A Slow Burning Fire (22 page)

Bryce's arm moved around her, and he slowly rubbed her side. “Again, thank you for coming. We're going to enjoy the opening acts of the show, and you should, too! And the more people who want to come on over, the merrier. Gloriana is a great town.”

She waved and followed his lead towards the police, who had a small barrier around where the performers were getting ready to get on the stage. While everyone got into order, she and Bryce took the time to pose for pictures and sign some autographs for bystanders. Everyone was friendly; no one was shoving, shouting, or disrespecting them. Such a nice change from what she encountered any time she made a public appearance out in California or something organized by her publicist.

She loved her fans, and most were wonderful to her. A few got a little out of control, however, which was only natural in a setting of thousands of people all vying for her attention. Only twenty wanted it now, and once everyone was organized and the show started, Bryce put the whole thing on pause. He didn't sign one autograph or give so much as a hug while anyone performed.

“This is a lot of fun,” he said quietly as they watched a five-year-old girl do a hula-hoop routine.

Arial nodded, afraid of speaking for fear of losing the corndog she had eaten earlier.

He glanced down at her. “Are you okay?”

I kind of hate that this is happening. Why did you have to tell everyone about it? Why couldn't we just do this nice and quiet without the whole world watching?
That was what she wanted to say, but instead she shrugged.

“Would imagining everyone in their underwear help with the nerves?” he offered with a playful smile.

She shook her head vigorously, swallowing. “I just need to remember what you said. This isn't about anyone else but you and me. We're doing this for us. I know you had noble intentions, hoping to draw in a crowd to keep Gloriana alive. It was sweet of you. The pressure is a lot, but I think I can get past it if I don't focus on that as the goal.”

“So what is your goal?” he asked.

“To sing my heart out and be
me.
And…” Her eyes met his.
And hopefully to be able to say to you through my song what I can't seem to say with words to your face.

One of his eyebrows lifted, and a soft sparkle appeared in his olive-green eyes. “And?”

Arial shook her head again. “And that's it, really. I just want to be honest. Do you know what I mean?”

“Those are good things to focus on. Let's show them you, then. Everyone needs to see you shine.”

A faint warmth spread across her face. “I don't want to fail.”

“You won't.”

“There's so much at stake here. Not just my feelings or my image.”

“This will be amazing,” he stated, so firmly she actually did believe him.

It would be amazing, and her hometown would see the kind of person she truly was instead of whatever crazy version they concocted in their imaginations. She was real, not an elitist. Home was still just as important to her as her career, regardless whether she felt like she belonged or not. Bryce was going to see that her song was for him.

The stagehand waved for them to come over. “You're next.”

Arial swallowed and picked up her guitar. “Let's do this.” Bryce moved his hand to the small of her back, and his touch comforted her. All of the butterflies were gone.

“And now for our special celebrity guests, Bryce Valentine and our very own Arial Oakley!”

The MC's announcement rang loud and clear. Thunderous applause erupted from the audience. Cameras flashed as she stepped out onto the stage. She squinted as she made her way to the microphone. Bryce helped her sit up on a stool. The cameras especially went crazy then. He didn't seem to notice because he took extra care to make sure she was settled, even rubbed her back a little, before taking his own microphone.

“Thank you,” she said. “This is somethin' I wrote myself.” They exchanged a glance and then she began to play the opening chords of the song.

She closed her eyes, not wanting to see the crowd in front of her while she sang. It went against everything she'd ever been taught about performing, but she didn't dare see the reaction of the audience to witnessing the depths of her soul. Once again, Bryce placed a hand on her back. The warmth of his touch and the smooth sounds of his voice continued to ease her. Soon, she was lost in the song, lost in him. They were the only two people in the world.

When Arial dared to open her eyes, she made sure to look at him and no one else. Turning slightly in her chair, she faced him. Their gazes met and lingered on each other. She faltered slightly as she absorbed the tenderness in his olive eyes. Arial was singing the lyrics to him, and her stomach started to bubble over at the realization that he might be singing to her as well.

The last note was sung, and their voices resonated in the air. There was no sound coming from the audience, not so much as a cough, and she couldn't tell if that was a good sign or not. After a few seconds passed, the thundering applause from before returned along with a number of whistles and shouts. Bryce grinned down at her, the light sparkling in his eyes.

“Take a bow,” he said, helping her down from the stool. She did so and then waved, wanting to be off the stage and out of the spotlight again. For some reason Bryce lingered to the point where she had to grab his hand, if he was ever going to get the hint that it was time for them to go.

Waiting for them backstage once more were the photographers and news reporters. Instead of staying to chat, she held up a hand and pressed onward, looking for a quiet place for her to stop and absorb the moment.

Bryce hurried after her. “Where are you going? They're waiting for us.”

“I just need five seconds,” she said. They ran out of the fair. Turning the first corner she could find, she ducked behind one of the businesses nearby. “I can't believe that happened. I can't believe I sang one of
my
songs in front of everyone.”

“Get used to it, because it'll be happening a lot soon. There's no way you won't land that record deal after they see how talented you are at songwriting.” He beamed at her.

She exhaled slowly. “I will get used to it. For some reason, it's scarier here.” The town of Gloriana judged her the hardest of everyone.

“But you did it, and it was amazing. I forgot how much fun it is to be live in front of everyone. It's such a rush.”

“It is,” she agreed, though her stage experience was a lot more limited than his. She understood the appeal. There was a great deal of adrenaline running through her veins.

He gazed down at her, and he held onto her shoulders. “You're amazing.”

Before she could say anything, his lips pressed against hers. Softly at first, and then the kiss deepened. Her knees actually began to feel weak. She opened her mouth to his, slightly, returning the love she could feel radiating off him. No other kiss she ever shared with him compared to this moment.
So this is what it's like. To truly be kissed.
She leaned back against the wall, and her fingers tangled up into his hair.

When their lips finally parted, he took in a few slow, deep breaths. “I've been wanting to do that for a long time.”

“I'm glad you decided not to wait any longer,” she murmured.

“The moment had to be right. This whole night has been incredible. I like not having to hide everything from you now.”

She nodded. “Me, too. I've been wanting this for awhile, too, you know.”

A small smirk formed on his lips. “I figured that out, too.” He sighed. “I can see myself marrying you.”

“Really?”

“Yup, I mean, if you'll have me. Someday. We can talk about it more. But I see us married, with our own farm, our own animals, just… being and growing old together.” He kissed her forehead. “It's amazing.”

Arial's heart sank as she listened to him.
He wants to live on a farm? Is he serious? What about our lives in California?
She shook her head and pulled away from his grasp. “No.”

“No?” He frowned. “What do you mean, no?”

“I'm not going to grow old with you on a farm with a bunch of animals in the middle of nowhere!”

“But —”

“No!” Angry tears filled her eyes. “I've been working hard at what I do to get where I am now, and I'm not just going to throw that aside because you're too afraid to go home again. There's nothing you need to be afraid of back there, Bryce. Unless this is about Katie, still. I should have known better than to think you were ever over her. So you think that if we stay here and fade from the public eye, your life will be easier? It doesn't work that way. She's still going to have broken your heart, and you're still going to see her in some way, shape, or form. Grow up and stop running from all of your problems!”

Bryce blinked, stunned. “Arial, I'm not running. If you would let me talk —”

“There is nothing more to talk about,” she stated. “Excuse me, I have places to be.” She pushed past him and stepped back out onto the street. Pulling out her cell phone, she dialed a cab company to come and pick her up.

Her phone started to ring. The temptation to just ignore it or smash it on the road was great. Thinking it was Bryce, she was ready to silence it and walk home if she had to. The caller ID read Marcus Markae.

“Hey,” she answered with a lot of forced enthusiasm.

“Well, hello there. I saw your name trending online, and I thought I'd give you another call to see if I can talk you into coming over to my party tomorrow night.” His voice was smooth and cool, as usual.

Arial nodded. This was exactly what she needed. She'd forgotten who she was, and it had nearly destroyed her and everything she'd been working for. “I'll be there. My schedule suddenly opened up.”

Chapter Nineteen

Arial slammed the door behind her as she entered the house. She still saw red any second her mind went back to Bryce and everything he’d said to her. Why would she want to listen to him talk any more about his dream of growing old with her on
the farm?
Of all the places he could have picked in the world, he’d chosen that one? He knew she still had problems with living in Gloriana. Things were getting better with her family, but she didn't want to settle back down in the middle of nowhere either. She didn't have her future mapped out that far. Just saying that he wanted to grow old with her was more than enough for her.

“Honey, is everythin' okay?” her mother asked.

“No,” Arial said and made her way up to her bedroom so she could book a flight back to Los Angeles. The sooner she could get out of there, the better. She'd hoped her mother would just let the whole thing drop, but the woman followed her up.

“What's wrong?”

Scowling, Arial spun on her heel to face her. “Bryce told me he's in love with me.”

“I'm not sure I understand how that's a bad thing.”

“He then went on to say how we'll live here forever, and blah, blah, blah. Forget about going back to our lives in California where we both have work commitments. I should add it's work that I, personally, love to do.” She waved a hand in front of her face. “I told him he needs to stop running away from all of his problems and face the facts. And I
refuse
to be his replacement for Katie. I should have known better than to ever believe he was over her!”

Her mother laughed, and that was the last thing Arial expected her to do. “Honey, I think you're overreacting. He's not interested in her anymore. I can tell because he looks at you like a man who's longing for love, not lust. If he was only lookin' to fill a hole in his heart that she left behind, he would be a lot slimier. He'd slip right through your fingers every time you touched. He sure is going a long way to impress you and respect you for someone who's only lookin' for a rebound to kill some time.”

“So you've said,” she said. “You didn't hear what he said, or how he said it.”

“Oh, boo-hoo, he wants to grow old with you in a place that's special to you both,” Caroline chimed in from down the hallway. “What a jerk!”

“I didn't ask you!” Arial shouted at her. “I need to leave.”

She pushed her way into her bedroom and logged onto her computer so she could book herself a flight. At the same time, she grabbed her suitcase and started throwing as much of her stuff into it as she could.

Tears pooled in her eyes. They were supposed to be on her side, but of course her family would choose Bryce instead. Just like the whole town had chosen him. Most of all, she hated the fact that both her mother and sister were right. He hadn't done anything wrong, and the things he desired for their relationship weren't necessarily far-fetched. Bryce wasn't the one who was running; it was her.
But I have to. As wonderful as this summer has been, I can't commit my life to this place. If he can't respect that, then we aren't going to work out. I don't understand why he'd want to throw everything he's made for himself away.

Her bag was all packed, and in a matter of a few clicks, her flight was booked. In three hours she would be on her way back to Los Angeles. She'd have enough time to catch a nice nap and then get ready for Marcus's party. It wasn't exactly her scene, but it would be fun. She did know how to have a good time at a party, regardless of what anyone else thought of her. Arial was fun.

She dragged her suitcase out into the hallway where both her mother and her sister still stood. “Is one of you going to take me to the airport?”

Patty threw up her hands and shook her head. “I will have no part in this. You know just as well as I do what you should really be doin'.”

Arial rolled her eyes and then looked at her sister. “Caroline?”

With some hesitation, Caroline nodded. “I'll drive you.”

Giving her mother a triumphant nod, Arial made her way to the stairs. “I'll be waiting for you in the car. Don't take too long, or I'll just drive myself and someone will just have to come out and get the car later in the parking ramp.”

****

Bryce dialed Arial's number again. She still refused to pick up the phone. After searching the fair for her for nearly twenty minutes, he realized she most likely had gone back home. He picked up her guitar for her and put it away, loaded it into the car, and then started back for her house.