Chapter 24
Dalton
THE NOTIFICATION has come in right on schedule.
Mae Evans posted a new video.
The world is hearing the new Mae Evans song for the first time, even if just in part, and I don’t think day one fans are going to be very supportive of it.
Mae herself didn’t feel very excited about it when I picked her up this afternoon.
Trenton had tried to hype it up the whole way home.
Despite his surprising best efforts, Mae seemed sad.
Still, I made sure she was okay when I dropped her off.
She said she’d be in the rest of the night and that I could go.
I’ve done my best to ignore the feeling in my stomach about how off she had been; Raleigh usually consults with her. The two haven’t been communicating. Honestly, it feels like the whole team is just tip-toeing around until we’re forced to work together for the tour.
A slap on my back distracts me from my thoughts.
My brother has returned from the bar with a full glass of beer.
It’s another one of Dustin’s going away parties and I’ve been roped into it, even though I'd rather be at home spending time with Merle before my own departure.
Amanda will be in charge of the lovable dog while the both of us are gone.
“You know you’re not at work right now, buddy.” Amanda has joined the both of us at the booth with another glass. Two drinks now sit in front of me, though I have no desire to drink tonight. “Would you feel better if I told you that I texted Raleigh, and she’s on her way?”
If I’d been drinking, it’d be spit out all over the table. “You did what now?”
“Oh cool it,” she says, waving me away. “But you should text her. I’m sure the job is getting to her too.” Amanda holds up her phone. It’s been minutes since the post went live, but I can already see the negativity.
“Why should she be miserable alone when she could be miserable with all of us 30-something singles?” I don’t actually know Raleigh’s age, but I don’t make a comment about it.
“I don’t think it’s the best idea,” I say instead.
“Why?” Amanda’s eyes grow wide. “Did you sleep together?”
This time I choke on my own spit. “No, of course not.”
She then narrows her eyes at me. “Something happened. Text her or I will.”
I hold my hands up in surrender. I would rather be the one to contact her over anyone else.
“Good, I’m sick of being the only woman you two hang out with.” I let the comment slide as I scroll to find her contact.
Dalton: Amanda, Dustin and I are at Smoozeys on Broadway. What are the odds you want to stop by?
Raleigh: What’s the occasion? Are we drinking to celebrate or to drown our sorrows?
Dalton: That’s up to you. My brother is leaving for another tour and since I am as well we wanted to hang out with Amanda one more time.
Dalton: For the record, Amanda was the one who asked for you. I’m still trying to respect our distance.
I think it might be a mistake to get that honest with her. Of course I’m trying to respect our space, but at this earliest convenience, I threw all caution to the wind. Raleigh doesn’t miss a beat.
Raleigh: For the record, Amanda is awesome and I’m kind of sick of distance. My apartment is empty and sad.
Raleigh: Even more sad when I get to read 2,000 comments about how my client is ruining country music and 2,000 more about her sexuality and relationships.
Dalton: Don’t be alone tonight. We want you here.
I have the text typed out, ready to send but she beats me to it.
Raleigh: I’ll be by shortly. Save me a seat and a tall one.
Raleigh: Full disclosure, I will still be sorting through social content as it comes.
Dalton: Saved the best seat in the house just for you.
The conversation ends, but not too long after, Raleigh waltzes through the door like she owns the place. Her building is only two blocks down so her quick appearance is expected. She must have been very ready to get out of her empty apartment.
Amanda leaps onto her two feet in the booth and waves, much to the chagrin of the nearest bartender.
Throwing her purse into the seat next to me, Raleigh flops down and grabs one of the drinks meant for me.
“I’m working so I won’t be the most fun but I appreciate the invitation.
” She downs the whole thing and then turns immediately to her phone.
The conversation at the table turns to current events and the next movie Amanda wants to go see before we’re interrupted.
“Are you Raleigh Davis?” a young woman asks, phone already recording. I notice the pair are wearing Mae merch—clearly die hard fans. I’m thankful they haven’t recognized me because I would have no idea how to handle it.
Raleigh, ever the professional, knows exactly what to do. A bright smile replaces her frown, and she places her phone screen down on the table. “I am.”
“Gah, we just knew it!” the other woman squeals, leaping forward with her hand outstretched. “When are you going to post the engagement photos?”
“We’re just dying to know!”
“Soon,” Raleigh manages to say. The idea of an engagement photoshoot has been a hot topic plaguing the couple since the proposal.
Mae keeps pushing and Trenton keeps deflecting.
It’s just one more instance of Trenton taking no further steps toward marriage all the while flaunting off her hand at every presser.
The girls all move to take a quick selfie, but when the picture has been taken, the girls remain, giddy smiles on their faces.
Raleigh reaches for her purse, as if she has an immediate solution to this awkward pause in the interaction. “Do you ladies have tickets to—”
“No, we spent hours trying to get them and failed.” The taller girl makes a pouty face but immediately reanimates when Raleigh pulls out a card with a number on it.
“Reach out to this number and tell them Raleigh sent you. I’ll let them know to expect your call.”
“Thank you so much!” Both girls exclaim at once. This time they’ve gotten enough, turning away and heading back to the bar to their group of friends.
“How many tickets are they going to ask for?” Amanda asks between a laugh and drink.
“Oh, who knows,” Raleigh says with a shrug. “To be honest, I have more tickets to giveaway than I know what to do with. Mae doesn’t really have any family so most of the perks go to her fans.”
“To the fans,” Amanda calls, raising up her drink as another notification rings out from Raleigh’s phone.
“To the tour!” I call as a disgruntled Raleigh refuses to toast.
“To Nashville!” Dustin says, joining in. This piques Raleigh’s interest.
“Now that, I can drink to.” The four of us clink glasses before taking a drink.
***
“You really don’t have to walk me home,” Raleigh reiterates for the fifth time.
We’re just a block away now but I wouldn’t even think about leaving her this late at night.
Amanda and Dustin will be by to get me soon anyway; Dustin wanted one more drink.
I’d rather spend that in between time with her.
“I really don’t mind.” Having her so close all night was a blessing.
It let the two of us get used to each other again, the awkwardness from the previous weeks melted away thanks to the atmosphere and my friends.
Without Amanda mentioning inviting her we never wouldn’t have had a chance to knock off the dust before the tour. I’ll need to thank her for it.
“All things considered, tonight was nice,” Raleigh confesses, taking one sidestep closer to me.
“I’m sorry it’s been so hard the past few days.”
“So am I,” she says sincerely. “I know I’ve left you to kind of fend for yourself with Trenton and Mae, and I don’t want that to be the case.
” She fidgets with the strap of her bag before continuing, “Mae hasn’t really been listening to anyone but Trenton and that has been really frustrating.
It’s not like she’s some subject I need to control for my own gain, I just want what’s best for her…
” I can hear the strain in her voice as she bears her soul so I try to continue for her.
“And she’s not making the choices that you think will get her where she needs to go?”
Her answer is basically a whisper. “No.” We take a few more steps forward, her building now in plain view. “At the end of the day, Mae will do what Mae wants to do, but it hurts to see her learn lessons in this way. I mean she is going to wake up tomorrow and be crushed.”
“Maybe it will be eye opening for her?”
“We can hope.” As she pops the P at the end of her sentence, we reach the lobby door of her building. “Do you want to come up? Dustin seemed pretty entertained when we walked out.”
“We both know that would be a bad idea.” I say it with a knowing smile, teasing about past situations.
An equally sly smile plays on her lips. “Maybe, but it’d be fun.
” The teasing I can handle, it’s the way she moves in for a hug that has me at the end of my rope.
Her dancing in my arms at New Year’s comes racing, and I actually take a step back without meaning to.
She just holds on tighter. I’m sure the rush of the alcohol combined with the overall dread of tomorrow have finally caught up with her.
Muffled but audible, she asks a question. “Hey, do you think we could do this whole tour thing together? I’ve got your back, you've got mine kinda thing?”
“Sure thing, Raleigh,” I say, squeezing her tightly. “Sure thing.”
I’m not sure how long we stay locked in our embrace, but we’re eventually brought apart by the headlights of Amanda’s SUV and the realization that our work day starts in mere hours.
When Raleigh realizes we’ve been undone, she tucks out of my reach and struts toward the lobby.
Keying in, she turns back just briefly to raise a finger in goodbye.