She could be anywhere. I pick up my phone and type “Teddy Nashville” into Google. How many Teddy’s could there be. It’s an old name. Hell, I have no idea how to find her, and my search only leads me to some dude who’s definitely not the silver angel I’m looking for.
I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the phone as I close the search engine. The dark circles and eye bags are getting monstrous. I open my camera app and turn it around to see my face. Studying it, I swear I have a few more wrinkles than last week. Fuck. I might be trying to turn over a new leaf, but I still want to look good when they place my stiff body in the impeccable, new William Westmancott bespoke suit I plan to wear as I’m leaving this world.
A heavy rain starts to pound down on the RV.
A sudden knock on my bedroom door draws my attention. “Yeah,” I reply half-heartedly.
Derek slides the door open and stares at me for a moment. “We were going to head out for some breakfast, but with this rain, I think maybe we can hold off for a while. It might pass, but I know you need to take your medicine. You look like shit. How’re you feeling?”
“I’m fine. My stomach is a little upset right now.” I push the curtain back, holding it with my hand, and look up at the sky. Big, thick clouds of gloom have spread across the city. “I don’t think this is going to roll out of here anytime soon. Welcome to spring.”
Right before I let the curtain fall back, I see her. Teddy. She’s standing at the front of the church lot we’re parked in. I get to my knees on the bed as fast as I can and slide the curtain all the way to the end of the rod for a better look.
Yep. It’s her.
Pushing Derek out of my way, I throw the door open and run frantically toward her in my socks.
“Teddy. Teddy,” I holler, waving my hand at her. Jesus, why did we have to park in the farthest corner of the lot? It’s not like I’m out of shape. Hell, before I got sick, I worked out every day. I was a solid wall of muscle. But this fucking cancer is killing me.
Teddy starts to turn, looking left and right, probably to decide which way she should run.
“Don’t leave. Wait.”
She turns back to me and stands still with her arms crossed waiting, as the rain soaks her hair and clothes. When I reach her, I have to bend over and catch my breath. I raise my finger to let her know I need another minute. I stand up straight, but my hand flies to my chest as a bad spasm wracks it.
“Jesus Christ, don’t die on me here. Take your time.”
My eyes flash to hers. Does she know I’m dying? Do I look that sickly and bad?
“Are you all right? I’ve been worried sick about you,” I wheeze in between the words as I speak.
Her brow wrinkles in confusion. “Me? Why? You don’t know me.”
“No, but I know what that piece of gutter trash you were living with can do to women, and I was worried, OK? He should be putting you on that stage instead of trying to get it on with the new talent.”
“Are you a talent agent? You know, for that guy who plays the steel guitar,” her voice takes on a higher pitch, and her eyes sparkle.
“Hell no. I just like the way he plays and offered to give him a ride to Nashville.”
“Oh, I thought maybe you were a talent agent,” she says, her shoulders droop and any excitement that was in her eyes before fades quickly. “Well, as you can see, I’m fine so you don’t have to worry anymore.” She turns and starts to walk away.
“You got a place to stay and some food? A job to help you out, maybe?” I ask.
Though her back is to me, I see her body go stiff.
The rain pelts down on both of us. She turns her head slightly and asks over her shoulder, “What do you care?”
“I’m just trying to do some good deeds on this planet. Pay it forward or something like that. How can I help you?”
“If you aren’t a talent agent, then you can’t help me.” She shoves her hands underneath her soaked sweatshirt to keep them warm and walks away slowly.
“Like I said before, you need anything, you come to the black RV,” I holler at her back as she crosses the street and disappears into the alley.
She doesn’t raise her hand this time to acknowledge me or anything. Some people are just too damn stubborn for their own good. I make my way back across the parking lot in my sopping wet socks, cursing every now and again when I step on a pebble.
Day 11
Sorry I haven’t journaled in a few days. The road adventure kind of came to a standstill the minute we pulled into Nashville, while other adventures have taken off. I’m not sure which ones I should detail here, but after thinking about it, I say “fuck it”. You’re going to hear about them all moving forward, but I’ll start with the most recent developments.
After chasing down Teddy in the middle of a storm, then choking down some breakfast, I got a call from Rising Star Records. It seems they want to meet with Luke, so I set it up for tomorrow morning. They offered to send a car, but I think we’ll show up stylin’ in my Benz, so they know where to start the bidding. I won’t let them undervalue his talent.
I want to get him started on the right track, but I also want to get on with my own adventures. This town has been great for a few days, but I’m ready to leave.
On the Teddy front, well, I don’t know what to say. There’s something there my brain won’t let go of. I’ve never helped a damsel in distress before. I’m not even sure she’s in distress because she won’t tell me anything. Most women I know tell me their whole fucking story in one night. This chick’s like a clam. I’m going to have to pry the pearl out of her because she won’t give it up easily.
But just like Luke, fate seems to have placed her on this adventure, and I need to make sure we all make it through. If I ever see her again, that is. God knows she’s a constant on my mind. With every ounce of hope I have left, I pray I get one more chance to see her.
8
Carter
“I feel like a horse's ass in this outfit, Carter,” Luke whines at me.
With a roll of my eyes, I step away and survey how he looks in one of my suits and a tie. We are pretty damn close in size.
But he’s right. He does look unnatural.
“Fine,” I relent, frowning. “Wear whatever makes you comfortable, Luke.”
“Thank you, sweet baby Jesus,” he says, tugging the silk Armani tie off and chucking it aside. I snatch it up and place it back in the drawer, wondering how the hell he’s made it so far not knowing how to care for a tie. Knowing he needs some privacy, I move to the living area of the Beastmaster and flop down next to Molly.
“He’s worse than a damn woman,” Derek says, jerking a thumb in the direction of my room where Luke is probably tugging a red, plaid shirt over his head.
I laugh with him, wincing as my head throbs. I clutch at it, wanting to rock back and forth in the fetal position until the pain passes.
“Fuck,” I hiss, my eyes watering.
“Carter, you OK?” Derek is on his feet, standing over me, his hand on my shoulder. My breath is deep and ragged for a moment before I get my shit together, and the pain subsides.
“Yeah,” I say after a moment, shaking my head, my hands twitching. That was a real bitch. I frown at my fingers, a strange tingling in them.
“You sure? You look like something’s wrong,” Derek pressed, concern written all over his face.
“I have a fucking brain tumor and six months to live. Of course, something’s wrong,” I mutter.
“No need to be a dick about it,” Derek volleys back, rolling his eyes at me. I let out a soft chuckle at him. I’ve got to hand it to him, he doesn’t put up with my shit. With Derek on my case, I know I can’t sit around feeling sorry for myself.
Before I can retort because calling him an ass feels right in that moment, Luke comes out of the bedroom looking as country as a fucking sack of potatoes.
“I’m surprised you didn’t go with the red plaid,” I say, nodding at him.
He
grins, his eyes twinkling. “Blue plaid seemed more formal.”
“Is that a Chevy belt buckle?” Derek asks, a dark eyebrow raised.
“Sure is,” Derek proclaims, lifting his girl into his arms. It’s hard to suppress my laughter, so I clap him on the shoulder.
“You ready to do this?”
“No,” he breathes out. “But yeah. It’s now or never.”
“Then let’s go change some lives, Luke Boyd.”
Glen Andrews, owner of Rising Star Records, stares wordlessly at Luke as he finishes crooning an original he’s been working on. The blissful sounds of honky-tonk heaven and the good life are still hanging in the air around us.
Glen doesn’t need to say a word. His answer is in his eyes. I think it’s important to look into someone’s eyes to learn all I need to know. And Glen Andrews’s eyes have dollar signs dancing in them.
“You are truly incredible, Mr. Boyd. We’d love to work with you.”
Luke’s eyes are the size of saucers as he glances between me and Glen.
“Are you shittin’ me?” he chokes out, causing me to snort, but I cover it with a cough.
Glen grins at him and offers him a nod. “I’m absolutely serious, Mr. Boyd. We could make you a star. Although, with talent like that, I’d say you’re already one. You just need the backing. Do you have an agent?”
“Uh,” Luke looks over at me, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
“I’m representing Mr. Boyd until other arrangements are made,” I say. Relief washes over Luke’s face at my words.
“Carter George.” Glen drums his fingers on his desk. “I didn’t ask before, but are you the same real estate tycoon Carter George out of New York? The billionaire?”
If I thought Luke’s eyes were wide before, they’re nothing compared to the size they are now after hearing Glen’s words.
“This isn’t a dick measuring contest,” I say.
Glen chuckles at me and nods. “I thought it was you. You’re a ruthless man, Mr. George.”
“We’re both in the business of making dreams come true, Glen,” I say with a wide smile. “Most of the time, they’re my dreams I’m concerned with, but I know talent when I see it. Luke deserves to be given a chance. I’m here to ensure he gets it.”
Glen looks to Luke. “How the hell did you, a country boy from nowhere West Virginia, meet up with the likes of Mr. George?”
“Fate,” Luke answers, cradling his guitar. “And Wal-Mart.”
Glen lets out a laugh. The man isn’t a bad guy. He’s fair and to the point. I like that about him.
“So, what’s the deal going to be, Glen? You going to hook my friend Luke up with that contract?”
“You know what,” Glen says, shuffling some papers. “I think I am.”
Luke jumps into the air, whooping his joy with tears streaming down his face. Before I react, his arms are around me, and he’s clinging to me.
“Thank you,” he chokes out into my neck as he hugs me tighter.
I give him a quick hug, laughing as he pulls away. I’ve never seen such joy in my life. It lights my heart up. Glen is grinning just as widely as we are.
“Do I even need to ask if you’re interested in signing with us?” Glen asks, a twinkle in his dark eyes.
“Oh, I’m interested,” Luke says, finally settling down.
“I think it’s time to talk numbers.” I’ve gone from excited fairy fucking godmother to cutthroat businessman.
“Let’s talk numbers.” Glen sits back in his seat as I lean forward in mine.
If I wanted to, I could own his record company in thirty seconds. We both know who’s really in charge.
But I smile and give the man a chance to wow me.
“Carter George, did my mama send you down from heaven to do this?” Luke asks in a choked-up voice as we sit in the Beastmaster later that night, celebrating the incredible deal I’d just gotten for Luke. There were so many zeros Luke had to ask me how much money it really was.
I give Luke a smile, my heart warming knowing I’ve helped him. Whenever I’d tear down a company, I was filled with an emptiness. I’d drink to it and fuck my way to feeling good. But now, in this moment, my heart is full. I’m happy. It’s a feeling I’m not familiar with so I sit with a glass of whiskey in my hand, a shit-eating grin on my face, and enjoy Luke’s excitement.
“Carter can talk his way into anything,” Derek proclaims, grabbing his glass. “He’s your man for all trade deals.”
“A man I’ll be forever grateful to,” Luke says, raising his glass in my name. “To Carter George.”
Derek follows suit, saying my name, and my fucking eyes get misty.
“Don’t cry, ya big baby,” Derek teases. I flip him off with one hand while I dry my eyes with the other.
The laughter dies down for a moment, and I’m able to pull myself together. Luke has grown quiet.
“You OK?” I ask him as he stares into his drink.
“I don’t think I can do this.”
“What?” Derek and I say in unison.
“Why can’t you? It’s your dream—” I start, but he shakes his head and looks to Molly who’s enjoying a new chew toy. Sensing his eyes on her, she cocks her head, her tongue lolling out.
“I can’t leave Molly. I don’t have a home for her. It’s the same situation as it was back home. It’ll be too busy for me to care for her the way I should. I can’t just up and walk out on her.”
I look between Molly and Luke. I don’t even need to think twice about it. “We’ll keep her for you. When you’re ready, you’ll know where to find her. Right, Derek?”
Derek grins, nodding his head.
“See? It’s settled. Molly stays with us, and you go make those dreams happen.”
It’s Luke’s turn to get misty-eyed. “Are you serious?”
“Do you even need to ask that?”
“Thank you, Carter.” He moves to me and wraps me in a one-armed hug. “Thank you.”
I give his back a pat. “What are friends for?”
We break apart, and I discretely wipe at my eyes again. Friends. Real friends. It’s certainly nice to be able to say I’m starting to actually make some. The rest of the evening is spent in laughter and comfort with my two friends. It’s the last night we’ll be together like this. I sit back and watch as the guys chuckle and talk about their exes. Luke jots notes in his notebook, no doubt a song brewing in his heart over our tales. I chime in every now and then with a story of my own, stories that seem unbelievable but are absolutely true.
The feeling hits me hard. I’ve never actually loved like my friends have. I’ve screwed many women, but love? Hell, I don’t even know if I love my own mother.
My eyes drift across the dark church parking lot, my mind on the green-eyed angel I’d only briefly exchanged words with. Wherever she is, I hope she’s safe. Not knowing is eating me up inside. Since it’s our last night here before we bid Luke farewell, my heart is heavy. There’s something about Teddy that has me feeling things like butterflies and…hope?
I’m not sure what the feeling is.
But damn, what I wouldn’t give to find out.
9
Carter
After setting Luke up in a hotel for a few nights and leaving him some cash to survive on until everything comes through from the record company, we bid him farewell amid hugs and manly tears. We exchange numbers, so at least we’ll be able to keep in touch.
“That was awesome,” Derek says as we pull away from the Hermitage Hotel where we left Luke. “You’re a good guy, Carter.”
“Not really.” I smile sadly as we pass through the city. “But I’m working on it.”
Derek shoots a grin at me before focusing on the road. My mind wanders to Teddy, my eyes scouring the passersby, wondering where she is. I frown as fat raindrops begin pelting the window of the Beastmaster.
Derek turns the wipers on high and leans forward in his seat a little more. As we travel out of Nashville, the rain starts p
ounding harder, making it near impossible to see.
“Shit,” Derek hisses as we slow down.
We’re getting close to the highway. In front of us is a woman in a short white sundress and brown cowboy boots with a guitar case slung over a shoulder and a suitcase in the other hand. She’s walking with her head down. As we drive closer to her, I turn so I can see her, knowing that walk even though I’ve only seen it a handful of times. The way her ass moves in a dress has been carved into my mind for eternity.
Teddy.
“Pull over!” I shout at Derek.
He looks at me like I’m a crazy man but does as I say. I rush to the door and throw it open just as Teddy nears us.
“Teddy!” I shout into the wet, gray world, a veil of rain cascading down between us. Her head snaps up, and she looks in my direction. She hesitates for just a moment before she approaches the Beastmaster and peers up at me, her dark hair and clothes drenched, mascara running down her cheeks.
“Need a ride?” I ask, reaching my hand out for her to take. She studies it for a moment before her lips part, uncertainty in her eyes.
“I’ll take you wherever you want to go,” I continue, silently begging her to take my hand. “Where you headed?”
“Anywhere but here,” she says in that sweet voice of hers, sending goosebumps straight to my heart, causing it to jolt in my chest.
“You’re in luck, sweetheart. We’re on our way to Nowhere, USA, and we have room for one more.” I take a step down so we’re closer, my hand still extended.
A tiny smile quirks up on her plump lips before she places her hand in mine. I tug her up the step. We’re so close I can feel the chill from the rain on her.
“Sounds like you’re heading in the right direction,” she says, shivering.
I grin and lead up her up into the Beastmaster. Then I take her bag and guitar from her.
“That’s the plan.” Derek throws some kitchen towels down on the floor to soak up the rain dripping from her clothes, while I get some towels from the bathroom for her hair. Molly barks at Teddy, not comfortable yet with the new stranger in her space.
Sweetest Obsessions - Anthology Page 65