Dalton:Raleigh and I will be over around 10 a.m. for the investigation.
Setting the phone aside, I lean against the kitchen counter and sip my liquid energy. How did my life get this out of control? It’s not even as if I did anything wrong. My life has been turned upside down, all due to the actions of one man. I mean, I just got into the groove of writing happy songs and now I’ll be right back to angry electric guitar and sad pedal steel.
Groaning, I move back to my room and get dressed. I even put on a little makeup. The world be damned if I don’t look drop-dead gorgeous for the interview this morning.
Raleigh, Dalton, and my lawyer, Angela, arrive right on schedule for the inquisition. I’m completely dreading everything about this but with them by my side, at least I know I’ll survive. I know that nothing else bad will happen.
Angela gives me a monstrous hug before turning to stone-cold business mode. She opens her briefcase and makes a show of throwing it down on the table as the representatives of theCountry Music City Awardsshuffle into the kitchen behind my team. They look scared and, quite frankly, they should be. Angela always shoots straight, and she’s never steered me wrong. I expect today will be no exception.
Thankfully, Raleigh and Angela take the reins of the meeting early on. They both know me so well that I only have to speak when they ask me to. Over the course of the hour, we discuss what happened with representatives of the organization and how their group is dreadfully appalled by the events that transpired. Upon hearing that Trenton will be serving a lengthy suspension from their events, we decide not to press charges or take the situation any further.
As a sign of good faith, the representatives leave me a new trophy and thank me for my professionalism. The crystalline statue is a replica of the one left broken on the stage, but this one is unsullied by the touch of Trenton’s grabby hands. I don’t have the heart to lift it from its box on the table. I suspect it’ll sit there and collect dust until I feel healed.
After our opposition has left, Angela collects her things as well.
“You could stay for the game,” I say, genuinely hoping she’ll take me up on the offer.
“I’d love to, Mae, but I have a lot of work to do. I’m meeting with Trenton’s legal team.” She leans over like she’s about to spill gossip. “They’re scared out of their minds, by the way. Even though we don’t plan on taking action, I still want to make them all sweat a bit.” She winks and pats my hand before finding her feet.
I smile at this. I’d never do something so over the top as to sue him for what he’s done, but I don’t mind them squirming. “Scare them a little bit more for me?” I ask as I reach out my arms for a hug.
“Oh, I will rattle their bones,” she laughs. “I’ll send a report to Raleigh tomorrow.”
With that, my supergirl from the trailer park down the road excuses herself. No doubt she’ll have a long and enjoyable dayahead of her getting revenge on my behalf. God, I love my loyal soldier.
The rest of the morning is spent with Raleigh on the computer, checking in on the latest headlines. I’m terrified to look at articles and social media, but “Flickers of Light” is beating out Trenton’s new single on streaming platforms, so I guess that’s one positive.
Over lunch, we delve into social media. I let Raleigh take charge, knowing she’ll give me a good balance of the conversation while sparing me the worst of it. All of these plans are put on hold when I get a phone call from a number I don’t recognize. Everyone freezes and just stares at the number with a Tennessee area code. Usually I don’t entertain unknown calls, but if someone has my number today, it could be very important. Raleigh motions for me to put the call on speaker phone as I answer.
“Hello,” I say, waiting for the caller to reveal their identity before I go further.
“Hello?” a woman’s southern drawl announces. It’s quiet for a moment before the woman continues. She takes a deep breath, as if she’s nervous. “This is Marissa Adams.”
Her confession sucks all the air out of the room. I feel like I want to throw up, and Raleigh has to grab my chair so as not to fall over. Marissa Adams; the woman who led to the end of my relationship with Trenton. Marissa Adams; Trenton’s new wife.
“I’m sure my call is a shock, and I’m sorry. The last thing I want to do is cause you more trouble.” Her voice is breathy, like she’s in a hurry or she’s scared, or both.
“Why are you calling?” I manage to choke out.
“You might have heard the rumors about Trenton and me.” I had. Trouble in paradise; whispers of divorce. “For the most part, they weren’t true. They weren’t until last night, anyway. What he did was unforgivable.” All I can do is huff out aninconsiderate laugh. “I was considering divorcing him, but he was always so reassuring -”
“Manipulative is actually the word,” I spit out, interrupting her.
“Well, yes, you’d know.” I scrunch my nose at this. “I guess I don’t have to be very well-spoken about this around you,” she sighs, letting a bit of emotion seep into her voice. “I’m leaving him. Last night was the last straw for me.”
“You don’t need him. Leaving him was the best thing I ever did for myself and for my career.” I don’t feel like I owe her advice, but from one woman to another, I just can’t let her go on without it.
“Well, we aren’t the same, Mae,” she barks, suddenly defensive. “I should have seen this all coming; I should have learned from you. I just,” she pauses, “I’m sorry about what he did. Then and now.”
“Never apologize on a man’s behalf,” I snap. “Especially not this man.” I don’t wait for a reply before hanging up.
“The actual audacity of that woman,” Raleigh says, still gripping onto my chair. “I mean, what was the point of that?” She turns to her computer and starts to look up her status, but only one article comes up. I guess everyone’s still stuck on me and Trenton.
Exasperated, I try to defend her, even though she had been awful to me in the beginning. “I think it was kind of brave. I feel bad for her, and I know how hard it must be for her to leave. I mean, you remember how it was with him.”
“Uh, yeah, you were miserable, and he was awful to you, and then they were both bullies when they got together.” Raleigh lets her pent-up anger roll out as she says, “She doesn’t deserve your kindness. You should have ripped her a new one.”
“I’m sure she remembers the last time I did that,” I say with a shrug of my shoulders. “She doesn’t deserve that right now. Sheand the next girl in line need to catch a hint and stay away from him.”
