Whisky Moments

by Bowie, Emily

  “I’m fired?” Dick recoils in anger, his voice shouting at me. All eyes instantly flash to us, the room becoming quiet. “I found you. I made you,” he spits, causing my back to straighten. Stepping around him, I head out of the room with him on my heels, still yelling. “You can’t afford to not have me. You can’t even shit without me.” He lets out a crazy laugh like he thinks I’m the one going nuts.

  “Dick, let’s not make this harder than it is.” As I turn toward him once we’re out of the room, his round body bumps into me.

  My fingers itch to pick him up by his shirt and shove him out of the way. Taking a breath, I try to stay as calm as possible. “You’re the reason why I’m in this mess.” I glare down at him, his body shrinking as I walk him toward a wall.

  “I told you not to release that song. It wasn’t hacked, it was you.” My open hand hits the wall right beside his head, and his whole body visibly flinches.

  “I told you I was determined to keep you on top. Just wait! You’ll be on top, better than ever. You have to give it time.” He grins, straightening up as he thinks he can get to me by telling me about my career.

  He’s dead wrong. He can’t manipulate me that way anymore.

  “You wait.” He shakes his finger at me. “You’re going to be washed out without me. I’m the one who did all of your hard work. All you know how to do is drink and sing. With no one to lead you, you’ll be back sniffling in those allergies you have. Mark my words.”

  “Mark my words. I’m better off without you. Wait till everyone knows what you have done. You will never get a job in Nashville again,” I hiss as I try to keep my voice down.

  “Be careful of who you threaten, son. You might not like what happens.” His stocky body pushes past me as I let him go.

  The hairs on my neck stand up, but I keep my face rigid as I watch him leave. Dick has run my life for the last ten years. He knows more about me than I do. I start to mentally make notes of all my passwords that should be changed and people who need to be aware of the changes I’m implementing.

  I wouldn’t put it past Dick to give a tell-all on me. He’s money hungry, and I’m not sure where his limits lie.

  Calling my lawyer, I leave a message wanting Dick to sign a nondisclosure agreement, and I’ll throw in what I need for that. I’m not sure why I never considered having him sign one before.

  My hands run down my face, realizing I’ve placed more work on myself.

  CHAPTER 41

  Feeling as refreshed as possible from the hour nap I got on the plane, I make my way down the long corridor toward the gate. Sloan and Shay are both jumping up and down, greeting me. They waste no time before engulfing me with the biggest hugs the second I reach them, making me feel at home.

  I don’t remember the last time I had someone welcoming me off a plane. I get that cozy teddy bear feeling, and it’s almost too much. My eyes try to prickle with tears from the emotion overload and my overtiredness. I squeeze them back as hard as I can.

  “Thank you, girls. You didn’t have to come here.”

  Shay hands me a coffee in the same paper cup Rhett had the time we visited. “We won’t tell Rhett you actually like it better than Starbucks,” Sloan whispers to me, bumping my shoulder.

  The three of us chat like we’ve been best friends for years. I feel this connection with Rhett’s whole family. I have no doubt they would come to my aid if I ever asked.

  “We figured you must be exhausted, so we planned a whole spa day,” Shay informs me.

  “Don’t you dare refuse; I no longer have ankles but cankles. I need some massive work,” Sloan adds her input with a firm nod, as if she has the final word.

  Massage, manicure, pedicure, and getting my hair styled is precisely what I need. The whole idea makes my body want to float on air.

  *

  By the time the three of us walk out of the spa, I feel relaxed like my life isn’t in shambles.

  “What now?” I wonder out loud. I would have no objection to us going back to one of their houses and just vegging, doing nothing but watching a movie.

  “Nelly’s for some food. I’m starving.” Sloan rubs her belly. She honestly looks like she might burst at any time now, and I mean that in the nicest sense.

  Walking in, I see the Most Wanted sign again. I can’t help but stop in front of it to get a better look. “Kiptyn.” I allow his name to roll off my tongue. “That’s a unique name.” I look over toward the girls who are waiting for me to enter. “Is he from around here?” I try to ask innocently. Sloan and Kellen seem happy together; I don’t understand why she would have been outside with that guy.

  Sloan looks to Shay then to me. “He used to own a biker bar on the outskirts of town,” Shay says casually.

  The place isn’t as packed as last time we were here together, but at least half the tables are in use. As we grab a high table along the edge, our waitress comes and takes our drink orders immediately. I wish I could let this thing go about that poster, but I can’t keep in my curiosity.

  “What did he do to get the Most Wanted poster?” The two of them share a look, and I begin to feel like there is more to the story that there not wanting to share.

  “Looking to get back at Rhett?” Shay questions, but her voice doesn’t show any sourness, yet her asking makes me fidget. I feel like I’m under the microscope all of a sudden, and I hate the feeling.

  “Gosh no.” I hope she doesn’t mean that. The two girls eye me differently than before, causing my skin to heat from the awkwardness that just settled at our table. I guess this is the whole outsider thing people talk about in small towns.

  I don’t know how to bring up that I saw Sloan with him, but I also know this isn’t the right time. I wish I kept my mouth closed.

  “It’s okay, Shay.” Sloan brings my attention back to her. “He’s my cousin.”

  My mouth hangs open, not expecting to hear that.

  “Other than the Steeles, he’s the only family I have.”

  Now I feel like a jerk. Sloan gives me a tight smile.

  “You must miss him” is all I can manage to say, wishing I hadn’t bulldozed my way to this information.

  “Not much I can do about it.” She shrugs as our drinks are delivered, breaking up the awkward silence that follows.

  “Cheers to a girls night out!” Sloan says.

  It’s not long before we get our food, and I find myself telling the girls about how crazy the reporters are getting in Nashville. “I never found them intrusive before, and now I can’t go anywhere. It seems like the only time I can be normal is here in Three Rivers.” I’m easily falling in love with this small town. There seems to be something magical about it. The people are kind, never treating me differently.

  “Tonight’s special is Katie Couric’s interview with Rhett Steele.” The sound of the TV pulls my attention. I can’t help myself. As soon as I hear his name, I’m pulled directly to the man I want to hate.

  He’s looking incredibly sexy with his cowboy hat. And that sweet grin creates an aura of charm. Our table, including the whole pub, quiets down, listening to his interview. I know it must have taken a lot of guts for him to do that, but it doesn’t excuse what he did.

  “I’m impressed. Rhett has never put in any effort for anything in his life.” Shay’s voice draws me back to our table. “Singing came easy to him. The women who he used to date had no personality, becoming yes girls who held no challenge.” Her eyes are on the TV before they look toward me. “You honestly have changed my brother. I know this one interview doesn’t mean any of us expect you to run back to him, but for the first time, he is putting in an effort.”

  This might be true, but as she said, Rhett has never had to work at relationships. If I take him back now, he’ll just go and do something like this again, never realizing how much he’s hurt me.

  Once the interview ends, the sound in the pub goes up, but I can’t help feeling the eyes of the town on me. It’s unnerving. I can only imagine what th
e papers will start writing about me now.

  The pub doors open and in walks Officer Rhodes and a few other cops. They seem to be celebrating or happy about something. Both Shay and Sloan roll their eyes.

  “Why does no one in your family seem to like them?” I question, tilting my head toward the group.

  “They’ve been chasing after our family since the boys were in high school. Rumor has it, they are celebrating a confession from a serial killer who was picked up on the outskirts of town. They hauled poor Kellen in for it just to make his life miserable. You think he’ll get an apology? No way,” Shay answers in a hushed voice.

  *

  The three of us end the night by heading to Sloan’s. All of us were tired, wanting to go home, watch a movie, and put our feet up. Looking over, both Shay and Sloan are passed out with half the movie to finish.

  I wish I could fall asleep that easily. My last good sleep was here in Three Rivers. Since I’ve been home, I can’t sleep, the stress making me stay up all hours of the night. When I do fall asleep, I hope I don’t wake up in the middle of the night; otherwise, there’s no getting back to sleep. I’m lucky to get a few hours of shut-eye a night.

  Taking my phone out for the first time today, I see Rhett has left me a message. I want to delete it, but my fingers won’t listen to my head. Instead of speaking, he serenades me with a love song I know must be new, one he wrote for me. Tears fall onto my cheeks, and my palm wipes them way, refusing to cry over him.

  Then I notice a text message from Kellie.

  Camilla, sorry I’m the worst friend ever and haven’t called you. I hope you’re doing okay with the whole Rhett thing. I needed a break and had to get away. We will talk soon, xoxo.

  I read her message a few times, trying to come up with a response. Nothing comes to mind that doesn’t sound petty. I was worried, and she was out relaxing as her ex-boyfriend told me.

  Turning off my phone, I lay my head down, hoping that sleep will come easily tonight. Maybe if I trick my brain into thinking I’m watching a movie, it will cooperate.

  CHAPTER 42

  Every bulletin board within a five-mile radius of the airport has my ugly mug on it, with me holding flowers and a huge apology in bold letters that says Camilla Black, I am sorry. The gossip blogs have labeled me as a pussy who’s going down in a deep spiral that will end my career. They’re comparing me to Tom Cruise when he first got together with Katie Holmes. If this is how I win her back, I don’t care what anyone else says.

  After searching for her address, I finally came across someone who took pity on me. The address sits in my fingers for no longer than a minute before I’m on my way to see her. My hands are sweaty, but I keep my head high. Trying to come off as confident, I stroll right in after paying off the doorman, when I feel nothing in the realm of confidence.

  Knocking three loud times, I wait outside her door.

  “Go away, Rhett,” she calls not bothering to open the door.

  I look around, realizing she must have cameras somewhere here to see me. “Can I please come in? I really would like to talk to you.”

  “Mrs. Skunk and I have nothing to say to you.”

  Picking up my guitar, I start to sing to her. My words come out better when I’m strumming. I try to go for a ballad of sorts, hoping to come off a little comical to make her laugh too.

  “My name is Rhett. I come with wine.”

  I place wine at her door.

  “All in hopes to make you mine.

  Here I am to take my stand,

  to beg on my feet and hands.”

  I kneel at her door.

  “I’m here to say sorry for everything.

  I will stay here and sing,

  if you’ll consider making me your king.”

  My fingers stop strumming, and all I can hear is the beat of my heart. There’s no shuffling from the other side of the door, and I’m starting to think she walked away. “Please, Camilla, give me two minutes of your time so I can explain.”

  Leaning forward, my head rests on the door, holding my upper body weight. Without warning, she opens the door, causing me to fall forward right at her feet.

  “Rhett, I think you’re forgetting the reason this started. You needed me to be your Sharon Osborn, to keep you in line. I’m not stupid. I also know you chose me, because of my image and knowing you could fall back on my reputation as the Black Widow taking a bite out of you if things went wrong. I’m not stupid. Want to know why I agreed? And no, it’s not because you blackmailed me or moved in when you weren’t wanted.” She’s going off on me, her eyes lighting up like the fire I’ve lit under her. Her body trembles as she puts me in my place. Slowly, I start to stand as I keep listening to her.

  “I saw something in you that night that spoke to me, much like strays do, like Mrs. Skunk. You looked so lost and like you needed a friend. What I forgot was this was just a PR stunt to you, while I gave you my all, and it was too late when I realized it, because I couldn’t stop myself from loving you.”

  Hearing her say that she loves me out loud has me taking a step toward her, but she slams the door in my face. “I love you too, Camilla,” I tell her door as my fist hits it two times. Her words give me hope that I can still make this better, make this right between us.

  The media attention both Camilla and I are getting is out of control. I’ve seen how she has to run out of buildings to her car. She has what looks like a bodyguard by her side at all times, and her songs are all hitting the charts as more and more fans come to her defense. She is the first person to ever hold the top three songs.

  The radio stations are still boycotting my songs, and Dick is fighting how he was let go. Snow has hit Nashville, making me feel the frigid air more. I can’t find a concert location anywhere in Nashville, leaving the only place that is willing to host me in Three Rivers, at their annual Christmas lights celebration. Now I need a plan to get Camilla there, as I make a desperate attempt to get her to realize I am serious when I say I’m sorry.

  *

  I’ve missed Texas in the winter. The temperatures are comfortable to be outside. As a family, we’ve been rebuilding my parents’ house, and the construction is almost done. I’ve been here the last week and am honestly thinking I’m going to buy a house here for me.

  I’d forgotten how much I like privacy. I finally hired a new manager and a PR person, who seem to be helping. The radio stations not owned by the big corporations have slowly started to play my new song, the love song I wrote for Camilla. It took everyone, including myself, to give each station a personal phone call.

  “Is she coming?” I ask Sloan when I see her walk down with a hot casserole dish in her hands. Either Ma, Sloan, or Shay have been keeping us and anyone working on the house fed while the final construction touches are put on the rebuilt house.

  “Is who coming?”

  I stop everything and look at her, praying she didn’t forget to invite Camilla.

  “Kidding. You should see your face.” She laughs. “Yes, Camilla is on board for the baby shower. But I can’t promise she won’t leave as soon as she sees you.”

  “That’s fine. I can work with that. Thank you,” I say in all honesty as I take the dish from her.

  *

  The number of flowers I have been getting from Rhett builds each week as I continue to ignore him. I thought he would forget about me after a week of the silent treatment.

  His billboards keep popping up around Nashville, where I have to look at him each day.

  My daughter Leah is finally well enough to go home. This treatment seemed to have worked, but time will be the only way to tell. Her parents Jillian and Robert have been very welcoming toward me, allowing me to visit Leah. We have organized that Leah can call me on holidays, and we will all get together once a year on her birthday. When I first went to see her after it was leaked to the press, I was nervous for everyone’s reaction, especial Leah’s. But everyone was so welcoming, proving to me once again I made the right ch
oice. Jillian and Robert gave me a welcoming hug, while Leah screamed in high pitch excitement. She must have asked me and her parent’s two hundred questions that I answered to the best of my ability. For a little girl, Leah is so incredibly mature. She even told me she understands why I allowed her parents to adopt her, and thanked me. She feels so special that her parents chose her, unlike all other parents who don’t get a choice. I never thought about it that way. Her view on life is refreshing.

  Everything is coming together. My career has never been this strong. The only thing missing is the one person that should be by my side. Rhett.

  Maybe I do, do what the media says and suck the success out of my lovers. Look at Rhett—we weren’t even supposed to like each other, and here we are. I never planned on falling for him. But at the same time, I had a hard time not going with his crazy plan, because I knew he was the one to make the call and help get the ball rolling on my first signed contract. I’d never tell him I know that either. Maybe that’s why I let his first words to me slide, more than I normally would’ve.

  Next month, I was supposed to be going on the road to tour with Kellie, but with her disappearance from everyone, I have a feeling that won’t be happening anymore. I’ve gotten the occasional text message but nothing else. All of mine go unanswered most of the time.

  CHAPTER 43

  I’m jittery as hell as I walk through the free concert area, making sure everything is perfect. I could have never pulled this off without the help from my family. They all have gone leaps and bounds to help make sure I get my chance. Even my dad is starting to come around more, now that I’m making an effort to come home on a regular basis.

  The lighting of the Christmas lights is a huge event for our town. Every lamp post has decorations hung that will light up. The trees that have lost all their leaves have white lights on them, making them twinkle and shine, casting that perfect Christmas magic.