I am not going to cry. Though it does feel like I’m taking my first full breath in days. He wants me with him and I want to be with him and everything is good.
And Charlie is standing by the stove cooking another batch of pancakes. He watches me with a spatula in hand and a thoughtful frown on his face. “It can be hard going. But you and your grandma would be very welcome.”
Grandma’s face lights up at the words.
Angus says nothing. He’s too busy plucking out something by Chris Stapleton on the guitar. My country music knowledge is definitely coming along. The man seems to be in another mood again this morning. Or maybe his bad mood is just perpetual. His commitment to the vibe seems extreme.
“Does that mean you’d find a new record company or sign with your original one again or what?” I ask.
“You know, I saw you talking to him in the parking lot last night,” says Angus out of nowhere.
“Talking to who?” asks Grandma.
“Farmer.”
Every eye in the house turns my way. “Yeah,” I say. “He showed up.”
“Wait a minute,” says Nash. “You were talking to Farmer?”
“I went outside to help Carmen and he pulled me aside.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to ruin your night.”
Angus clears his throat. “What did he offer you?”
“He said I could write my own check if I talked you into signing with him again.” I shrug. “Obviously that’s not what I’m going to do.”
“Then why were you just asking him about signing with someone?” asks Angus.
“Just curiosity.”
“June…” Nash visibly struggles for words. “Why would you not tell me you talked to him? That he was there?”
“I was going to today,” I say.
“Yeah, but…”
“I didn’t want to ruin your night. You were having fun and bonding with your friends. That asshole doesn’t get to steal joy from you.”
He blinks. “You should have told me.”
“I’m telling you now.”
“No,” he says in a pained voice. “Angus told me. But it should have been you, last night.”
Grandma’s brows are drawn tight. “You saw her talking to Farmer?”
“I was outside smoking a joint and saw them talking in a corner of the parking lot,” answers Angus.
“So she was going to tell you.” Grandma turns back to Nash. Then her gaze returns to Angus. “You should have stayed out of it. June just needed some time. There’s no reason for all this drama.”
“I’ve got mad respect for you, Audrey. But I don’t answer to you,” says Angus. “Were you really going to tell him, June?”
I frown. “Yes. Of course.”
“It’s just that the list of people who can refuse a blank check is pretty fucking short.”
