says to him. “But I still don’t trust you.”

“Fuck you,” Rhye says, taking another gulp of beer.

“Pissing contest over you guys. Listen, we are having a cookout this afternoon with a couple of friends. I would love it if you all would stay and eat.”

Rhye shakes his head while Josh and I both answer, “Yes.” I watch him roll his eyes and drink his beer.

“Great. Kane, why don’t you and Josh, is it, go out to get the grill ready, and the rest of us will get things started in here,” Jay says.

I can tell Kane wants to say something, but at the last minute, he leans down to lightly kiss her. I think he mouths that he loves her and she does the same. I’m really hoping that I’m wrong about Jay. She seems like someone I could be friends with. I look back at Josh, and he nods that he’s okay with everything. He follows Kane out the backdoor, and the rest of us are left in the aftermath.

“Well, that was as fun as to be expected. Really, Rhye?” Jay asks, putting her hands on her waist.

“He started it,” Rhye says, raising his beer bottle. “Where’s the bathroom?” he asks, and Jay points down a small hallway which he follows.

Groaning, she turns back towards me. “Thanks for deflecting the moment. Kane has a jealous streak a mile wild, and it’s double that when it comes to Rhye,” she says, walking over to the kitchen counter to unload the grocery bag that Kane brought in. Looking at me, she motions for me to have a seat at the kitchen counter. “Not that he has a reason to be now.”

“But there was a point where he did?” I ask, thinking curiosity killed the cat.

Stopping, she turns those slate grey eyes right at me. “Yes. In fact, me making bad decisions regarding Rhye almost cost me my relationship with Kane several times. I’m only telling you this because I want you to understand why Kane has so much animosity towards Rhye. It’s not because he thinks Rhye still loves me; it’s because we all have a very interconnected and shady past.” Reaching over, she places her warm hand on top of mine. “You love him, right?”

“Yes,” I answer, not hesitating for a second.

“You brought him to me, didn’t you? You knew he was living with guilt that wasn’t his.”

Again, I answer, “Yes.”

“He’s lucky to have you. I can only imagine that his lifestyle is magnified ten times over from when I knew him. The drugs, the booze, the women. You have to be a strong woman to stand beside someone who is immersed in that world, not to mention the demons they already carry.” I just nod my head, not knowing where she is going with this. “Thank you, Syn. That guy that you love saved me in so many ways. I owe him my life. So, please don’t give up. He deserves someone that will stand by him and help fight what he carries inside.” Looking out the window at her husband, she continues, “I was lucky enough to find that person, and it has made all the difference in my life,” she says, looking back at me with a smile.

Her words give me hope that there could be a future for us, together, beyond Rhye’s pain.

Patting my hand, she whispers, “He’s coming back.” Jay smiles at me and mouths, “Thank you.”

I nod and smile back at her.

“Okay, you guys like hamburgers and hotdogs?” she asks, turning to get something from her kitchen cabinet.

“Sounds great,” I reply loudly.

“What sounds great?” Rhye says, coming back to sit down beside me.

“Food. I’m starving,” I answer, smiling at him.

“So, Rhye. Are you still living in L.A.?” Jay asks while fixing a huge salad. She slices a couple cucumbers, laying them on a small plate and placing them in front of me with a sweet grin.

He begins to tell her that we are both writing and recording our new albums in Nashville. Of course, he leaves out anything about his addiction and us. It makes me think that he’s embarrassed of the drugs instead of not giving a damn. I’d much rather he be embarrassed. You can try to help that. Once someone doesn’t give a damn, I’m finding it’s hard to change that perception. She talks to him about his music, keeping the conversation light for his sake. He even laughs when she says something about her awesome singing voice providing backup vocals. Must be an inside joke for them.

As I sit here next to the man I love and in front of the woman he used to love, I should feel some type of insecure jealousy, but what I’m really feelings is a sense of coming full circle. This is where Rhye needed to be so we could move forward. Again, I’m amazed at the lengths I will go to for this boy. Ends of the earth kind of stuff. I can’t help but think,
“Does he know? Does he even care?”
I look over to hear him ask her if she’s in college.

“Yes. I’m finishing up my Bachelor of Science in Psychology so I can become a high school guidance counselor,” she says, pride in her voice.

He nods at her. “Good for you, Jay. I know you will make a great one.”

She gives him a sad smile before glancing back down at the salad, but not before I see the sheen of tears in her eyes.

Clearing her throat, she starts to speak when I hear a loud yell for her from the front of the house. A set of good looking guys come walking in, and one walks right over to plant a big kiss on her cheek. “I’ve got a new one for you,” he says, handing Jay different bottles of salad dressing out of the bag he brought. “Why did the tomato turn red?”

“God, no!” she says, groaning and shaking her head.

“It saw the salad dressing,” he says, dying laughing. “Get it? It saw the salad dressing.”

“You are embarrassing yourself. Turn around and see who sits, witnessing your idiocy.”

The guy turns around and looks at Rhye first, saying, “Hey, Rhye.” Rhye gives him a flip wave before he turns to me. His eyes go round like saucers, and his mouth drops wide open.

“Eli, meet Syn Landry. I think you know who she is. In fact, I’m pretty sure you went on for days and days after the concert about how awesome her voice is.”

He is just too cute with his University of Georgia Bulldog hat and matching sweatshirt. I smile, loving his reaction. It’s so sweet. “Hey, Eli. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m a huge fan of you and country music, unlike some uncool people that I know,” he says, nudging Jay. “You killed the stage when we saw you in Atlanta. I have your entire last album on iTunes and listen to it in my truck all the time.”

“Thank you. That is amazing to hear.”

“He’s got some mad guitar skills. I tell him he should have been a country music artist all the time, but instead, he’s in school to be an architect,” Jay says, looking lovingly at Eli.

“Don’t listen to her; she’s tone deaf,” Eli says jokingly.

“That’s for damn sure,” Rhye pipes up.

“Guys!” Jay yells, throwing pieces of lettuce at each of them.

“Rhye and Syn, meet my boyfriend Danny,” Eli says, motioning towards the guy standing on the other side of Rhye.

“Hey, man,” Rhye says, shaking Danny’s offered hand.

“Nice to meet you,” I smile.

Shaking his head, Eli looks at Rhye now. “Man, I bet Kane had a fit when he saw you.”

“You have no idea,” Jay mutters.

“I better go check on my boy,” he says, walking outside with Danny.

Feeling the need for the restroom, I stand. “Excuse me, Jay. Which way was the restroom again?”

“Down the hallway,” she says.

I head that way and find an elegantly decorated half bath. After peeing, I wash my hands and try to fix myself up the best I can. At least I have my lip gloss, which I use. Walking back to the kitchen, I hear Jay talking to Rhye and slow down.

“She seems pretty special if you ask me. I’m sure they’re hundreds of things she could have been doing other than bringing your sorry ass to talk to me, but she knew you well enough to know what you needed.”

“I’m not good for her, Jay. Do you know what that’s like? Knowing you’re not good enough for the girl you love? I’ve already been down that road, and it hurts like a bitch. At least I didn’t have to be around to watch you marry that steroid freak.”

“Hey! He doesn’t use steroids. He works out for that body. And yes, I do know. Hello, remember I gave JT up in the first place because I didn’t believe I was good enough for him. Listen to me, Rhye. The only hope you have in beating your demons is somebody by your side that you love, and someone that is willing not to fight your battles for you but next to you. Someone who won’t run at the first sign of trouble because your problems won’t just disappear. I still see a therapist, I still take meds for my depression, and I still have days where there isn’t enough alcohol or drugs in this world to drive my demons away. My only salvation is Kane’s love. Doesn’t mean he’s perfect and we don’t fight. Being with someone is always a struggle; however, it’s knowing that they are there for you no matter what.”

“I don’t want to hurt her,” he says softly.

“Then don’t. Just love her,” Jay replies.

I swallow back the emotions swamping me. Does he love me? He didn’t say he did. I can’t stand in the hallway forever. Walking in, I put a smile on my face and notice a girl with long, beautiful red hair walking into the kitchen.

“Jay, girl. Where do you want me to put the fruit?” She freezes, looking at Rhye then at me. “What are Rhye Clark and Syn Landry doing in your kitchen, Jay?”

“They are just a figments of your imagination, Mols,” Jay says, shaking her head. “Syn, meet my best friend, Molly. Rhye, I believe you know her already.”

“Hi,” I say, waving at her.

“Hey. Love your music,” she says to me. “Rhye, still looking rough as ever. Still living the hard life I see.”

Rhye’s answer is his middle finger and a swig of his beer.

“Be nice you two,” Jays warns.

“I bet Kane is loving life right now. What does Kane bench press these days? Wasn’t it hundred pound rockers?” Molly asks sarcastically.

I’m getting the impression that Molly and Rhye have never gotten along.

“Take the meat out to Kane, please,” Jay says, handing a plate to Molly and kissing her cheek. “Troublemaker.”

“You love me anyway.”

After she walks out, Rhye looks at Jay. “Is she still with that same guy from high school?”

Jay shakes her head. “Reed has been living up North, attending art school. They still love each other, but who knows if it will ever work out for them.”

“Anyone else coming for this happy little fucked up reunion?” Rhye asks, getting up to get another beer. I guess we’ve all made ourselves at home.

“No, Cal would be the only one left, and he spends every waking hour that he’s not at school with his new girlfriend. He’s doing really great, Rhye. Don’t worry about him.”

Rhye nods his head and walks out the backdoor.

“Did you hear my conversation earlier?” Jay asks, looking directly at me. “I meant for you to. I knew you were standing there.”

“Why?” I ask her.

“Because you need to keep fighting, and I wanted you to know it wasn’t for nothing. He’s trying to work everything out in his head. This seemingly heartless guy has the biggest heart of them all. He just doesn’t know it. Grab those salad dressing bottles,” she tells me and heads for outside.

Everyone, including Josh, is sitting around this huge patio table with a drink. Kane stands up to check the grill every couple minutes. You can tell that this group of friends are close knit. They are comfortable in each other. The love is evident in the way they unabashedly show affection and laughter. I find myself smiling and talking through most of the meal. Rhye even smiles when they remember times from high school. It amazes me that this is the same girl Rhye spoke of and I read about. She’s probably one of the strongest women I will ever meet, and I know, within hours, that she is a friend I want in my life.

When the sun sets, I know it’s time to hit the road. I excuse us, telling them we are due back in the studio first thing tomorrow. Josh says his goodbyes and heads out to the truck. Rhye and I do the same thing, but Jay walks us out. At the front door, we stop and turn around to face her.