“Thanks.” His phone buzzed and he pulled it out of his pocket to glance at the screen. “I guess I should let you go, Codie. I never expected to see you in a place like this, but I’m glad I ran into you. I meant what I said, I thought about you a lot over the years.”
I’d thought about him too, especially when I was coming to terms with my reasons for drinking. I’d gone through counselling, but my sister claimed I needed more, since I still held some resentment towards the two men in my life who’d abandoned me: my father and Maverick.
With the exception of one brief relationship, I’d never let another man get close enough to hurt me and my sister claimed that wasn’t healthy. I loved her for caring, but I’d always been happier without a relationship than I’d ever been in one.
“Good luck with your recovery.”
“Do you think I could call you sometime? You know, just to talk about my recovery and stuff?”
“You’ve got Trey, and in your business, you probably have other friends who’ve been through this. I suggest you lean on them.”
I wasn’t in the habit of turning down people who asked for my help, especially those who were new to the recovery journey, but I couldn’t be Mav’s sponsor and I sure as hell couldn’t be his friend. I’d had to forgive and let go as part of my own healing, but that didn’t mean I was stupid enough to open the door to someone who still had years of work ahead of him before he would start to feel whole.
“I know you probably hate me. I’m sorry for the way we left things.”
There was so much I wanted to say. I wanted to unleash on him for abandoning me and our relationship after he promised he never would. I wanted to ask why. I wanted to know if there’d been someone else, or he’d just stopped loving me.
Instead, I said, “That’s ancient history. I don’t dwell in the past anymore.”
He nodded, looking a little dejected as he hung his head. “Probably smart.”
“Good luck with the tour. It’s nice to see you’re finally getting your big break. You’re talented, you deserve it.”
I hadn’t followed his career, even though I’d heard from mutual friends over the years that he’d been putting in his time playing honky tonks and festivals with his old band. I’d been shocked, and a little proud, when I’d been watching a country music awards show on TV last year and saw him take the stage to sing one of his original songs. It had been a number one hit single and the album went on to be certified platinum, I’d heard on the radio.
“Thanks. You think you might be able to make it to a show? We’re heading to Atlanta next. It’s not too far, less than four hours. I could leave tickets for you, Saturday night?”
Amanda would never forgive me if I turned down his offer, but how could I accept knowing there would probably be strings attached? “I don’t think that’s a good idea, but thanks.”
“Codie, I owe you, for being such an asshole when we broke up.”
“We never really broke up, did we? You just stopped returning my calls—” I snapped my mouth shut, knowing it was pointless to start rooting around in the mud after all these years. “Never mind. I’ve gotta go. Got back-to-back appointments tomorrow and I’ve got to hit the gym and grab a bite to eat before I head home.” I didn’t know why I was explaining myself to him. Apparently old habits died hard.
“You work Sunday too?”
I shook my head. “No, I figured we all deserve at least one day of rest.”
“We’re performing Sunday night too. If you have to work Saturday, maybe that would be better?”
I couldn’t help but smile. “You’re as tenacious as ever, I see.”
Back in high school, he’d asked me out at least a dozen times before I finally said yes. Not that I wasn’t attracted to him. I was. But he was a football player with a bad reputation for partying too much, fighting, and treating girls like shit, so it took a long time for him to prove that he was willing to change for me. But he did, and eventually earned my trust, until he pulled the rug out from under me.
“You can’t make it in this business if you’re willing to take no for an answer, sweetheart.”
“Don’t call me sweetheart.” His eyes widened at my sharp tone. I’d been civil tonight, but that didn’t mean I’d allow him to take liberties he had no business taking.
He held his hands up. “Sorry.” When I put the car in reverse, he said, “Come on, Codie. Say you’ll come to the show.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Can I at least give you my number? You can text me if you want the tickets.”
I sighed, putting the car back in park. “Fine, but I’m only considering it because my best friend loves Trey Turner and she’s been dying to see him in concert.”
“Fair enough.”
I reluctantly handed him my phone after punching in my code and pulling up my contacts. “Give me your number, but I’m not making any promises.”
