She must see the trepidation going through mind.“Don’t worry—I had them set it up at the shop.There are no apps except your personal email, and you can’t download anything without my permission.”
“So you’re giving me a kids phone?”I grin.I am grateful to not have to deal with the temptation.I could probably still scroll the internet, and that is bad enough.
Kelly wags her finger at me.“It’s for emergencies only.”
I mock salute her.“Yes, ma’am.”
“Now that’s settled, let me show you what I got!”Kelly says with a cheeky rise of her eyebrows.
* * *
“I hate these dinners.”I sigh as I wash my hands in the restroom.
Kelly hands me some paper towels.“I know you do, but, like Brendon said, its great publicity.Plus, that steak really was good.”
I check my appearance in the mirror.Kelly has organized an entire wardrobe for me now that I am staying longer and haven’t packed enough.She’s even had my favorite brand of cowgirl boots shipped in by courier.Kelly is the best assistant and friend I have ever had—she seems to be able to work miracles at a moment’s notice.Although she hadn’t been able to get me out of this week-long visit.
I resolve to just make the most of it and work on my music.After following Kelly back through the crowded restaurant, I rejoin the group of event organizers at their table.I make sure to smile and nod when appropriate and avoid sharing strong opinions on the topics being discussed.
“Are you excited to spend some time with your family while you’re home?”Julia, the young woman sitting to my left, asks as we sip coffee.
The wordhomeis enough to stop me in my tracks.Sweetgum Valley hasn’t been my home in eighteen years and I sure as hell am not excited about even the possibility of running into my family or any other relation from my past.So I just give Julia a tight smile.“Mm-hmm.”
Finally, Kelly signals dinner is over by standing and helping me into my jacket.
I obligingly shake hands and show my appreciation to everyone for inviting me to the concert and having me for dinner.
As we walk through the restaurant to the exit, I see several people pull out their phones and film me.I plaster on my best smile and wave at a couple of girls who call out, “We love you.”
The noise from the restaurant is soon replaced by the sound of live music as we get out the door.I look around the street to see where it is coming from.
“There’s live music at Monty’s.A local band plays there every Saturday night.The town loves it,” Julia explains, and points to a neon sign a few shops away.
I pause to listen as the band plays a familiar ballad.“That’s country music.”
“Not much demand for anything other than country in Sweetgum Valley,” she says.“Tickets to your show sold out within a few hours of going on sale.Everyone wants to see you and Matthew Butler live, and support a worthy cause, of course.”
Kelly turns to me and in a low voice, says, “We should go in and listen for a while.Brendon would love that.Especially with all the press following.”
I am super-aware of the cameras filming my every move, and Kelly’s suggestion would certainly build my image in a positive way.
“Okay,” I agree, turning and saying good night to my dinner hosts, and then following Kelly.
The sound of the music grows louder as we get closer to the door, and I can distinguish every chord and note from the guitar.A man is singing an old Garth Brooks tune, and the crowd is clapping and joining in on the lyrics.I can’t help but smile at how much the audience seems to be loving it.
As Kelly pushes open the door, we are met with a wall of people crammed into the packed room.Every table is occupied and I only catch a glimpse of the stage amidst the crowd.The scent of beer lingers in the air, almost suffocatingly strong.
As soon as a few members of the crowd spot me, a murmur begins to spread and fingers start pointing in my direction.People quickly move aside to make room for me to pass, and some even offer their seats at a nearby table.I smile gratefully and thank them before inviting them to join us.A waitress appears and asks if I would like a drink, so I request a sweet tea and then turned towards the stage just in time to catch the end of the band’s song.
The lead singer is a handsome man, younger than me, with neatly coiled black hair and a glimmer in his eye that could make any girl weak at the knees.
At the end of the song, he speaks into the mic.“I see we have a special guest here tonight.”A round of clapping and whistling sounds follow.I smile and look around at the excited faces.I have missed this—the appreciation, the love.I live for my fans and the support they show me.Suddenly I don’t feel so sick about having to spend the week there.If I get this kind of welcome everywhere I go, it will be worth it.
“On behalf of everyone in Sweetgum Valley, I would like to welcome you, Bayleigh Gilmore, to town!”
My focus shifts back to the stage, and I am just about to call out my appreciation when my gaze lands on the guitarist next to the singer.He’d had his back to me a moment ago, but now I can make out his features distinctly.
That face.
