Our voices rose together at the end, and in the moment of silence that followed, applause and whistles rang out.
“Trent! You dog. You’ve been holding out on me.” Mason put his hands on his hips and mock-glared at me. “You’re awesome, dude.”
I shook my head. “Nah, I’m just messing around.” I stood up and tried to pull the guitar strap off my neck, but Crissy laid a hand on my arm.
“If you’re just messing around, then I can’t wait to hear what you sound like when you’re serious. Damn, baby. I want you up here playing with me tonight.” She looked over my shoulder. “You’re cool with that, Mase, right? I can hijack your man here to help me make some pretty music?”
Mason nodded. “Hell if I’m going to stand in the way of something that’s meant to be. Trent, Rocky can cover everything on the floor tonight. I’m going to run home for a while and see if I can give Rilla a break, but I may try to sneak back to hear you two tonight. I have a feeling it’s going to be something no one wants to miss.”
I’d texted Elizabeth earlier that I was going to be working late, and she’d responded, telling me she’d see me when I got home. I was almost tempted to tell her about the change in plans, that I was going to be on the stage, not behind the bar, but I chickened out; if I turned out to be an utter disaster, I really didn’t want her to witness that train wreck.
“You ready for this?” Crissy emerged from one of the back rooms that doubled as a dressing room during live gig nights. I was leaning against the wall, tapping the toe of my boot on the floor.
“I don’t know. I’m afraid I’m either going to throw up from nerves or completely melt down up there and forget everything we practiced this afternoon. Either way, I apologize ahead of time.”
Crissy laughed. “Stage fright is one thing I’ve never had to deal with. But after this year, I can safely say that nothing that could happen on the stage would surprise me.”
I remembered what Mason had said about her guitarist and publicist both being killed. “I don’t know how you went through that shit and still get up on stage now. I think I’d still be rocking in the corner, sucking my thumb.”
She gave me a half-smile. “The show must go on. Music is who I am, and there’s nothing else I want to do. I figure the best tribute I can pay Maddy and Dell is to keep on going.” She jerked her chin in the direction of the doorway to the club. “You have anyone out there tonight to hear you play?”
I shook my head. “No, I didn’t want to tell my wife in case I crash and burn. If it goes okay, I’ll tell her after.”
Crissy regarded me curiously. “Won’t she be hurt that you didn’t ask her to be here? I thought the whole purpose of being in a committed relationship was having someone there to console you in crash and burn scenarios.” She winked at me. “Not that you’re going to do that. You’re going to be great. Just relax and let the music flow.”
I quirked a dubious eyebrow. “For your sake, let’s hope it works that way.”
Darcy stuck her head around the doorway. “I’m about to introduce you. Y’all ready?”
I couldn’t answer for panic, but Crissy gave her a thumbs up. “Go for it. We’re good on this side.”
A few seconds later, we heard a shrill whistle followed by a hush falling over the club floor. Darcy’s voice floated back to us.
“Tonight we’re pleased and proud to welcome folk music sensation Crissy Darwin to the Road Block! Let’s give her a big Burton welcome!”
I was pathetically relieved that Darcy hadn’t said anything about me, but I didn’t have time to think about it before Crissy grabbed my hand and pulled me to the stage. The lights on us were bright and blinding, which was perfect since it meant I couldn’t see anyone in the audience. I found my chair, my borrowed guitar and settled myself in, breathing deep and begging myself not to pass out.
Crissy stood at the microphone, launching into an up tempo number as I tried to just keep up. I gave her some back up vocals on the chorus, and by the time we’d finished that first song, I felt better.
She segued into a slower song, a sort of teasing love song, before she took a short break to speak to the crowd, thanking them for coming out tonight.
“This is my first time in Burton, and I have to say . . . y’all are blowing off my socks!” The crowd roared, and Crissy laughed. “I want to thank Mason Wallace, who was one of the first people I knew in Nashville way back when. Mason’s always been supportive of my career, and I’m real tickled to be here playing his club.”
“Took you long enough!” I recognized the bellow from the back of the room and grinned. Apparently Mason had made it back in time to catch part of the show.
“Love you, too, baby!” Crissy shot back, and laughter followed. “I also need to say a real special thanks to my guitarist tonight. Ronnie Gardins, who’s been playing with me the last few months, got sick tonight, and your own hometown boy Trent Wagoner jumped in to help me. I think he’s doing a wonderful job, don’t you?”
I held my breath. There was every chance that her words would bring as many boos as cheers, but to my relief, I heard only polite applause and a few shouts of encouragement.
“This next song is one I always dedicate to my late friends Maddy and Dell. It’s about love and loss and moving on to find new hope. A new start. It’s called “After You”.”
Crissy moved back to sit next to me. She caught my eye and counted us in as we began the ballad I’d sung with her this afternoon.
I’d closed my eyes to forget about the audience, to focus on the music, but when I opened them in the middle of the chorus, I spotted Elizabeth standing at the edge of the stage. The lights were lowered, and I could see her clearly, watching me with soft eyes, her mouth curved into a delighted smile. I gave up on forgetting the crowd and instead concentrated on the face of the woman I loved more than life. The woman who was my life.
We finished the song to thunderous applause. Crissy led us through five more numbers before she again thanked the crowd, asked them to keep up with her through social media and said goodnight. To my surprise, she yanked me to my feet and made me take a bow as well before the lights went down and we left the stage.
“Oh, my God! That was the best show I’ve done in months.” Crissy clapped her hands as soon as we were back in the hallway. She turned and pulled me into a quick hug. “You were amazing. Seriously. We had so much energy on that stage.”
I laughed. “I was so freaking terrified, I don’t really remember much of it. I’m glad it was okay.”
“Okay? It was better than okay.” She spun on her heel as Mason opened the door and approached us. “Mason, tell him. Wasn’t he unbelievable?”
My boss grinned. “He was pretty damn good.” He punched me in the arm. “Of course, you weren’t as good as me.”
“Who’re you kidding—he was ten times better than you. Mase, no offense, buddy, but his vocals ran circles around yours.”
“Please, Crissy. No more gushing over me, or you’ll make me blush.” Mason rolled his eyes, then relented and slapped me on the back. “Dude, she’s right. You looked like you were born up on that stage.” He glanced down at the phone in his hand and sighed. “Okay, rock stars, you did good. Both of you. Crissy, it was pure pleasure hearing you again. I got to get back to the sick house before my wife runs off and leaves me. Oh, and speaking of wives . . .” He turned his head and looked back toward the door, where I spotted Elizabeth slipping through as Darcy showed her the way.
Everyone else disappeared. All I wanted to do was get to my wife, hold her close and share some of what had just happened. I had no idea how she’d come to be here, but I was glad she had been; the night wouldn’t have been complete if she hadn’t come to the bar to watch me.
“Baby.” I caught her in my arms and swung her around. “How did you know?”
“Mason texted me.” She raked her fingers through my hair, wrinkling her nose when she found it still damp with sweat. “My only question is, why didn’t you
?”
I exhaled hard. “I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out. I was scared shitless, babe. If I’d screwed it up, I didn’t want you having a front-row seat.” I held her face between my hands and kissed her, coaxing her lips apart and tracing the inside of her mouth with my tongue. Turned out performing made me horny as hell. If we’d been alone in this hallway, no telling what I might’ve done.
“Ahem.” Crissy came over to us, smiling big as she chugged a bottle of water. “Hey, there. You must be Trent’s wife.” She winked at me. “At least I hope you are. I’m Crissy.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I am the wife, for sure.” She squeezed my hand. “I’m Elizabeth Hudson. Nice to meet you, Crissy. Your show was amazing.”
“Thanks. Your husband here was a big part of that.” The singer paused for a moment. “I’m going to be in town a few more days. I want to see Mason’s family and take a few days of downtime. Think we could meet for lunch tomorrow? Say, about one, right here?”
I glanced at Elizabeth. “Sure. I can do that. I’ll be here anyway, working.”
“Cool.” Crissy held out her fist for me to bump. “I have to go find Trina and Roland, and then I’m heading out to my bus to get some rest. See you both later. Trent, thanks again for stepping in. You rocked the joint.”
“Thanks. I appreciate the chance. Kind of a once-in-a-lifetime deal, you know? Something I can tell my grandchildren.”
Crissy shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. We’ll talk. Bye, now.” She went back into her dressing room, and I shifted to face Elizabeth.
“I still have to hang out until closing, to make sure everything runs smoothly. Can you stay with me?”
She nodded. “I can do that. Just remember, if I ask you to pour me shots of Jameson’s, say no.” She looked a little queasy, and I remembered her first night here.
“You got it, sweetheart. C’mon, I’ll get you set up out here.”
We were wending our way to the bar when someone caught my arm. “Trent. Shit, man, you were awesome tonight.”
Flynn Evans stood up from his table to talk with me. I hesitated a few seconds before I took the hand he held out. “Thanks, Flynn. I appreciate it. Just filling in for the regular guy.”
“I’d totally forgotten you played in high school.” The woman who poked her head around him had light brown hair and was heavily pregnant. Ali beamed at me. “And I’d forgotten how good you are.”
“Thank you.” I was relieved that seeing Ali Reynolds—Ali Evans, I reminded myself—didn’t affect me one bit. She was just an old friend, someone I’d once known.
“Hey, Trent.” From the other side of the table, Sam Reynolds waved, and his wife looked distinctly uncomfortable. I wondered why. “Nice job tonight.”
“Thanks,” I repeated. I didn’t know what else to say until I remembered Elizabeth standing next to me, still holding my hand. “Oh, uh, this is Elizabeth.” I glanced at her and made a decision. “My wife, Elizabeth.”
There was silence around the group for a minute, and then Ali laughed. “Okay, this is ridiculous. We all know Elizabeth is your wife. Maureen spilled the beans.” She smiled big. “Congratulations, Trent. And it’s wonderful to meet you, Elizabeth.”
“Why don’t you guys sit down and join us?” Sam nudged out a chair. “We’re just having drinks and bar food.”
“Thanks, but I need to get back to work. Mason had to go home to check on Rilla and the kids.”
Ali leaned forward as far as her enormous stomach would let her. “Elizabeth, why don’t you sit down with us, at least? We can get to know you while Trent’s finishing up.”
She glanced up at me, as if for permission, but before I could say yes or no, she spoke. “I’d love that. Thanks so much.”
I wasn’t sure how I felt about Elizabeth hanging out with people who’d known the old Trent. People who remembered all too well what I’d been like before last year. But on the other hand, I’d have to get used to this, if we were going to make a life in Burton. I’d have to learn to trust that each day of being a new person, a better man, would bury a little bit more of the old one.
I kissed the top of Elizabeth’s head as she sat down in the chair Flynn had dragged over. “Have fun. I’ll send y’all over a round of drinks.” A small cheer went up as I walked away, smiling.
It was weird, but I had to admit, I was beginning to feel like I finally belonged in my own hometown.
WATCHING MY PARENTS DRIVE AWAY that morning while I rested safely in the circle of Trent’s arms, I finally felt a measure of peace, a sense that I was where I was meant to be. Seeing my mother and father had been a huge surprise, of course, but being open with them at last, sharing who I really was instead of who I thought they wanted me to be? That had been freeing in a way I’d never imagined. I hadn’t understood up until last night how much of my life I’d lived trying to make other people happy.
That was over, now. As soon as Trent took off for the Road Block—after giving me a searing kiss that promised we’d make up for lost time, and soon—I got dressed and headed into the office. Since it was Saturday, I didn’t have any appointments, but I planned to catch up on some correspondence and begin the process of listing the practice for sale.
The old building was quiet when I let myself in. One of the biggest perks of coming in on the weekends was a total lack of Gladys, who was a stickler for keeping to her regimented work hours. Actually, she was a stickler for just about everything . . . which, I decided, was why she was such a thorn in my side.
I’d apologized over and over for losing my temper. I’d tried to explain how I felt, without excusing what I’d done, I’d used every form of conflict resolution I’d ever been taught and I’d offered every olive branch at my disposal. Nothing worked. Gladys didn’t speak to me unless it was absolutely necessary and related to the practice of law. She never looked at me, even when she did speak, and she ignored me if I tried to initiate conversation.
Consequently, being at the office during the week had become something I dreaded even more than I had before my blow up. I’d only gone in if it was absolutely necessary, and I’d been spending more and more time at Kiki’s and the library. It was a bad situation, I knew. Something had to give, and I was pretty sure it was going to be me.
I settled in at my desk and flipped through my messages and letters. I’d just begun to type a response when my phone buzzed; it was Maureen, sending me an updated picture of the dog I’d hit. Or more accurately, the dog who’d hit me. He had made an amazing recovery and won the hearts of everyone at the clinic. There was still no word from his owner, although Smith and Maureen had posted signs around town and pictures on social media.
I was just tapping out a response to her text when I heard a sound at my office door. Will Garth stood there, leaning inside. “Knock, knock. Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. I knocked at the main door, but I guess you didn’t hear.”
“No, and my dragon lady isn’t here to not tell me someone’s on his way in. Sit down?” I pointed to my visitor chair, across the desk.
“Just for a minute.” He sprawled in the chair the way only men seem to do. “I saw your car out front and thought I’d check in. You haven’t been around much lately.”
“No.” I fiddled with a pen on my desk. “The atmosphere around these parts has been less than friendly. I practically get a stress ulcer just from walking in the door. So I’ve been working at home or at the library. And then drowning my sorrows in pastries over at Kiki’s.”
“That sucks. Why don’t you just fire her?”
I sighed and leaned my chin on my hand. “Can’t. I agreed to keep her on for at least a year when I bought the practice.” I hesitated. “But I think it’s about to become a moot point. Don’t tell anyone yet, but I’m planning to sell the practice.”
Will frowned. “Why? Because of that bitch? Don’t let her get to you. Want me to have a talk with her?”
“No, thanks.” I shook my head. “And it’s not her. Well, it’s not
just her. I’m finally in a place where I’m ready to admit how much I hate being a lawyer.”
He nodded. “Okay. So what’re you going to do next?”
“That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? I’m not sure. I have some ideas, but nothing’s solid yet.”
“And here I was going to harass you about that interview you’ve never given me. Guess I’ll have to change the headline from ‘Burton’s Newest Legal Eagle’ to . . .” He paused for a minute, thinking. “‘Changes Afoot for Burton’s Former Lady Lawyer.’”
“Ugh! No.” I laughed, tossing my pen at him. “You’ll get no interview from me with that headline, buddy.” My phone vibrated again, and I glanced at Maureen’s response. “Hey, you’re not by any chance in the market for a dog, are you?” I turned the screen toward him. “Isn’t this guy gorgeous?”
Will leaned up and squinted. “He really is. Is he yours?”
“Nah. I just ran into him. Literally. On the highway outside town. Well, actually he ran into me, but no one seems to understand how important a distinction that is.” I dropped my phone back onto the desk. “He’s fine, though. We just can’t find his owner, and he’s really too big for Maureen and Smith to keep at the clinic much longer. Oh—maybe you could run something in the paper about him. You know, a feature story, some pictures . . . might either suss out his owner or find him a new one.”
“Sure.” Will shrugged. “Animal stories are always popular. I could run over there now and take some photos. Want to come with?”
I bit the corner of my lip. I hadn’t been upfront with Will about my marital status, and while we’d had a friendly flirtation—more friend on my side, more flirt on his—I didn’t want to mislead him. “I think I’d better stay here and get the rest of my work done.”
“Oh, come on.” He stood up and eased a hip onto my desk, his green eyes a little too warm for my comfort. “We’ll interview the dog, and then I could take you to lunch afterward. Have you been out to the Road Block yet? They make a mean burger.”
Always My Own (Always Love Trilogy #2) Page 18