The Gypsy Ribbon. Shannon MacLeod

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СКАЧАТЬ Kelly, along with a couple of band members, assorted roadies and bodyguards headed for Cherry Grove and a riotous afternoon of surfing under the early spring sun. A storm building offshore sent in an obliging northeasterly wind, and it kicked the surf up to a respectable, rideable height. The afternoon passed quickly, and at sunset the tired surfers headed back to the hotel to regroup and get ready for an evening out on the town.

      After dinner at one of the local seafood restaurants, thoughts turned to more exciting pursuits. With a small fleet of limos at their disposal, the gradually expanding group headed for the area hotspots. Several drinks after arriving at the pulsating 2001 nightclub, Ian grew noticeably uncomfortable and pulled James aside, talking loudly over the blasting dance music.

      “Look…this is grand and everything, but if you don’t mind, I think I’m going to head back to the hotel. I’m just…em…”

      James grinned and finished the sentence for him. “…missing your lady love.”

      “Aye, that’s it exactly.” Ian nodded, coloring slightly.

      “Off with you, then. Our car’s out front. Just tell the driver to take you back, then come for us later.” James winked at several young women staring open-mouthed at him from two tables over and said, “You’ll be sorely missed, but I shall endeavor to entertain myself in your absence, brother.”

      Ian laughed. “I imagine you will. Just be careful. Keep ‘em close.” His gaze flickered around, taking in the half dozen bodyguards doing an admirable job of blending into the partying crowd while still managing to stay within an arm’s length of James.

      “Always,” James assured him, waving as Ian turned and left.

      He watched his big brother pick his way through the gyrating crowd en route toward the door, oblivious to the hungry looks from the women he passed. Ian was happier than James had ever seen him. He drained the rest of his Long Island iced tea. Maybe one day he would find somebody to make him feel like that. His reverie was broken as a sultry female voice cut into his thoughts.

      “Oh. My. God. Are you really James Kelly?”

      He turned to face the source and saw spiky black hair, a pretty face, long legs, and suspiciously buoyant breasts encased in a low cut spandex dress. She’ll do for a bit, he thought absently, giving her his patented roguish grin. “Why, yes, yes, I am. And who might you be, darlin’?” he said as he offered her his arm, leading her toward the bar and the waiting drink that would hopefully ease the emptiness fast overtaking him.

      It was just after one in the morning when the revelers arrived back at the oceanfront resort hotel and gathered in the drummer’s suite to continue the party. James managed to pry off the drunken black-haired groupie and led her to a lanky man with long blond hair. “Have you met our guitar player?” he asked. “This is Bryce. Bryce, allow me to introduce the lovely Cheri.”

      The tall guitarist cast a sideways grin at James and replied in a thick Welsh accent, “Pleasure’s all mine, luvvy.” Cheri made a moue of her mouth and offered her hand, fully aware she was being passed off. She sighed, resolutely turning her full attention to her new companion. Giving Bryce a wink, James slipped out unnoticed and headed down the hall to the elevator alone.

      Letting himself into his hotel room, he left the lights off and opened the blinds onto the balcony so that the moonlight spilled in across the plush carpeting. He peeled out of the skintight leather jeans and cable sweater, tossing them across one of the chairs. Changing into a baggy pair of sweats and a t-shirt, he padded barefoot to the door to the adjoining room. He tried the knob, found it unlocked, and quickly slipped inside, closing and locking the door behind him. It was dark in that room too, the blinds parted in much the same way he had left his. The sliding door was open, and James moved silently toward it, stepping out onto the darkened balcony. “Strike out, did you?”

      James scoffed. “Not bloody likely. It’s all I can do to fight them off.” He flopped down in the wooden rocker next to Ian and propped his feet up on the railing as his brother was doing. They sat in silence for a long while, relaxing and enjoying the quiet sound of the surf and the cool breeze coming off the Atlantic.

      “I miss the sea,” Ian sighed. “That’s the only bad part about living in Brandon, it’s pretty far inland.” Reaching into the ice bucket next to his chair, he pulled out a pair of Guinnesses and handed one to James. They popped off the caps and clinked the bottles in toast. “Slainte, my brother,” Ian said.

      “Slainte,” echoed James. Taking a long swig of the dark beer, he settled back into his chair and stared stoically at the breaking waves on the beach below.

      “Want to talk about it?” Ian asked quietly.

      James shook his head. “Nope. I want to hear about your girl,” he said with a grin.

      Ian’s brilliant smile was visible even in the dim light. “You’re going to love her. Best thing that’s ever happened to me. She’s beautiful, smart, funny…just a truly amazin’ woman.” He re-crossed his feet on the railing. “You know I used to have a hell of a time with insomnia. Now it only bothers me when we’re apart.”

      James gasped in horror. “You slept with this woman out of wedlock? What would Ma say?”

      “Shut it, Seamus,” Ian laughed. “You’ve no room to talk.”

      James frowned and looked down at his beer. “Why don’t you ever call me James like everyone else does?” he said quietly.

      “Because it’s not you. James is this larger than life persona you’ve created, Seamus is the man I know you are,” Ian explained. “For example, I can safely say that right now James is on top of the world, but Seamus is pretty fuckin’ miserable.” Pulling his feet down, he sat up and turned to face the younger man. “So I’ll ask you again, Seamus, do you want to talk about it?”

      With a world-weary sigh, James let his head fall back against the chair. “I’m so tired, Ian. I want to go home and when I get there I want to sleep for a month. I just want some peace and quiet.”

      “And the rest of it?”

      “And I’m tired of being so fucking alone all the time.” James admitted. “All these girls throwing themselves at me and none of them know anything about me other than I sing for a band.” He snorted in disgust. “It’s shameful, really. Not that I didn’t enjoy it in the beginning, of course, but now…as funny as it sounds, it would be nice to hear ‘no’ from a woman once in a while.”

      Ian chuckled. “Careful what you wish for. Saying something like that will definitely come back to bite you in the ass and I don’t need the sight to see that one coming.” He took a long swallow of the stout and tilted his head to look at the younger man. “Am I actually hearing that you’re ready to settle down, then?”

      James thought for a moment and sighed again. “Maybe. I don’t know. All I do know is that this just isn’t working for me anymore.” He regarded his big brother for a moment then added quietly, “Settling down seems to be doing you good. Maybe I want something like that.”

      Ian raised his bottle in salute and smiled. “Then here’s to you getting what it takes to make you happy.”

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       Brandon, FL, US –Present СКАЧАТЬ