All I Have Left (7 page)

What are they planning now?

Just as Ethan was going to start the song, he grinned and turned around. The rest of the band started laughing as Grayson came walking up with a cocky swagger
.

That motherfucker
,
I should have known
…

He looked over at me with a smirk as he stepped over the same cords I tripped on.

Could my night get any worse?

It could get worse. Just when I looked over at Shane he had Frankie by the arm, pointing at me and yelling. I assumed asking her who was up here with me. He knew about Grayson but didn’t know what he looked like or if this was the same Grayson, although he’d have to be blind and deaf not to make the connection.

Ethan glared and jumped off the front of the stage to where they were standing. No way was he going to allow Shane to touch Frankie.

I looked back over at Grayson as he adjusted the mic, as he was a taller than Ethan, his eyes were cast down. There was no way I could do this with him up here. Singing is one thing. Singing with Grayson Gomez is another. No way.

I didn’t think I would be able to remember the words to the song if he was that close to me, let alone remember my own name.

Just as I was contemplating running off stage, Grayson began singing and I was frozen in place. There couldn’t have been a better song for us to sing that one, matched our situation, and two, our voices.

That voice. It sent shivers where there hadn’t been in years. Same twang, same drawn out velvet range that made me melt.

Guess I have no choice now or I
could
just walk off stage right now, how fucking dumb would that look though, not to mention I would have to see Shane sooner than I wanted to.

So…staying up here…better option.

Thankfully, once again I was pulled out of my internal debating by Grayson’s soul searing voice that started to break as he looked into my eyes, his expression distant.

What in the world could he be thinking right now?

With both Grayson and Shane staring at me and this fucking dress that's sliding up my ass, I couldn’t concentrate on lyrics.

I did good at first but then Grayson stopped singing and I realized it was my turn.

Crap, this is my part. Focus, Evie.

As I sang, tears streamed uncontrollably down my cheeks. Grayson quickly swept his hand across my cheek wiping the tears away.

Why does he have to be so damn dreamy?

“I’ve been waiting on you for a long time…”
Such a truthful assessment of my situation captured in a song.

Enthralled in chocolate brown gazing back at me I lost track of what we were singing and just stared back at him.

Grayson and I have always had these moments when I thought for sure he could see my soul and all the love I was feeling for him. This seemed to be one of those moments. Our gaze didn’t break away until the song ended and Paul, chanting
“Evie, Evie!”
repeatedly brought me back to reality.

I tried to punch Paul in the arm when I walked past but it was a failed attempt that had Grayson laughing. It felt good to hear Grayson’s contagious laughter again.

The band usually played from eight until midnight so we filled the night with more songs. Grayson took turns playing the guitar, the piano, and singing. He was very talented at everything he did and he knew it. He was one of the most confident men I’d ever met, but for good reason. Looking at him now, that hadn’t changed.

For the sake of my sanity, every chance I got I snuck back stage and did shots of tequila.

Could you honestly blame me at that point?

I tried to be discreet but soon Grayson and Ethan realized what I was doing while sneaking back stage, they joined me after every song.

After the shots Grayson and Ethan did a version of “I Hear You Knocking” that was absolutely amazing. You could barely hear them over the screams when Grayson did a solo on the piano. Grayson on the piano was probably the sexiest thing I have ever seen, who knew a man playing the piano could be that appealing. I would have never thought of it as holding sexual appeal until Grayson played.

After a while, I tried to stay clear of him on stage in fear that I might just start humping his leg.

Probably to make my life worse, after witnessing the public display of hatred Shane had been exhibiting all night I decided to do a song called “Cheater Cheater” just for the fun of it and my eyes never left Shane during the entire song. I hoped my message was loud and clear. I’m sure it was going to fuck me later but I couldn’t help it, leave it to me to throw salt in the wound. I was always pretty good at that.

It was about time we finished up for the night, mainly because the bottle of tequila that was back stage was now gone, but it was also an hour past the midnight curfew for concerts.

When we walked off stage, a little tipsy from the tequila shots, I was scooped into a big hug from Ethan for a thank you.

As he held me, he leaned down to my ear. “Be careful, he’s mad, very mad.” Ethan warned. “I don’t want you leaving with Shane alone.”

And here comes the concerned brother. I tried to pull away but he pulled me closer. “I. Do. Not. Trust. Him. Period.”

I really wish it were that simple.

I just wanted to be with my family and Grayson tonight. I wanted to run to him and never let him go this time. I wanted my life the way it used to be when I was with Grayson, when my life made sense. The only problem is that if I don’t leave with Shane tonight it will cause more problems for me and my mom later. My mother losing her job over my choices was not an option.

Next thing I know, I was being pulled away by the lunatic himself. I looked back at Grayson, who was talking with Frankie, although his eyes were directly on me. He looked uneasy at the way Shane roughly grabbed my arm, and shot him a vicious glare.

Most never realized this, but Grayson could be very aggressive when and if he wanted to be. His mood could change in a matter of seconds.

His expression made me hesitate until Shane reached for me.

“Jesus, Shane, not so hard,” I gasped at how hard he was grabbing my arm, surely that would be leaving a bruise later. “Let go of me.”

Grayson was about to come over when Ethan and Frankie stepped in front of him. He pushed passed them slightly before Josh appeared to grab him by the arm. The anger held in Grayson’s eyes evident even in the dark. Whenever Grayson was angry, his eyes would turn from his usual chocolate brown to black. When you saw that color, you knew the wrath of Grayson was coming soon.

“Come on buddy, we need to catch up,” Josh insisted pulling him away, his arm wrapped around his shoulder.

Kelly walked off with them as well, turning once to give me a sympathetic smile. It’s been three years since she saw her little brother, too. Grayson turned and punched the wall as they walked away, pausing to glare at Shane who was, in fact, glaring right back.

Nice, Grayson, I see the temper is still there.

Shane spun me around to face him, his hands on both my shoulders gripping them tightly as he glared—his dark eyes intense.

“What the fuck was that, Evie?” he asked. “Who the hell is that guy and why the hell did he have his goddamn hands all over you?” His voice had risen dramatically to the point where he was yelling.

Everyone turned to stare at us. I shook my head, frustrated and utterly annoyed at that point. Luckily, Ethan and Josh had pulled Grayson far enough away that he didn’t hear Shane yelling at me, or so I’d hoped.

I hated this. I couldn’t get away from this asshole no matter what.

First, he is stronger than I am.

Second, he has on more than one occasion, conveniently reminded me that if I ever broke up with him my mother would lose the landscaping bid with his dad.

My mother needed the money so I stayed, whether I liked it or not. Hopefully my mom could get another job soon but she enjoyed working for Shane’s father. I doubted that was going to happen, he paid her very well for the work she designed for him. Lawson Landscaping was one of the only landscaping companies around the Pinckard area so they provided most of the contracts to the larger businesses for the surrounding cities as well, consequently making them the most reputable in the area. And, finally, she loved her job.

“It was just an act for the songs Shane, relax.” I grumbled removing his hands off my shoulders but continued to stand in front of him. “It didn’t mean anything.”

The field was almost cleared out when he suddenly yelled, “WHO IS THE GUY?”

I jumped back a little, shocked at how loud he was in front of everyone. Usually Shane kept his anger private.

“He’s an old friend.” I answered, not wanting to repeat his name in fear that he would realize exactly who Grayson was to me. We all went to high school together; although he was three years ahead of us with Josh and Kelly, but I’m sure Shane wouldn’t remember him or hopefully not put two and two together—prayed actually.

Knowing their personalities, them not knowing each other was best for everyone.

Shane knew my best friend growing up was Grayson and though he had an idea for the feelings I had for him, deep down he knew that if Grayson ever returned that I wouldn’t give Shane a second chance. Not that I am now I just can’t figure out what the hell I’m doing. So for now, here I am trying to calm down this insane lunatic before he does something stupid.

I didn’t think he would know that
my
Grayson was also the same Grayson who was friends with Josh…Shane’s rival enemy. But Shane’s not stupid by any means.

Josh and Shane detested each other in high school. Needless to say Josh was raging when he found out I was dating him.

“That didn’t look like an old friend, Evie. It looked like
much more
than that to me!” he grabbed my arm pulling me with him to the car while I stumbled through gravel beside him, avoiding the questioning glances of those around us.

“Tell me who that was,” he pressed again yanking me forward. “Do you have feelings for him? It sure looked that way to me.”

“Jesus Christ, Shane!” I wriggled out of his grasp. My arm was beginning to burn from his grip, not to mention how many people were now blatantly staring at this ridiculous scene in the parking lot.

“Lower your voice, Evie,” Shane warned, his eyes on mine. “You’re going to attract attention.”

“Me? Me lower my voice?” I rolled my eyes as I shook my head. “Yeah, because you screaming and dragging me through a parking lot like a fucking caveman isn’t already doing that.” I spat back at him.

He continued to glare at me but I wasn’t backing down right then. Maybe it was the tequila talking. “He’s a friend from high school,” I admitted. “I grew up with him so if we want to sing a song together for the sake of my brother’s band I believe I have every right to.” I pushed away from him. “Let go of me. I’m going with my brother tonight!” I said, walking away.

And I may or may not have been stomping away like a child who was just told they couldn’t have candy for dinner…but at this point can you blame me?

“Oh no you don’t.” Shane chased after me, his hands reaching for me. “You’re coming with me tonight. You’re mine, or did you forget?” he grabbed onto my shoulder again pulling me back toward his Mustang.

That pissed me off.

“Why don’t you just piss on my leg already and mark your territory then,” I growled, crossing my arms over my chest.

He knew he was overstepping.

Trying for once to control himself, Shane took a slow deep breath and stepped toward the car, opening the passenger door. My head slammed against the top of the door as he pushed me in. It surprised me, making me dizzy for a second. His roughness always caught me off guard.

“Sit down.”

I started to get out as he said the words that he knew would make me stay. He always did.

He backed away from the car, his palms held up. He gave me that look, the one I knew so well. “Guess I will just have to tell my dad that Kathy needs to look for another job…” his voice faded cocking an eyebrow challenging me.

What a fucking prick
.

Tell me again why I ever started dating this jackass in the first place?