Rage (28 page)

sleep, her robe kept slipping open and as she pressed her soft

warmth against him it had been too much for his dwindling self-

control. He had no doubt she would have succumbed to sex if

he’d initiated it, but it would have only made their parting more painful, and they’d both been through enough.

He glumly observed as Cheyenne and Scot came out of the

chapel giggling like a couple of school kids. Scot was fastening his belt and grinning that cheesy smile that sold a million teen magazines. He had a huge hickey on the side of his neck and

Cheyenne’s hair had a “just been screwed” look.

“You didn’t!” Yara snapped at them, her shrill voice carry-

ing on the ocean breeze. David chuckled and she slapped him

hard on the arm. With perfect timing, the priest appeared and

179

TAMMY COONS & MICHELLE PACE

started babbling in rapid Portuguese, and Phillip nudged Bret

awake.

Ten minutes later when Stephanie climbed out of a white

SUV, Phillip tried to ignore her startling beauty. She wore a

simple lilac dress and her hair was piled high on her head. He

wanted to beg her to change her mind and almost stood to do so.

He nearly fell over when Christopher Hoult climbed out of the

same SUV and handed Steph her camera bag. Christopher placed

his hand on the small of her back, and Phillip felt his jaw clench.

He could tell by the look Bret was giving him that his rage was

blatant. He unclenched his fasts and cracked his knuckles.

“Keep yourself in check, mate.” Bret pulled off his sun-

glasses. He had mammoth bags under his eyes, but the look in

them was uncompromising. Phillip managed a curt nod, but was

too furious to be able to speak. He realized his reaction was il-logical. He’d known she was dating Christopher, so it was hardly a surprise to see them together. Christopher obviously had passionate feelings for her, or he wouldn’t have had the balls to take Phillip on, since Phillip outweighed him by about sixty pounds.

“Phillip, Yara says you are walking down the aisle with

me,” Antonella cooed as she threaded her arm through his. He

was told she was one of the world’s most desired lingerie mod-

els. He thought she looked a little like a piranha, but when he

saw Christopher take Steph’s hand, he made it his mission to be

more open-minded.

They were there for no less than three hours, repeating the

maneuvers expected of them about ten times before Yara was

satisfied that everyone would perform like well-trained show

dogs. Stephanie circled them, looking at them through her cam-

era and dictating to Christopher who punched keys on her I-Pad.

By the time the band climbed in the SUV, Phillip was ready for a drink and perhaps ready to reconsider purchasing a carton of cigarettes.

“Who’s in the mood for a little fun after dinner?” Nathan

180

RAGE

asked, trying to contain a sinister smirk. Everyone groaned. Na-

than was always up to no good, and every night on the island had been a drinking/socializing marathon. Phillip wasn’t sure about

everyone else, but he simply wanted a tiny bit of peace and quiet.

“Quit being such a bunch of nancy boys. It’s David’s last

night of freedom. I decree a good time shall be had by all.” He

exclaimed.

“I’ve nothing better to do. What’s another night without

sleep?” Bret shrugged. Phillip thought he was starting to look ten years older than he had the month before.

Phillip sighed. He truly had had his fill, but he knew that

this was why he’d come. Davey Boy’s wedding was one long

team building exercise. “I’m in for couple of drinks.’

David regarded Nathan with unmasked apprehension. “Tell

me you didn’t hire hookers. I’d really like to keep my wedding

tackle attached to my person.”

“Would I do something like that?” Nathan laughed.

“Undoubtedly,” Scot retorted. Everyone snorted at that—

even Nathan.

“Nothing as untoward as that, Dave.” Nathan slapped him

on the back. “Saffron did hire strippers for the ladies, though.

Cheyenne’s hair whipped around her, and she noticed the

sky was overcast for the first time since they’d arrived on the

island. The wind had picked up considerably since the rehearsal, and she wondered if they were going to have to move the entire

banquet indoors. They were all seated at one very long table, like a hedonistic version of the last supper. Liam was trying to stuff a pea up his nose and Kara saved him from himself in the nick of

time.

“We always do ruin your good time, don’t we, boy?” Scot

181

TAMMY COONS & MICHELLE PACE

laughed when Liam stuck out his bottom lip. David had run off

after Yara, who’d melted down over the unsatisfactory table set-

tings, so the mood at the table was more relaxed than it would

have been otherwise. Phillip was working on his second bottle of wine and talking too loudly about himself to Antonella. Occasionally he’d glance over in what he seemed to think was a sub-

tle manner at Steph to see if she was listening. She didn’t seem to be. Christopher kept stroking the exposed skin of her neck and they kept whispering into each other’s ears. Cheyenne thought

they made a sweet looking couple and was glad Christopher was

bold enough to show up.

When Yara and David reappeared looking lovey-dovey,

Bret clapped his hands together and stood. “Surprise time.”

Phillip, Nathan, and Scot all joined him and they all moved

toward a piano that was conspicuously placed close by. Scot

pulled out an upright bass from an oversized case and Phillip and Bret produced acoustic guitars. Cheyenne beamed at them. She

had no idea they were going to play. It was a terrific surprise, and she could tell by the look on the faces of the bride and

groom that they were touched.

“Dave. You’re our brother from another mother, and we all

love ya.” Nathan began, as he took his seat behind the piano,

“Yara. You’re just the woman he needs to keep him in line. We

wanted to play a couple of songs from the album for everyone to

celebrate your blessed union.”

Bret piped in. “Phillip wrote this song for Rage. They

weren’t going to let us include it in the album. They said it was too light or too soft or…something. After they wouldn’t pull the

“Fire Woman” video, Phillip put his foot down and we all

backed him.”

Cheyenne and Steph exchanged shock glances at the men-

tion of the video. Christopher rolled his eyes and frowned.

“No one messes with Fury.” Nathan interjected. Everyone

chuckled.

182

RAGE

Bret continued. “We all think it’ll be the biggest single.

This one’s called ‘If Only U Were Here.’”

Nathan began to play a driving melody. Cheyenne thought

he looked very at home behind a grand piano. Phillip stared at

the ground as he began to strum the rhythm guitar, but when Bret started singing lead, Cheyenne nearly fell over. Though all the

guys had great voices, no one ever sang lead but Phillip. As

Bret’s clear voice rang out with the first line, the hair on the back of her neck stood on end.

I wonder what you're up to tonight; you're not where you

said you'd be.

Liam clapped happily as Bret proceeded to sell Phillip’s

song. The lyrics were obviously a regretful post break-up song.

The second verse started, and it seemed to get to Stephanie, who took a long drink of wine.

Well, we both said some things that we did not mean, none

of which were true.

But in the heat of the battle, you blame me, and I blame you.

The melody was stunning, and Cheyenne had to agree the

hook was going to shoot this one straight up the charts. She stole a sideways glance at Steph, whose cheeks were rosy as Bret

launched into the chorus with Phillip harmonizing.

Now I see things different, now the sky is clear.

And how I could make it up to you, if only u were here.

As Phillip strummed the last chord of the song, the tabled

erupted in applause. Yara was crying, and David had the world’s

happiest smile on his face. Cheyenne winked at Scot when he

tossed his hair and shot her a look that seemed to ask “how about that?”

Bret and Scot came back to the table, but Phillip and Nathan

remained by the piano. Phillip put his guitar aside and started to speak the minute the clapping died down. “This is another one I

wrote. It’s called ‘4 U.’”

Cheyenne saw Christopher flop back in his seat with an

183

TAMMY COONS & MICHELLE PACE

uncomfortable sigh. Steph glanced at Christopher who shot her a

knowing look and shook his head. Nathan launched into a light,

sweet melody. Phillip appeared nervous to perform, which was

about as common as unicorns in Time Square. When his

passionate voice lit out into the night like fireworks, Cheyenne literally gasped.

Many's the time I've wanted to tell you how I feel,

I never had the nerve to say.

Never was sure of what my heart was telling me,

now I know I feel this way.

All my life I've been dreaming of the one I love.

Now you've opened the door for me; you were sent from

above

Nathan harmonized the chorus and when Phillip’s eyes

traveled in Stephanie’s direction, Cheyenne felt compelled to

follow them. Stephanie sat straight as a board, looking down at

her feet. She looked a bit like an animal with its foot in a trap.

Christopher flung his arm around the back of her seat, but she

didn’t seem to notice.

And I just wanted you to know

that I love you.

Can't you feel the fire burn inside?

I've been waiting oh so long just to tell you;

now I know that this feeling just can't hide.

Yara sniffled loudly, and Cheyenne didn’t blame her. The

blatant earnestness in Phillip’s voice and the aching emotion on his face made her want to root for him. Steph’s eyes flicked in

his direction and then quickly returned to her navy stilettos.

By the time they’d reached the last verse, Steph finally

seemed unable to fight against Phillip. She watched him openly.

He sang the last line directly to her and launched into one last round of the chorus. Cheyenne had to disagree with Bret: if this song made it onto Rage, this one would be the biggest hit, hands down.

184

RAGE

I never felt this way before, and I won't again.

I hope and pray you'll hear the message that I send.

And I just wanted you to know that I love you.

Can't you feel the fire burn inside?

I've been waiting oh so long just to tell you;

now I know that this feeling just can't hide.

The tension was palpable to everyone present. Cheyenne

saw the restraint on Christopher’s face, and she felt a sinking

feeling in the pit of her stomach. When the applause began, she

stood to take Liam to the restroom, and Steph was instantly on

her feet.

“Need some help?” Steph asked, her eyes begged Cheyenne

to say yes.

“Sure.”

Once they were a safe distance away, Steph grabbed Chey-

enne by the wrist.

“I don’t know what to do,” she confessed. Liam reached out

for Steph, and she took him from Cheyenne.

“You know I think Christopher is great. He’s top notch,

Steph. But you’re the only one who knows what’s in your heart.”

“I don’t know a goddamn thing right now,” she snapped and

looked over Cheyenne’s shoulder blearily. Cheyenne turned

around and was face to face with Christopher.

“Is everything alright, ladies?”

“Yes, Chris. We’re just going to the ladies room. We can

manage that without an escort. Go on back to the table.” Steph’s exasperation was so over the top that Cheyenne gaped at her.

Christopher seemed less surprised.

“I think maybe it’s me you need to talk to Stephanie. Not

Cheyenne.” His voice was calm and firm. Cheyenne took Liam

back from Steph and hurried to the ladies room with him. She

was in such a rush to get back to them that Liam didn’t even get to dry his hands, and he kept wiping them on his pants. When

they returned, the volume of Steph and Christopher’s conversa-

185

TAMMY COONS & MICHELLE PACE

tion had grown exponentially.

“You don’t hang up on someone when they tell you they