Chapter 31 ~ Recourse

Monday Afternoon - Sand Hill Arena

Tyler sat back and watched the stage hands move equipment, lights, sound gear, and instruments with mild interest. He and Anya got a call from Slim to meet him at the arena to rehearse with Shaun's replacements. Anya worried at the idea of "replacements". "What do you think Slim has in mind Ty? Is he bringing in a new band? We only needed a bass player and he is bringing replacements...plural."

"Don't sweat it Anya; he isn't replacing us. Whatever he has in mind is going to include us. Filling in for Stevie is why you're here; filling in for Shaun...well that was unexpected. It might take more than one guy for that."

"Do you think Stevie is all right? I saw Shaun briefly this morning. He said they were flying back to Bay View with the baby as soon as he was cleared by the doctor."

Tyler shrugged. He didn't have a lot of experience with babies. "Shaun doesn't want to leave Stevie alone right now, that's understandable. Don't worry girl...it's all good. Oh look, there's Slim."

They both stood as Slim approached them. "Good, you're both here. I got a couple of guys that are familiar with your set. I need you to work with them this afternoon, get them up to speed."

"Why two guys Slim? We only needed a fill-in for Shaun?"

Slim smiled and patiently explained, "These kids are talented but they're green. It might take both of them to make this work. In any case, work with them, make sure they know the set, and know how you work. I don't want any more surprises."

Slim gestured behind him and grinned broadly, "Meet your new backups."

Rehearsals went well; Jason and Jett, both focused on the work, picked up the songs with ease. Between the two of them, they easily filled the gap left by Shaun's absence. Heydon stood in the shadows back stage that afternoon and watched his sons with pride. He knew one day that they would be successful if they continued to work hard. Sure they had an advantage in having a father in the business but without the talent, connections mean nothing.

Heydon laughed as he watched them fool around when the session was through. They really were an interesting mix of Peri and himself. Both of the boys were wild and impetuous with a splash of reason and seriousness. Striding toward them, Heydon called out, "I guess I better watch my back or I might be out of a job one of these days!"

The boys' faces lit up as they greeted him warmly. Jett, as the younger boy was always eager for his father's approval. "How long were you listening? We nailed it didn't we?"

"You sure did Jett; you both did." Heydon embraced the boys.

Looking beyond him, Jason remarked, "Who's the hottie walking over here?"

Turning around Heydon's heart lurched in his chest as Selene approached. Casting a warning look her way, he introduced them. "Boys, this is Selene Coyle, the Gibson marketing rep. I've been working with her on the sponsorship I told you and your mother about a few months ago. Selene, these are my sons, Jason and Jett." Heydon emphasized the word with another cautionary glance to hammer his point home.

Selene smiled at the two of them. They were deliciously similar to their father. She allowed her eyes to slowly assess them before speaking, "It's a pleasure to meet you both. You both seem to have inherited your father's many talents and traits. Perhaps we'll make time to get to know one another; Gibson is always interested in new talent, as am I."

"They aren't going to be here long enough for that to happen unfortunately." Heydon quickly diffused the awkward situation. "You boys need to check in with Slim and see what else needs to be done. Selene, we need to talk...over there."

As Heydon ushered her unceremoniously off the stage Jett called out, "Nice to meet you Ms. Coyle!" Looking over at his brother he smiled as if knowing a secret, "Do you think we should tell Dad that Mom is flying in for the show?"

Jason smiled back at him, "Nah she wants him to be surprised. Let's go find Slim."

"Seriously Heydon, don't you think that whisking me off like that isn't blatantly obvious?" Selene rubbed her arm absently as she eyed Heydon. "Did you honestly think I was going to devour your sons?"

"I wouldn't put it past you Selene since you seem to pounce on every other male within smelling distance."

"I don't think I enjoy this jealous side of you darling but you must admit, they would make a delightful set of bookends in some woman's bedroom." Selene played several scenarios over and over in her mind and then smiled seductively as the boys passed by.

Heydon's rage was building and his teeth clenched as he forced the words as quietly as he could through them, "I'm not jealous Selene; they are my sons and I don't want them used...by anyone, for any reason, pleasurable as you may find the idea. You leave them alone, I mean it."

Selene managed to display her best pout as she attempted to sooth Heydon's anger, "Of course darling, and now I've upset you. How wicked of me and now you are tense. Why don't you take me back to the hotel and we'll see if we can find some way to release that pent up tension...in any manner you like for as long as you want."

"You think throwing sex in my face is going to make this all right?"

She spoke to him as a parent would to a child who misbehaved, "Heydon, we both know how this goes. I upset you and then I make it all better for you in bed. Our time is running short; don't spoil it by getting self-righteous on me. You're the first man I haven't grown weary of after a time or two. And I like it when you get rough with me after we disagree; I like it a lot."

Leaning in, Selene opened her mouth as if to speak, her tongue poised, teasing, between her teeth before swirling it across her lips. Heydon could feel the desire building as her suggestions aroused him. Damn the woman but his heart raced at the thought of escorting her back to the hotel right now, throwing her down and taking her.

Selene glanced down quickly, "I see we are in agreement then, my suite in an hour, all right darling?"

Heydon glanced around quickly and then pushed her against the wall pressing himself hard against her, "My suite...now...and I want to hear you say that you will leave my sons alone. Say it Selene. Say it."

"All right," she breathed as she moved her hips against him and waited for the onslaught of his mouth against hers.

Time seemed to crawl as Peri held her breath and watched her husband kissing another woman. Shock was quickly replaced by pain and anger as she regained her senses and turned hard and fast stepping squarely into Daniel Whitney who had seen her arrive and tried to stop her.

"Get me out of here," her voice quivered but no tears fell as Danny ushered her off to a secluded area on the other side of the stage.

Peri covered her face with her hands as she tried to pull herself together. There was no mistaking what she had seen; she felt like a fool. "Oh god," she moaned into her hands. "Cadence, I need to find Cadence and get her out of here. Can you get us to the hotel?"

Unsure of just what to do, Daniel did the only thing he could think of. He pulled her to him and held her close as his hands gently stroked her back. His voice was soothing against her ear. "Peri I'm so sorry. I wish you didn't have to find out like that. Of course I'll get you back to the hotel."

Peri pulled away and studied him, her anger building with each passing second. "You knew...you knew my husband was screwing around and you didn't tell me? Does everyone know and find it acceptable that Heydon, a married man, is fucking around behind his wife's back?"

This was not the reaction Daniel expected from her. He stood speechless as he tried to rationalize why he would hold any blame here. "Peri...it wasn't my place to tell you...I thought..."

"Not your place?" she interrupted, her voice rising. "Is there some sort of musicians' code that says it's all right for you to fool around until you get caught and then it's no one's place to say anything? Is that what you thought?"

"That's not fair and none of this is my fault here so don't put this on me! Would you have believed me Peri, if I told you or would you simply write it off to yet another attempt to win you back?"

Peri sank into the sofa, defeated. In a softer tone Danny reluctantly assure her, "I only just found out Peri and it was more or less by accident. I doubt anyone else knows or they would have said something, everyone would have known."

Her voice was dull as she considered his words and responded, "All this time, I always believed he was being faithful to me, he swore it over and over. I've been such an idiot."

"He has been faithful up to now Peri...I...don't know what the deal is with him and Selene...we aren't exactly close and you know I would be the last to defend him but that is the truth." Peri looked up at him and knew he wasn't lying; she could see it in his eyes, that and so much more. "I saw Shana yesterday; I told her I am divorcing her. Peri when this is all over with I want us to be together. I love you...I've always loved you."

"It's not that simple Danny. You know what? I am not discussing this with you; it's not your concern."

"The hell it isn't! He doesn't deserve you Peri, he never has! How can you not consider leaving him after seeing him in someone else's arms? He is not the man for you, I am!"

"No!" They turned and saw Cadence standing there arms folded against her and lips tightly pressed together as she watched them. Storming toward the pair she glared at Daniel eyes bearing down on him like daggers, "You don't talk about my father that way! You leave my mother alone!"

Jesus, it was like staring down her father but Daniel did not back off, "Your father..."

"Daniel, stop it. Now. Leave her alone." Peri's voice was firm. "Cadence we are going back to the hotel."

"I want to see Daddy. Where is he?" She stood immobile and defiantly fixed her eyes on Peri.

Peri regarded her daughter carefully. Cadence could be naive but she was not completely ignorant; she would however staunchly defend her father regardless of what she did or did not know or understand. She adored Heydon. This realization would break her heart. "You can see Daddy later honey. Right now we need to go back to the hotel and have a talk."

Monday Evening - Ritz Carlton Hotel: Heydon's Suite

Heydon stopped dead in his tracks as he threw open the hotel room door and stepped inside. Attempting to mask his surprise he smiled and strode toward his wife. "Hey baby, when did you get here? Let me introduce you to Selene Coyle. She's the Gibson rep I've been telling you about."

"I think you may have left a thing or two out Heydon," Peri glared at the couple before approaching Selene. "Is locking lips with my husband one of the perks you wrote into his contract?" Turning her attention to Heydon she accused, "Or was that your idea?"

Selene hesitated, considered how to spin this, and then shrugged, "It was merely a distraction; nothing more, no harm done."

"Selene, shut your mouth."

Peri's eyes narrowed, "That would be a first wouldn't it you filthy old whore? No harm done...get out!" Peri walked toward her, angry. "You dare to sleep with my husband and then insult me? I said get out!" Peri shoved her hard, surprising both Selene and Heydon.

As Selene scurried out the door, Heydon reached out to his wife. "Peri, please, sit down and talk to me."

She whirled around to confront him, "You asshole; don't even think about touching me!"

Heydon watched his marriage slowly crumble; it had deteriorated slowly and steadily through the years. The entire pretense, putting up with the endless flirting and insecurities of his wife had finally worn him down. He was almost relieved that she knew. "I never meant for this to happen; it got out of control."

"I knew we had problems Heydon. All this time I kept blaming myself for my self-doubt. I even thought briefly that I pushed you into her arms when I saw you together. But this wasn't some meaningless fling. You've been screwing her all along haven't you?"

Heydon folded his arms and thought about it. "I stood by and watched you do your dance with Daniel for years, every chance you got. It was humiliating. It got really old baby whether you meant it or not. I got tired of it, I had enough. Selene was there and I went for it. And the sad thing is it really didn't mean a thing to me. But it felt damn good."

Peri wrapped her arms tight against her body and tried not to lose control. "When the tour is over and you come home, I want you to move out Heydon."

Heydon laughed, bitter and angry, "Move out? Shit Peri, you throw Danny in my face for years and I fuck up once and I get tossed on my ass? That's fucking priceless!"

"Once? You were screwing her over and over! I won't live under the same roof with you sleeping in separate beds and pretend things are fine in front of Cadie."

"We've been doing that most of our marriage! Why don't you shack up with Danny; there's your big opening. Make good on all those times you tempted him! Cade can stay with me!"

Peri's reaction was swift as she slapped him hard across the face. "How dare you! Yes I flirted with Danny and I threw it in your face and it was stupid, childish behavior but I did not ever, ever sleep with him. I loved you Heydon. I married you, not Daniel."

"I loved you too Peri but that was never enough. You weren't going to be satisfied until I groveled at your feet. I'm not doing it anymore."

"It wasn't like that Heydon!"

"It was to me."

-----------------------------

NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter 32