“Yeah, tell me about it.I guess it’s not his fault.He doesn’t know me from Adam, so why wouldn’t he assume if I was so willing with him, I’d be willing with other guys too.”
“Did you tell him you’d never done anything like that before?”
“I may have mentioned it, but maybe he didn’t believe me.”
“Okay, I get that you were offended and embarrassed when he implied you did that all the time, but it’s not like you have to see him again.”
“True.”
I knew I’d put this humiliating experience behind me soon enough.I’d throw myself into my work, which was nothing new.I’d find a nice, boring guy to date, like an accountant who wore designer glasses and played golf, and forget I ever met the musician/ex-convict who introduced me to three-peats.Unless he became famous and I had to hear his husky voice every time I turned on the radio.That would seriously suck.
“But you said it was the best sex of your life?”
After a gusty exhale, I said, “Girl, you have no idea.One word sums it up: three-peat.”
Codie laughed.“I don’t have to tell you, of all people, how rare that is.You sure you’re gonna be able to forget him?”
“I didn’t say that I’d forget him, just that I never want to see him again.”
“Speaking of guys you never want to see again, is Brandon still harassing you?”
“Yeah, he texted me last night, when I was with Taz.”
“God, that guy cannot take a hint, can he?”
“I’ve tried being nice, but I’m just gonna block his number and be done with it.”
“Smart.So, what are you up to today?You wanna grab lunch?”
“I can’t.I’m headed to a weekend seminar in Memphis.Kaitlyn is attending too,” I said, referring to my best friend and college roommate.“So, we’re just going to grab dinner tonight and stay in a hotel, so we don’t have to drive back and forth.”
“Okay, well call me when you get back and we’ll get together.”Before I could hang up, she said, “Remember, Mama’s birthday is next week.We’re thinking about just doing dinner here.”
“That works for me.Just let me know the details and what I can bring.”Mama didn’t know I’d broken up with Brandon yet.He was one of the few men I’d dated that she approved of, so I didn’t look forward to breaking the news to her that we were over.
Mama didn’t take bad news well.She was strong-willed, opinionated, and certain she was always right, especially when it came to her two daughters.
“Sounds good.Love you, sis.”
“Love you too, Codie.”No matter how bad the day, I knew I could always count on my sister to make me feel better.
ChapterSix
Taz
Catered lunch in the boardroom of a high-rise office building with a top-notch publicist, while trying to forget the hottest night of my life with a girl who was way of my league.This couldn’t be my life.
Avery was a stunning blonde with an all-business, don’t-mess-with-me vibe, that would have scared most guys off even if she wasn’t married to Ty Mcall, one of the biggest names in country music.
She stared at me intently with steepled fingers.“So, you’ve got a story to tell.Luc’s already given me the cliff notes version, but I want to hear what makes you.”
“What makes me?”I reached for my bottled water and took a sip, while considering her question.“A lot of dumb mistakes.Lessons learned.Hard work.De?—”
“There’s more than that,” she said, waving me off.“That could be anybody.There’s something different about you.”She pointed at me.“That’s why you and your music struck a chord with record labels.Very few people have the It Factor, but professionals, like Luc, can see it a mile away.”
“If you say so.”I shrugged.“I don’t know what you want me to say, Avery.I write what I feel.And I’ve got a lot of…” Tabling the colorful language in deference to a classy lady, I said, “Messed up stuff going on inside of me, I guess.”
“A lot of people have been through it, Taz.But they can’t channel it like you can.They can’t put pen to paper the way you can.And that voice…” She shuddered.“Gives me chills every time I hear it.”
