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“I wanted to see you. Are you ready to get out of here? I made reservations.”
“Morgan, kids are waiting, and then I’m going home,” I whisper. “We’ve already talked about this, and I can’t get into it again right now.” I cross the room and sneak back in line as Morgan joins some of the other girlfriends and wives chatting.
I sign more footballs and take more pictures, wondering when I can leave. I don’t want to have this conversation with Morgan again, especially tonight. I’m tired and want to go home where it’s calm and quiet.
My eyes jet back to Andie, along with the rest of the room, when the piano erupts with the theme song fromStar Wars.I see Andie whisper to the little girl, who laughs. She keeps playing, and then it morphs into something else. Something I recognize. She’s playingHappy,and the room starts moving and clapping along to the song. Next to me, Tyrell starts singing.
She focuses on the keys in front of her, but after a second, her eyes flick up to mine, and she tips her head to the side, glaring ever so slightly with just a hint of a smirk. I will the corners of my mouth to stay put.
Tyrell bumps my shoulder. “Don’t think I didn’t notice you snuck over there to talk with her. Something happen in the elevator I should know about?”
“Nope. I didn’t know about her husband. I told her I was sorry.” I pause. “I wasn’t real pleasant while we were trapped together.”
Tyrell turns to grab his water and takes a drink. “She’s beautiful, talented, and seems pretty smart, too. And that voice–”
“Alright.” I cut him off.
He holds up his hands. “I’m just saying I would’ve been on my best behavior. Even pulled out the Simmons charm.” He grins and winks.
“Not interested. For some reason, she can’t stand me. Besides, I’ve got plenty on my plate right now.”
“Yeah. For real. Speaking of which…” He leans close. “What’s Morgan even doing here? I thought you broke up.”
“We did.”
“Huh.” He rubs his chin. “Good luck with that. I’m finding my wife and going home. See you Tuesday.” He slaps me on the back.
“See ya,” I say, thinking it must be nice to be that settled. I hope to someday have a wife and kids waiting for me at the end of this room, but right now, that idea seems so far off it almost feels impossible.
The room quickly starts to empty, and I see Miranda talking with Andie, who’s wearing her backpack and looks ready to go. I grab my bag and think about making one last attempt at apologizing, but then decide against it.
Something about her combative nature gets under my skin and pushes all my non-easygoing buttons. It’s time to go our separate ways and let our time in the elevator and all other interactions today be history.
I throw my bag over my shoulder, and like she’s been ready to pounce, Morgan joins me.
“Are you ready?” She takes hold of my arm.
“Yeah.”
Andie’s eyes meet mine one more time, and I think about what she said earlier, that today was about moving forward for her. I hope she was able to do that. What I know is I’m ready. I’m tired of feeling like I’m missing out on reality because I’ve gotten wrapped up in all the wrong things. Superficial things. All of which have left me with not much, if anything, real and lasting.
We may have misunderstood each other today, but one thing is certain. Andie was right. I’ve been living in the shallow. If I want more, I’m going to have to wade out and dive deep until I find what I’m looking for.
Chapter 6
ANDIE
I tiptoe into the dark room and peek over the crib's railing. He lays there, arms stretched over his head, and his chubby cheeks and kissy lips so innocent and relaxed on his sweet face. Every time I look at him, my heart squeezes at the realization that he’s actually mine.
I turn the soft music off, head down the short hallway, and out to the living room, where Nora is sprawled out on the couch, Sniper on the floor beside her.
I bought this little cottage, perfectly tucked in the outskirts of Nashville. It’s a small three-bedroom home with an open floor concept, but it’s spacious enough for Axel and me. Besides time in the studio, this is where I spend my time caring for my little guy.
I brush by my grand piano, which takes up a large portion of my living room, but when you don’t really have visitors, who cares? I spend more time sitting at that piano than talking to people, so I can have it wherever I want. Part of me wants to get right to work on the song that’s eating away at me, but I also feel the need to let it simmer, giving it the space it needs to really come alive.
I grab my tea from the counter and curl up in a chair beside the couch facing Nora. Sniper, Josh’s German Shepherd mix,who’s now my constant companion, crawls to lie at my feet. The retired service dog is smarter than I am, and given all of his training and the bond we’ve formed in Josh’s absence, he’s likely sensing my emotional overload from today.
“Sooooo…tell me everything,” Nora says through a yawn.
