Chapter 2

Chapter 2

A heat wave had hit Sparkle City, making Scarlett want to hibernate in her condo and bask in the sweet relief the air conditioning gods brought her until it passed. Unfortunately, she couldn't. She had a life, and she couldn't ignore it because she wanted to hide from the world. The truth was she feared, if she stepped outside, she might inadvertently cross paths with JD again. The news of his trade to the Suns was all anyone who loved baseball talked about, and if she understood what the newscaster had said the night before—he'd be in Sparkle City for years to come. There were a couple of sure ways to continue to avoid him. Move or stay on tour until she dropped dead.

Neither one of those options appealed to her. She shouldn't have to change anything in her life. Scarlett hadn't been the one in the wrong. JD had left town with her best friend, so he should be the one going out of his way to avoid her. It didn't matter how many times she told herself that fact. She still felt her chest seize and developed the inability to breathe every time she thought about JD living in Sparkle City once again. She had to control her reaction to him. She hoped that, in time, she could be nonchalant. Until then, she'd pretend he didn't exist as best she could. She'd probably fail miserably…

Scarlett took a deep breath and then sat down to put her shoes on. She had a lunch date with her sisters and couldn't miss it. It was rare that the three of them had time to meet, and she wouldn't let her anxiety over JD keep her from having a nice afternoon with her sisters. She wanted to feel something other than anxiety. Maybe even find that part of herself she'd clung to for the past decade. The part that had helped her move on after JD's betrayal. Scarlett ran her hands over her dark red tunic and stared into her bedroom. She'd wear boots. The ones with three-inch heels she usually only wore on stage. They were black suede and went past her knees. They paired well with jeans, but even better with a short skirt. She nibbled on her lips. Did she dare wear them?

Scarlett strolled into her bedroom and changed into a black mini skirt. She left the red tunic on. It flowed down past her ass and stopped half way to her skirt's hemline. She slid on the boots and zipped them up then went to her floor length mirror to admire herself. An outfit like this one was body armor. It helped her channel her on-stage presence. The person she was when fans were screaming her name and she belted out one of her greatest hits. She was ready…

She snatched her purse off a nearby table and the keys off the hook by her desk, then headed out the door. It took a few short minutes to reach her car in the garage. Scarlett sat on the driver seat and prepared to leave. Changing her outfit was the right thing to do. It gave her the courage she had been lacking since she'd run into JD. She drove her corvette to a nearby café and parked it. Scarlett slid out of the car and strolled toward the outdoor tables. Both of her sisters were already seated and scanning the menu. She went to the empty chair and plopped down into it.

"Thought you might not show up," Ashlyn mumbled from behind her menu.

"You mean you didn't know?" Scarlett said sarcastically. Sometimes Ashlyn's gift was annoying as hell. A small part of her hadn't truly forgiven her sister for having the vision that had destroyed Scarlett's life. She knew deep down Ashlyn wasn't at fault, but feelings were not always rational.

"It was fifty-fifty," she said as if Scarlett's question had been a real one. "My visions aren't infallible."

Faith reached across the table and placed her hand on Scarlett's arm. She shook her head silently. Scarlett sighed and did as Faith wanted. It wouldn't do any good to verbally attack Ashlyn. Most of it went right over her head. "So, anything new?" Scarlett said as lightly as she could manage.

"Other than your long-lost love returning to Sparkle City?" Ashlyn said in an offhand tone. "Nope. Work is it for me. Though I did have an interesting case with the police last week."

Scarlett barely managed not to roll her eyes. Ashlyn had finished her doctorate degree a year ago. She had dual-majored in history and psychology and started working at the local university, teaching both subjects. With her gifts and education, she had become a valuable asset to law enforcement as well. Faith had bought a bar and turned it into a successful nightclub. She often had up and coming singers for live entertainment. Her sisters were vastly different, and there were times Scarlett didn't relate to either one of them. Instead of encouraging Ashlyn to discuss her glorious career as a SCPD consultant, she turned her attention to Faith. "How is the club? Have you had any interesting acts lately?"

"I have one tonight. You should come out and hear him sing." Faith set her menu down on the table. "He has an amazing voice."

She didn't go into Faith's club too often. It was chaos when she showed up, especially unannounced. There were many people that went hoping Scarlett might pop in. It was good for Faith's business, but it irritated her at times. She wanted her sister to be successful though, so she did her part and spent the occasional night there. "Interesting. Is it anyone I might know?"

"Perhaps," Faith replied. "Are you familiar with Thatcher Wyatt?"

"You mean the lead singer for Harrowed Souls? One of the biggest southern rock bands to ever exist? Who isn't familiar with him?" Scarlett had been a fan of Harrowed Souls since she first realized music existed. Listening to them had inspired her to pursue music as a career. Of course, it was useful that her gift helped her to write some amazing melodies to go with the lyrics she crafted. "Please tell me he's going to be singing in your club."

"No," Faith said with a quick shake of her head. "Sorry to get your hopes up. It's actually his son, Remington Wyatt."

"Is his voice as spectacular as his father's?"

Ashlyn set her menu down and glared at both Scarlett and Faith. "Stop this ridiculous conversation this minute. We have more important things to discuss."

Scarlett begged to differ. As far as she was concerned, there was nothing more important than finding out all the details about Remington Wyatt. "Not now, Ash. Whatever vision poked its way into your brain can wait until another time." She turned toward Faith and said., "Tell me all about him. All I recall is that he is a couple years older than I am. Isn't it a little late to be starting a musical career?" She had turned twenty-eight a couple weeks ago, so that would make Remington around thirty.

"He's nice, gorgeous, and very talented. I have no clue why he didn't start sooner. Maybe he was afraid he'd become lost in his father's shadow."

"That would be difficult to live with." She'd hate to always be compared to one of her parents. Not that she knew her father. Her mother had never even told her his name. She'd married Bartholomew Penn right after Scarlett was born, and he was the only father Scarlett had ever known. Her mother said it was better if she didn't know anything about the man who was her biological father. That hadn't stopped Scarlett from wondering who he was or if she'd ever be able to convince her mother to tell her the truth. Still, she felt a little bad for this Remington Wyatt. His father was super talented. "Perhaps I will stop by your club tonight." Her curiosity was getting the better of her.

Scarlett's phone vibrated in her pocket. She frowned and pulled it out and then sighed when she read the text message.

"What is it?" Faith asked. "Bad news?"

She shook her head. "No," she answered and set her phone down on the table. "Just my agent. He's trying to convince me to attend some party he's throwing for one of his new clients. He's inviting all the people he represents."

"Is there a reason you don't want to go?" Faith asked as she tilted her head to the side. "You don't socialize enough. I think it would be good for you to go."

"First you're trying to tempt me to visit your club, and now you're pushing me toward an event I'd rather not attend?" Scarlett lifted a brow. "Why are you taking such an interest in my social life?"

Ashlyn tapped her hand on the table with impatience. "I think the answer to that is obvious. She's worried you'll backslide now that JD is near."

Scarlett would not regress to the person she used to be. She'd fought to hard to become the person she was. JD would not have that much of an effect on her life. She refused to allow him that much sway in her decisions.

"And I noticed you didn't answer my question," Faith said. "What is it about this party you are hoping to avoid."

She shrugged. "There is nothing holding me back." Other than her need to avoid social situations in general… "I don't even know the new client's name. Calvin failed to supply all the details. As far as he is concerned, all we need to know is the when and where. He is all about grandstanding. He does it for all his clients."

"Then there is no reason for you to ignore him, is there?" Faith lifted a brow. "If you want, I can go with you. Will that make it easier for you?"

She nibbled on her lip. Should she take her sister? How would that look to everyone? Scarlett hated making decisions like this, and both of her sisters knew that. "Fine. I'll go, but I don't need you to tag along."

"If you change your mind, call me." Faith smiled and then met Ashlyn's gaze.

There was something they weren't telling her. Did Ashlyn have another vision, deciding to keep it to herself, or rather, only share it with Faith? She should push, but she didn't want to deal with any of it right now. "I'll keep that in mind," Scarlett told Faith. "But I doubt I'll need a wing woman."

"Then you're all right texting your agent back and confirming you'll attend." Ashlyn nodded at the phone. "Go ahead. We'll wait."

God. Sisters were a nuisance at times… Ashlyn picked up the phone and typed out a quick text to Calvin. "There, are you happy?"

"Yes," Faith answered. "We are."

Scarlett stood up and smiled at both of them. "Now I really must go. It was lovely spending time with you both." As she left the table, that smile fell away. Maybe going to Faith's club later and listening to Remington Wyatt would help ease some of her anxiety.

JD sauntered into the club, My Alibi, and searched for an empty table. There was none to be found. There was a large dance floor in front of a stage at the far end of the club. On the left were several tall tables that people could stand around and set down their drinks. To the right, there were a handful of tables with chairs around them. Most of them were occupied. A VIP area was sectioned off to the left of the stage. He might be able to get in over there if he tossed his name at the bouncer. JD wasn't sure he wanted to bother, so he sighed and headed to the bar to get a beer.

He tapped on the wooden surface, trying to get the bartender's attention, but she ignored him or wasn't actually seeing him. He couldn't tell either way. His patience was running thin, and he didn't understand why his best friend, Harrison, had convinced him to join him at the club. It was a hopping place. There were so many people there it was hard to move through the crowd.

It wasn't where he'd have chosen to hang out...

JD was more comfortable in intimate surroundings and with a lot less people. He hated dealing with swarms of people. To make matters worse, he couldn't even locate Harrison. He'd chew his friend out when he found him. He tapped the bar once more and the bartender turned to face him. JD sucked in a breath. Fuck. It was Scarlett's little sister, Faith. He was going to murder Harrison. His friend had to have known Faith worked at this particular bar. JD had hoped to avoid any of Scarlett's family. At least until he had a chance to really talk to her. One day she'd have the patience to listen to him, but it would take a lot longer if her family warned him away.

Faith moved over to him and lifted a brow. "Ballsy to come into my club, JD. What are you doing here?"

Her club? As in she owned the place? Fuck me… "Not my idea," he said. "Harrison dragged me here. I had no clue you were the proprietor."

She shrugged. "What can I get for you?"

"Your best lager," he said. "I don't care what kind."

She walked away and bent over to open a small fridge. Faith pulled out a dark brown bottle and popped the cap off, then carried it over to him. "That'll be ten dollars."

He whistled. "That's an expensive bottle of beer."

"It is the JD upcharge," she replied smoothly. "You want to hang at my place, you got to pay for the privilege."

He chuckled lightly and pulled a twenty from his wallet. JD could handle paying the amount she wanted as long as it paved the way for him to remain at the club. Harrison might have had a good idea. If Faith owned the bar, that meant there was a good chance Scarlett might stop in. He suspected that was what kept the place bursting at the seams. "Keep the change," he said flippantly. JD picked up his bottle and saluted her. "Thanks."

Now to find his friend and ask him about his reasons for wanting to hang out at My Alibi. It couldn't be so JD might have the opportunity to spend some quality time with Scarlett. Especially as he doubted there would be much quality to it… He headed toward the stage at the far side of the bar. There was a guy on stage that sang in a raspy voice. His hair was dark, probably brown, but he couldn't tell with the lack of visibility in the bar. The stage was surrounded by several females mooning over the chump. He was good, but in his opinion, he'd heard better.

"There you are," a male shouted near him.

JD glanced up at Harrison and grinned. "I was starting to think you bailed on me."

"Nah," Harrison replied with good humor in his tone. "I wouldn't miss Remington Wyatt sing. He's almost as good as his dad."

JD turned toward the stage and stared at the male there. "Why is that name familiar?" He couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. After a minute he snapped his fingers and said, "Never mind. I know." Scarlett's favorite band… The lead singer's son was on the stage. He glanced at him and frowned. Then glared at a familiar female staring up at the stage. He swore under his breath and turned toward Harrison. "Did you know she was going to be here?"

"She who?" Harrison lifted a brow.

"Scarlett," JD said vehemently and gestured toward the stage. "She's staring at him as if he hung the stars in the sky."

Harrison shrugged. "I don't talk to Scarlett much. Faith told me about Remington and said I should come check him out. Scarlett isn't in town much. Seems like she's always on tour."

She worked too hard… He had a feeling that his friend wasn't telling the entire truth. If he talked to Faith there was a good chance she mentioned her sister might stop at the club.

"I should talk to her."

"It's your funeral," Harrison said. "I wouldn't approach her right now. She's a little too enraptured by Prince Remington up there. She won't thank you for distracting her."

JD closed his eyes and prayed for patience. He would not hit his friend. It was never a good idea to kill the messenger. Harrison had always been a good friend. He was looking out for him and he couldn't blame him for that. "You're probably right."

"There's no probably about it." He lifted his drink and took a sip. "Scarlett's never forgiven you, and I have my doubts she ever will. You're my friend, and I like having you alive. Give her some space and let her come to you when she's ready. It'll go better for you that way."

He sighed. "I'll try." JD really would, but he had a feeling he'd fail. Scarlett was one of the reasons he'd agreed to the contract with the Suns. He could be wrong, and he had been plenty of times in the past, but Scarlett didn't date much. Her name hadn't been seriously attached to anyone more than a few months at a time. According to the latest tabloids, she'd been a free agent for over a year. Yes, it was stalkerish to read everything he could about her, but JD hadn't been able to help himself. He craved any and all news regarding Scarlett.

After years of reading about her life at a distance, he'd decided to man up and go home. It was past time he came back and fought for the woman he loved. He'd made a mistake, and he had every intention of rectifying it. The likes of Remington Wyatt would not stand in his way either. Scarlett was his. He refused to believe that he'd lost her forever. He would convince her they belonged together. That was the only acceptable outcome…