Chapter Sixteen #3
My smile is hesitant. I don’t think I realized quite how much the idea of him touring was messing with me. The idea of us spending long periods of time apart would make me uneasy. “You want me to come with you?”
He just nods. Like it’s no big deal and of course I was always invited.
“I’d really like that,” I say.
“Some parts suck.” Nash winces. “I’m warning you now…touring can be a bitch.”
“But we’d be together.”
“And that’s what’s important,” he confirms.
I am not going to cry. Though it does feel like I’m taking my first full breath in days. He wants me with him and I want to be with him and everything is good.
And Charlie is standing by the stove cooking another batch of pancakes. He watches me with a spatula in hand and a thoughtful frown on his face. “It can be hard going. But you and your grandma would be very welcome.”
Grandma’s face lights up at the words.
Angus says nothing. He’s too busy plucking out something by Chris Stapleton on the guitar. My country music knowledge is definitely coming along. The man seems to be in another mood again this morning. Or maybe his bad mood is just perpetual. His commitment to the vibe seems extreme.
“Does that mean you’d find a new record company or sign with your original one again or what?” I ask.
“You know, I saw you talking to him in the parking lot last night,” says Angus out of nowhere.
“Talking to who?” asks Grandma.
“Farmer.”
Every eye in the house turns my way. “Yeah,” I say. “He showed up.”
“Wait a minute,” says Nash. “You were talking to Farmer?”
“I went outside to help Carmen and he pulled me aside.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to ruin your night.”
Angus clears his throat. “What did he offer you?”
“He said I could write my own check if I talked you into signing with him again.” I shrug. “Obviously that’s not what I’m going to do.”
“Then why were you just asking him about signing with someone?” asks Angus.
“Just curiosity.”
“June…” Nash visibly struggles for words. “Why would you not tell me you talked to him? That he was there?”
“I was going to today,” I say.
“Yeah, but…”
“I didn’t want to ruin your night. You were having fun and bonding with your friends. That asshole doesn’t get to steal joy from you.”
He blinks. “You should have told me.”
“I’m telling you now.”
“No,” he says in a pained voice. “Angus told me. But it should have been you, last night.”
Grandma’s brows are drawn tight. “You saw her talking to Farmer?”
“I was outside smoking a joint and saw them talking in a corner of the parking lot,” answers Angus.
“So she was going to tell you.” Grandma turns back to Nash. Then her gaze returns to Angus. “You should have stayed out of it. June just needed some time. There’s no reason for all this drama.”
“I’ve got mad respect for you, Audrey. But I don’t answer to you,” says Angus. “Were you really going to tell him, June?”
I frown. “Yes. Of course.”
“It’s just that the list of people who can refuse a blank check is pretty fucking short.”
“Shut up,” snaps Nash at his brother. “June, who else have you talked to? Has Carrie been on to you?”
“No. I don’t care about their money, and I haven’t talked to anyone else.” I take a deep breath and let it out slow. “I just wanted to pick my time and work out how to tell you what happened.”
“She does have a habit of rehearsing speeches in her head,” says Grandma. “It’s an anxiety thing.”
“Did you take his business card?” asks Angus. Like it proves something.
“He shoved it at me. So what?”
“You had no trouble taking the black credit card yesterday either. Then there’s the brand-new luxury vehicle you’re cruising around town in.”
And Nash is watching me like I might bite or something. Like he isn’t sure who I am anymore or whether he should trust me. It feels sort of similar to having my heart dug out with a rusty spoon.
“I know these people have messed with you in the past,” I say. “That others have sold stories about you to the media and betrayed you in horrible ways. However, I am not one of them.”
“The kind of money we’re talking about can’t just be taken for granted,” says Angus. “It’s not like she’s rich.”
“So, what…I don’t even get the benefit of the doubt here?” I ask.
“It really would have been better to tell him right away,” says Charlie with his gray brows drawn down.
And Nash says nothing. He sits there staring at me with a blank face and a shuttered gaze. As if every emotion in him has disappeared. I doubt there’s even anything I could say right now to make this better. I can’t believe this is happening. Any trust he ever had in me is gone, apparently.
“I know we haven’t known each other long,” I say, trying to stay calm. “And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you straight away. But surely you know me better than this.”
His mouth opens, but nothing comes out. I can feel my heart shutting down and my soul giving up. I wanted us to be forever and we’re not even going to survive breakfast.
“What utter bullshit,” says Grandma, getting to her feet. “Get out of here, you three. The only person welcome in my house right now is my granddaughter. I don’t want to see the rest of you for a while.”
Charlie frowns. “Aud—”
“Get out!”