Rock Radio - By Lisa Wainland Page 0,45

watching Seinfeld, weekend walks on the beach, how happy she felt waking up next to him.

“Sam...”

“Give me an hour of your time. Please.”

She thought he was going to be the one. But he hurt her.

“I don’t know.”

“One hour is all I ask. Dana, please.” She had seen their life together. The picket fence...the kids...

“Just one hour,” she whispered.

“Can you meet me at Ivy’s Grill at eleven?”

She closed her eyes. “Yes.”

*

Dana dressed quickly in her favorite jeans and a soft pink off the shoulder shirt. She brushed her damp dark hair so it hung loosely around her shoulders. What the hell was she doing? Sam broke her heart. And she was supposed to meet Cody. Cody. Just thinking his name made her heart jump. Those eyes, that kiss.

But Cody was a stranger, a lead singer in a band. Where could that ever go anyway? He would never want to settle down. Settle down? She was getting so far ahead of herself. He was in a band, she reminded herself again. He’s probably got a girl in every city. Making girls feel special was probably a career for him...maybe she was just going to be another notch in his belt. Screw the Miami deejay: check. She shook her head.

But something nagged inside of her. That kiss felt so real. Snap out of it Dana, she chided herself, it’s almost time to meet Sam.

She felt something, but couldn’t decide if it was relief or regret.

Chapter 26

Jonny’s Sunday was starting like Dana’s. Complicated. His wife Jill seemed distant.

“Baby,” he said, finding her in the kitchen eating buttered popcorn out of the microwave bag. She wore an oversized pair of shorts and an old t-shirt, her hair was pulled back messily. He changed gears momentarily. “Didn’t we just have lunch?”

“What?” she spat, pulling another handful of popcorn from the bag. “You’re afraid I’ll put on more weight?”

Jonny backed off. “No, I didn’t mean...”

“I know what you mean. I saw the way you looked at that girl...Heather? Is that her name?”

He shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes you do.” Jill took in the way Jonny looked at her with distaste.

“Are you jealous of her Jill?” he said sarcastically.

“Why? Should I be? Are you sleeping with her?”

“No,” he said defensively, turning away.

“Oh God.” Jill didn’t miss his much too rapid response. She just threw that statement out there, not really thinking it was so, but Jonny answered too quickly. She saw a flash of fear in his eyes. “You are!” she yelled.

“Jill,” Jonny approached her.

“Stay away from me!” She backed away, looking at him in horror. “You’re cheating with her aren’t you?”

Jonny took a moment to compose himself. “Jill,” he said evenly, “I’m not having an affair.” He pulled her face up so her eyes met his. “I promise.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “I don’t believe you.”

“Jill, I swear it’s true. I love you.” He did not break eye contact.

Jill didn’t know what to believe.

Jonny didn’t give up. He pulled Jill close to him and embraced her. He truly did love her. He didn’t know why he did what he did. Power, thrills, Heather’s tight body. He did know that he didn’t want to be without her. “Jilly, I love you. You’ve been with me through it all, I wouldn’t do that to you...”

“You already did with that Candy or Cindy or whatever her freakin’ name was,” she said pulling back.

“That wasn’t an affair. I told you that. It was a kiss that meant nothing at all. I love you Jill...I always have and I always will. I love you.”

He felt Jill’s body soften.

“Remember our days in Georgia,” he said, knowing the fond memories of the past would help to heal this situation. “The days when we’d eat barbecue every night of the week from that place? What was its name?” Jonny knew the name. He just wanted to get Jill on memory lane.

“Mama’s Kitchen.”

“That’s right, Mama’s Kitchen. They probably miss us. I think we were supporting them.”

Jill felt safe in Jonny’s arms. She didn’t know what to believe. She did know he was trying to distract her, but he also seemed like he cared for her. Didn’t he?

“No smile?” he said stroking her hair, “I thought that was funny.”

“Jonny...”

He hugged her tightly. “I know Jill.” He bent down and kissed her forehead. “I love you. I do.”

Jill didn’t answer.

Jonny realized he needed to do something about this Heather situation...and fast.

Chapter 27

Dana arrived at Ivy’s ten minutes late on purpose. She didn’t want to