Chapter 24 - Taevin #2
Doing my best to muster up that I’d been caught doing the very worst thing I’ve ever done, I stammer out an apology. “No, there wasn’t. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you, Dad.”
“Did you know before asking me to go that there wouldn’t be parents there?” he presses.
I pause to consider my options here. On the one hand, if I tell him the truth, I’ll likely be grounded for the rest of summer. On the other hand, if I lie and he catches me in a second lie, I’ll likely be grounded for the rest of my life.
I decide to go with, “I didn’t. But Jackson’s older brother, who is already in the NHL and very responsible, was there the whole weekend.”
My father narrows his gaze on me, the way he does when he’s trying to detect a lie. I must be getting better at selling a convincing white lie because he nods his head once and takes his hands off his hips. Guilt nags at my conscience, but before I can reflect on it, the doorbell rings.
“Are we expecting anyone?” my dad asks.
I shake my head at him. “Yes, Dad. You’re the one who invited Jackson to dinner.”
He clears his throat. “Oh, yes. That’s right.”
Cleaning off my hands on a dishtowel, I tell him, “I’ll get the door. But, Dad, please be nice.”
That earns me a gruff response. “I’m nice enough.”
I wait until my back is turned before I roll my eyes. When I open the door, I’m barely able to see Jax behind the enormous bouquet he’s holding in his hands. I gasp as I take in the beautiful floral arrangement filled with red roses, pink peonies and white hydrangeas.
“Jax! They’re so beautiful!” I squeal, taking them from his hands, and as I do my fingers brush against his and my eyes widen in panic. Peeking at him from behind the arrangement, I whisper-hiss, “You’re still wearing your ring.”
Jax winces in realization. “Sorry, baby. I’ll go put it in my truck so I don’t lose it.”
“Okay, I’ll go set these down,” I tell him. As I’m about to turn, he leans in and presses a chaste kiss on my lips.
“You look beautiful,” he whispers before jogging to his truck.
I may have picked my sundress with him in mind. Okay, who am I kidding? I pick almost everything I wear these days with him in mind.
Just as I place the flowers in a vase, my phone rings. It’s not a number I have saved in my phone, and typically I wouldn’t answer it, but I question whether it could be my new roommate I was assigned from Berklee.
Swiping, I do my best for a cheerful greeting. “Hello!”
“Good evening, am I speaking with Taevin Gray?” a man on the other end of the line asks.
I hesitate a moment before answering. “Yes, this is she.”
“Oh, good. I wasn’t sure if I had the correct number.
My name is Kyle Blackwood, I’m a talent manager out of Nashville.
” My heart rate picks up as he continues.
“I happened to stumble across a video of you performing at a county fair last month. I’ve been looking to add another artist to my roster for a few months now, and I’ve got to be honest with you, no one has impressed me the way you did from that two-minute clip.
I’d love to hear more of your work if you have an EP. ”
It takes me a few moments to snap out of the shock and answer him.
“I-I don’t have anything recorded. That was only like my second time performing in front of an audience.
” I snap my mouth closed, frustrated with myself for admitting that.
I’m guessing talent managers aren’t looking for someone as green to the music industry as I am.
This sort of phone call wasn’t supposed to come until after I’d had a degree from Berklee under my belt, if ever.
“Well that’s alright. I’ve worked with a breadth of artists that range from having years of experience to diamonds in the rough looking for their big break.
Is that you, Taevin? Are you the diamond in the rough I’ve been searching for?
Because I think you just might be.” Without giving me a chance to answer, he adds, “Of course, after seeing that initial video of you, I did some digging. I found a video of you performing the national anthem at a hockey game where you easily captivated the crowd. That was something else, truly spectacular.”
I’m at a loss for words. I need someone to pinch me because what is real life right now?
“Th-thank you,” I manage to stammer out.
“I’ll tell you what, I’m going to be in Minnesota for a concert for another artist I work with next week. Do you think you’d have time to meet with me?”
My brows furrow in confusion. “I’m sorry, how did you know I was from Minnesota?”
“The internet unfortunately and fortunately in my case knows all, Miss Gray. Anyways, I’d love to meet you and go over some ideas I have to really shoot you into stardom. What do you say?”
I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath before opening them and answering Kyle. “I say send me the time and place.”
“Fantastic! Is it okay if I just text you the details once I get them ironed out?” he asks.
“Yes, that works just fine.”
“Looking forward to meeting you, Taevin. Have a good evening.”
“Thank you, you as well,” I tell him before the line disconnects.
“What was that about?” Jackson asks, startling me from where he stands beneath the entryway to the kitchen.
I grasp my chest and take a deep breath.
“Oh my goodness, you scared me.” I pause, debating how much I want to tell him because I don’t want to get his hopes up, or worse, give him any potential reason to worry.
Today is our wedding day after all. I look past him to where I know my dad is likely sitting in the dining room.
“Can I tell you later?” I whisper, hoping I can play it off like I don’t want my dad to overhear.
Jax looks unsure but nods once. “Yeah, no problem. Can I help you with anything?”
“Yes, please. Would you mind grabbing the buns out of the oven for me? The oven mitts are in the second drawer to the right of the oven.”
“Sure thing,” he says. “It smells amazing in here by the way. Thanks for cooking, baby.” Jax places a quick kiss on my forehead before heading to the oven.
We work our way around the kitchen as we finish preparing dinner.
I attempted to make one of his favorites tonight.
I even asked his mom for her goulash recipe so I could get it just right.
She dropped off three jars of his nana’s homemade sauce, so I don’t think I could’ve managed to mess it up too badly.
And with the way Jax ends up eating thirds tonight, I’d say I did just fine.
Though the entire time we’re sitting for dinner, I have a niggling sense in the back of my mind that something big is about to happen.
Even hours later as I stare up at my ceiling, I feel something akin to dread instead of the overwhelming joy I should feel on my wedding night.