CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
Cassie
Fiona and I spend the rest of the night at a trendy Nashville pub, talking about the artists she has relationships with and those she thinks would be the best fit for me to work with.
She gushes over the music I’ve sent her and the songs I want to focus on licensing.
Over the course of the evening, we drink.
A lot, and by the time I get back to my apartment, I’m feeling rather tipsy and almost giddy with anticipation for the future.
The moment I get to my door, I see a note and a bag leaning against it. “Just add ice cream. H.” It sits beside a bag of caramel corn and my favorite hot sauce. I don’t even hesitate. I snap a photo of myself with it and send it to Haden.
You might be an angel.
I open the bag and devour a handful of the sweet corn before heading inside to the shower.
I think about Haden the entire time. It’s only been a few weeks since I left, but it feels so much longer.
And being on the road so much again feels so different since my stay at Silver Pines.
Like I’m floating, barely staying at home.
I’m just getting out of the shower and pulling on my panties and the hotel robe when my phone lights up on the bedside table.
COWBOY
Gonna get yourself some ice cream?
You know it.
COWBOY
Atta girl.
After all the confusion and life-changing decisions I made today, all I want is to talk to him, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Call me?
My phone rings immediately.
“That was fast,” I answer.
“If I knew all I had to do was send you food to get you to call me, I would’ve done it weeks ago.” Haden’s voice fills my ears and I have to sit down on the bed to absorb the feelings that pulse through me. “Plus, I’m sitting on my sofa eating your favorite snack—alone—so of course it was fast.”
My phone buzzes and I pull it back to look at what’s just come through. It’s a photo of a bowl of caramel corn settled in Haden’s flannel-clad lap. I would do anything to be there with him right now.
“How did you know my address?” I ask. The way I miss him almost takes me out at the knees.
“Ivy,” he answers quickly. “I ordered it through Meal Mate.”
“Right. Helps to live on the same property as my sister, I suppose.”
“She supported the caramel corn package,” he adds with a chuckle, “I watched your show the other night. You fucking killed it.”
“You did?” My heart thuds in my chest.
“Yep. Sat in my truck in Penny’s driveway and ate my supper while you played.”
I fiddle with the tie on my robe. I’m wearing the dopiest smile.
“You miss me or something, Cowboy?”
“Or something.”
“I miss you too,” I say softly as I lean back against the pillows that are propped against my headboard. I close my eyes and lose myself to him, realizing now just how lonely I’ve been without him.
“Goddamn it’s good to hear your voice,” I admit. I pop a few pieces of caramel corn into my mouth. “I’m eating with you, so what are we celebrating, Cowboy?”
Haden chuckles into the phone. “I’m gonna make an offer on Penny Lane. I talked to the bank today and they approved me for a loan for the amount I can’t cover right away. And this way I’m able to give Penny what she deserves.”
“Haden, that is so incredible!” I say. “I’m so fucking proud of you. God, I wish I could hug you right now.”
“Oh yeah?” he asks. I can hear the amusement in his voice.
“Yeah,” I say but it almost sounds like a moan at the end.
“Cass … have you been drinking?”
I close my eyes and smile. “Yep.” I exaggerate the P.
“Mmmhmm,” he says. “Then you’re staying on the phone with me.”
I grin bigger. “Why?”
“Because you lose your inhibitions when you drink like this. You took all your clothes off last time. Remember?”
My core instantly starts to heat at the thought.
“Well, I don’t have hot cowboys wandering my building, so I think I’m safe,” I tell him.
“I’m not taking my chances.” His voice is gruff as I hear him set his bowl down. “And be careful. The last thing we need is for you to slip in the shower when you’re all by yourself.”
“Well, you’re in luck. I’ve already had a shower. I’m even still wet.” I picture his eyebrows shooting up on the other end of the phone.
I hear him huff out a breath as I get comfortable.
“I like when you get all protective on me though,” I tell him, undoing my robe. It falls open and my nipples instantly pebble. I let my first two fingers ghost one and breathe out a small sigh.
“Tell me all the ways you’d take care of me if you were here,” I order, closing my eyes again.
“Cass.”
“Haden.”
A beat of silence passes as I move my hand downward to trace the band of my panties, imagining it’s his hand instead.
“I could video-call you,” I tell him. “But I like a challenge. Think I can make you come over the phone, Haden? The old-fashioned way?”
I hear him mutter “fucking Christ, woman” under his breath.
“It’s kind of like an experiment really. This is how our ancestors did it.” I giggle, feeling just tipsy enough that I’d sell my soul right now to have Haden Westbrook’s hands on me instead of my own.
“Where are you right now?” he asks. And with that, I let my hand slip inside my panties. Because those words mean he’s mine.