“I don’t think so. But I’ll see if I can find it. Say hi to your daughter, hopefully, you’ll get to go home before I’m back on Monday.”
“Oh wait, you can’t go yet.”
“What’s wrong? Is something bothering you?”
“No, but he’s about to sing that song. Don’t you want to hear it?” Mrs. Lee was such a sweetheart, always had a smile for everyone. I didn’t have the heart to disappoint her. But the last thing I wanted to do was see more of Jason. Trying to wrap my head around the memories of my first love and the man on that stage was difficult enough without hearing more.
“Okay, but just for a minute.”
The morning show host introduced him as Jason Royce and reminded the audience that he was performing a sold-out show in Orlando for the next two nights.
I wonder why he’d changed his name. Was it his choice? Maybe the record company thought Royce was a better option. Not that it mattered to me. Just because he was in Orlando didn’t mean I’d run into him. Ten years is a long time, not that I ever forgotabout him. I’d been heartbroken, even going to house to find him. He didn’t come to the door. It was as if he had disappeared that day.
As the first notes of the song rang from the television speakers, my eyes welled up. It was still him, but more. His voice was deeper. More resonant. The words were heartbreaking. They spoke of love being torn away. Crushed. Broken. Did I do that to him? Or was I giving myself too much credit? He probably walked away and never thought of me again.
“See what I mean?” Mrs. Lee whispered loudly.
I nodded. Speechless. My heart was pounding too hard in my chest. As his words washed over me, I moved closer to the screen hanging on the wall. This was the song that made his career, and feeling every word resonate in my chest, I could understand why. It reinforced all my guilt and heartache from high school, and all the lonely years since. How could I love anyone, let anyone love me when I’d treated Jason so badly?
Standing there, I took in how he’d changed. Gone was the lanky boy from high school. His shoulders were broad, and muscles rippled under the black T-shirt tucked into his jeans, accentuating his thick thighs.
Colorful tattoos covered his arms. As he strummed his guitar, I could see the veins on his forearms. Who knew that was so sexy? Actually, every romance novel ever written did. Ugh.
Younger Jason had been cute, attractive, sweet. This version was sex on a stick. The blond hair I’d loved threading my fingers through had been short. Now it was darker, sun-streaked and reached well past his shoulders. Even his blue eyes seemed different. A deeper blue-gray, piercing, brooding likethe ocean on a stormy day. A short, trimmed beard finished his transformation. My fingers itch to reach through the screen and touch it. Is it as soft as I remember his hair?
“Becky?”
Dragging my gaze from the TV, I finally notice my co-worker and work bestie, Cindy, standing just inside the doorway.
“What? I mean, yeah? Did you need something?” My cheeks heat with embarrassment. How long was I standing there mesmerized by Jason?
“Heather sent me to find you. It’s time for report.”
Cursing under my breath, I look over at Mrs. Lee, who has a huge smile on her face. Ugh.
“I’ll be right there. Two minutes.”
Cindy nodded and left.
“See what I told you? No woman can resist him. Admit it, your ovaries melted too.”
Nodding before I could stop myself, my cheeks heated. Too bad she wasn’t wrong. I needed to remember that the Jason Royce on that screen was not the Jason Richmond I knew from high school. Everything about him was different. He seemed so gracious, but the ease with which he avoided the gratuitous touches from the morning show host said he’d done it often. Women probably threw themselves at him all the time. Why wouldn’t they?
Sighing, I smile at Mrs. Lee and grab my WOW. They’re waiting for my report, and I need to go home instead of wishing for a chance to talk to him, to explain, to apologize—maybe finallyget some closure. Did he need that too? From the looks of him, he had everything he could ever want. But I know too well how many people wear masks. I’d been wearing one since high school.
two
. . .
Jason
The closing notes of my voice faded as the Morning Show producer signaled for a commercial break. Thank the dear Lord. If the anchor of the show, Missy Roberts, grabbed me one more time, I’d lose it. She’s on my last nerve. Making music brings me peace and pays the bills. It helped me improve Mom’s life too.
Before I make it off the set, Missy steps up next to me and puts her hand on my chest. Irritation simmers inside me, and makes my hackles rise. It takes several deep breaths not to push her away. I take a step backward, and her hand drops. She gives me a curious look, but I keep my professional expression firmly in place.
“Jason, if you don’t have to run off, I was hoping we could grab lunch or coffee. I’m done in a half hour. I’d love to talk to you without the audience.”
Of course she wants to, except it will be over my dead body. “Sorry. Maybe another time. I have a meeting with the record company and then I have a sound check for tonight’s performance.”
