Sound Advice (Sensations Collection #1) (14 page)

“I mean it. When are you leaving?”

“I don’t know. Do you want me to go?”

“I don’t know,” Jess said softly and looked out the darkened screen window.

I didn’t know how to respond or what to think, but I know I didn’t like where this conversation was potentially headed.

“I don’t want to talk about this right now, either,” he added as he leaned his head back against the cushions again. I looked at Jess’ jaw muscle move back and forth.

“So what was all that kissing a boy about with Katie this morning?” He asked with a sheepish smile as his eye lids drifted shut for a moment.

“You know in
The Little Mermaid
the way to break the spell was for the boy to fall in love with the silent girl and kiss her. Of course, Katie is way too young for those kinds of kisses.”

“Are you?” His eyelids sprang open, and he turned the full force of his blue gaze on me. I felt a shiver run up my body, starting in places that hadn’t felt anything in a long time. I breathed deep, letting the sensation spread within me.

“No,” I answered so low I wasn’t sure the word came out my mouth. Jess leaned slowly toward me. Although he was the one that had been drinking, he smelled intoxicating to me; musky and manly. I inhaled softly as he put his right hand lightly on my cheek and slid it down to my neck. I swallowed as he pulled me closer, gently tugging me towards him. He lingered. His face was so close to mine, and I could feel him breathe, but he wasn’t close enough and I swallowed again with anticipation. He continued to hold my neck and rub his thumb in a slow torturous circle over my pulse. I knew he could feel my heart racing through that vein. He then traced up my neck with that thumb before he slid his fingers gently under my jaw. He eventually stilled his fingers under my chin.

He leaned further forward and I could feel his breath brush my lips. I stayed perfectly still, minus the beating of my heart. Every inch of my body was vibrating with desire. My hands gripped the seat cushion as I tried to hold myself back. Waiting. Wanting. My legs moved apart slightly in an invitation for him to come closer. My mouth watered with desire for his kiss…a kiss that never came.

Jess sat back abruptly and I felt him looking at me as I held my eyes closed for a moment longer. When I opened them, I saw a spark I’d never seen before in his denim blue eyes.

“I should go,” he whispered.

“Why?” I choked.

“Because I don’t think I could stop myself if I stayed.”

I was so disappointed that tears sprang to my eyes after Jess slowly stood from the loveseat and walked out the screen door with one final look in my direction. I would not push him if he didn’t want me. Although his words implied otherwise, his actions were clear. Despite what Rosie said, I didn’t want to just get laid by Jess Carter. I knew I wanted more from him. When Jess could no longer be seen in the backyard, a tear of frustration rolled down my cheek. My agitation didn’t allow me to recognize the sound of a kick on stone foundation or a bang on the old wood siding.

Music has become one of America’s most famous past times and is an integral part of American culture. Music is a pleasure for the soul and nothing sends the body into a tingle better than entertainment through big bands. Remember to keep good posture, arms locked, eye contact, and an appropriate distance from any dancing partner.

“Matters of Manners,” 1976

I DIDN’T SEE Jess for two days after the lost birthday kiss. That was how I referred to the night in my thoughts.
Maybe he really didn’t want me? Maybe he did? Maybe he was leading me on? Maybe he was holding back?
He loves me. He loves me not
, I thought as I watered Nana’s daisies. I hated that I thought about him so much. He wanted me out of his head. Well, I was beginning to feel the same way.
Go away,
Jess Carter
, I told myself.

Tonight was the concert that Nana intended for me to attend with “a special someone.”
If Nana only knew
, I snorted, but she was excited to get out of the house anyway. Nana loved music and missed her radio, which was why she pushed me to have it repaired. I thought of Nana and how quiet her home must be without any sound. No partner to talk with in the evening and no child noises to fill the background. The same must be true for Jess. Without the words and laughter of his little girl, his world was quiet as well.
Hence
, I laughed at the word, the need to repair broken sound machines. Music could fill the void. Fixing the machines was an attempt to make something broken unbroken, unlike his ability to mend his silent daughter.

“That’s a bit revealing, dear.” Nana scowled, criticizing my dress as she entered my room. I had on a chocolate brown, low cut, halter-style dress and wedge heels. I figured I was probably overdressed for the occasion, and when we arrived at Interlake’s amphitheater, I discovered I was correct. Most attendees were dressed in casual pants and polo style shirts. Several women wore pants as well. Nana was appalled, as I knew she would be, but she was also gracious enough to accept that people who behaved without class had never been taught how to have it. My attire would not have pleased Nana unless I had on a dress tied up to the neck with pearls. Unbeknown to Nana, casual was in and formal out, which she would have criticized as a shame. She was too set in her ways, but I wasn’t about to change her.

I helped her maneuver down the sloping aisle. I was grateful the seats were close to the end of the row in case we needed to make an early exit for Nana. As I found our assigned seats, Nana recognized someone a few rows in front of us and wanted to step down to say hello.

“Good evening, Mary.”

“Oh, hello Mrs. Parrish. How are you?”

“Fine, fine, dear. I don’t know if you’ve met my granddaughter, Emily Post?”

“No, but I am so glad to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you lately.”

I smiled in return and shook the woman’s outstretched hand. I assisted Nana to sit with Mary for a moment and the two ladies continued to talk as I stood admiring the view.

Interlake was built in a beautiful setting. An outdoor amphitheater covered with a white canvas tarp set the stage against a rich, green, wilderness backdrop. It was lovelier than a few of the amphitheaters around Chicago. Hard lines of steel and black sound speakers surrounded those venues. Here, little white lights gave the setting an intimate and enchanting appearance. Young musicians were scrambling across the center stage to adjust music stands and seats as the crowd slowly filled in the audience.

“Excuse me.” A voice behind me implied that someone needed to get down the row where I stood, and I stepped back to come face to face with Jess.

“Emily?”

“Jess?” My voice squeaked with unknown excitement.

The surprise on both our faces was apparent, but more importantly, he looked amazing. He had poster worthy good looks. Without the ponytail, Jess’ hair lay down like a male model’s. It was chin length and the sandy color stood out more radiant in the dimming night. He had on a pale blue button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a blue-green striped tie with khaki pants. He looked like the typical all American college boy, only years older and sexy hot.

“Wow. You look…beautiful,” he said to me and I choked on a nervous laugh.

“So do you,” I whispered as I looked down to smooth my dress. I absentmindedly touched my hair, which I had twisted up and secured with old fashioned hair combs of Nana’s.

Jess tucked a piece of his hair behind his ear.

“Did you meet my mother, Mary Carter?”

“Yes.” I smiled at Mrs. Carter, slightly embarrassed now that I knew who she was. I knew the two older women were closely watching the awkward, stiff conversation between us.

“So what brings you
here
?” I asked. My surprise at his attendance at a classic concert might have hurt his feelings, as if I was implying this place was too high class for him.

Jess held his head up. “It’s a birthday present from my mother.”

“Oh, Jess is being modest,” his mother laughed. “He promised me a date for
his
birthday. In honor of his birthday, I get the present. Such a good son.” She smiled endearingly at him.

He was clearly uncomfortable with this information being shared and I tried with great difficulty not to look at him. He was too distractingly good looking and he was still standing too close in front of me, leaning against the seat behind him to put some distance between us. The lights dimmed to signal the beginning of the concert, and I suggested that Nana and I return to our seats.

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Carter,” I said politely.

“You as well. Stop by and see me some time,” she invited.

“Thank you,” was all I could reply.

The music was amazing, sultry and low, but I was focused on trying
not
to stare at the back of Jess’ head. He was so full of contradictions. I could hardly take my eyes of his appearance change, and yet as much as I willed him to look back at me, he didn’t, reconfirming for me, once again, that he really was not interested.

Nana was very entertained throughout the performance. She tapped her feet and clapped her hands lightly to the beat of the classic, upbeat music and big band sounds. The time grew late quickly, though, and I noticed that Nana was tired. I suggested we leave at one point, but Nana ignored me. She was closing her eyes the second time I suggested we should go, and she consented. As I assisted Nana into the aisle, I took one final glance over my shoulder in the direction of Jess and his mother to find him watching me. I had to turn away quickly before he could see the smile forming on my lips.

THE NEXT MORNING when I went to the repair shop to work with Katie, I noticed Nana’s radio was starting to be pieced back together. As I worked with Katie, repeating signs and the alphabet, two young girls came into the shop.

“Hey Uncle Jess, is Dad here?” one of the girls asked. She had white blond hair like Katie, but it lay straight along her tan back. The other girl had darker hair and practically drooled as she looked at Jess. Both girls looked about thirteen or fourteen years old and they both had on bikini tops under see-through white t-shirts with tight jean shorts.

“Hello, Mr. Carter,” said the second girl in a flirtatious voice. I coughed.

The two girls looked over at Katie and me.

“Hi, Katie girl.” The blond girl was friendly toward her cousin. The other girl said nothing.

Jess answered. “He’s at the hardware store, but he should be back in a few minutes. Want to have a seat in the back to wait?” The dark-haired girl leaned on the counter and pushed her newly-growing breasts together.

“I’m okay, Mr. Carter. I’ll stand.”

Jess ignored the girl and went back to work. The phone rang in the distance and he left the work area for the office.

“Why are you flirting with my uncle? Gross.” The blonde girl teased her friend.

“I wasn’t flirting with him, but he is hot.”

“Ew, he’s my uncle and he’s old,” she replied in that high school talk all girls have these days.

“I’d do him,” the dark haired girl replied. I was appalled and embarrassed for Katie who was staring at both girls.

“Shut up,” Katie’s cousin said in an exaggerated voice.

“You shut up. I’m serious.”

“Gross. Seriously, shut up.”

Jess walked back into the work area and stopped in mid-stride as he looked at Katie. I turned to see Katie standing with her head down and her hands on her ears.

“What’s going on?” Jess asked, eyeing the two girls, then me.

“I don’t know,” I replied.

The two girls said nothing as they stared at Katie.

“What’s wrong?” I signed and spoke.

Silence.

I touched Katie’s hand on her ears. “What’s wrong?” I asked again.

Silence.

Then Katie removed her hands and began to play with the tin dishes in front of her again. She never looked up at either Jess or myself. I gave him a brief questioning glance as I shook my head in a way to suggest I had no idea what had happened. I didn’t understand what Katie was trying to say.