Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26

EMILY

Four long months had passed since I'd confessed everything to Tristan in Henderson. And so much had changed since then. For one, I was now living back home in Missouri.

I was currently in the middle of one of my shifts at Art's Grill. The air smelled like coffee with a hint of bacon grease at all hours here. I'd been working at this restaurant, where my mother also worked, in order to make money while continuing to look for a permanent job.

Even though I had supposedly been trying to move on-even had a new boyfriend-when I was doing mundane tasks like wiping down the tables, my mind always wandered to Tristan, wondering how he was doing, what he was up to, who he was with. Actually, I knew the answer to the latter. A couple of weeks ago, I'd gone online and a certain headline had smacked me in the face:

Delirious Jones Lead Singer Tristan Daltrey Seen Out on Dinner Date in Paris with Band's PR Manager

That had stung. Band management had switched PR people when they got to Europe. Instead of Veronica, it was this chick named Nazarene Mercier. She was gorgeous, with long, black hair and gigantic brown eyes. French, I think. Tristan told me he'd had a thing with the band's PR person in the past, and I wondered if it was the same woman. Maybe they'd brought her back. Maybe he'd brought her back and started things again. In any case, it had been hard to see those photos on social media. But it was what it was. Did I still think about Tristan all the time? Of course. But I had to accept that there was no chance for us.

Shortly before he left for Europe, Tristan had called to catch me up on everything that had gone down with Cheyenne back in Iowa. He'd thanked me profusely for bringing everything to light. But he'd also made it clear that we needed to move on. He hadn't said why in so many words, but the message was clear to me: he wasn't going to pursue anything with his dead son's ex-girlfriend. I couldn't say I blamed him. His reaction had been what I expected from the start.

Strangely, it had been a relief to get that closure. I didn't need to hope for a future with him, which would've been delusional. But the knowledge of where we stood didn't take away the ache in my heart. I felt it whenever I thought about the brief time when I'd forgotten who I was and all the pain that came along with that, the brief period when a man had looked at me like I was the most important thing in the world. And when he'd made me feel that way.

The life I lived now, however, was a stark contrast to the tour experience. When my temporary marketing position in Henderson ended, I could no longer afford my apartment in Nevada, even with a roommate. My mother had been urging me to come back for a while so I could save money, and I'd finally caved when things got bad enough.

I'd recently started dating Ethan, a guy I'd gone to high school with. He'd come into the restaurant one night and then started coming in more often. He eventually asked me out, and we'd been dating exclusively for about a month. Ethan was sweet and respectful and everything you could want in a guy. He'd come into my life at what seemed like just the right time, even if he didn't realize he was helping me try to get over a man who had infiltrated my soul. I'd told him only select things about my time on the tour, none of which included the fact that I'd been involved with Tristan.

Tonight at work was hectic as usual, with a steady stream of customers coming in for a late-night meal or piece of pie. In fact, I'd been so busy tonight that it took me a moment to notice the hysteria in one corner of the restaurant.

Patrons were surrounding someone. Then one of the servers said, "Holy crap. Is that who I think it is?"

Oh my God.

Tristan's dark hair fell over his face as he signed autographs, each person bouncing away in delight with their prize. He took a few photos with people before he turned and met my eyes.

My heart nearly leaped out of my chest as I approached him. "What are you doing here, Tristan?"

"Hi to you, too."

"Sorry. I guess I should've said hello first."

"I'm just kidding, Emily. I can understand why this is a total surprise."

"It sure is." I looked down at myself, wishing I had on anything other than my ugly server uniform.

"Now that the tour is over, I finally have a chance to breathe. I was hoping you and I could talk."

I looked over my shoulder to find the other servers watching us like hawks. "I'm on the clock for another hour, until ten."

"I'll wait for you."

"Here?"

"Yeah, why not?"

"Because you're a little distracting." I glanced around again.

"I'll leave, if you prefer."

I shook my head. What was I thinking? Yes, he was distracting, but no I didn't want him to leave. I'd missed him so much. His smell. Those gorgeous blue eyes looking back at me. I wanted to run away and jump into his arms all at once.

I finally seated him at a table in the corner, where I hoped no one else would bother him. Remaining tense for the rest of my shift, I glanced repeatedly at Tristan as I balanced trays of hot dishes and wobbly beverages. The weight of his eyes never left me, even as I tried to keep him distracted with food and drinks-on the house, per my manager. Mike was a huge fan, apparently.

When my shift was finally over, I grabbed my purse and went to his table, my stomach fluttering with anticipation. How I'd missed his chiseled face, his radiant smile, the intoxicating way he smelled. But mostly I'd missed the way he looked at me, which hadn't changed. His eyes were still penetrating. Somehow our connection still felt as magnetic as ever. What does that mean?

"It's so good to see you, Emily," he said as he rose. "I'm sorry I didn't have the opportunity to come before now."

Heat traveled to my cheeks. "It's good to see you, too." I willed myself to act casual despite freaking out inside.

Tristan walked me out before we faced each other in the parking lot. "How did you end up working here?" he asked, looking back at the diner.

"This is the place my mother works. She was able to switch to the day shift, and I work some nights. Just passing the time until I can find a permanent job." I looked around, unable to ignore my coworkers' attention on us as they peeked through the window.

"Wanna take a ride?" he suggested.

"I have my car here." I pointed to my old navy Corolla. "I can't just leave it."

"I can drive you back to get it after."

There wasn't much to think about. It wasn't like I could say no when he'd come all the way here. It wasn't like I wanted to say no, either. Any time with him felt like a gift.

"Okay..." I shrugged.

The inside of Tristan's black Range Rover smelled just like him, heady and spicy, a painful reminder of having his scent all over my body. He started the engine and took off down the windy country road. "So, you're wondering why I'm here..." he began, glancing over.

"Yeah. Of course."

"I pretty much had to block out everything that happened before Europe in order to get through the tour."

"You seem to have found a good distraction, from what I read online."

"What do you mean?"

Blood rushed to my face. "You're dating the new PR manager. The whole world knows about it."

Tristan grimaced. "I guess I forget how that works sometimes. I don't pay attention to the press. But figures they reported on that."

That certainly wasn't a denial. I cleared my throat. "How's that going?"

"It's not too serious."

"Well, I'm glad you seem happy." I tried my best to not let my bitterness show.

"What about you?" he asked. "Are you happy?"

I raised my chin. "I'm dating someone, too."

He nodded several times. "Who's the lucky person?"

"His name is Ethan. I've known him since high school."

"Is he a good guy?"

"I wouldn't be with him if he wasn't."

His Adam's apple bobbed. "Well, if you're happy, I'm happy."

True happiness is what I felt with you before you knew who I was. Before I turned both of our lives upside down.

"You still haven't yet told me why you're here, Tristan."

"I need your help."

"Help with what?"

"Let me find somewhere to park so we can chat."

On pins and needles, I looked out the window as he drove down a side street and parked. He turned off the engine. Nothing but the sound of crickets rang out in the night.

"I know you and I have history," he began. "And I still haven't worked through all my feelings where that's concerned. I just pushed them aside. But I'm hoping you can look past the complicated nature of our relationship and help me. You're the only person who can."

"What is it?"

"I want to get to know my son. Who he was. Posthumously."

I blinked. "Okay…"

"You knew him best. I feel like I can't go on until I take some time to learn about him. To feel his spirit. I know he's not physically here anymore, but this town is where he lived. I want to go to the places he went. I want to eat at his favorite restaurants. Meet his friends. I want to know what made him smile. To see his childhood home and meet his parents. It's not the same as getting to know him personally, but it's all I have." He leaned his head back against the seat. "I've now read every page of his journals, but he only started those the last few years of his life. It's not enough for me, Emily."

"How long are you in Shady Hills?" I asked.

"Well, I've rented a house, and the lease is month to month. The guys and I still have some finishing touches to do for the new album-the one we were recording in the desert when you and I met. We rented a studio about an hour away in St. Louis, since there was nothing here in town. The guys are staying with me here at the house."

My eyes widened. "Everyone is living in Shady Hills?"

"Just Atticus and Ronan."

Nodding, I stared out at the street for a moment before turning to face him. "I think it's beautiful that you want to learn more about Jacob, but I'm not sure if I can handle being your personal tour guide."

Disappointment shone on his face. I regretted expressing my hesitancy. This wasn't about me...

"I can't force you," he said. "But I'm here in town regardless, if you decide to help. At the very least, I feel closer to his spirit just being here. It's rare that I have a break like this in between commitments. It didn't feel right going back to L.A."

I had to stop and think. If this would bring him some peace, how could I say no? I owed it to Jacob, didn't I? It would be hard to be around Tristan, but I needed to set aside my hang-ups and do it.

"His favorite place for breakfast was Sparky's. I have tomorrow free, if you want to meet me there at eleven AM."

Tristan's mouth curved into a smile. "I would absolutely love that." He let out a breath. "Thank you, Emily."

Tristan drove me back to the restaurant, and when we pulled up, my heart nearly stopped. Ethan's truck was parked next to my car. He leaned against it with his arms crossed.

"Where have you been?" he asked as I exited the Range Rover. His eyes moved to Tristan, who remained in the driver's seat with the car running.

"This is-"

"I know who it is," Ethan said. "They told me you took off with him, but I didn't understand."

I'd told Ethan about my time on tour with Delirious Jones, including the reason I'd set out to find Tristan. He knew everything-aside from the fact that Tristan and I had hooked up before Tristan knew who I was. I figured there was no benefit to Ethan knowing that. I'd never imagined Tristan would come to town and Ethan would potentially see the guilt written all over my face.

Tristan sized Ethan up before speaking through the open car window. "I'll let you get back to your night." He drove off without another word.

"What was that all about?" Ethan asked.

"Tristan is in between music stuff and staying in town for a little while to learn more about Jacob. He's renting a house here with two of his bandmates."

"What does that have to do with you being in his car?"

I shrugged, hoping to diffuse the situation. "He wanted to talk to me. He asked me to be his tour guide, help him learn about Jacob, since I was the person who knew him best."

"I don't know how I feel about that." He placed his hands at his hips. "You sure he doesn't have an ulterior motive?"

My face felt hot. "Like what?"

"Don't be na?ve, Emily."

"You think he'd be making a play for his son's ex-girlfriend?" Not knowingly, at least. I laughed nervously. "It's not like that. Plus, he has a girlfriend."

Ethan's expression relaxed. "Okay. Sorry for overreacting." He sighed. "I just wasn't expecting this and didn't know what to think when they told me you left with him."

"I don't blame you one bit. If I'd known you were coming to the restaurant, I would've texted so you weren't concerned."

"Anyway…" He leaned in to kiss me on the cheek. "I missed you today. When I went by your mom's, she said you hadn't come home from work yet, which is why I stopped by to catch you here."

"I missed you, too," I said, praying he wouldn't continue to be suspicious, even if based on my reaction to Tristan today, he had every reason to be.