“No, just seeing if that girl over there was staring at me. If you yawn, and someone’s looking at you, they’ll yawn, too. Look, she’s yawning, time to make my move.” With a pat on my back, he slides off his stool.
“You’re a gem,” I chuckle, “poor girl doesn’t know what’s about to hit her.”
“Just go to Concord next weekend, Gorgeous. You deserve it.” C.J. cocks his eyebrow and stalks toward the yawner across the bar.
I finish my beer quickly when I realize that Saturday nights are open-mic night at Tarryn’s. Butterflies that my stomach thought were extinct burst to life and encircle my insides. Suddenly, I’m struck with a decision that’s truly been months in the making. Bravery drives me home and holds my hand as I chase the sunrise with my notebook and guitar.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
I have no idea what to expect from Bo as I drive to Concord on this hot late July day. Well, I have some idea, given that it’s at an open-mic night, but I’m trying to focus on my own surprise. I reassured Rae nearly every day this week that I’d be coming, but I’ve kept mum regarding my plan. Regan knows, since he helped me with a bit of the guitar work, but I’ve gotten really good in a short amount of time. Regan and Josh say it’s in my blood— especially now that they know about my parents.
I pull into the parking lot at Tarryn’s at 7:00 on the dot. I don’t need my nerves talking me out of this if I have too much time to think. A quick scan of the room shows no sign of Bo, Regan, or Rae, though I suppose Regan and Rae never told me they would be here—they just asked that I be here. I slide my guitar case to my feet as I sit at the bar and order a drink. I’m excited to share this. I’m ready to share it. All I really need is for Bo to be here. The rest of the crowd is just a bonus.
When the MC checks the mic and announces the first act, I pull out my cell phone and check the time. It’s 7:10. At 7:15, I text Rae a question mark but receive no response. I try not to check over my shoulder every few minutes, but that’s a task that’s proving to be impossible.
7:20 ...
7:25...
7:30 ...
7:35 ...
Ainsley.
“Interesting seeing you here.” Ainsley places a hand on her hip as she squares off next to me.
“Is it?” I mumble, turning in her direction.
“Why are you here?”
“I was invited.”
“By who?”
“Bo.” I grin as her cheeks redden.
“Hmm,” she stammers as she tries to recover, “I guess you’ve been stood up, Sweetheart. He’s supposed to be playing right now and he’s not here.” Now it’s my turn for red cheeks.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think she could be telling the truth. And the fact that Rae didn’t answer my text means that she either doesn’t know I’m sitting here alone, or she’s fighting with Bo about it. Still, I have Ainsley to deal with.
“You’d love that, wouldn’t you? For Bo to stand me up. I just have one question for you,” I say as I stand and reach for my guitar. “Can you tell me where he was last Saturday night? I can, and it wasn’t with you.” I chuckle at Ainsley’s effort to keep her face composed, while her eyes nearly bug out of her head.
I make it out of the bar and slide my guitar in the car before trying Rae again. There’s no answer, so I have no choice but to call Bo and find out why I’m here alone at, now, forty minutes after we were supposed to meet. I dial his number and wait through three rings. My nervous energy has transferred to annoyance.
“Hello?” A man answers. It’s not Bo. I check my phone and it says that I did, in fact, call Bo.
“Uh, hello? Bo? It’s November ...” I know it’s not him, but I need to clarify that somehow.
“November, it’s David Bryson. I have Bo’s phone right now.” His voice is shaky and leads my pulse into a race pace.
“David, I’m here at Tarryn’s. I was supposed to meet Bo at seven—is everything OK?”
“November ...” The change in his tone throws my heart to its knees in prayerful supplication.
No, no, no...Please let him be OK. Please.
Fumbling with my keys, I drop them twice before I get my door unlocked and push my guitar to the back seat.
“David, what is it? Is Bo OK?” Something awful has happened. My body knows it; I’m already crying.
“Listen, we’re at the hospital,” he takes a deep breath and clears his throat, “Bo’s fine. Rachel had an accident on the horse today, she’s in surgery right now ...” He keeps talking but I can’t make out the words. I speed out of Tarryn’s lot in search of the hospital.
*
When I arrive at the hospital, I spot David standing out front. I park as close as I can and sprint toward him. I stop dead in my tracks when I see the tears in his eyes.
“David, what happened? Where are Regan and Bo?” I’m breathless, still fighting tears.
“Rae and Regan were riding on the trail, and Regan said a swarm of bees shot up out of the ground.” He pales during his pause. “Rae was in front, leading the way...her horse got spooked, and the next thing he knew, she was flying through the air.” David grabs my hand and walks us toward the hospital entrance. His hand is freezing.