Page 62 of Drive
“It’s not funny,” she said arching a brow at him. When she attempted to pull her hand from his, he gripped tighter and shook hishead.
“Rainey, I’m not laughing at you. I’m glad you’re so sure about my success. I haven’t had many cheerleaders when it comes to my music, but you don’t know what I want and what’ll make me happy,” he said, shrugging. “Hell, I don’t even know, but living somewhere that’s not me isn’tit.”
But she was defiant, her hand now refusing to yield in his. “You’re wrong. I do know what will make you happy, and that’s going as far as your music will take you,” she said, both certain and — he hated to admit it — absolutelyright.
“Yeah, I want to make music. I want to make a living doing it, and I want it to be a good living,” he said, pulling her hand closer to him so that her knuckles lay inches from his chest. “And yes, I want to be good. I want to be fucking great. But that’s notallIwant.”
She’d said she couldn’t risk falling for him. He didn’t dare say it, but Jacques knew without a doubt he wanted her to. He was about to press his lips to her hand when she shook her head. Rainey’s eyelashes were lowered, veiling the fire in her hazel eyes, but she shook her head, and when she tugged her hand away, this time he let hergo.
“I can’t,” shewhispered.
Disappointment hit him, but it was the wrecking ball of loss on its heels that nearly took him down. Jacques felt its blow, but he didn’t move. He kept his eyes on her, and he stayed rooted to thespot.
He kept silent and still until she looked up at him, both curious and cautious, waiting to see how he’drespond.
“Okay, then,” he said with finality. “We’ll just have to befriends.”
Her chin reared back. “What?”
If Rainey was afraid that he’d build a relationship with her only to turn his back on her when his musical career took off, he just needed to prove her wrong. Give her a chance to trust him. Give her time to get to knowhim.
“We’ll just be friends. You’re not allowed to fall for me. I’m not allowed to fall for you,” he said with a shrug as though he had total control over how he felt about her. “But we still get to spend timetogether.”
Her left brow crimped in confusion. It was adorable. But then a steely resolve overcame her face, and she shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I mean, I have to focus onHoli—”
“And I’ll help you with that,” he broke in. “That’s what friends do. I already found six potential Gloria Lopezes inKentucky.”
Her brow crimped again, sharper this time. “What? Gloria Lopez?” she asked, looking completelylost.
“Ray Charles’smother.”
Rainey’s mouth fell open. “That’s her name? GloriaLopez?”
Clearly, Larry the Tool hadn’t gotten to that part. “Yeah. Well, it was before she got married, anyway,” Jacques explained. “I’ve got six names, but one of them’s probably too young… at least I hope soanyway.”
Jacques pulled a face that made Rainey smile, and he took it for the triumph that itwas.
“And one of them is definitely married,” he continued. “Because her name is Lopez-Craine.”
Rainey bit her lip, her eyes wide with excitement. “But her maiden name is Lopez? Larry was clear onthat?”
“Yeah. Gloria Lopez. That was her name when she met your dad.” He studied her for a minute. “Why? Is that goodnews?”
Rainey chewed on her plump bottom lip, and Jacques wanted to make her stop. For one, it was distracting to a maddening degree, and two, the sumptuous flesh deserved much bettertreatment.
“It might be,” she said, looking away in thought before bringing her eyes back to him. “Holi’s mother is Cuban-American, and my father’s family has European roots. If Ray Charles Reeves shares a similar genetic background, we could getlucky.”
“Let’s hope your father has a type.” He flinched as soon as the words were out, fearing his joke would offendher.
Rainey rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth tipped up. “Oh, my father has a type,” she said sourly. “Women who aren’t married tohim.”
He laughed, and shaking her head in exasperation, she laughed too. So, Jacques took theopportunity.
“So, what do you say? I’ll help you track them down. It’s too late to start searching for long-lost brothers tonight,” he said, talking fast so she couldn’t argue. “We’ll start tomorrow. I’ll come pick you up, and we’ll go to Dwyer’s. I’ll bring my laptop. We’ll find all the Gloria Lopezes we can, and I’ll help you contactthem.”
She pressed her lips together and studied him. “You really want to dothat?”
“Yes,” he said without hesitation. “Ido.”
