Higher Octave (Heavy Influence #2.5) by Ann Marie Frohoff Page B

to do was grab my shit from my mom’s and move
in. I was stoked to have a place of my own, finally, though my
mother didn’t see it that way, since I’d be leaving on tour again
at some point – “Why waste the money? How
much are you spending anyway? It’s got to be upwards of at least
eight thousand a month. It’s ridiculous for you to spend
that.”
    It was also ridiculous for me to have bought
a place in New York across from Central Park and to be paying for
it without having set foot in it for over three years. I shrugged
at the thought as I sipped my coffee, making my way over to the
park.
    The location was perfect.
Close enough to walk to downtown Manhattan Beach, with its grocery
store, bars, restaurants and clothing stores. Everything I needed
was within easy walking distance from my new home. My mom’s was
just a little too out of the way, up and down a couple of hills. I
didn’t need to be living with my mommy . I wouldn’t need Gabe or her to
drive me around on bullshit errands. The highlight was that most
people would leave me alone – there were no paparazzi in Manhattan
Beach.
    A screaming child and laughter caught my
attention on the nearby playground, and I glanced over to see what
all the shouting was about. Boys teasing and roughhousing, innocent
laughter echoing all around from the children at play. I scanned
the gated area, and my heart lurched into my throat when I saw
Grace. I sunk into the bench, turning away, wondering if she saw me
too. I never did call her; I wanted to, but I thought better of it.
Reasoning with myself that I was too busy, that Gabe was right. I
was no good for her. I snuck another look. Now, there she was
again, tempting me. She was smiling and talking with some other
woman, totally oblivious of my regard for her. I glanced around the
street, looking for Gabe’s car and looked at the time. It was 11:30
AM. He’d be pulling up any moment. When he did, I jumped into the
car as quickly and stealthily as I could.
    He looked at me strangely, cockeyed. “Is
everything okay?”
    “Yeah, why?”
    His eyes bounced between mine. “I don’t
know, you’re out of breath and acting like you’re hiding from
someone.”
    I laughed it off. “Nah, I was just up at the
house, staring at it, and lost track of time.”
    “I would have met you there…”
    “No it’s okay. I wanted to get some
exercise. Been sittin’ too long. I forgot what the sun feels
like.”
    Gabe lifted his hand, dangling a set of keys
between his fingers. “Here you go. Tracey said to let her know if
there’s anything else she can do.” Tracey was the realtor who’d
found the place for me.
    I smiled as I squeezed them in my palm.
“Thanks, man.”
    “You want me to drive you over?”
    I hedged. I wanted to see
Grace and I didn’t want her to leave the park. “I’m gonna walk down
to say hello to some friends while I have it in me.” Not a lie.
    He nodded. “Okay, then.”
    I watched as Gabe drove
away and turned, walking toward the playground. I at least owed
Grace the reason why I hadn’t called; it’s not like I would be
lying. With my coffee cup in hand, I’d decided I’d use it as my
excuse to be walking by . The closer I got, the more my nerves took hold, and the more
beautiful she became. Her long black hair blew around in the
breeze, and she had an easy smile on her face as she pointed and
conversed with whom I assumed was her son. He had the same dark
hair and bright eyes as she did.
    I smiled and waved, trying to get her
attention. Finally, a blonde woman pointed at me, getting Grace to
look in my direction. She lit up like a siren as soon as she
realized who I was and waved. My stomach tumbled with furor. I was
stoked she was happy to see me. I unlatched the green gate and
ambled toward her. The other moms were openly captivated about what
was about to go down, whispering between each other, trying not be
obvious.
    These mothers weren’t the
kind you’d put a mom label on, at