Yes. You do.
She could see it all so clearly now. Maybe it was the distance from Zachsville, maybe it was her confrontation with Derek the other night, but all of his bullshit was crystal clear to her. For years, she’d let him dictate how she saw herself. The truth of it broke her heart for that stupid sixteen-year-old girl who’d given her whole self to a man who didn’t deserve her. But she wasn’t sixteen anymore.
“Shit, Hailey, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t—”
“You’re right.”
“What?”
She leaned up on her elbow to look him in the eye. “I can sing, and I love singing with you.”
He hauled her onto his stomach and took her head in his hands. “Will you do it? Sing with me tomorrow night?” He kissed her. “I can’t imagine performing that song without you.”
Her pulse hopped around like a toddler learning to skip. The cotton gathering in her mouth made it hard to swallow. Could she get up in front of millions of strangers, and put herself on display for all the folks of Zachsville to see?
You’re done caring what they think, Hailey.
“Okay.” The answer was out before she could give herself time to change her mind.
His eyes flashed with excitement. “Really?”
She nodded. That was all she could manage.
Beau rolled them so that she was on the bottom and he was on top. “I promise to make it worth your while.”
“Oh, yeah?”
He nuzzled her neck. “Yeah.”
He’d pushed this issue for her, to encourage her to step out of the shadows, something she’d needed to do for a long time. Her arms tightened around his shoulders and held him to her for a long moment.
He pulled back, studied her face. “Are you okay?”
She pushed his hair from his eyes, her love for him so big that she could barely keep the words from slipping off her tongue. And why should she? That was something else that needed to come out of the shadows. “I’m great.” A deep breath for courage. “I—”
“Moooooom! I’m hungry,” Lottie yelled from the other side of the locked door.
Their happy, safe bubble burst, and the three little words quickly retreated back into the recesses of her heart. “Alright. I’ll be right there.” She scooted out from under Beau and grabbed her robe.
As she slipped her feet into her slippers, Beau grabbed her hand. “What were you going to say?”
“Nothing.” It wasn’t nothing. It was everything. But without the warm fuzzy glow of that moment, the enormity of what she’d almost said hit her in the face.
She’d tell him, she’d already made up her mind, and if he couldn’t handle it, then that was his problem. She was done hiding, and that was his fault too. But the eve of the biggest night of his life wasn’t the time to drop an emotional bombshell on him. She kissed his sweet lips. “Tell you later.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Chapter 30
“Mama, you look beautiful.”
“Thank you, baby.” Lottie’s worshipful words eased some of the anxiety clogging Hailey’s veins.
May looked up from the celebrity magazine she was reading. “She’s right, Hailey. You are a sight.”
“Gorgeous.” Beau came in from the bedroom, adjusting his cuffs.
“Good Lord, Beau Callen!” May fanned herself with her magazine. “You’re hot as blue blazes.”
Lottie’s face turned bright red, and she began to giggle uncontrollably. But Hailey had to agree with May. Beau Callen was the finest man she’d ever laid eyes on. The deep copper western-cut suit made his green eyes shine. The top two buttons of his shirt were open, and a skinny tie hung loosely under the collar.
He yanked on the tie. “I can’t get this thing to look right.”
“Here, let me.” Hailey moved to him, slipped the tie free and stuck it in his jacket pocket. She unbuttoned one more button of his shirt and smoothed out his collar. “There. Perfect.”
A lopsided grin lifted one side of his mouth. He covered her hand that rested on his chest with his. “Yeah?”
The heat in his eyes nearly burned the clothes from her body. “Yeah.”
“Ahem.” May cleared her throat and cut her eyes to Lottie, who was watching the two of them like she was at a Saturday matinée.
Hailey stepped away from Beau and smoothed down the skirt of her dress. “I guess we both clean up well.”
Beau winked. “I guess we do.”
The doorbell to the suite rang. “I’ll get it.” Lottie jumped up and ran to the door.
Marissa entered wearing a beautiful black sequined gown, followed closely by Clay in a black suit that fit him perfectly. Though they were partners, it was clear who was in charge. Marissa was definitely the alpha in this arrangement.
The woman looked Beau up and down. “You are going to have to fight the women off tonight, Beau Callen.”
Beau slipped his arm around Hailey’s shoulder. “Hailey’s the only woman I care about, and I won’t be fighting her off any time soon.”
“I don’t blame you,” Clay said.
Marissa didn’t say anything for several long moments. Hailey readied herself. She knew what would come next—a backhanded compliment or something more obviously passive aggressive. Just like the women in Zachsville.
She readied herself to take the hit. But it never came.
A dazzling smile spread across Marissa’s face. “Hailey, you are stunning. I love your hair. How do you get it so smooth and shiny?” She waved her hand around her hair, pulled into a tight updo. “I have to wear it up, or my curls take over my head.”
That was a sincere compliment. Any response she had got lodged in her befuddled brain. It took her so long to answer that Marissa said, “I understand if you don’t want to share your secret.”
“No. It’s not that. It’s just…” She shook her head. “Never mind. I use products from my friend Charlie’s store. I can give you The Emporium’s website, and I’ll write down the products I use.”
Marissa whipped out her phone. “That would be fabulous. What’s your number?”
Hailey gave her the digits.
“Got it.” Marissa smiled and slipped her phone into her bag. “Now we’re best friends.”
The burst of laughter that came from Hailey’s mouth was so carefree that she almost didn’t recognize herself. “I guess we are.”
“Um…Beau.” Lottie sidled up to him and slipped the elastic bracelet he’d given her from her wrist. “Here, take this for luck.” The multicolored rhinestones sparkled in the light. Tears pricked the back of Hailey’s eyes when Lottie took his fingers and slipped the bauble over his hand. It was a testimony to how much her daughter loved Beau, because that bracelet was her most prized possession.
Beau knelt in front of Lottie, took her face in his hands, and kissed her forehead. “Thank you, Lil’ Bit. I’ll wear it all night and if I win, I’ll treat you to the biggest ice cream sundae you’ve ever seen.”
“Can I get in on that action?” May asked.
He laughed. “Sure. Ice cream for the two of you if I bring home the trophy.”
Lottie punched the air and shouted, then threw her arms around his neck. “Break a leg, Beau.”
Clay clapped his hands together. “Alright, we better get going.” He turned to Lottie and May. “Goodbye, little person and little person’s caregiver.”
“Lottie and May,” Marissa added. She turned to Hailey. “He’s horrible with names. But he’s pretty, so I keep him around.”
Clay chuckled. “That’s right, Lottie and May. Please forgive me, ladies.” He bent low in a courtly bow which made both the little girl and the big girl giggle.
Lottie hugged Hailey so tight that it probably wrinkled the form-fitting gold dress she wore, but she didn’t care. She needed that touchstone of reality in this fairytale night. “Have fun, Mom, and do good.”
“We’ll be watching.” May pointed to the giant television mount
ed over the fireplace.
Beau took her hand and followed Clay and Marissa. “She’s going to be great.”
“They both are,” Clay said as he held the door open for everyone.
Hailey wished she was as sure as Beau and his team. Their rehearsal that day had gone very well, but that was without an audience, or television cameras pointed in her direction. But if he believed in her, she’d borrow some of his confidence. “Night, y’all. Have fun, and don’t get into too much trouble.” She pointed at her daughter and May.
“We won’t.” The two gave each other a conspiratorial look. “You kids have fun,” May said. “Knock ’em dead, Beau.”
“Thank you, darlin’. I’ll try.”
In the limo, Marissa began to go over the schedule. “When we arrive, there will be a brief reception.”
“A word of warning.” Clay straightened his tie. “The liquor runs free at these things, and it’s sometimes hard to know when to stop, especially when your nerves are on edge.” He made a finger gun and pointed it at them. “So, be careful.”
Beau nodded. “Got it.”
Hailey could see tiny beads of perspiration at Beau’s hairline. He was nervous. It was kind of adorable.
“Wait until after you win. Then we’ll all celebrate together.” Marissa squeezed Beau’s hand. “You’re gonna be great.” She glanced around Beau and extended her other hand. Hailey took it. “Both of you.” Another tight squeeze then Marissa released their hands.
Clay pulled out lanyards and handed them to her and Beau. “These are your passes. You can go anywhere with these.”
“Yes, hang on to them,” Marissa said. “They give you access backstage.” She checked her phone, and Hailey could see she was reading the schedule. “You’re the last nominee in your category to perform. During a commercial break, someone from the production company will come and get you. I’ve placed both of your changes of clothing in the dressing rooms. You’ll have time to change before you go on.”
Clay consulted his phone as well. “Your award will be directly after your performance, so you’ll still be backstage. Any questions?”
“What happens if Beau wins?” Hailey squeezed his hand. “Does the plan change?”
Marissa shook her head. “No, but that will mean interviews at the after-parties.”
Clay cleared his throat. “If you win this, which we totally believe you will, it will change everything. You’ll go from a relative unknown to everyone wanting a piece of you in a matter of minutes. Do you think you can handle that?”
Beau gave that Heartbreaker smile. “I’ve been waiting for this all my life. So, hell yeah, I can handle it.”
Hailey’s heart dropped to her stomach. She wanted him to win, believed he deserved it, but this would change things between them too. This was his launching pad, and it was a ride for one. But she refused to think about that now. For right now, she was in a limo, dressed up for a party with a handsome boy, having a wonderful time, and that was where she’d keep her focus.
The car slowed and turned into a circular drive. “Get your game faces on.” Marissa pointed to the photographers lined up outside the arena. “You’ll move down the red carpet and stop on the black Xs marked along the way. Pose for a minute or so, then move on. If one of the reporters calls you over, have a quick chat, and move on. Remember, less is more. Only answer what they ask you, don’t elaborate.” She looked at both of them. “Got it?”
Beau pulled Hailey to his side and kissed her temple. “We’ve got it. Right, Hay?”
She could feel the nervous anticipation rolling off him, and much to her surprise, the same excited energy coursed through her too. It would be perfectly normal to be nervous, and she was, but she was also thrilled.
When they stepped out of the vehicle, the cameras started flashing, and people were shouting. She glanced around and almost missed a step because Miranda Lambert was in front of them, and Eric Church was in front of her. She’d never seen so many famous people in one place. “Oh, my Lord, Beau. That’s Reba McEntire.”
He slid his shell-shocked gaze toward the redhead giving an interview to Hollywood Entertainer. “Holy hell.”
For a second he didn’t move. “What’s wrong?”
His warm breath fanned across her neck. “What am I doing here, Hailey?”
“You’re here because you’re Beau Callen, and you belong here.” She took his arm. “Come on. You deserve this moment.”
It only took a moment for Beau Callen the entertainer to come out to play, and he worked the crowd like the master he was. She stood back when he was called over for interviews, not because she was shy, but because she just loved to watch him work. With every conversation, catcall, and flirty smile, it became more and more evident that this was his destiny.
The tick, tick, tick of the clock marking off the time until this relationship was over clanged in her ears, while tiny pieces of her heart sheared off with every step they took and every interview he gave. Good thing the carpet was red.
His warm hand encircled hers. “Let’s go, darlin’. One drink won’t hurt us.”
“Okay.” She shoved all those thoughts from her mind so she could enjoy what she knew would be the start of something amazing for him and the beginning of the end for them.
Beau checked his fly as he stood in the wings backstage of the arena. One too many dreams of walking onto this stage with his pants unzipped made him take zero chances. He glanced around. He was also waiting on Hailey. Surely she wouldn’t bail on him. A smile split his face when he saw her emerge from the dressing room. She was in black jeans, above-the-knee black suede boots, and a black and silver sequined vest without a shirt underneath it. She was a walking wet dream. “Hey, I thought you might stand me up.”
She only shook her head.
The shell-shocked look on her face had him worried. “Are you alright?”
“Carrie Underwood just asked me what hair care products I use. When I told her about Charlie’s shop, she gave me her number and asked me to text her the information.” She turned wonderstruck eyes to him. “I have Carrie Underwood’s number.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “I thought you were about to tell me you weren’t going on.”
She waved away the comment. “No, of course I’m going on. I told you I would.”
That was his Hailey, so honorable. “Are you nervous?”
“A little, but mostly I’m excited for you. This is it, Beau. Everyone will know who you are after tonight.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and cocked her head up at him. “I’m so proud of you, and so, so happy for you.”
Love. The word kept circling his brain. He wanted this woman with him forever, but could he have that? Her life was in Zachsville. His was on the road. He could live in Zachsville, but Gavin and Jack were right, he needed to be in Nashville. “Thank you.” He leaned down to kiss her, but she put her hand up to stop him.
“My lipstick. It’s perfect. Plus, you don’t want to go out there with lipstick smeared all over your face.”
He chuckled and kissed her forehead. “You’ve got a point.”
“You’re up,” a woman in all black wearing a headset and carrying a tablet said in a whisper. “When I give you the go-ahead, you’ll take your places and then be introduced.” She put her hand to the headset. “We’re almost back from the commercial break.” She glanced around at Tom and Buddy. “Wait for the red light on the camera to flash before you begin.”
They all nodded, then looked at each other. Beau couldn’t believe this was happening. He wished Clyde could be here to see it. He held his arms up, and they all came in for a group hug. With their heads together and their arms around each other, a sense of rightness came over him. “I want you to know how much I appreciate the three of you. I couldn’t do this without you.”
“Oh, good god, do we all have to share our feelings?” Buddy said, and they all laughed.
The group broke apart, and Beau scrubbed his face. “No. But
you do have to go out there and kick ass.”
Buddy twirled his drumsticks. “That I can do.”
The woman with the headset scurried up to them again. “Take your places.”
The stage tilted a little as he made his way to his guitar and slipped it on. His nerves jangled like a tambourine in an earthquake, and he loved it. Once his guitar was in place, and he’d made sure the mic was in the right position, he glanced back at Hailey, expecting to see a little panic in her eyes. But instead, she practically glowed.
She winked at him. “Show ’em whatcha got, Heartbreaker.”
“Next up is our last nominee for the New Artist of the Year award,” the host of the show said. “This guy has come out of nowhere to take country music radio by storm. Put your hands together for Beau Callen.”
With the first notes of the song, he settled in and sang like he’d never sung before. He sang for Clyde, for Mimi, and all his family in West Virginia. He sang for the boy who never thought he was quite good enough, but who had a wish and a guitar. When they got to the chorus and Hailey joined him, he sang to her.
I’ve never loved like this before, and I never will again.
You’re it for me, darlin’, beginning and end.
Tell me I’m not alone, that you know it too.
I want a thousand tomorrows, forever with you.
Her voice rang clear and sure through every note of the song, and on the last word he leaned over and kissed her. This was their moment, his declaration to her. He didn’t care who was watching, and evidently she didn’t either because she brought her hand to his face and kissed him back.
The crowd went wild. The cheers and whistles brought him back to himself. He grinned down at Hailey, then turned and took a bow.
The woman with the headset was motioning them off the stage. Once in the wings, they moved away from the stage entrance, so they could celebrate properly. Beau circled them into a group hug. Adrenaline saturated every cell of his body, and he couldn’t seem to get his pulse to regulate. “I want you all to know that this is the best damn night of my life, and it’s not just because we just killed it on stage. It’s because you three were with me. Thank you so much.”
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