by Vega, W. H.
I’ve really gone all out tonight in the wardrobe department, dressed in a bright red dress with sexy black heels. Christmas is only four days away, and I’m ready to celebrate.
Blake comes running out onstage, wearing a fresh shirt and looking handsome as ever.
“Y’all know my fiancé, Blake Evans?” I yell into the mic.
The crowd whoops and hollers. Blake says hello and we get right into our songs. After we sing our three numbers together, we take a few more bows and thank our hometown for all their support.
“Oh my gosh! I’m so glad that we have a break now!” I exclaim, as we step into the stage wings.
“Me too! I’m beat!” Blake agrees.
We part ways for a few minutes to pack our belongings, and then we begin loading everything into our cars.
“I wish we could go home together,” I whisper, as Blake pulls me in for a hug outside my running car.
“Soon, baby, soon.”
We still hadn’t heard back about our bid on the house. I was prepared to offer more if they didn’t take our first offer, but I knew Blake was hoping we wouldn’t have to.
I give Blake a final kiss, and we agree to talk tomorrow. I get into my car and pull away, turning in the direction of my father’s house, and watching Blake’s truck disappear in the opposite direction towards his parents’ house.
When I’m about a mile from the arena, a car tears out behind me, wheels squealing, and starts tailgating me.
“What the hell?” I mutter, switching lanes.
The car switches lanes too and then throws it’s high beams on. Cursing, I tilt my rear view mirror up, and switch lanes again, but the car swerves out behind me again, coming nearly right up to the bumper of my car.
That’s when I see a flash of red in my mirror.
Shaking, I quickly dial Blake and put him on speaker.
“Hello?”
“Blake! There is a car following me, riding my ass with its high beams on and I’m almost certain it’s Savannah.”
“What?” His voice is a mixed one of shock and anger.
“It has to be her. She pulled out behind me just out of the arena, and now she’s driving like a maniac. It’s a little red car.”
“That crazy bitch!” he yells. “Hang up with me and call the police. I’m turning around now and coming behind you!”
Trembling, I hang up and call the police. I’m a tolerant person, but this bitch has messed with me for the last time.
Twenty Six
Blake
Driving like a bat out of hell, I turn my car around right in the middle of the road and start flying down in the opposite direction, taking the roads that I know Paige takes home. I don’t know what the hell has gotten into Savannah and I don’t give a damn at this point.
She's crossed one too many lines, and this shit is going to stop tonight.
I continue to race down the road, hoping that Paige has gotten in touch with the police and that they are on their way. Better yet, I hope the police arrive before I do because if I confront Savannah, I could wind up in jail, that’s how angry I am at the moment.
I barrel through a red light, and curse again not realizing how far I had traveled in the opposite direction before I got Paige's call. I see the flashing lights of a police car on the side of the road, and I slam on my brakes, inhaling sharply. At first, I think there is an accident, but as I approach, I see that it’s just two cars pulled over.
Paige’s SUV sits parked on the side, and right behind that is Savannah’s red sports car, and behind that is the police cruiser. I swerve in front of Paige’s car, and then jump out, hurrying along the side of the road.
“Blake!” Paige throws herself at me, and I catch her as she lets out a sob. “I’m done! I can’t deal with this anymore!”
I look over and see the officer trying to calm down a crazed Savannah.
“She took my fiancé!” Savannah is screaming, her hair waving wildly as the officer is restraining her from running after Paige. “She has to pay!”
I stop, and feel my mouth drop open. Savannah is literally unhinged. For the first time, I think that there may actually be something seriously wrong with her.
“She’s not right,” I whisper to Paige.
“Of course she’s not right,” Paige snaps, “she’s a psychotic bitch.”
“No, I mean that she seems literally crazy. I think she’s had a break down or something.”
“Alright miss, I’m going to have to take you into the precinct for some questioning,” the officer says, pushing Savannah into the back of the cruiser. She yells louder and than her screams are drowned out by the slamming of the door.
The officer walks over towards us. Clearly, he and Paige have already spoken.
“I’m Blake Evans,” I introduce, pulling Paige protectively against me, “This is my fiancé, Paige Lawson.”
“Yes,” says the officer, “Paige and I have spoken.” He gives us an apologetic grin. “And I’m a big fan of both of yours,” he says, bowing his head slightly.
“Oh, uh, thanks.”
“Look, I take it here that your ex-fiancé over there is having a hard time dealing with things. Has she been causing problems before this?”
“Yes!” Paige answers quickly. “She’s been harassing us for months.” She looks over at me and I nod, allowing Paige to continue. “She’s shown up at our houses, her parents have shown up to confront Blake, she’s called us when we’ve asked her to stop.” She pauses for a moment.
The officer nods and jots a few notes down. “Alright. I’m going to take her in for questioning. Not sure if there is enough here to charge her with something, but can we call either of you if we need to?”
“Yes, absolutely.” I give Paige a reassuring smile.
“Great. Y’all get home safely now, you hear?”
We nod and I walk Paige back to her car.
“It’s fine. Hopefully this is the end of it,” I say soothingly.
“It will be the end of the things,” she says fiercely, “I’m done with her trying to interfere with things. I mean it, Blake. It stops here.”
“I agree. Are you alright to drive home?”
“I’m fine.” She sinks into my arms, and I hug her and give her a lingering kiss.
“Call me and let me know you got in okay. Alright?”
“I will.”
I stand on the side of the road and watch her drive away. Once her car has disappeared, I slowly walk back to my truck and turn around to head home.
Paige snuggles up next to me on the couch, enjoying the fire roaring in Kenny’s fireplace. Christmas carols are playing through discreet speakers built into the walls, and everyone around us seems happy and relaxed.
Including us.
We spent the last few days putting the Savannah drama behind us for good, and now it's Christmas Eve and we're relaxing with family, ready to enjoy the holidays.
I see Paige watching her mother and Jackson across the room. We're celebrating Christmas with them tomorrow morning, and then Marybeth is heading back to Bristol to spend the rest of the day with Paige’s grandmother at the rehab facility.
“They look happy, don’t they?” Paige asks quietly, following my gaze.
“Yes, they do.”
“I doubt they’re as happy as we are,” she teases, running her hand along the inside of my pants.
“Watch it,” I warn, feeling my body warm up instantly. She chuckles and withdraws her hand. “Are you sure you’re okay with everything?” I ask again.
“Blake,” she sighs, “I’m fine. It’s over, so let’s not talk about it anymore.”
Savannah hadn't been arrested, but Paige and I had been granted a rushed restraining order thanks to a judge who knew Kenny. And who was probably also one of the only judges not influenced by the Devlin and Prescott families. And not only did the restraining order apply to Savannah, it also applied to both of her parents.
If the Devlins thought they were embarrass
ed before, they were a hundred times more humiliated now. It made front-page news that the Devlin family had been issued a restraining order against Paige and I.
At the last minute hearing yesterday, a mortified Mrs. Devlin promised Paige and I that her family would not bother us again. Clearly, they thought they could get away with harassing us without any retribution. Jeffrey Devlin had also mumbled something about getting Savannah the help she needed.
It turns out that even in Nashville, with all the money in the world, you can’t always buy your way out of things.
My phone buzzes and I pull it out.
“It’s Cici,” I say to Paige.
Her face lights up hopefully. We are still waiting to hear about our bid on the house in Belle Meade.
“Hello?” I say.
“Merry Christmas, Blake! How are you?”
“Merry Christmas, Cici. I’m great. How are you?”
“I’m doing well, thanks.” I can hear her smiling through the phone. “I have a very special Christmas present for youuuu.”
“Yes?”
Paige is literally hanging on my every word.
“Your offer was accepted! The house is yours!”
“Hot damn! That’s great news!” I nod at Paige and she lets out a little whoop and jumps off the couch.
“Just wanted to let you know. I’ll be in touch with you next week to go over details, contracts, attorney review, and other closing stuff.”
“Okay. Great! Thanks so much, Cici. You’re the best!”
"Congratulations! And have a wonderful holiday." Cici says cheerfully.
We hang up and Paige gives me a huge hug and kiss. “Oh my god! I can’t believe we got the house!”
She runs over to tell her mother, who gives her a huge hug and then she yells the news across the room to Kenny and Daisy.
“So, what else did Cici say?” she asks, coming back over to me, her eyes bright.
“Just that she’ll be in touch next week and we can work out the details of the closing.”
“That is the best Christmas present ever,” she squeals.
I pull her in and hug her. As sappy as it sounds, I feel like our life together is finally starting to fall into place.
The buzzing of my phone rips me from my sleep, and I fumble on my nightstand for it. It’s still dark outside, and a quick glance at my clock tells me it’s almost four in the morning.
“Hello?” I croak.
“Blake!” Paige’s voice is a broken sob.
I dart up in bed, my head quickly clearing. “Paige? What is it?”
“My grandma,” she chokes. “She’s – she’s dead.”
It takes me a moment to process what she’s said, and I rake my hand through my messy hair.
“Oh god, Paige. I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”
“I need to go to Bristol,” she weeps.
“Okay, okay. Look, let me shower and pack a bag and I’ll be right over to get you. We’ll head up right away.”
She hiccups. “O-okay. Thank you. I love you.”
“Love you too, baby.”
I end the call and jump out of bed. I flip my light on and pull out my duffel bag and start throwing clothes inside. It’s two days before New Year’s Eve, and we still have a week before we’re due back on tour. I’m sure that all the funeral arrangements will happen before we have to be back on our schedule.
I haphazardly toss clothes in the bag, and then pull out a suit and dress shoes. I try to be quiet as I make my way down the hall to the bathroom, but my mother emerges from her room, bleary eyed and pulling a robe around her.
“Blake? Is everything okay?”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. Paige’s grandmother just died. I’m going to take a quick shower and then we’re heading up to Bristol.”
“Oh gosh! I’m so sorry to hear that! Can we do anything?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think so, but thanks for offering.”
“Poor Paige,” she murmurs. “Well, keep in touch with us and let us know if we can help. Your father and I will try to make it up for the services.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
I give her a quick kiss and head into the bathroom.
I shower and dress in no time, and the roads are deserted at this hour. It’s still dark outside and Christmas lights twinkle at me from many of the houses. It’s just after five when I pull up in front of Paige’s house. Before I can knock, Kenny pulls the door open.
“Come on in,” he says gravely.
Paige is sitting at the island in the kitchen, crying, and Daisy is standing behind her, rubbing her back.
“Blake!” she cries when she sees me, jumping up and running to me. I give her a hug, pulling her close to me and inhaling her scent.
“I’m sorry, Paige.”
I notice there are two bags by the door, along with a garment bag, which I’m assuming contains a funeral dress.
Daisy gives Paige another hug, and Kenny carries the bags out to my truck. Kenny gives Paige a hug and a kiss and then she climbs in the passenger seat next to me. I wait until we’re on the highway before I speak.
“So, what happened?” I ask gently.
Paige takes a ragged breath and then speaks. “She had been doing fine until yesterday. My mom went to see her in the afternoon, and she said Grandma looked really bad and was lethargic. The doctors said that she was just having a tough day. Then my mom got a call just after two in the morning saying that Grandma had suffered another stroke.” She lets out a little sob. “She was already gone by the time the on call doctor made it to her room.”
“Baby, I’m so sorry.” I reach out and take her hand. She squeezes it and sobs again.
“I just wasn’t expecting this,” she cries, “I thought she had been getting better, even though I knew she was never going to be the same.”
“I know, Paige. I’m sorry.”
“Once we get up there, my mom and I will make arrangements. Thank you for coming with me.”
We don’t talk anymore, and Paige nods off a few times during the drive. Traffic is light and we make it to her mother’s house in less than three hours. Marybeth is at the door waiting for us, and she envelops Paige in a hug. They go into the house, and I quietly bring our bags inside, sitting down at the kitchen table to give them some time together.
Marybeth comes into the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee, and she gives me a hug.
“Thank you for being here,” she murmurs.
“Of course. I’m so sorry for your loss. Please, just tell me what I can do to help.”
“I will. I’m going to call the funeral home this morning, and I need to run by my mother’s house and retrieve her will and other documents.” Her eyes are red and puffy and it’s clear that she’s been crying all night. “Why don’t you come in the living room and sit down with us?”
I help her carry in the cups of coffee and I sit next to Paige, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. The Christmas tree in the corner seems out of place with so much palpable sadness in the room.
“Momma, just tell us what we can do while we’re up here.” Paige says as she sips her coffee.
“I was just telling Blake that I’ll need to take care of a few things like getting Grandma’s will and contacting the funeral home.” She takes a deep breath, trying to hold her composure. “I know you both are due back on tour next week, and I don’t want to drag this out anyway. We’ll try to make the arrangements in a few days time.”
Paige starts to cry again and Marybeth reaches over and takes her hand. “Sweetie, I am just as sad as you are. But let’s remember that Grandma had a long, good life. Until a month ago, she was as healthy as a horse. As sad as we are, we have to remember that she’s not in pain anymore and that she had a happy life.”
“You’re right.” Paige’s voice cracks. “She had a good life.”
We finish our coffee, and Paige and Marybeth seem to be lost in their own thoughts. After Marybeth drains her mug, she puts i
t down and sighs. “Alright. As difficult as this is going to be, we need to get started.”
Twenty Seven
Paige
Five Months Later
“Daddy, I’m heading out!” I call, as I sling my bag over my shoulder. My father comes around the corner, holding a glass of some funky looking green juice and gives me a hug.
“Alright, sweetheart. We’ll see you later tonight at the rehearsal dinner.” He gives me a sad little smile. “I can’t believe you don’t live here anymore.”
I hug him back. “I won’t be living far, Daddy. It’s only twenty minutes. And besides,” I say flashing him a grin, “you’ve got Daisy here to keep you company.”
“I know, but it’s not the same as having my little girl.”
I kiss him on the cheek. “See you at six!”
I get into my car and start heading over to the house in Belle Meade that Blake and I are about to share in just two weeks time. I quickly call Blake on my cell, and it starts ringing through my car’s stereo system.
“Hey baby,” he says happily when he answers.
“Hey yourself! I have one last bag of stuff that I’m taking over to the house now. Do you need anything else from over there?”
“Nah, I think I’m good.” He says.
“Alright, Mr. Evans. I’ll see you later this afternoon then.”
“Alright, soon-to-be Mrs. Evans.”
I laugh and then hang up the phone.
I flip through the radio as I drive, and I hear one of my songs playing. I still can’t get over the fact that my music is always playing on the country stations. Since we wrapped up our tour at the end of January, our lives have been a whirlwind. We'd traveled all over the country continuing to promote our music, not to mention adjusting to our newfound fame. I had diligently been planning our wedding, and we had spent the past six weeks busting our tails off to get our new home ready for when we returned from our honeymoon.