Chapter Thirty-Nine

 

Sleep eluded AJ. The more he tried to force it, the more restless he became. Thrusting himself out of bed, he slipped on his jeans and a T-shirt. Like grains of sand, the Gulf shore had gotten inside him, followed him home. He needed to go back.

Grabbing his guitar, he tiptoed to the kitchen, where he scrawled a note.

The night air intoxicated AJ as he walked. Something about the wide open sky, so infinitely dark yet brilliant with stars, churned up a wildness inside him. A need to be part of that dark brilliance. Bare his soul to the wide stretch of sea and sky, his voice mingling with their own melodies.

For too long, his life had been off track. Now it flowed forward, and in the direction he wanted to go. He couldn’t help but want to hold it in check awhile. All his dreams were being realized except one. Cassiopeia. None of it felt right without her. He should be on the most incredible high of his life, but joy was beyond his capacity now. Losing Cassiopeia had allowed him to open himself up inside his music as never before. But without her, success meant little.

At the rocks, he played song after song. Losing her also allowed AJ to find new meaning in each song. Now he understood the loss, the heartache. Lyrics were more than just words, they were someone’s life on the page. He held the final chord of a song, letting its reverberations fade into the night. He ran his fingers along the strings, let the vibrations sink into his fingertips. He held the guitar like Cassiopeia had held it. He sat, trying not to think as he watched the swell of the water crest into a wave and crash into shore.

Thinking seemed pointless. Sitting here alone was pointless too.

He stood and shouldered his guitar strap, then turned inland. A clatter of rocks made him pause, to turn back. To wait.

The rush of water to the shore, the breeze in his face were the only sounds.

It was impossible.

He turned again, and the rocks rattled again. He hesitated. No one else was on the beach. It was too late for gulls, or fish. He stood stone still, afraid to move.

Holding his breath, he waited, but heard nothing. When he took a step, he heard it again.

Slowly, he turned back. He couldn’t see her, but he knew she was there. Or someone, maybe another mer person. Maybe another had come to take revenge on him for what he’d done to her.

“Cassiopeia?” he whispered. He leaned the guitar against a rock.

A rock clattered at the edge of the sea. Darkness made everything blend together: sea and rocks were one seamless infinite stretch. His heart welled within his chest, and thumped hard.

He closed his eyes and made himself stand still, afraid to breathe. “Are you all right? I’ve been worried about you.”

A smaller sound, like a gasp or a sigh, came from the same spot.

It had to be her.

His pulse quickened as he slid a foot forward. “Just tell me you’re all right. I’ve been so worried. You looked so sick the last time I saw you.” He waited, but nothing. Desperate for some sort of answer, he kept talking, whatever came into his mind. He had to make her understand.

“I know you hate me. I don’t blame you. Even though Chaz said he’d kill you. And me too.”

A rock moved against another. A thrill shot through him. He shifted his feet forward as he went on. “I know it was really hard on you to be trapped like that, but it was better that way. So I could make sure he wouldn’t hurt you. He’s gone now. He can’t ever hurt you again.”

The breeze ruffled his hair as he stood, fists clenched, hope waning. This seemed useless. He closed his eyes. It was time to give up. Go home.

A small voice asked, “He’s really gone?”

His eyes flew open. “Yes.” He stepped forward too fast, then stopped. “He’s in jail, locked away where he can’t hurt anyone.” He eased a foot ahead. “Cassie? Can I just see you, please? Just once?” It was like asking for just one hit of crack, he knew. He’d only want more and more, endlessly on, until it drove him mad with yearning. But he had to see her, see that her face no longer looked pale, her strength had returned.

“Stop,” she said.

He halted, every muscle frozen. His voice soft, he urged, “Just tell me you’re all right.”

“Sit down.”

Like a dog commanded by its owner, he sat immediately.

“Don’t move. If you do, I’ll go. Forever.” From her tone, he knew she wasn’t bluffing.

He sat statuelike. “This is me not moving. Not a muscle. Except my mouth.” And his heart, racing as fast as his mouth. When he realized his knee bobbed with nervousness, he moved his hand atop it, grabbed it. Squeezed. He only let his eyes move as he followed her movements.

Her head, dark as the sea, lifted slowly. Her eyes shifted left and right, up and down the beach.

He kept his voice soft and even. “It’s OK. You’re safe.” His heart fluttered against his ribs.

She leveled her gaze on him. “It wasn’t safe. Before, when you weren’t here.”

“When I was in the hospital? You came then?” Elation made him feel as if he might float away on the breeze.

“Yes. There were too many people. With lights and cords and trucks.” The outline of her shoulders came into view.

“That was Chaz’s fault too. His big mouth. He told them about you. But those people won’t come back, either. We fooled them into thinking Chaz was crazy, that he meant the Weeki Wachee mermaids. And Chaz was crazy, so it wasn’t hard to convince them.” God, he was babbling. He would scare her away if he didn’t shut up.

“They can’t be that stupid.” She laid her hands against the rocks as she floated.

A nervous laugh escaped him. God, she was smart. “That’s the news biz. Short attention span.” The span between her and him was not any shorter. He was ready to beg her to sit near him.

She twisted and sat at the edge, tugging at her hair. “Great. Now I have a knot.”

She moved slower than before. Maybe the stress of the ordeal weakened her. Or she was injured–though there were no visible signs of any wounds.

“I have a comb,” he offered.

From behind her hair, she peered at him. “You do?”

“Do you want it?” His nerves were so fried, it felt as if someone had plugged them into an electric socket. He inched his hand into his pocket and held the comb out.

Too far to reach it, she looked away.

“I could bring it to you, if you want.” His hand trembled with the effort of not moving toward her.

“If you move too fast, I’ll be gone.” The distrust in her eyes felt like a knife in his gut.

“No, I won’t. I swear.” He crept like a slug. “I am slow as an inchworm here. Moving like molasses.” She had no frame of reference for either, probably. “Slow as the moon across the sky.” He was within arm’s reach of her.

She held out her hand. “I get it. Give me the comb.”

He slid it in her palm. “Can I sit here, please? I promise I won’t move.”

Her eyes shone in the darkness. “I don’t care.” She pulled the comb through her long hair, as if he weren’t there.

Sitting so near was killing him. Unable to touch her. Watching the silk of her hair fall against her skin.

“Why did you come back?” he asked.

Working the comb against the knot, she said, “To make sure you were all right.”

His heart swelled in his chest. Until she added, “So I could kill you myself.”

If she wanted him dead, he would die for her. “Go ahead. I deserve it. I’m a coward.”

She clucked her tongue. “You’re an idiot,” she said, almost to herself.

“That too.” He certainly felt like one. He had no idea what he was saying. If it would keep her here, he’d say anything, agree to anything.

Her eyes flashed with anger. “He could have killed us both. And then you left me alone with him, with his knives and his guns and his metal obsession.”

Her accusations fed his guilt. “I should have stayed with you. You’re right. I was scared out of my mind that he’d hurt you. But he was crazy enough to use that gun, Cassie.”

“I have scars on my beautiful tail from his stupid net. And chlorine burns.”

“I kept telling him there was too much chlorine. I’m so sorry.”

“If you hadn’t added more water to the pool, my tail would be as ugly and grey as a porpoise. And my whole clan hates you, you know. I had to talk them out of hunting you down and taking revenge.”

He gripped the rocks to keep from reaching for her. “I understand how they must feel. You have to believe me, I was only trying to protect you. He would have hidden here at the beach and shot you. I had to let him capture you so he wouldn’t kill you. I know it sounds stupid. But it’s the truth.”

Her hand hesitated, then she pulled the comb slowly through her hair.

He ducked his head to see her face. “But you’re all right now?” The dim glow from the light across the street wasn’t enough to show whether her skin color had returned to its normal blush.

“Yes.” She glanced at his face, then his side. “What about you? You were bleeding.”

His laugh sounded hollow. “Yes, my body has a slight aversion to metal too. Especially bullets.”

She turned halfway to face him. “Why did you run at him like that?” The fire in her eyes had returned, at least.

He took her in with his eyes, since he couldn’t touch her with any other part of himself. “He was trying to stop you from going home.”

She twisted toward him. “He could have killed you,” she said angrily.

His smile was lopsided. “And taken the privilege from you. I know.”

“You are an idiot.” She hid a hint of a smile by ducking her head.

He gave a nod. “You already said that. There must be some other derogatory term you’d like to use.”

She moved closer. “An insufferable fool.” And her voice had softened.

He pressed his lips together. “That’s technically the same thing. Surely you can do better.”

Her narrowed eyes moved down his body. “Careful, AJ. You will call down the wrath of a mermaid upon you.”

“Mmm. It’s not the wrath of a mermaid I want to call down upon me. Just the opposite.” Against his will, his fingers weaved through her hair. “Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are?”

“No. You’ve never said anything like that to me. Only to your mother.”

At his confused look, she turned away. “I came here that night. And every night, waiting for you. Against the wishes of my parents. And your grandfather.” She settled next to him.

“You defied your parents for me?” That had to mean something. It was enough to give him hope.

“And after I told them you were Deirdre’s grandson, they didn’t argue quite so much.”

Without thinking, he turned quickly. “You know my grandmother?”

She flinched at his fast motion, but didn’t move away. “Yes. All my life.”

He envied her that. “What’s she like? Is she all right? Would you be able to give her a message?”

“I suppose. What message?” Her hair flicked across her shoulder as she faced him. Even in the dim light, her green eyes sparkled as they searched his own.

He felt hypnotized, as if he were falling. “Tell her my grandfather–Walt–loves her. And it was all a terrible misunderstanding.”

She watched his lips as he spoke. “It was?”

Mesmerized by her, he pressed closer. “Yes. He’s been miserable without her, ever since she left.”

Cassiopeia’s tail undulated. “He has?”

AJ got the feeling they weren’t talking about his grandparents any longer. He spoke from his heart. “Yes. He loves her more than anything in this world. He only wants to be with her again.”

The hope within him reflected on her face. “He does?”

“He’s lost without her. All he does is think about her.” He slid the back of his hand along her arm.

She allowed his touch, but looked away. “She thinks about him too.”

Something in her tentativeness held him back. He had to earn her trust again.

“She does?” he whispered.

“Yes. All the other mermaids tease her when she swims into coral because she’s so preoccupied.”

“So she feels the same way he does.” AJ edged closer.

“Yes. She’s a lovesick fool too.” She said it as if ashamed she could let herself feel that way, but her voice softened as she added, “She wants to be with him and no one else.”

He tilted his head, and smelled the salt of the sea in her hair. “That’s how I feel too,” he whispered.

She tipped her head toward him, so he felt her breath as she spoke. “You do?”

“I love you, Cassiopeia. I want to be with you, or life won’t be worth living.”

“AJ,” she whispered, her lips tantalizingly close.

“What?” He could barely breathe.

“Shut up and kiss me.”

He needed no other enticement.

 

***

 

Hours had passed, or minutes. AJ couldn’t tell, except the constellations had shifted. The world had shifted. In his favor, for once.

She nestled against him. “So when is the wedding?”

Panic made him tense. “What wedding?”

She looked up at him. “Didn’t your mother say she was getting married?”

He relaxed. “Oh. Yeah. My mom. Of course.”

She leaned away. “Who did you think I meant?”

Oh, God, he’d messed this one up. “No one. I wasn’t…”

She settled against his chest. “I’ll mention it to your grandmother, if you like.”

Shit, why didn’t he think of that earlier? “Would you? I’m sure she’d want to know.”

She made a small sound, half sigh, half mmm.

“Cassie?” He traced circles on her shoulder, and down her arm.

“Yes?”

This small islet was like a no-man’s land between his world and hers. Too small a space in which to exist. “What are we going to do?”

Her voice was small. “I don’t know.”

“But we can’t do this forever. How are we…”

“Shh.” She laid a finger on his lips, slid her hand along his jaw, and pulled him to her.

 

***

 

Dinner dragged on. Following Mel and Sandra’s hearty welcome to his mom and Mike, AJ hardly heard what anyone said. Grandpa was unusually outgoing and jovial, so AJ was off the hook. All he could think about was getting back to the beach.

“AJ, are you all right?” His mom laid a hand atop his.

“Fine.” He lifted his water glass to his lips.

Grandpa arched his brows. “I believe AJ may have an engagement of his own tonight.”

“Yes. Sorry, I’m a bit preoccupied.” He shoved his plate away.

Diana tilted her head. “Anyone we know?”

“Not yet.” Maybe never.

“Well, your mother and I were thinking of turning in early tonight anyway.” Mike winked at her. “Tomorrow’s a busy day.”

She nudged her shoulder into his, then said to AJ, “Yes, don’t forget. Tomorrow’s the rehearsal and dinner afterwards. Your presence would be much appreciated.”

“Wouldn’t miss it.” He edged his leg out of the booth, knee bobbing. He couldn’t wait for his grandfather. “I’ll see you then.”

He slipped out, kissed his mom on the cheek and strode away, calling good night to Sandra and Mel.

“See you Friday, if not before,” Mel reminded him. Another gig. Followed by another on Saturday. How would he see Cassiopeia then? He couldn’t see her during the day. If he asked her to come out afterward, she’d get in trouble for being out too late. And they’d hate him again.

He grabbed his guitar from the house and went on to the beach. Probably another hour until dusk, but he wanted to practice his songs. The songs he wrote for her. He’d almost brought a CD, but what good would it do? Hold it up so she could see it? It would be like looking at the outside of a book and trying to know what words it held, or the outside of a treasure box, unable to see the sparkle and brilliance of its jeweled contents.

The sun dipped into the sea, surrendering itself to the night. He leaned his arms atop the guitar.

“AJ,” came a whisper.

He glanced at the beach. A couple with a child running before them walked his way. “Stay down. There are people.” A man walking his dog walked toward him from the other direction.

“I know. I’ll wait.”

Seconds ticked by, and it seemed the people had hardly moved from their positions on the beach.

“You could still talk to me,” she teased.

Yeah. Talk to her while she hid. This was a normal life. “Uh, well. Oh. Tomorrow afternoon is the wedding rehearsal, so I’ll be right over there. But that’s during the day, so I won’t see you. I won’t be able to come back until late, probably too late. And the night after is the wedding, and since it’s my mom, I have to be there. So, again, can’t make it.”

“I know. You need to be with your mom.”

He glanced behind him. Great. Now two girls huddled together as they walked, looking his way. The stupid teeny boppers who were naïve enough to think he might be interested in them. “Shit.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I think they’re coming over. You need to stay out of sight.”

The girls walked like Siamese twins toward him. “Do you take requests?” one asked.

“No. Do you?”

“What?” Their smiles wavered.

He looked them up and down. Stick figures, still. Not even through puberty. “Go away. Leave me alone.”

They edged closer. “We just wanted to hear you play,” one said. The other said, “My sister saw you at Mel’s and said you were really good.”

Great. His own teen fan club. More loudly, he said, “No. Scram.”

“But we—”

He yelled, “Will you just leave me the hell alone?”

His anger alarmed them.

“Well screw you,” said one in her best haughty bitch tone.

They retreated to the beach, but sat down and watched him. Probably to taunt him. Like he was only playing hard to get.

“Did you have to be so mean?” Cassie asked.

“They’re still there. They won’t leave. God damn.” He heaved a breath. “I wanted to play you the songs I wrote for you.”

“So play them.”

“With you down there? And them over there? They’ll think I’m playing for them. Then they’ll never leave.”

“AJ.” Confusion sounded in her voice.

“This is all wrong. I can’t see you when I want to. I wrote these kickass songs for you and now you can’t even hear them. You can’t come see me, or be with me when I’m out there playing. It sucks. Things are finally starting to work for me, you know? I went and recorded my songs, made a CD. I’ve been playing gigs and getting good feedback.” He didn’t know how to explain so she would understand. “I’m thinking about getting another band together. I’m giving my music another shot. I have to.”

“Yes, you have to. It’s what you love.”

He felt stupid, talking to her when he couldn’t even see her face. Trying not to move his mouth so anyone else could see. “It’s one of the things I love. I wish you could be there.”

Her voice floated up from the sea. “I will be, if you think of me.”

“I’m always thinking of you. You’re everywhere, with me in my heart. But I…” He made himself stop. His frustration had taken over his senses.

“What?”

“I don’t know. Everything’s changed, you know? Since we first met. I’ve worked to get to this point for years. And now it’s all happening for me, or starting to. I can’t walk away from it.”

“No. Why would you walk away?”

He looked back at the beach. The girls were still there, though now they sat with their heads together, talking.

“How is any of this going to work? Next weekend, I have my last gig at Mel’s. It’s been going almost too well, playing there. The place is too small to hold everyone.”

“That’s amazing. So where will you play after that?”

“That’s just it, Cassie. I’ll have to move on to bigger places. Away from here.”

“How far away?”

“Maybe very far. I don’t know yet.” His frustration crawled across him like ants marching across his skin. “What the hell are we going to do? We can’t keep on like this.”

Giving up his music wasn’t an option. Before, he’d thought maybe he could live in her world. But to do that, he would have to sacrifice every good thing about his life, except for her. He would have to give up music, step away from the promising beginning, and leave it all behind forever.

He stood, and blew through his lips. At least he could see her now. Her silky dark hair pooled around her head. Her face said everything she wasn’t verbalizing.

“What do you want, AJ?”

“I don’t know.” He looked away. “I don’t know.”

“I should go.”

“Yeah. It’s probably best. This is getting us nowhere.”

“Right. Nowhere but here. And you don’t want to be here, that’s obvious.”

“I do, Cassie. But not just here. This is no way to live.”

Her jaw jutted forward. “Bye, AJ.” She slid underwater.

“Cassie.” He wanted to throw himself down, to catch her before she could slip away. How would that look to anyone passing by?

“Cassie,” he repeated, and crouched at the edge. He started to say, come back. But why? Even if they were alone, she’d only stay for an hour or two, then leave. Each time he saw her, it only became harder to leave her behind. Maybe it was best to let her go.

Grabbing his guitar, he strode away, and sand sprayed behind his steps. His heart tattered with every step away, but he could see no solution.

When he reached the house, the radio played out back. Grandpa sat on the patio.

He leaned his guitar against the wall, took a beer from the fridge and opened the sliding glass door. “Hey.”

“AJ. You’re back early.”

He pulled a block of wood from the table. “Got a spare knife?”

Grandpa set his gaze on him. “What’s wrong.”

“Everything.” He plopped onto the chair. “You were right. I should have seen it.”

“I’ve been known to be wrong,” Grandpa offered.

“No. There’s no way it can work.” AJ gulped his beer.

“Don’t give up hope, son.”

“Why not? You have, haven’t you?” Then he remembered. He hadn’t asked Cassie about his grandmother. What she’d said about the wedding.

His grandfather didn’t flinch under AJ’s assault. Maybe he recognized the pain he was in, how he wanted to divert the pain by wounding someone else. “Don’t repeat an old fool’s mistakes.”

AJ set the block down, tried to work his mouth to say, I’m sorry.

Grandpa stood, his hand rested on AJ’s back as he passed, and went inside, leaving AJ with only Elvis crooning, Love me tender.

He tilted the beer can to his lips, and closed his eyes. When Elvis sang, I love you, AJ bit his lip as Elvis crooned that he always would.

AJ already knew his love for Cassie would always be part of him. It didn’t change a thing.

 

***

 

“AJ, did you pick up your suit?” Grandpa called from the bathroom.

“Yes, Grandpa. And your tux too.” He laid on his bed and stared at the ceiling.

“Thank you.”

AJ pushed himself up. “Are you about done? I need a shower yet.”

The bathroom door swung open, and a bathrobed Grandpa rushed out. “You better hurry, or we’ll be late. They’ll be here in less than an hour.”

AJ tried to infuse his voice with enthusiasm. “OK.” The last place he wanted to go was the beach. He sang as he showered and dressed, trying to block his own thoughts out with song lyrics, but every song that came to mind echoed his feelings.

By the time Diana and Mike arrived, AJ wished he were drunk so he could get through the rehearsal and dinner. The dinner. He’d make up for lost time then.

His mom touched his cheek. “You look so different.”

“Different how?”

Her gaze swept over him, her voice dreamy. “I don’t know. More grown up, I suppose. You’ve been through so much these past few months.”

He ducked his head. More than she knew.

“I’m going to freshen up.” She occupied the bathroom for twenty minutes.

Grandpa and Mike sat on opposite ends of the sofa, staring out at nothing as they made nonsensical small talk.

AJ could stand no more. He strode to the door and knocked. “Almost ready, Mom?”

“In a minute.” Her tone sounded less than gracious.

He backed away, and went to the living room. “She’ll be out in a minute.”

Grandpa scowled at his wristwatch. “That’s what she said twenty minutes ago.”

A smile flitted across Mike’s face. “She’s a little nervous.”

“Perfectly understandable. It is her first wedding.” In an instant, Grandpa’s expression changed from pleasant to panic as he apparently realized his faux pas. “Can I get you anything else while we wait?”

“No, thank you.” Mike smoothed the hem of his Miami Vice powder blue linen blazer.

They’d run out of things to talk about nineteen minutes ago.

AJ walked to the fridge, opened the door, shut it again. The only thing he needed was to get this night over with. “So is the minister coming here to the house?”

“She’s meeting us there,” Mike said, grateful for the verbal exchange.

“She?” Grandpa leaned away suddenly, his eyes wide under furrowed brows.

Mike’s gaze shifted from AJ to Grandpa. “Yes. Minister Sheila Lowry. She flew down from New Jersey.”

Grandpa’s face contorted in a half-squint, half-wince. “Does… she have jurisdiction here?”

Mike shrugged, and looked lost. He apparently hadn’t thought to ask. “I suppose she has jurisdiction everywhere.”

“Yes. I suppose.” Grandpa’s tone indicated he was humoring him.

Mike looked a little nervous himself, although this was his second marriage. Maybe he wanted this one to stick.

Finally, Diana appeared, smoothing her calf-length dress. “All ready?” she asked, as if she had been waiting for them.

Mike stood and kissed her cheek. “You look beautiful. Let’s go.”

“Should I drive?” Grandpa asked. “Or are we walking?”

Her eyes bright, Diana personified optimism. “Let’s walk. It’s a nice day.”

Nice and hot. But AJ fell in line behind Grandpa without pointing that out.

By the time they reached the spot, the only reason they weren’t drenched in sweat was because the wind whipped against them, assaulting them with foam and grains of sand.

“Oh, no. I hope it isn’t like this tomorrow.” Diana’s cell rang, and she fished it from her purse. Her tone sounded heavy with disappointment as she spoke.

Switching it off, she said, “Sheila’s about fifteen minutes away yet.” She glanced up and down the beach. “OK. Let’s figure out, exactly, where everything will be.”

She and Mike walked down the beach and back up.

“Why don’t you mark it off somehow?” Grandpa suggested.

AJ squinted against the wind. “Do you want me to look for a stick? You could draw lines in the sand.”

Diana held a hand to her face. “Ow. I think I have sand in my eye.”

Mike stepped closer. “Let me see.”

She bent further. “I can’t open it. It hurts.”

AJ and Grandpa exchanged glances as their verbal exchange ratcheted up to sparring.

“Here comes someone,” AJ said. A man and a woman walked their way, until the woman stopped, grabbed the man’s arm, took off her shoe and emptied the sand from it. The way her mouth moved, it wasn’t hard to guess what she was probably saying.

The woman replaced her shoe and waved. “Diana. Mike.”

One-eyed, Diana turned and waved. “Phoebe, Kyle. Thanks so much for coming.”

Phoebe’s smile looked tentative. “Is this really where you’re getting married?”

“Yes. Isn’t it gorgeous?” Her cheek stained with mascara-streaked tears, Diana blinked rapidly.

“Are you all right?” Phoebe opened her purse and drew out a tissue. “Here, sweetie, let me fix that.”

AJ wandered to the rocks. Foamy spray spattered his shirt. He didn’t care.

“AJ,” said a girl’s voice.

His gut clenched. “Hello?”

Girlish laughter erupted behind him. He whirled. “Ah, dammit. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse.”

The two girls thrust their noses in the air as their smiles disappeared. “Don’t even tell him,” said one to the other.

“No, we should. Just because he’s an asshole doesn’t mean we should be too.”

He over-enunciated, “What do you want?”

“We saw your girlfriend,” one taunted.

Rattled, he rubbed his face. “What are you talking about?” Why were these females torturing him? They didn’t even have all their hormones yet.

“A girl was looking for you,” said the girl.

“She was dressed really weird,” the other added.

“OK. Thanks. Bye.” Just what he needed. Another weird girl looking for him. Maybe it was one of the Goth girls from Mel’s. Could he never find peace?

The second girl tugged at the other’s arm. “See, I told you we shouldn’t even tell him.”

AJ let out a ragged breath. Females would be the death of him yet.

He made his way back to the wedding party. Another woman had joined them, presumably the minister. She smiled at AJ as his mom said, “This is my son, AJ.”

AJ shook her hand and said hello, then moved to Grandpa’s side. “When do we get to drink?”

Grandpa chuckled. “Soon.” He patted AJ’s back.

“Dad?” Diana held out her hand. “Come on, we’re starting the run-through.”

AJ grinned. “Show time.”

Grandpa paled. “Coming.” Stiffly, he walked toward his daughter, along the lines in the sand, then turned and walked back toward the minister.

“AJ, get in place,” his mom said.

AJ held up his hands. He had no idea where to go.

His mother pointed. “There. To the side.”

He took three steps and stood, trying his best to look solemn. Only Grandpa’s sickly expression kept him serious. When he delivered his daughter to Mike, and went to stand by AJ, AJ asked, “Are you all right?”

Grandpa cleared his throat gruffly.

The minister paused to look at him, then went on.

“Fine,” Grandpa whispered.

“Yeah. Me too.” He couldn’t get those girls out of his head. Who were they talking about? No one would be looking for him here.

The blood drained from his head.

Asshole. One girl might be.

But it couldn’t be. How would she speak to those girls? Did they see her in the water, and think she was swimming or something? It seemed too surreal to even consider.

The mental diversion got him through the wedding practice.

His mom was saying, “See you all there,” and hugging her friend, shaking the minister’s hand. AJ took that as his cue to head back.

At the house, his mom took another five minutes to freshen up. She emerged from the bathroom streak-free and pleasant. “Everyone hungry?”

It was only five o’clock, AJ wanted to say, but plastered a smile on his face. “Absolutely.”

 

***

 

Mike had reserved a small room at the restaurant, although there were only seven of them. AJ made small talk with Kyle, who he learned had been Mike’s friend since childhood, and Phoebe, Kyle’s wife, now Mom’s best friend and owner of the bead shop where they both worked. They would be best man and matron of honor. AJ tried his best to look interested. Beer helped. It also helped put him at ease in the restaurant, which appeared more upscale than AJ’s usual haunts. Way more. Food served in courses made him antsy. He wanted to get out of there.

Three buckets held champagne bottles. Overkill, if his mom and Kyle weren’t drinkers. But AJ got the sense that was Mike’s style. Too much was better than not enough. He wanted to provide for everyone, especially his mom.

The waitress poured a glass for everyone. Kyle stood, and straightened his tie as he raised his glass. “I’d like to say a few words.”

After a few minutes, AJ wanted to remind Kyle the operative word had been ‘few.’ But who could fault the guy for wishing his best friend and his wife-to-be every happiness? And he wished them every happiness, at detailed length.

When Kyle finally sat, AJ drained his glass and poured another. “So, Mom. Who else is coming tomorrow?”

“A few more of our friends from back home. And Tobias.”

“Tobias?” AJ peered at Grandpa.

“Yes, Tobias has known your mother since birth,” Grandpa said.

Strange. But AJ’s brain was beyond functioning.

The door to the dining room opened, and a woman stood there in a silken taupe dress, her gaze fixed on Diana. When Diana looked up, the smile faded from her face. The room went silent, and time stood still.

Grandpa rose from his seat like a ghost from the grave, his voice no more than a breath. “Deirdre.”

Grandma.

AJ couldn’t move. No one could, apparently, except Kyle and Phoebe and Sheila, but they soon caught on this was no ordinary guest.

Deirdre gave a regal nod. “Walt.” She returned her attention to her daughter. “I had to come.”

Stunned, AJ knew he should say something. Or not. Grandpa looked ready to have a stroke.

Diana’s lip quivered. She stammered a few syllables, but no actual words. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked from her mother to her father to her fiancée.

Mike touched her arm. “Honey? Are you all right?”

A cry burst from her as she pushed away from the table, and ran out of the room.

“Diana,” her mother called, and followed her.

Grandpa threw his napkin on the table and hurried out. AJ followed him out to the lobby, where Deirdre stood at the front door. Diana’s car roared through the parking lot. The brakes squealed as she stopped at the parking lot entrance, then tires squealed as she pealed away.

Deirdre turned to Grandpa. “I must speak with her.”

Grandpa’s voice sounded leaden. “I’ll bring you to her.”

Deirdre gazed into her husband’s eyes, then laid a hand on AJ’s cheek and smiled. “Hello, Andrew.”

She was every bit as beautiful as in her photos from decades ago. Faint lines edged her eyes, but made her beauty classic. “Hello, Grandma. Did… anyone come with you?”

A trace of sadness crossed her smile. “No, dear.”

A heavy weight gathered inside AJ. To his grandfather, he asked, “Do you want me to go with you?”

Grandpa stood so straight, he looked taller. “No. Stay with Mike. Try to calm the others.” He held the door while Deirdre walked through, and ushered her to his car.

AJ ran a hand through his hair. What a night.

He went back to the room. Kyle, Phoebe and Sheila surrounded Mike, who stood shaking his head. Worry lined his forehead. When he saw AJ, he broke from their midst. “Is she all right?”

AJ laid a hand on his shoulder. “She’s left. Grandpa and Grandma went to find her.”

Mike’s eyes widened. “She was Diana’s mother?”

“Yeah. Long story.” He raised his voice as he turned to the table. “Sorry for the excitement, everyone. Please, sit and enjoy your dessert, have some coffee, some more champagne. I know I am.” He laughed, though he didn’t mean it as a joke.

Mike slumped into a seat.

AJ grabbed his glass and the bottle of champagne, and sat next to him. “Mom just needs a little time to sort things out with Grandma.”

Mike stared at the flickering candle. “I should be with her.”

AJ nodded. “Later, yes. She’ll need you. Right now, they need some time alone.”

Mike looked at him. “When did you get so wise beyond your years?”

AJ exhaled. “Believe me, I have a lot to learn.” He poured champagne to the rim of his glass, gulped it and sat back in the chair, legs splayed.

The minister approached Mike. “Call me if you… need anything.” Her tone implied if anything changes. Not what Mike needed to hear.

Kyle and Phoebe left soon after, saying, “We’ll see you tomorrow.” But they looked uncertain too.

“It’ll be fine, man. She loves you.” AJ figured Mike needed as much reinforcement as he could get. “And you’re good for her. She’s much more grounded now.”

Mike snorted. “Except for tonight.”

“Hey, tonight was the shock of a lifetime. She couldn’t have seen that coming. No one did.” Certainly not Grandpa, from the looks of him. AJ should have gone with him. But no, he needed time alone with Grandma. The whole family was a train wreck. Deirdre seemed the only one able to piece it all together, having been the cause of it.

Mike sighed. “I think I’ll head back to the hotel and wait for her. I want to be there when she gets back.”

AJ nodded. “Sounds good.” He smacked Mike on the back.

Mike stood, looked around the empty room, as if he’d forgotten something. “I’m calling a cab. Do you need a ride?”

“No, I believe a walk would do me good.”

He hesitated in the doorway. “AJ. Thanks.”

AJ nodded, and Mike shuffled out. He sat for a moment. So much for plans. Mom sure couldn’t have expected today to end this way.

An open but untouched bottle of champagne remained. AJ pulled it from the bucket, and headed out. He walked straight to the beach and walked along, marking his progress by the buildings past the shore line.

Finally, he came to the rocks, and dropped to his knees at the edge of the islet. “Cassie?”

The only answer was the waves rolling in. Empty. He settled back with the bottle and watched the stars twinkle.

“She’s pissed at me.” He sat up and yelled. “I know you’re pissed at me! Cassie? I’m sorry!”

He waited, sure she would come. “Cassie! Please come talk to me!”

Nothing, no noise but the wind and the sea.

She was gone. AJ could feel it. Something had irrevocably shifted, and nothing would be the same. He stumbled back to Grandpa’s. The house was dark. He checked the patio. No one.

He laughed. “Just me. All alone. No, wait. Not alone.” He held up the half-empty bottle. “I have you, my pretty.” The walls shifted as he made his way to his room, thwarting AJ’s progress.

“Steady as she goes, matey.”

AJ switched on the radio, then stripped to his boxers. He fell into his bed, as rocky as a boat in rough water. “Whoa.” He chuckled.

A light came on at the end of the hallway. AJ lifted his head. “Grandpa?”

Footsteps thudded close, and his grandfather stood in the door. “How did it go?”

AJ tried his best to enunciate to cover his condition. “The festivities pretty much ended, and everyone left.”

“You’re drunk.”

AJ pushed himself up on his elbows. “Yes. I am drowning my sorrows. Or they’re drowning me. Either way. I’m drunk.”

Grandpa said nothing.

“Where’s Grandma?”

“She’s staying with Tobias.”

AJ sat up, crookedly. “With Tobias?”

Grandpa leveled his gaze at AJ. “Her cousin.”

Her cousin? That explained Tobias’ lack of curiosity about Cassiopeia.

After a moment of stunned silence, AJ asked, “Is there anything else you want to tell me? Because I’m tired of getting knocked off my feet by these revelations, Grandpa.”

“Not tonight. You better sleep it off. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

AJ blew through his lips and fell back on the bed. “Fine. Tomorrow. G’night.”

The door clicked shut, and the room was dark, except for the dim light from the wide windows and the green glow of his radio. He pushed himself toward it, popped in his own CD. He eased back on the bed, his arm across his forehead. If only Cassie could hear it. He closed his eyes and sank into the music, into the darkness.

A flutter of a touch brought his eyes open. He smiled. “Cassie. You’re here.” He couldn’t move, his muscles were as fluid as the champagne he’d drunk.

“Shhh, AJ,” came the whisper. She faded in and out of his vision. He reached for her but grasped empty air.

“Cassie, I love you. Don’t go,” he whispered. “Do you hear these songs? These are your songs.”

The blurry figure turned her head toward the CD player. “My songs?”

“I wrote them for you. I love you,” he whispered. Damn, he wished he hadn’t drunk so much. If only he could sit up, touch her. Maybe it was better to lie here and let the dream happen. He didn’t want to wake up, find himself alone.

Her hands glided across his cheek, her head close to his. “AJ,” came her whisper, as if the wind had borne it. He could swear he felt the silk of her hair against his chest. Legs atop his.

Legs. Definitely wrong. This dream was wrong. “No.”

“Yes,” came the hushed whisper. “Shhhh.” Warm skin, light against his. Soft, moist lips caressed his, moved down his neck.

He groaned. If this was a dream, it was the best he’d ever had. He laid still, and let it unfold, let himself feel the warmth of her beside him, her murmurs in his ear. He rode a wave of bliss back into darkness.

 

***

 

The inside of AJ’s skull needed a good dredging. All the muck left by the champagne–the haze, the slowing of his senses. He forced himself upright, though the brightness of the morning sun made his stomach churn.

The door burst open. “AJ. You’ve slept half the day away. Time to get dressed.” Grandpa hesitated.

AJ looked up with heavy eyes and made a noise meant to indicate yes.

“You look like hell. Put some clothes on. What if your mother sees you like this?” He shut the door.

AJ pushed himself up, and the sheet fell away as he rose and headed to the bathroom to shower. Like acupuncture, the water pricked at him. Oh, man. Why did he drink so much? Never again.

The dream. He might not have had the dream if he hadn’t. But what good was dreaming, when he couldn’t have the real thing.

Grandpa pounded on the door. “Today, AJ. Move.”

“All right.” Progress. Actual words.

No point looking in the mirror. He knew how bad he looked, and nothing would fix that but time. And sleep. If only he could sleep.

No. Today was Mom’s day. He had to be there for her.

He managed to dress, and Grandpa walked in and handed him a glass of tomato juice. “Finish it. It’ll settle your stomach.”

AJ doubted anything could, but downed it in one tilt of the glass.

Grandpa handed him a napkin. “Don’t use your sleeve. Now get your guitar and let’s go.”

As they drove to the beach, AJ turned to Grandpa. “Do you think mom will show up?”

“Of course she’ll show up. She’s getting married.” The confidence in his grandfather’s tone sounded forced.

AJ shielded his eyes from the afternoon glare. “Did she and Grandma work things out?”

Grandpa’s stoic demeanor gave away little. “Not entirely. That will take time.”

AJ felt too unfocused to ask coherent questions. He’d go through the rest of the day and see what happened.

Grandpa pulled the Caprice into a space off the roadway. “Your mother’s meeting me here. You go on down with the others.”

“I know.” AJ carried his guitar case to the beach, where Kyle and Phoebe waited with the minister. A few other people gathered, apparently other guests, since they wore dresses and suits. He guessed they were more friends from New Jersey. A man laden with camera equipment snapped photos.

A light breeze blew. Nothing like yesterday, thank God. He didn’t think he could withstand being pelted with grains of sand today.

A car pulled behind Grandpa’s. Mike hurried from it to shake Grandpa’s hand, then rushed down the hill. He aimed a thin smile at AJ as he went to take his place next to the minister. “Sorry I’m late.”

“You’re not. Relax.” Man, the guy was a basket case. Maybe he was afraid of being left at the altar. If there were one.

Tobias’s truck eased to a stop behind Mike’s car. Tobias got out, went to the passenger side and opened the door. Grandma stepped out.

AJ labored to her side and held out his arm. “May I?”

Delight filled her face. “Why, thank you, Andrew.” She took his arm, and he escorted her across the sand.

“You look amazing,” AJ said.

Her smile looked demure. “You’re very sweet.”

It was no exaggeration. Deirdre’s skin appeared as luminescent as Cassie’s. His grandmother’s grace belied her age, though maybe, having gone back to the mer people, she’d stopped her aging process when she left Grandpa. AJ had much to learn about them. He hoped this time, his grandmother would stay long enough for him to ask.

Tobias eyed him as they joined the other guests. “You look like you were hit by a bus.”

“I feel like it too.” His entire body cried out for relief. Yet somehow, a sweetness lingered, too, from the dream.

His grandmother smiled. “You look fine, dear.” She adjusted his tie, then attempted to smooth his hair, but the layers would not lie flat. With a frustrated sigh, she gave up and stood next to Tobias.

A black limo pulled ahead of the Caprice. Grandpa opened the door, and helped Diana out.

AJ stooped to pull his guitar from its case, making his head throb and whirl. He regained his balance, hoping no one noticed, and plucked the Wedding March as his mom stepped toward them in a flow of white silk and chiffon, beaming at Mike as she held Grandpa’s arm. A breeze made her veil dance, held to her head by a halo of white flowers. When Grandpa brought her to Mike and kissed her cheek, even AJ was moved by the sheer happiness the couple projected.

Short and sweet, the ceremony mercifully ended before AJ felt the need to puke. The photographer followed Diana and Mike to the limo, clicking away. Guests made their way to their cars.

As AJ walked, Grandpa followed Deirdre with his eyes as Tobias helped her into his truck, which trailed in the line of vehicles going to the restaurant.

The oldies station was silent in the Caprice. Grandpa drove with a single-mindedness AJ had rarely witnessed.

At the reception, the seating arrangements offered little clue as to his grandparents’ situation. At their large round table, Deirdre sat left of Tobias, who sat left of AJ, left of Grandpa. AJ leaned forward, caught his grandmother’s eye and, motioning with his fingers, silently offered to switch seats with her. Her sad smile was decline enough. AJ let it be. Maybe Grandpa was still processing all that had happened, as AJ was. It was a lot to take in at once, but his grandfather’s stake in it was far greater. And more perilous. His heart had been broken for so many years, maybe even Grandma couldn’t fix it now.

Grandpa stared to his right, toward the head table where Diana and Mike sat with Phoebe and Kyle. Sheila, the minister, occupied the seat next to Grandpa, and a couple AJ didn’t know sat between her and Grandma. The other two tables were filled with another twenty or so people. AJ supposed they’d been at the wedding, and their numbers hadn’t seemed so large there because the beach itself was so large.

Throughout dinner, AJ drank ginger ale and water. He ate as little as possible, and declined cake. He wasn’t going to tempt fate to that extent. It was torture enough having to listen to the DJ play ridiculous wedding standards. He wondered if Grandpa had had a hand in selecting the slow songs during dinner. His head had cleared somewhat, but his body ached for his bed.

The DJ announced the traditional father-daughter dance, and Grandpa led Diana to the small dance floor. His mom laughed as she talked with him. She seemed unable to stop smiling. When Grandpa handed Diana over to Mike, Deirdre stood at the edge of the dance floor, watching. Waiting. Grandpa hesitated, his eyes locked on hers. AJ tensed. If he walked away now, ignored her silent plea, that would be it. He’d probably never see his grandmother again after today. Grandpa’s chest swelled, his arms stiff against his sides, only his moving fingers any indication he was in inner turmoil.

“Come on, Grandpa,” AJ whispered.

Grandma’s shoulders slumped slightly, and she ducked her head. Ready to leave.

Grandpa walked toward her and extended his hand. She lifted her arms and stepped into his embrace. As graceful as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, they glided across the floor, his grandmother’s face as radiant as his mother’s.

AJ turned to Tobias. “She’s staying, isn’t she.”

It wasn’t a question. Tobias clasped his shoulder, then asked Sheila for a turn on the dance floor. Nearly everyone but AJ twirled with their partners under the soft yellow light. He stared at the flowers in the centerpiece, their silken petals soft as Cassie’s skin.

Sometimes life gave you everything but what you wanted most. He had to move on.

He had to get out of this room. Away from all this syrupy sweetness.

The night drew him outside. He stood on the front steps, and leaned against the rail, letting the breeze wash over him. By the muted tinny-voiced announcements of the DJ that floated out of the building, AJ guessed the corny bouquet toss and garter wrestling match were in play. When music flowed again, he made his way back inside and dropped into his seat. He propped his head in his hands and let his eyes close.

“AJ sweetie, give me a hug.” His mom stood behind him, her arms wide.

“Are you leaving already?” AJ stood and hugged her.

“Yes. We have a plane to catch.” Her voice was soft in his ear. “You’ll come visit soon, won’t you?” She leaned away to look at him, her eyes bright.

“Sure.” He shook hands with Mike, who murmured, “I’m throwing a big birthday party for your mom in a few months. I’ll make sure you and Walt get an invitation.”

AJ tapped his shoulder. “Good. Have a great time on the honeymoon. Take care of her.”

“I will.” Mike led Diana out the door, waving.

AJ scanned the room for his grandfather. Maybe he was in the men’s room. When he noticed his grandmother was missing, too, he knew. They would be all right after all.

“Time to go,” he said to himself.

Walking back to the table, Tobias overheard. “Would you like a ride home?”

AJ made a show of declining. “No, I don’t want to put you out.”

Tobias leveled his gaze at AJ. “Son. Take the ride.”

“OK. Thanks.” AJ wasn’t really up for that long walk tonight.

The house was dark when Tobias pulled up out front. “See you Monday.”

“Bright and early.” AJ climbed out and watched Tobias pull away.

Cousin Tobias.

No wonder he was willing to take a chance on AJ when no one else was. He was family.

AJ pushed open the door to the house. A dim glow shone through the kitchen window. He crept closer. Elvis sang Love Me Tender as Grandpa danced cheek to cheek with Grandma by candlelight.

AJ heaved a breath. If he weren’t so beat, he’d go for a walk, stay away from the house as long as possible. He felt like an intruder on his grandparents’ privacy. Too weary to do anything else, he went to his room, shut the door and stripped to his boxers, then flopped on his bed. Sleep. That’s all he wanted.

As tired as he was, his nerves jangled, keeping him awake. He wondered where Cassie was, whether other mer guys made passes at her. He’d never asked. Maybe he didn’t want to know. But maybe they just hadn’t had enough time.

 

***

 

Sunday. A day of rest. All day.

Not only did AJ need to replenish his worn body, he wanted to stay out of Grandpa and Grandma’s way. And escape reality. Getting out of bed meant getting on with things. He wasn’t ready for that yet.

When he emerged from his room in mid-afternoon, Grandpa sang in the kitchen. “There you are. We were about to phone the paramedics.”

AJ forced a lopsided grin as he poured a glass of milk. “Hey.”

Deirdre knelt on the patio, tending the tomatoes. She looked up and waved when she saw AJ, then slid open the door.

“Andrew. Did you sleep well?”

“Like a log.” AJ didn’t want them to know he’d awakened in the middle of the night to the sweetest sound in the world–squeaking bed springs and soft murmurs.

He rubbed his face and groaned. “I need a shower.”

Grandpa said, “We’re going out for dinner in a bit. If you’d like to join us…”

AJ hid his smile behind a wince. His grandfather’s tone left no doubt the last thing he wanted was for AJ to tag along. “No, thanks. I’m going to hang here. You kids have fun.”

They exchanged the blushing smiles of newlyweds.

AJ shuffled back to his room. Everyone had a happy ending, except him. But hey, that was the making of all the great songs. Despair. Yearning.

“I should start writing the best songs in the world,” AJ said to himself as he shut the door and fell back on the bed.

 

***

 

On Monday, AJ had a call from Mark Myers, a keyboard player who’d responded to the notices AJ had hung next to his gig flyers. He’d talked for too long about getting a band together without doing anything about it. AJ agreed to meet him at Mel’s. Mark knew a guy, Pedro Pena, a guitarist who might be interested, so AJ called him on Tuesday during a break, and met with him Tuesday night. The three of them agreed on a practice session for Wednesday. AJ wanted to move quickly. There was no reason not to, now. When they met at Pedro’s house, his brother Julio showed up. With his drum kit.

Rehearsal went a little rough, but any new group needed time to work out the kinks, tighten the loose ends. By the time they all showed up at Mel’s on Friday, AJ felt optimistic. It was only nine o’clock, and already the place was packed.

Grandpa and Grandma sat at a table with the tip jar and stacks of CDs. AJ agreed to split the tips, and they agreed he should keep the CD profits.

Mark had a small sound system, so AJ switched on the microphone to welcome everyone. “As you probably know, tonight is my last night at Mel’s. And the band’s first night.” He introduced his new band mates to the applause and whistles of the crowd.

AJ went on. “We’re very excited, because next week, we’ll be playing our first gig in Orlando. So if any of you are out that way, stop by the Tabu Nightclub to see us. Our new manager, Mr. Rob Williams of Alliance Studios, would sure appreciate it. We would too.”

He nodded at each of the band members to establish the beat, and they opened with one of AJ’s originals. A slow one to start, but they segued immediately into one that rocked people onto the dance floor.

The four of them were squeezed so tightly into the corner, they knocked into one another as they played, and an occasional dancer would bump AJ’s or Pedro’s guitars. So many people crowded the dance floor that AJ couldn’t see past it. His band mates’ exhilaration showed in the way each of them threw himself into the song. They performed like pros. He was lucky to have found them. This night was going so well, he should be happier. All he felt was a gaping emptiness.

Before the last song of their first set, he checked each of his band mates. All were sweaty and happy.

“This next song is for a very special girl who…” AJ choked on the words. Who what? Who he’d never see again. Who he loved more than himself. Whose absence made this night meaningless. “It’s called Surfacing.”

He strummed the intro, slower than they’d rehearsed. Unable to muster the right energy level, he pretended this was how he meant to play.

I’m way out to sea

Feel your waves crashing over me

I’m in too deep, I don’t wanna breathe

I’m drowning in your love.

 

Through the sea of moving bodies, he caught a glimpse of a stunning girl who stood in the doorway. The haze of the bar made it hard to see her clearly. As she began to make her way toward him, her long hair swayed like black silk as she moved on long legs. AJ couldn’t take his eyes off her. As she came closer, time and the world fell away. The room contained only AJ and her, and he poured his heart out to her in song.

She stopped at the edge of the dance floor. Through a twisting curtain of arms and shoulders and heads, she stood still, focused on him with a light in her eyes as if they alone occupied the center of a hurricane, the rest of the world swirling past.

AJ realized he’d stopped singing. He had to remind himself to breathe. He called over his shoulder, “Finish up” and set his guitar against Mark’s keyboards. Dancers parted as he made his way toward her, and stopped a few feet away.

“Oh my God,” he murmured. This was no dream. It was more like a miracle.

Cassiopeia. Standing on two legs.

“Hello, AJ.” Her smile faded as she seemed to brace herself.

He rushed to her, cradled her face in his hands and brought his lips to hers. The blood rushing through his brain crowded out the noise of the room, until he heard Pedro say, “We’re taking a short break now, folks. We seem to have lost our lead singer.”

A ripple of laughter crossed the room. All except Susie, who glared at AJ.

He took Cassie by the hand and led her through the crowded, noisy bar to the parking lot. He pulled her close. “You’re here. I can’t believe it. How is this possible?”

Nearly as tall as him, her incredible green eyes were almost level with his. “I went to the High Mer Leader. He granted me my wish.”

Terror and excitement mingled within him. “You did this for me?” He couldn’t stop running his hands across her back, her hips. Her incredible silky hair.

She took a deep breath, and her eyes searched his. “It’s temporary. I have two weeks to decide. Then I can go back, no questions asked.”

He exhaled in relief. Two weeks.

He leaned in to kiss her, but she turned her head. “But there will be no other chance in the future. This is the only request I may submit. In my entire life.”

And her life span was way longer than his. Yet she’d chosen him. This was too important to screw up.

He cupped her cheek. “We have a lot to talk about. But right now, I have to finish my gig.”

Her face lit up. “I know. I want to hear you play. Finally.”

His lips met hers, and his intent to go inside vanished as his arms tightened around her, the feel of her too incredible to let go.

Mark popped out the door. “AJ. Did we lose you for good?”

With a groan, he pulled away. “We’re on our way.”

This time, she tugged him by the hand. “Come on.”

As they walked inside, AJ felt the stare of every man across Cassie’s incredible body. He squeezed her hand and led her to his grandparents’ table.

“Grandpa. This is Cassie.”

She demurely said hello as Grandpa nodded in greeting.

Grandma pulled out a chair. “Why don’t you sit with us, dear?”

“Thanks, Deirdre.” Cassie slid onto the seat.

Grandpa winked at AJ as he turned to leave.

AJ took his place, adjusting the strap of his guitar over his shoulders. “Sorry about that, folks. Now we’re going to play that last song as it was meant to be played, so get ready to shake it.” He made eye contact with each band member as he counted off one two three. Already, the band had tightened its sound. They launched into Surfacing again, the tempo twice as fast as earlier. Even the older folks jumped to their feet.

Slinking through the crowd, her arms high, Cassie danced toward him. Her body moved like nothing he’d ever seen–so graceful, as if she were still underwater. If it weren’t for the rhythm of his band mates, AJ might have forgotten to sing anything, and just stood there, mouth agape, drooling. She seemed to get lost in the music, let it carry her. Propel her. He longed to be out there with her, feeling her skin slide against his.

Apparently he wasn’t the only one. Every guy in her immediate area watched until their dance partners pivoted them away. AJ ratcheted up the energy of his singing as adrenaline pumped through him. One guy in particular watched with too great an interest, and danced closer. AJ’s jaw clenched, his muscles tightened. In another minute, he’d have to push through the crowd and punch the guy out.

Grandpa wove his way through the dance floor and tapped Cassie’s shoulder. She smiled up at him, and his grandfather did his best to keep the beat.

AJ’s laugh came out as he sang. It seemed to be Grandpa’s mission in life to save AJ from himself.

 

***

 

The beach was deserted as they walked, their arms around each other’s waist.

AJ twined his fingers in the belt loop of her jeans. “I still can’t believe you’re really here. Walking next to me.”

“I’ve dreamed of this moment since I first saw you singing on the bridge.” Her hair riffled in the breeze.

The bridge. His stomach twisted at the thought. He kissed her cheek, and murmured in her ear, “So. Did I tell you what an amazing body you have?”

Her eyes glittered like emeralds. “No. But I kind of got the impression you approved.”

“You did, huh.” Probably the giveaway was his machismo boiling to the surface. He’d have to learn to keep that under wraps.

“It feels so incredible. Better than I ever imagined. Being able to stretch out my legs in any direction I want.” She turned and encircled her arms around his neck. “Around anyone I want.”

AJ cocked his head, searching her face. “You… that was you? Not a dream?”

She laughed. “Is that what you thought?”

“You always seem like a dream. A beautiful, fantastic dream. Better than anything in real life.” He moved his face closer until his mouth touched hers. “But no fair. I wasn’t exactly at my best.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Well, that’s a relief.”

He nuzzled her ear. “I hope you’ll let me show you.”

With a little moan, her hands slid up his back, her fingers ran through his hair as she pressed her hips to his.

“Oh, Cassie.” He moved his mouth across her sweet neck, along her jaw.

“AJ,” she whispered.

“Mmm,” he answered, his lips ready to devour hers.

She pulled back to look at him. “We have a lot to talk about, remember?”

He filled his lungs with sea air, and groaned as he rocked her gently. “Yes. We do.”

She held a finger to his lips. “We have time.”

He kissed her finger. “Two weeks.” Too short a time. Not nearly enough to make a decision with lifetime repercussions.

Her voice was soft. “It could be more. Much more.”

Grandpa’s agony came back to him. What if she did stay, and they had the same problems as his grandparents? He couldn’t stand to lose her like Grandpa lost Grandma.

He leaned his forehead against hers. “I’m so glad you were there tonight, to hear the band. It meant a lot to me.” Everything, he wanted to say.

Her face lit up. “Me too. Your songs are going to be on the radio, AJ. I know it.”

He had to make her understand. “Maybe. We’re only getting started, and have a long way to go. It’s a hard life, Cassie, but it’s really important to me.”

“I know. It will be worth it.”

He furrowed his brow. “It would be even harder for you. I want to be honest with you, so you know what you would be getting into.”

She tilted her head. “Hard how?”

He needed to word this delicately. “Girls like guys in bands. There will always be girls around, girls who will flirt with me and try to make you jealous. Try to hurt you. But you’d have to trust me. I’m not interested in any of them.”

A year ago, he’d have laughed if someone were to tell him he wouldn’t care about the girls the band drew to their gigs. The girls who looked at him with the hunger that fueled his passion. But now, he knew if he were to pursue his music without her, it would mean nothing. He didn’t want to go back to the way he was before, falling into bed with any girl he came across.

She listened carefully.

“I’m interested in you.” Slowly, his gaze wandered down her body. “And the way you look, there will be plenty of other guys interested in you. What will you do when they tell you how amazing you look?”

She tightened her arms around his waist. “I’ll say thank you.”

He ran his hand down her back. “What about when they tell you how sexy you are?”

She smiled.

AJ pressed further. “When they ask you to come home with them?”

She pulled away to look at him. “What should I tell them?”

AJ filled his voice with all the feelings inside of him. “Tell them you’re in love with me.”

Her answer was quick. “I will.”

Something like helium filled him. He might have floated away if her arms didn’t hold him so securely. “You will?”

“If you tell all those girls you’re in love with me.” The way she said it, he knew she was only half joking.

He leveled his gaze at her. “I will. I am. I love you, Cassie. Only you.”

She looked out over the sea. “It’s awfully lonely, being out in that big wide ocean all alone.”

“It’s the same up here. Too much world to be in by myself.”

“Then it’s good we found each other.”

The waves crashed to shore, the breeze blew around them, but AJ and Cassie held tight.

 

***

 

AJ packed up the Caprice for the weekend trip to Orlando. “Are you sure it’s OK to take the car? I hate to leave you stranded.”

Grandpa drew Grandma to his side. “Go ahead, AJ. Your grandmother and I will take pleasure in being marooned.”

Deidre smiled and kissed Grandpa’s cheek.

Cassie grabbed AJ’s hand in excitement, a contagious excitement that got under AJ’s skin. Man, he couldn’t wait to get started. They had so much to do.

His grandparents stood in the driveway as AJ put a bag in the trunk. He shut it and saw the bumper sticker: Have you hugged a mermaid today?

He smiled at Cassie and opened the car door.

 

 

 

 

###

 

 

About the Author

 

Cate Masters has made beautiful central Pennsylvania her home, but she’ll always be a Jersey girl at heart. Most days, she can be found in her lair, concocting a magical brew of contemporary, historical, and fantasy/paranormal stories with her cat Chairman Maiow and dog Lily as company. Look for her at http://catemasters.blogspot.com and in strange nooks and far-flung corners of the web.

Cate loves to hear from readers. Email her at: cate.masters@gmail.com