Infuse: The Band Book 1 Read online

  Autumn lets out a shaky laugh. “I’m the last person deserving of that term.”

  I gently place my fingers against her soft cheek. “A smarter man than me once said, ‘courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the ability to act in spite of it.’”

  “Wow, that’s beautiful.”

  “As are you.”

  “Ha, you’re the beautiful one.”

  “We’ll have to agree to disagree on that one Babe.”

  “Isn’t Babe a movie about a pig?”

  “Is it? Well that’s out too then. Don’t worry I won’t give up.” I’m not just talking about the nickname and I hope she knows it.

  “I’m ready to go now. If we’re not too late?”

  “Don’t worry Chickadee, rockstars are expected to be late.”

  “No that’s not going to work either Pumpkin.”

  I grin. “Glad you’re still playing, but I veto all vegetables here and now.”

  “Darn, I was going to go for aubergine next.”

  “What on earth? You just made that up.”

  “Totally didn’t, it’s a fancy name for an eggplant.”

  “Yeah, cos naming me after an egg-shaped vegetable definitely wouldn’t affect my street cred.”

  “Come on, I feel bad just standing here while someone’s waiting for us.”

  As she turns, I capture her hand with my own. She startles briefly, but doesn’t pull away. I can feel the fragile bones of her hand beneath the silky skin. A fierce desire to protect her from the world fills me and I fear I’m falling, and falling hard.

  We pull up in front of a large stone house that sits just off the road. It lacks the homely private feel of the house Wes owns and I hate it on sight. An older woman in a red power suit is standing in the driveway.

  “Just hang here a moment O’Neil, I won’t be long.”

  “No problem Holloway.”

  “No?”

  “No, but keep trying.”

  I walk over to the Realtor. I gesture towards the ugly house with my hands.

  “This won’t do, it won’t do at all I’m afraid. I need privacy, Peg. Somewhere I can escape from the world, not be a tourist attraction for people to drive by and ogle.”

  “Of course, Mr. Holloway. I have a few others that might fit your requirements.”

  “Lead the way then.” I leave her standing in the driveway and head back to the car.

  “Sorry about that Winter. That was a total disaster, I’ve just told Peg we don’t want to waste our afternoon looking at any more hideous houses.”

  “So where to next…Max?”

  “Uh no, that doesn’t work for me either.”

  “I never knew you were so fussy.”

  “Well a good name is important. It conveys meaning and intention.”

  “Right…Drive on McDuff.”

  “What the heck is that supposed to say about me Little One?”

  “Um…I’m new to the whole ‘nicknames are important’ game. Just be patient with me. And that one was actually a misquote from Shakespeare.”

  "Lord, what fools these mortals be!”

  “Um, a Midsummer Night’s Dream?”

  “You are indeed correct, Horatio.”

  Autumn just gives me a dirty look at that one. Okay so I knew I was pushing it with Horatio.

  She speaks in a quiet melodic voice. “There is a willow grows aslant a brook, that shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream; There with fantastic garlands did she come. Of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples. That liberal shepherds give a grosser name, but our cold maids do dead men's fingers call them: There, on the pendent boughs her coronet weeds clambering to hang, an envious sliver broke; When down her weedy trophies and herself fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide; And, mermaid-like, awhile they bore her up: Which time she chanted snatches of old tunes; As one incapable of her own distress, or like a creature native and induced unto that element: but long it could not be till that her garments, heavy with their drink, pull'd the poor wretch from her melodious lay to muddy death.” She finishes with a sly smile, and it’s a beautiful thing.

  “Wow, you definitely win the Shakespeare competition. Did you study that play at school?” I’m embarrassed to admit I don’t even know which play it’s from.

  “I um, have a lot of time on my hands. I read a lot.” She looks away as if she’s just admitted to something terrible. “That scene is so sad. Poor Ophelia.”

  “That’s perfect, Ophelia. It suits you.”

  “Um, you know she went crazy right and killed herself?”

  “Oh, sorry. I almost thought I was onto something there.”

  “Well, I will admit it was a step up from Horatio.”

  The agent backs her Mercedes out of the driveway and I follow her along a quiet road to the next house. This one sits well back from the road and has a large fence in the front with an automatic gate. As we drive up to the house I’m blown away by the peaceful tranquility that descends. We get out of the car and it’s like another world. Tall trees surround a circular driveway. The house is two story and made of stone. It’s beautiful and perfect for us. As we walk in through the front doors, I feel immediately at home. Autumn has a dreamy smile on her face as she gazes around the beautiful interior. I’ve seen enough.

  “It’s perfect, I’ll take it, Peggy.”

  She looks flustered for a moment before her mask is back in place. “Really, Mr. Holloway, you should see the whole place first.”

  “Oh believe me, I intend to. I’m just letting you know that I want to buy this house, so there’s no need to show us around. We can do that alone.”

  “Well…that really is most unusual.”

  “Do you have the contract?”

  “Well it doesn’t quite work like that–“

  “Do you have a contract or not?”

  She pulls a sheaf of papers from her bag and hands me the contract. I take the pen she offers and scrawl my signature at the bottom. “Better? How soon can I move in?”

  “I’ll have to make a call or two. The owners are away on an extended trip overseas, I’m sure they’ll be amenable to a quick settlement.”

  “Off you go then,” I shoo her along with my hands. She walks out the front door, her phone glued to her head, talking rapidly.

  Autumn squeals. “I can’t believe you did that. You just bought a house without even seeing it first.” Her eyes are wide open, one hand raised to her pretty mouth.

  “Doesn’t it feel like home?”

  “Yes, it’s incredible. I would have bought it on the spot, too… Well if I had a few million in my bank account anyway.”

  Filled with joy, I wrap my arms around Autumn and swing her around in a circle. This is the best freaking day in so long, I can’t even remember. And it’s all to do with her. Somehow, since she came into my life, things have been better. It’s like she’s the opposite of kryptonite.

  Chapter 10

  Autumn

  The sun breaks through the clouds as I lie on the outdoor lounge overlooking the sprawling gardens. Finn is pacing on the lawn as he talks on his phone. After we’d explored the whole house, he wanted to call Wes and share his good news. I get the feeling that Wes is like a brother to Finn. By the sound of it, they’ve only had each other to rely on for most of their lives. It must be nice to have someone like that, someone to share everything with.

  My mood darkens as I think of my mother and the man she married. Even though it’s been years, the ache in my chest is still fresh. Seattle will never be home for me again. Not that they’re ever likely to invite me back. I look at Finn to distract myself from going there again. Once I fall in the hole, it can be days before I climb back out. His face is lit up with a joyous expression. It’s definitely one I’ve never seen in any of the Infusion Deep video’s and interviews I’ve watched. His eyes are so beautiful they’re hypnotic. He finishes the call and comes toward me. My insides twist into knots as he reaches out a hand and pulls me
to my feet.

  “We need to celebrate Kitten.”

  “What should we do Duckling?”

  “Dinner and dancing my sweet Autumn girl.”

  “Dinner I can do, dancing not so much.”

  “Dinner it is then. Let’s go find Peg and see when we can move in.”

  “You mean see when you can move in.”

  Finn’s eyes go dark for a moment before the spark returns. “Of course, when I move in, and you promise to come and visit.”

  He takes my hand again and guides me back through the house and into the front yard. Peg is there leaning against her car. She looks pleased about something. Finn slings an arm around her shoulders. “So when can I move my sh– stuff in?”

  “Well I talked to the owners, and they’re happy to sell the house complete with the furniture. All their personal effects are already in storage. So the good news is you can move in as soon as you want. Of course you’ll have to pay rent until the settlement is final.”

  Finn whoops loudly and twirls me around again. Just as I’m starting to feel dizzy he sets me back on my feet. “Do you have the paperwork for the lease agreement?”

  Peg smiles brightly. “I have that right here Mr Holloway.” She whips out a folder and Finn signs again without even asking the price.

  Finn holds out his hand and she drops the keys in his palm. “Pleasure doing business with you Peggy.”

  “Enjoy your new home.” She gives us both a fake smile, gets in her fancy car and drives away.

  I’m still in shock. I can’t believe how quickly this has all happened. It’s like another universe to the one I live in. Where doors magically open just because you have money. I wonder how long it took Finn to go from a penniless school boy to a confident business man. Even if he’s a little unorthodox in style.

  “What’s your favorite restaurant in a hundred mile radius Sunshine?”

  “Gee, only a hundred miles. Where’s your private jet?”

  “Just say the word Petal and I’ll make it happen.”

  I inwardly cringe at the thought of being the center of all that attention. “Um, I’ve always wanted to go to the one in the tower.”

  “Ah, an excellent choice Rapunzel.”

  “Thank you Prince Charming.”

  “Ah, now there’s a name I could get used to.”

  I playfully whack Finn across his bicep, before realizing what I’ve done. There’s also a part of me that can’t help noticing how strong he feels. His muscles are rock hard and my hand stings just a bit.

  I babble to cover my embarrassment. “If you think I’m letting you climb up my hair, you’ve got another thing coming. For a start, it’s nowhere near long enough, not to mention that would hurt, a lot.”

  “What if I shorten it to Zel?”

  “Only if I can call you Char?”

  “We’ll do it for tonight and see how it goes, yeah?”

  He looks so adorable with a long dark lock of hair half covering one eye. He really is Prince Charming. I’m no princess though. Still, what harm can it do to pretend for one night?

  “Okay. What now Char? If we’re going out to dinner, I need to go home and change.” My mind goes into panic mode. I don’t own anything appropriate for a fancy restaurant. Maybe I’ll have time to go to the mall after he drops me at home?

  “That’s not how the story goes my sweet. First your fairy godmother has to make you a gown for the ball.”

  “Um, I think that’s actually Cinderella.”

  “Close enough.”

  We pull up in front of a small shop. There are several beautiful dresses in the window. Finn has refused to tell me any more about what’s happening, and as much as I’ve complained. I’m secretly thrilled to be living out a fairytale.

  “Don’t move Zel, or I’ll have to spank you.” Before I can argue, Finn is opening my door and offering me his hand.

  “I don’t think princes talk like that Char.”

  “Well this prince is a little unorthodox, but don’t worry, underneath he has a heart of gold.”

  He may only be joking around, but I believe him. I’m feeling better than I have in months, the way he treats me like a regular human being, even when I’m behaving like a complete nut. As we enter the shop my mouth gapes open. The racks are filled with satin, velvet and lace. But the styles are something else entirely. It really is like a fairytale come to life with row upon row of fairytale dresses.

  A beautiful woman appears from the back of the store. She has long auburn hair that is intricately braided around her head. She’s dressed in a dark green velvet dress with bell sleeves and a full skirt.

  “Finn darling, so good to see you.”

  She gives him a long hug that finally ends just as I’m beginning to feel like I’m intruding. Do they have a romantic history? She doesn’t look familiar, but then Finn isn’t known for having any long term relationships.

  She finally turns toward me, glancing from head to toe. “And who is your lovely companion this evening?”

  “This is Zel. She needs a dress for the ball.”

  “Indeed, I have just the thing. You’ll love it. Wait here, please.”

  This whole thing is surreal. Who even knew places like this existed?

  “Ruby takes a bit of getting used to, but don’t worry she has impeccable taste.”

  “I’m sure she does.” I say somewhat snarkily. Jealousy is not a positive trait.

  Finn gives me an odd look but remains silent.

  Ruby returns holding a garment bag over one arm. “Come with me Zel. Finn, you stay here. You know the rules.”

  Okay, so I’m definitely not the first woman he’s brought here. Somehow having it confirmed cheapens the magic somewhat. I try to stuff my feelings of disappointment down as Ruby leads me to an oversized changing room. She hangs the bag on a hook and slides the zipper down. Inside is a rich red velvet dress with tiny diamonds over the bodice. It’s the most gorgeous thing I think I've ever seen.

  “Do you want me to assist you into the dress?”

  “No thanks, I’m sure I can manage.” The thought of having someone watch me undress is mortifying.

  “Of course. Just let me know when you’re dressed and I’ll help you with the buttons at the back.”

  Buttons? I know these dresses are fantasy-like, but surely a zipper or two wouldn’t hurt? I quickly slip out of my clothes and into the dress. Knowing Ruby is just behind the curtain makes me nervous. With the dress on, I look in the mirror. I really could be Rapunzel in this dress. It’s exquisite.

  “All done?” Ruby enters the dressing room without waiting for an answer. She immediately begins doing up the tiny ruby buttons that close the dress at the back.

  I want to ask Ruby about Finn and how long they’ve known each other, but I don’t know where to start. Before I can think of anything, she’s finished.

  “Now let’s go and show Finn how amazing you look shall we Zel?”

  “Um, okay.”

  “I can see why he likes you so much.”

  Is she being serious? I’ve barely managed to mutter two words. Maybe she’s being sarcastic and just sounding sincere? We head back out into the shop. Finn is leaning against the wall, only he’s no longer dressed in his jeans, he’s wearing a prince’s outfit, complete with a long cloak. A tingling feeling starts in my hands, which isn’t a good sign, but before I can start to panic I look into Finn’s eyes. His expression leave me breathless. It’s like I’m the water in the desert and he hasn’t had a drink for days. Or like I’m the air he needs to breathe.

  “Have you got hair and make-up booked?”

  Finn answers without looking away. “She doesn’t need it. She’s perfect the way she is.”

  “Be that as it may Finn, let me at least run a brush through her hair and put a comb in.”

  “You have ten minutes.”

  Ruby efficiently detangles my hair. Pulling some of it back, she uses a glittery comb to hold it in place. Without a word Finn hands
her his phone and puts his arm around my waist. I smile as I realize what’s happening. There will at least be photographic evidence that this was all real. When my life returns to normal, I will always have these photos to prove that once upon-a-time I was special.

  Chapter 11

  Finn

  The restaurant is one I’ve been to many times, but coming here with Autumn makes it special. The look of wonder on her face as we sit down at our table overlooking the city lights, ensures I’m focused on her and not the view. In that red dress she really does look heavenly. Words for a new song flow through my mind, and I wish I had my notebook.

  “What would you like to order?”

  “Um, I haven’t even looked at the menu yet.”

  I know she hasn’t, but I just wanted to hear her voice. Autumn stares intently at her menu, a golden curl slips over one shoulder. At least I know what I want to eat, because I haven’t even opened my own menu.

  A waiter comes silently over to our secluded table. “Are you ready to order?”

  Autumn looks up startled. “Um, I think I’ll have the Angus steak, please.”

  “And you, sir?”

  “I’ll have the same, with the lobster. Actually make those both the steak and lobster and a bottle of Dom Perignon. Is that alright Zel? Do you like lobster?” Autumn nods her ascent.

  “Certainly. Will there be anything else.”

  I dismiss him with a wave of my hand. I’m being rude I know, but my attention is focused on Autumn. Heck I didn’t even place my usual order, I think I’m losing my mind. And the thing is, I don’t care. I don’t care at all.

  “Thank you for bringing me here Char, it’s magical.”

  “Sometimes the company is more important than the place.” I love how her skin turns rosy every time I give her a compliment. Although it makes me sad to think that she isn’t used to being praised. What sort of jerks raised her?

  “Well I’m loving both the place and the company.”

  I feel a rush at her words. Even though I know she doesn’t mean loving like that, I still feel on top of the world.

  “Can I ask you something?”