Page 35 of Driving Beats

He nods. “This is like wearing who I am in my ears. Can I try it on?”

“I don’t know—can you?”

“Smart. Aleck. May I try this on?”

Like a queen bestowing a favor, I reply, “You may.”

He removes the hoop in his right ear and replaces it with my new one. The UC logo hangs about two inches below his earlobe, which is perfect. On stage, the lights will glint off it.

Standing, he moves one of the dark curtains to uncover a mirror. Of course there’s a hidden mirror. Turning so his ear is reflected, he checks out my gift.

His whole body turns toward me. “This is amazing. Truly. I’m touched you would make me something like this.”

His sentiment strikes an odd chord. When I was in Oklahoma, I was allowed only one gift at Christmas, which was a doll. Every year, I’d get one stupid doll. I can’t believe the man who has his mother decorate his mansion only received one set of Legos for the holidays. “Haven’t you gotten presents before?”

His eyebrows raise. “Clearly. But this is special. A guitar pick with an actual little guitar. UC’s logo.” He smiles. “All the others in the band are going to be jealous. You better have something for all of them in your bag of tricks.”

My hand pats my kit. “I’m so happy you like it.”

“I love it!”

Wow. This is the most emotion I’ve ever seen out of Coop. “I like you like this,” I admit, then rush over and give him a kiss on his surprisingly supple lips.

I pull away and realize he’s staring, wide-eyed, at me.

11

COOP

The young stylist’s soft lips attach themselves to mine.

She gave me this earring that’s layered with meaning—the pick itself, the guitar, the UC logo. Makes me feel lighter and taller. Somehow younger.

However, I’m old enough to be her… well, older brother.

Lillian chooses this exact moment to make her appearance—nose held high—reminding me of all my failures. My eyes, trained on Nese, widen.

“I’m so happy you like them!” She flits back to her jewelry station.

Placing my hand over my roiling stomach, I sink into my chair. No sooner does my butt hit the upholstery, though, then the timer on her cell phone beeps. Which startles Lillian away.

Nese leaps to her feet. “The bread’s ready to be baked. I’ll take care of it.” Off she scampers.

I sit in the empty media room, paying no attention to my favorite movie. This little pixie is casting all sorts of weird spells over me. Did I really start a flour fight in the kitchen? I place my new book on my lap, seeking comfort via osmosis over my riotous emotions.

Nese is spontaneous personified. She does whatever she wants, whenever she wants to, consequences be dammed. Usually, though, her actions bring about positive results. Like talking with the woman in the bathing suit store, resulting in my meeting a true fan. My fingers travel to my right ear. Or this earring.

She has a deeper side, one that doesn’t come out and play too often. She certainly hates anything that could be construed as control. Her vocabulary is outsized for someone in their mid-twenties. I bet there’s more beneath her spunky surface.

Much more.

No woman has kissed me like she did. She didn’t want to bag a rockstar. She was simply expressing joy. My palm goes to the back of my neck.

I’m still ruminating over the kiss when Nese pops into the media room. “Loaves are in the oven and should be done in a little over a half hour. They smell good!”

I smile. “Great.”

She returns her attention to the jewelry kit spread out before her. I open the book but read the same paragraph ten times before giving up and focusing on the movie. At least Gandalf won’t fail me.