Chapter 9
After Edison picked up his truck, I attempted to get a few extra hours of sleep but failed. All I could think about was Dial’s cold reception. I wasn’t stupid. There was no love lost between her and me, but I couldn’t quite pinpoint when our relationship shifted. Dial was a year older than me and growing up, I was practically her shadow. But in high school she avoided me; eventually, her salutations were nothing but one-word sentences.
Since childhood she’d been protective of Edison and at some point, I think she saw me as a threat because of how close Edison and I were. I know I sounded like a conspiracy theorist, musing over Dial’s plot to take me down. Maybe she just didn’t like my personality. There were plenty of people I didn’t mesh with, but I was at the very least cordial when they came around. If Dial thought her shitty attitude was going to keep me from Edison, she was mistaken. During prior visits, I’d purposefully avoided Edison because of Dial, but you know what … fuck it and fuck her.
Muffled ringing interrupted my thoughts. I reluctantly climbed out of my bed, tripping over a pair of clogs on the way to my phone, which was under a pile of clothes. “Hello.” My voice was low and raspy, from lack of use.
“Fancy?”
“Darla?”
“Yeah, how are you?”
I broke down, finding fresh tears. “Crappy. What about you?”
“Oh, babes don’t cry. I’ve missed my best friend.”
Gulping down a sob, I attacked, “Well, you haven’t been acting like it.” When the words left my mouth, I realized how hurt I was that this was the first time I was hearing from her.
“I’m sorry. I wanted to give you some space.”
“I don’t need space from my best friend.” I sniffled.
Darla and I had been to hell and back together. Alongside Edison, she was my closest and oldest friend. She was there when I fell off Cotton Candy, breaking my leg. I was there when her parents divorced. When I lost my virginity, we had a sleepover, and I gave her all the details. We thought we were so grown. And when she got pregnant and needed not to be, I was there too.
“I figured if you needed me, you’d call.”
“Frankly, I don’t know what I need right now. I’m all topsy-turvy.”
“Have you talked to Chap?” Her tone indicated she was walking on eggshells, knowing Chap was a sore and puss riddled subject for me.
“We’ve texted back and forth a bit.”
“He’s torn up over you.”
“Good.”
“You should at least let him try to explain.”
My stomach hardened at the hint of Darla coming to his defense. “All of a sudden you’re Team Dylan?”
“No, never that. I’m Team Whiskey Wild.”
“There’s nothing to explain. He cheated and it’s probably not the first time.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I don’t think I can ever trust him again.” I scrubbed my face. “And if I’m being honest, I don’t think I care.”
“What do you mean?”
“Sure, I care but maybe this is all God doing me a massive favor. Chap and I haven’t been in a good place for a while now. I thought it was just the pressure with the tour and getting back in the studio, but he and I have been out of sync for a minute.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“How do you say your relationship is failing?”
“Are you done with him?”
“I’m not saying that. Shit, I don’t know what I’m saying. But if I stay, some things will have to change.”
“Like what?”
“Like the way he treats me for starters.”
“Fancy, I’m so sorry.” The line was silent except for Darla’s muffled cries.
“Don’t you start boo-hooing because I’m going to start and then we’ll just be on the line in a pool of tears.”
“I just … Fancy … I don’t like to see you hurt. Fuck.”
I didn’t want to think about my current situation, deciding instead to change the subject. “What else is going on?”
“Uhm … give me a sec.” Darla blew her nose to stop the sniffles. “Did you get my email?”
“What email?”
“The label is asking questions about the remaining tour dates. We put out a statement.”
A sudden coldness hit me at my core. “What kind of statement?”
“I emailed it to you.”
“Hold on.” I pulled up my inbox and scrolled until I found Darla’s message. My eyes frantically scanned the one-page attachment.
To our fans,
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Whiskey Wild missed day two of the Heritage Festival. We apologize to our fans who purchased tickets and incurred expenses to attend this event. If you’ve purchased tickets for Whiskey Wild’s Girls Behaving Badly tour we are determined to make every effort to resume the tour, with little to no missed dates after a brief hiatus.
Whiskey Wild loves our fans and looks forward to getting back on a stage near you in the coming weeks. Until then drink CHEAP WHISKEY and make some QUESTIONABLE CHOICES.
Fancy & Darla
Whiskey Wild
Turning my attention back to Darla, I asked, “Who greenlit this statement?”
“Well Chap and I?—”
“Chap,” I shouted. “He does not speak for me.”
“He kind of does, he’s our manager.”
Fuck him. Whiskey Wild was my baby. Mine and Darla’s. Chap didn’t get to make unauthorized decisions about my career. “I never agreed to canceling tour dates.”
“Fancy you’ve been MIA, decisions had to be made.”
“And so you and Chap are just making all the decisions now?”
“Don’t do that. Don’t you dare do that. I’ve had your back since day one.”
I was directing my anger at the wrong person. This wasn’t Darla’s fault it was Chap. If it wasn’t for Chap and his wandering eye, I’d be in Los Angeles rehearsing for the second leg of our tour. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.”
“It’s okay, I know this is a lot.”
“Look Darla. I fucked up. I just up and left and didn’t stop to think about the group or the tour. I did the one thing we promised never to do … fuck up our money.”
“This is all just a minor hiccup. We’ll get back on track … you, me, and Chap.” I flinched at her inclusion of the bastard who broke my heart, but remained silent. “Where are you?”
“I’m in Hume.”
“You went home?”
“I didn’t exactly have many options.” I guess I could have booked a room at the Omni Hotel, but what I wanted was to escape, not hide. “Hey, do you know why Moniece is coming all the way to Hume?”
“What?”
“She said she had to speak to me about something important.”
“No, I haven’t got a clue. Maybe she wanted to tell you about the potential canceled tour dates face to face.”
“Maybe, well I’ll worry about it when she gets here.” I released a long sigh. The sound of vehicles drew me to my window. Outside, Ozzie and my dad were fussing over something or other. My father could be a real hard ass when it came to work, but I guess that’s why Palmer horses were the best in the business because my father was a perfectionist. Oz was the opposite, but he was dedicated and one of the best horse trainers in the game. “Guess who I ran into last night at The Tipsy Owl?”
“Who?”
“Okay you’re no fun. Edison.”
“Edison Birch? How’s he doing?”
“He’s been drinking his milk, chopping piles of wood, and baling hay.”
“Edison Birch?”
“Edison Fucking Birch.” I bit my lip at the thought of him.
“Remember you have a boyfriend.”
“No, I don’t. Chap and I are on a break. He broke my heart and I’m considering letting Edison break my spine.”
“Fancy.” Darla was the most immodest person I knew, so why she was over there clutching pearls I’d never know.
“Okay not really, but I can flirt a little.”
“I thought you went to Hume for clarity?”
“No, you’re right and I don’t plan on doing anything reckless.”
I decided not to share I’d already been a little reckless by making out with Edison last night. Darla would judge me. I didn’t want to hear any of her rational thinking right now. I was mad. Mad at Chap. Mad at myself. I knew better. Everyone said he was a ladies’ man, but I ignored the red flags because I wanted the fairy tale. Girl from a small town moves to LA, becomes a huge star, and she starts dating the handsome well connected guy.
What I hadn’t told Darla is for months now, I’d been questioning whether this fairy tale was one I wanted. Mostly the relationship part, not the celebrity part. Dylan’s expectations of me and our relationship were ones I didn’t quite agree with. It was as if he was slowly trying to change me. He said I was a country music outsider and people knew it. After each concert or interview, he’d have a list of notes on things I could change or ways I could improve. Funny thing is he never gave Darla similar notes.
I wasn’t interested in changing my personality. Not saying I was perfect, but I didn’t need a bullet point list of all the things I needed to tweak. If you loved someone, why would you want them to change? Dylan could be selfish and didn’t recognize his immense privilege, but I accepted all of him, even the parts that weren’t polished.
“Are you still there?” Darla asked.
“Yeah.”
“If you need me just say the word and I’ll come running.”
“Thanks. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
When the doorbell rang, I gave myself one quick pass before heading for the stairs. I’d opted for a yellow sun dress that showed off my legs and cowboy boots. My hair was loose in big, deep curls which showcased the mulberry purple highlights I’d gotten a few months back. Downstairs, I found my dad and Edison on the porch talking about roofs.
“Hey, sorry to keep you waiting.” Edison was in his uniform of choice, jeans, a sage green T-shirt and rustic brown boots. He’d ditched the ball cap and I was treated to a freshly tapered cut. In LA, men spent thousands on designer clothes and none could touch the sexy simplicity Edison was giving.
“It’s fine.” Edison’s eyes tripped down the length of my frame before he remembered we were in mixed company. “I was just telling your dad about my tin roof.”
“He’s thinking about replacing it. I think he should keep it,” my dad said.
Edison frowned. “When it rains it can get kind of loud.”
“Best sleep I ever had was your momma and mine’s first place. Good food, a fine woman, and a tin roof, that’s all you need.”
“Rain on a tin roof is like a lullaby. I agree with Daddy, you should keep it.”
“Noted.” Edison licked his bottom lip and my pussy constricted. I could sense the seat of my panties moisten.
“I watch a ton of home improvement shows. If you ever need expert advice, I got you.”
“Are you supposed to be the expert?” my father asked.
“With the hours of screen time I’ve clocked, I could gut a room and restore it if I had a mind to.” Turing to Edison, I asked, “Are you ready to go?” I kissed my father on the cheek. The last thing I wanted to do was stand on the porch talking about roofing materials.
“Nice seeing you again Mr. Palmer.” You have to love a good southern gentleman. Chap grew up in California and referred to my father by his first name. I hated it.
As we descended the stairs, my father called after us. “Have my daughter back home at a respectable hour.”
Edison placed his hand over his heart. “Of course, I would never dream of disrespecting your home by bringing her back too late.”
My father erupted into a fit of laughter. “I’m joshing. It’s been a long time since my baby girl’s been home and I could play the scary father role. You two are grown and I trust you to keep her safe.”
“Thank you, sir.” Edison shut the car door behind me before making his way to the driver’s seat.
When he drove off, I teased him. “No sir, I would never do anything to defile your beautiful daughter.”
“Shut up.”
“You know you guys from the south get away with murder. A little country twang and you have people agreeing to just about anything. Abscond with their daughters to do God knows what. Late night hang outs, driving down dark back roads, promises of just the tip and nothing more.”
Edison’s eyes grew wide. “Which dude from high school was telling you he was only going to put in the tip?”
“I fell for it every time. Next thing you know we’re both acting shocked like ‘Oh no how’d that whole dick slide inside.’”
“Fancy, we haven’t been in the car for a full minute. Can we save the dick talk for later?”
“Okay, note to self, Edison would like to talk about his dick later.”
I couldn’t tell for sure, but I liked to believe his face was flushed. “Fancy Palmer.”
My naughty giggle filled the cab. Making him blush was one of my favorite activities. Edison wasn’t a prude, at least I don’t think he was, but he didn’t like talking about S.E.X in mixed company. A girl knew if she kissed Edison, he wasn’t going to tell. “Where are you taking me?”
“Does it matter?”
“No, I’d go anywhere with you.”
Edison’s head swiveled and his eyes slammed into mine. He had kind eyes, always had. Edison was the guy you called when you were in a jam. When I drove my car into a ditch driving back home after a non-sober high school party, I called Edison. When Ricky Moore assaulted me at a band performance after I said no to his advances, I told Edison. And the next day before first bell, Edison beat the piss out of Ricky.
“Eyes on the road, mister.” I can’t believe how many years passed since we’d last seen one another. You expected time to make things muddy and awkward, but being with Edison after all this time felt natural. The test of true friendship was the ability to pick up where you left off. Even after years apart, the bond hadn’t deteriorated.
As we approached the main part of town, Edison offered some clues. “I was thinking you’ve been gone for a minute. So why not show you the sights you’ve been missing?”
“The sights in Hume?”
“Yeah, we’ve made some improvements since you left.”
“Really?”
“The movie theater got new seats. They recline. The Gas Guzzle finally fixed their sign, unfortunately it burned out a few months ago. And they painted the high school.”
“Wow, it’s just a hub of activity here in Hume.”
“We are the epicenter of nothing. But we did recently acquire …”
“What?” Edison turned left onto Monroe Way the corner was illuminated by a orange and white neon sign. “Hot Doodle Dawgs?”
“You’re not saying it right. The Doodle’s got a little hop to it. Hot Doodle Dawgs.”
“Wow the name is?—”
“It wasn’t well thought out, I’ll give you that.”
“Hot Doodle Dawgs”
“ Doodle .” He corrected me by adding a singsongy note to the word doodle.
“Ahh yes, my bad. Hot Doodle Dawgs.”
“Best hot dogs ever.”
“Better than Gas Guzzle?”
“The Gas Guzzle, where if food drops on the floor they hold it to the sky and ask the Lord to bless it before putting it back on display.”
“Yes, but the dirt and germs from Gas Guzzle is kind of the secret sauce.”
Edison parked his truck in the lot Hot Doodle Dawgs shared with the bank. Inside we ordered and found an empty booth. I got an onion ring and bacon hot dog, and while it wasn’t the best hot dog ever, it was the best hot dog in Hume.
Edison bit into his dog topped with potato chips and sauces, exaggerating his enjoyment with moans. “Admit it, this is pretty good,” he said around a mouthful of food.
“It’s not bad.”
“You see what you’re missing?”
“Is Hot Doodle Dawg a big tourist attraction for Hume?”
“I mean it gets customers from the adjacent towns every now and then.”
“Never in my life have I seen a man ride so hard for a hot dog joint.”
“I go hard for everything Hume related.”
“And I’m sure your ancestors are very proud.”
“Shit not a lot of towns like Hume survived. People didn’t appreciate groups of Black folks building their own shit. Creating their own wealth. When we rolled up, this was the town no one wanted. Dirt that wouldn’t grow, threats of flooding of the creek and the river. But our families made Hume home and so much blood was shed to keep it that way.”
Hume was founded by three Black families, the Birch family among them. In the middle of town there is this huge plaque in honor of the founders, and you couldn’t go into many buildings without seeing the now famous photo of the group standing together on Birch Street for the first anniversary celebration.
“You’re like our resident Hume historian.”
“I don’t know about that, but I do find the story of this town very interesting. I blame Dial. She is obsessed with that shit.” He waved the conversation away. “Nobody wants to talk about this town’s history. Tell me about your boyfriend.”
My hope was that my having a boyfriend wouldn’t come up, but Edison was owed an explanation. “Kind of, sort of boyfriend.”
Edison looked at me with his gentle eyes and I just spilled my guts.
“His name is Dylan, but everyone calls him Chap. He was a fixture in the young Hollywood club circuit. His dad’s a big-time music producer and his stepmother is Bille Preston.”
“Wow, legend.”
“Yeah, she really is. We started dating casually at first and then I was always at his place, or he was at mine. At the time Whiskey Wild was still struggling to make a name for ourselves. Anyway, Chap had all these great ideas and connections and before long he became our manager and my boyfriend.”
“Business and pleasure often get messy.”
“Yeah, that’s the thing, I didn’t think so at the time. I should have, but I wasn’t really thinking with my head.”
“What were you using your kit kat instead?”
“No, I was thinking with my heart …” We stared at each other in momentary silence. “And maybe my kitty just a little bit.”
“It happens to the best of us.”
“When’s the last time you led with your dick?”
“I plead the fifth.”
“We will be circling back to that. Anyway, Chap and I have been together for several years. And four days ago, I found out he was cheating. Like I walked in during the act.”
“Ouch, I’m sorry.”
“The thing is, after the initial shock, all I kept thinking is maybe it’s for the best.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Chap and I are two very different people, and I was kind of all wrapped up in him. Have you ever done that? You meet someone and then you slowly start to lose yourself. Their likes become your likes, so instead of hot dogs on a stick, you’re asking for tuna tartare.”
“What’s tuna tartare? Is that the raw stuff?”
“Yes, it’s the raw stuff. And it’s disgusting.” I tossed my arm in the air. “I just think I was starting to lose sense of who I was. And I needed to come home to try and figure out what was real and my next steps.”
“And you don’t think your next move includes Chap?”
“Have you heard that saying the thought of being with someone is often better than the reality of being with that person?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s what I think this is. With Dylan. Listen, I’m hurt by his cheating. I’m not gonna pretend I haven’t cried an ocean of tears, but maybe that asshole did me a favor.”
“You have to know any man who would cheat on you is an idiot, right?”
“I know. You might be surprised to hear this, but in LA I feel like a fish outta water. Every day, just struggling to breathe. And Dylan gave me legitimacy.”
“Why do you feel out of place?”
“I’m just waiting for people to figure out I’m a fraud and I don’t know what I’m doing and I never have.”
“You’ve written, what, five number one records?”
“Seven.”
“Seven number one records, gold and platinum albums. Sold-out concerts and headlining tours. That sounds real official to me.”
“Well Dylan doesn’t think so.”
“I thought we already established Dylan is missing a few brain cells. What he thinks doesn’t matter.”
Fuck Chap, I wasn’t going to let him ruin my time with Edison. “What about you? Give me your sappy love story.”
“There isn’t much to tell.”
“Don’t lie.”
Edison cracked his knuckles. “I was kind of seeing Willa for a bit.”
My eyes grew wide. “How did you pull Willa? She was the prettiest girl in school.”
“She wasn’t … you were. But she and I just kept bumping into each other.”
“And one day the bumping turned to grinding.” I gasped. “How was it?”
“I’m not telling you that. But I’m not complaining.”
“So what happened?”
“Hmm … you walked into Figs and Twine with your rumpled up shirt and ashy elbows.”
My face, neck and ears grew hot. “You noticed the elbows?”
“Yes, I did.”
Growing up I always felt loved and appreciated. My father wasn’t perfect, but he set the bar for how I should be treated. Chap lowered the bar to the floor and casually walked across, expecting a six-gun salute for doing the bare minimum. Why was I settling when I was the prize and the talent? Chap was a people person, but he didn’t have a musical bone in his body.
In my conversations with Edison, he actively listened and cared, something Chap never did. Talking to Chap was always a competition in which I’d speak, and he’d be chomping at the bit to interject, refute, or call me out right dense. The past few days were intense, but the fog was lifting. Searching Edison’s familiar face, I knew what I had to do. I pulled my phone from my purse, typed out a text message, and pressed send with no hesitation. Handing Edison my phone, I let him read my final message to Chap.
Fancy: IT’S OVER.