I sigh and slump back in the chair.“Fine.One photo shoot, sound check and the show.That’s it.”
A grin spreads over Brendon’s face.“Thatta’ girl.Show the fans that you’re back and better than before.”
“Then we can talk about a new album,” Dan’s thick Southern accent drawls out.
A surge of hope fills me.I yearn to be back in the spotlight, performing for a crowd of supporters and fans.Being on stage is my ultimate source of joy, where I can immerse myself in the music, the choreography, and the dazzling lights.
During a recent conversation with my sobriety coach, we talked about the potential for a new album to mark the start of a new chapter in my life as the improved version of Bayleigh Gilmore—now sober and determined to be better than ever.
“Alright, I’m in.”I focus on the job ahead.I can do this.
It will be a quick in and out—no need to interact with my parents or anyone from my past.I just need to focus on the show and then leave with only the memory of that performance.This will finally allow me to leave my past where it belongs—behind me.
“Good.We’ll get the contract and send it to you soon,” Brendon says.“Kelly will get the times for rehearsals.Get ready, Bayleigh.You leave in two weeks.”
Two weeks.No time to waste.This is my big chance to make a comeback.And I plan to wow not just the crowd, but everyone.
CHAPTERTHREE
Bayleigh
I smoothout my denim skirt as my uncovered legs stick to the leather seat of the private airplane.It is surreal to think that before I left Sweetgum Valley, I had never even been on a plane before, and now I am flying on one to perform a show.How much my life has changed since then.
We are twenty minutes into the fifty-minute flight to Sweetgum Valley, and I am still surprised to see the label has chartered a flight just for me.Kelly is there, of course, typing away on her laptop.But all the other plush, comfortable seats are empty.
“When is Matthew flying in?Why isn’t he on this plane?”
Kelly looks up.“I’m not sure.Do you want me to find out?”
I shake my head.“No, I’m just curious.”The handsome young man probably wants to make his own entrance alone.Not with a woman almost old enough to be his mother.Almost.
I reach into my bag and retrieve a compact mirror, then examine my reflection.At thirty-four, even with all of my makeup on, I can still see the wrinkles around my eyes.I silently curse myself for not getting Botox.Hopefully, the video cameras won’t zoom in too closely and reveal my imperfections and flaws.
A crackle on the speaker signals the pilot is making an announcement.“We’ll be landing in approximately ten minutes.If you look out the window on the right, you can see the town.We will be landing at a private airfield just north.”
A lump forms in my throat.I have been trying not to think about this moment.I steel myself against whatever emotion I could have when I finally see my birthplace again.Being conveniently on the right side of the plane, I turn to stare out the window at the town sprawled below.
It is bigger than I had expected.Nowhere near the size of Nashville, of course, but certainly bigger than I remember.I try to find a familiar landmark, but it all looks different from up here.
My eyes are drawn to a sprawling housing development and nearby sports field.They must be new.The buildings have a modern design, in stark contrast to the old house I grew up in with my family.
Don’t think about them.
I continue assessing the view.Is that my old school?
“Look at those fields!”Kelly says from opposite me.I look beyond the built-up area to the outlying farms.The fields are brown and mostly empty instead of crops painting the fields green the way I remember.
Out there somewhere, though, is the ranch I’d spent a lot of my youth at.That was where I’d learned to ride horses and where I’d helped with branding.I wonder if the Tuttons are one of the families doing it tough in this drought.Hard to imagine they haven’t been touched by this tragic turn of nature.
“No wonder this concert is so important to them.”Kelly returns her attention to the laptop in front of her and the town drifts under us as the pilot starts the descent.
“Brendon has a car waiting and we’re to go to the Claremont Hotel first.”All business, Kelly starts to pack her belongings and put them in her bag.
I check my reflection in the compact once more and, satisfied, return it to my bag.“Why are we going to a hotel if we’re only here for a few hours?I thought we were flying straight back to Nashville?”
Kelly shrugs.“Brendon said that’s where the mayor is going to meet you.”
The plane lands, and I stand and smooth the crinkles out of my skirt.Knee-high tan cowgirl boots keep my legs warm on the cool fall day.I wear a black long-sleeve top and a pale scarf around my neck.“How do I look?”I turn to Kelly.
