Part 14 (1/2)

Tanner says, ”Yep, that's true.”

We all laugh. Tanner has never been vain and I'm certain he has no idea how hot he really is. Tanner coaches Lorenzo on what to do and when to let go of the rope. Lorenzo sits on the back of the boat and fits the board on his feet, grabs the rope and drops into the water.

Lorenzo yells, ”Hit it.” Tanner guns the boat and Lorenzo falls over and holds on to the rope while he's dragging in and out of the water. It's one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Lorenzo shouts, ”Let's go again.” Two more times and he gets up and stays up for about forty-five seconds, which is quite good for his first time. Tanner is like a proud dad. He coaches him a little more and Lorenzo gets right up and even cuts through the wake. When he gets on the outside of the wake, the lake is so gla.s.sy that he face plants into the water. He waves his hand and says, ”I surrender.” We swing around and pick him up to get back in the boat. Tan asks Anthony if he wants to wakeboard and Anthony gives him a look.

”I'm good right here, thanks.” Lorenzo is going on about how much fun he had.

Tanner says, ”Y'all good to stay out for about another hour? Dylan has to get some stuff organized for the wedding.

The guys say, ”We go where you go.”

It is unbelievable that we not only have this beautiful boat but that we can pull it right up to our house.

When I get inside, I immediately call the florist and he says, ”Oh honey, that's too soon. You're asking me to pull off a miracle.”

”I know, but I heard you're the best.”

”The best? Well that's sure nice to hear. Okay, I'll make it happen.”

I clap my hands like a geek and say, ”Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

We discuss what I'm looking for and then I give him the credit card information and he says, ”Okay honey, we'll see you on the 25th at your house at 2 p.m. sharp.”

”Perfect. Thank you.” Next I order the chairs, tables, and linen to be delivered at noon. I look out the window at our backyard and b.u.t.terflies swim in my stomach. This wedding is going to be gorgeous.

My phone rings. It's Mom. ”Hi, Mom. What'd you hear?”

”It's all done. I ordered a nacho bar and chicken wings.”

Yum that sounds perfect.”

She yells, ”Dylan! I'm just kidding. Of course, I didn't order that honey.”

I laugh and say, ”Sounded good to me. So really, what'd you order?”

With excitement in her voice she tells me, ”Right after the ceremony, there'll be a beautiful spread of fruit, veggies, and cheese. An hour later, they will put out a buffet of smoked brisket, sausage, green beans, bbq beans, and an array of squash. She hand makes b.u.t.ter rolls too. Oh, and she also brings a load of sweet and unsweet tea. So, what do you think?”

”Mom that is absolutely perfect! Thank you so much.”

”What about the cake?” All the air huffs out of me and a wave of panic replaces it.

”The cake! Maybe we should have just eloped.”

”You know, I've been going to Bea's Bakery since Brent was a baby. Of course, Bea pa.s.sed away some years ago, but her daughter Sue Jane bakes almost as good as her mama did. Would you like me to call her?”

I immediately say, ”Yes ma'am, please.”

”What kind of cake do y'all want?”

”Mom, whatever you get will be perfect. Thank you.”

”How often does a mom get to help plan her son and daughter's wedding? Okay, that sounds bad, but hey we're in the South.”

I choke on the water I just drank. ”Mom, that sounds gross, but it'll make for a great story.”

Mom says, ”Let me call her and I'll call you back. Oh yeah, don't forget to take pictures of the dress tomorrow and send them to me.”

”Of course!” Now we just have to pray for no rain!

Tanner comes up to me and says, ”Come with me, please.”

I look at him and say, ”Where?”

He smiles and says, ”We haven't recorded one song yet. I have the studio set up and I want to hear the song you wrote at Mom's house.”

”Right now? We have so much to do still.”

He smiles and says, ”Babe, whether the flowers are perfect or the chairs aren't right, I'm still marrying you on the 25th. Please, come with me into our own private, bada.s.s studio!” Reluctantly, I rise and take his hand. He pulls my hand to his lips and kisses it. ”I love it when you are obedient.” I give him a crooked look and he flashes me his 'just kidding' smile. Of course, I melt like b.u.t.ter and forget what he even said.

Four hours pa.s.s like nothing and Tan says, ”Babe that's perfect! Come listen to it on playback.” I'm exhausted now and four hours have pa.s.sed and I got absolutely nothing else done for the wedding. When I get inside the control room, Tan says, ”You're a superstar babe. Listen to this and how amazing you sound.” I roll my eyes because we all know he's the superstar. He plays it and it is good. I'm incredibly impressed with myself. He says, ”Lyrics, I think this is a perfect demo to send out.”

”I never wanted to be a singer, babe. I'm the writer and you're the singer. We can make a demo, but it will be of you singing. We can even do one with both of us, but not me solo.”

He repeats, ”You are a superstar.”

I kiss his lips and say, ”Don't want to be. I just want to write. I write, you sing. That's always been our deal, remember?”

He smiles and says, ”I remember, I just think it's lame. You're talented, babe.”

”You are talented.”

”Yes, I know I am. We aren't talking about that though.”

I put my hands on either side of his face and say, ”I want to start a family, babe, and traveling on the road isn't what I have in mind.”

He kisses my lips and says, ”You're gonna make such a good mommy.” So, we'll just keep doing gigs when we want to. It's not like we need the money.

I bring my face to his and say, ”I love you.”

He looks me in my eyes and says, ”I love you more.”

Chapter 25.

'Take my soul, my heart, my air...but not my girl.'

Tanner It's only six in the morning, but I've been awake since four. My mind is spinning and I can't get the nightmare I had out of my head. It was so vivid, I woke up in a sweat with my heart thumping out of my chest. Lyrics and I were at some bar and I was called up on stage by Tyler. He handed me his guitar and whispered in my ear, ”Your gonna enjoy this one, bro.” I smiled and said, ”I'm sure I will.” His look was evil as he smirked at me. I was singing and the crowd was really getting into it. Every groupie I had ever banged was in the crowd. As I was singing, I kept trying to find Lyrics and somebody was constantly blocking my view. When I finally got sight of her, Jennifer was right next to her with the two dopes from Australia. I looked at Tyler and he said, ”Having fun yet? They're gonna have fun with Dylan. Think I may take a turn too.” It was as if I were in quicksand. My legs weighed about three hundred pounds each and I could barely move them to get to her. The flings in the crowd kept stopping me and by the time I got to where Lyrics was, she was gone and so was Jennifer and the two men. On the microphone, Tyler said, ”Let's hear it for the man that broke mine and many of y'alls heart.” The crowd started booing and I couldn't find Lyrics anywhere. That's when I woke up in a panic. I reached over and felt Lyrics' warm body, took a deep breath, and laid still for about two hours. I haven't seen anything on the news about Jennifer and she hasn't sent any threats since Stephen and Sophia's wedding. Guess it's normal to have nightmares after something so horrible happens to you.