“You’re signed with Bentley Records, right?” Ellie tilts her head.
“Yeah.”
“I think that’s great. Don’t be afraid to expand from this city. Ultimately, that’s what you want. World tours, your music being played everywhere. Nashville will always be here. For me, it was the right decision. I got the best of both worlds, and that’s priceless.” Her smile lights up her face at the mention of her boyfriend.
“You won’t be the first or last artist that doesn’t live in this city,” she adds with conviction.
“Thank you,” I smile, considering her words.
“And this allows her to get the guy,” Kelsey sneaks in and confesses.
I whip my head toward her with wide eyes and slap her arm.
“Oh, there’s a guy?” Ellie’s eyes light up.
“No. Not really. I mean, there is a guy, but he’s not my guy. I wouldn’t make the decision to move to Everton based on him, seeing as he barely talks to me.” Ellie narrows her eyes. “He’s shy,” I quickly add before she misunderstands me.
“Well, then maybe you need to break the ice.” Her Cheshire cat smile should make me nervous. Instead, it eases me and gives me an idea.
“I think you might be right,” I wink before finishing my drink and checking the time.
“Okay, ladies, it’s showtime. Will you still be here after I’m done?” I ask Ellie.
“Sure thing.”
I leave her and Kelsey together as I make my way toward the side of the stage and prepare for my set. There’s nothing I love more than standing on a stage and sharing my music with an audience—even if thoughts of Gavin are swimming in my mind the entire time.
Gavin
When Abbie invited us to go over to her place for dinner, the last thing I expected was to be staring at a country music awards show on the television. Thankfully, Finn is here to keep me company while Abbie and her sisters comment on every outfit. Penny listens, asking questions about the different fashion things they bring up. I wouldn’t be able to repeat them if they paid me a million dollars.
“You want another beer?” Finn lifts his brows.
“Yes,” I sigh, shaking my head.
“Look at them!” Abbie yells before awwing.
“Daddy, isn’t that your friend?” Penny calls for me.
Staring at the screen, I see Knox and Ainsley dressed to the nines.
“Yeah, that’s Knox.”
“Ainsley’s dress is gorgeous,” Sienna comments, her eyes wide as she looks on with envy.
“It sure is. Red looks amazing on her,” Abbie adds.
I turn to look at Finn again with raised eyebrows, thanking him for the beer.
“I’ll never get women and fashion,” he says as he takes a seat on the chair across from me in the kitchen.
“Me either, and I have a daughter to raise that will eventually be into all that.” I blow out a breath and chuckle. I can just imagine myself taking Penny to shop and vetoing every choice she picks out.
“Maybe you’ll have help.” Finn’s smirk is devious when he lifts his chin toward the television.
At the same time, Penny yells, “She really is famous! Daddy, look!”
As if I hadn’t noticed Sutton has been away for a week, I come face to face with her on the screen while she’s being interviewed on the red carpet.
I glare at Finn and shake my head. I bet Abbie’s been feeding him her ideas to get Sutton and me together.
“I say you give it a shot.”
“Finn,” I warn.
“What? Are you going to stay a celibate man for the rest of your life? You’re young, Gavin. You deserve someone who will stand by your side, and Penny deserves a positive female role model to take her shopping for all those outfits you’ll forbid her to wear.”
Expelling a deep breath from my mouth, I watch Sutton answer the few questions they ask her. She looks beautiful in a long shimmery dress. It probably has beads or crystals or something. Her short hair is curled in waves, and her hazel eyes are brighter than fireworks on the Fourth of July.
She laughs at something the interviewer says, and that cute snort she let out at The Mad Batter hits my ears. I smile to myself as I watch her, thinking about what Finn just said. As if on cue, she looks at the camera, and it feels like her eyes find mine through the transmission and broadcasting waves.
Truth be told, I’ve been thinking about her more than I care to admit, especially when I don’t see her around town like I’ve grown accustomed to.
I’ve asked myself over and over if I can trust another woman. If I’m ready to live that aspect of life again, and if Penny would understand it. Her whole life, it’s been her and I. She’s never known what it means to have a mom, and up until now, she hasn’t asked many questions. Our situation is her normal, and she’s happy that way, for which I’m grateful.
Then, a spunky blonde with a career filled with instability starts making rounds, and it’s like a joke from the universe. Penny admires Sutton, but she’s in and out of town. And me? Well, I’m not a blind man despite how scarred my heart is. She’s gorgeous, kind, and loves my kid. What more can a man ask for?
When the pizza arrives, we eat by the living room as we all continue to watch the awards show, including a performance by Knox and Sutton that wows the crowd. As the song finishes, I look away from the TV and catch Abbie’s smiling face. She winks and nods once as if saying, Go for it, cuz.
Maybe a brokenhearted man can learn to trust again.
…
I crack open Penny’s door when I get home from work and find her sitting on the floor with crossed legs. One of her dolls is on her lap as pulls and tugs the doll’s hair into
