AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I think I need to make some big changes in my life for my own happiness. I’m not giving up country music, but I’m going to do my best to live in that world on my own terms.”
“Honey, this family is all about that life. We’ve got you.”
“Awesome, thank you.” My heart just keeps growing with all the love being thrown my way. “Now, I need to have a talk with Keaton, but I want to do it in person. I’m headed back to Seattle in a day or two after I get some things tied up here, but I don’t want you to give him a heads-up. I’m going to surprise him.”
“He’s been a complete grouchy ass,” Stella says, her voice dry. “Please make up with him, for all our sakes.”
“I need to at least talk to him,” I reply. “I don’t know how things will turn out, but I love the grumpy ass.”
“Awww,” Stella says. “That’s the sweetest thing ever.”
“It might not work out, Stella.”
“Yeah, well, that’s the case with every relationship. But it might work out amazingly. You’re soulmates, and you’ll be married for seventy-five years.”
“That’s a long time to be married to a cranky ass.”
She laughs on the other end. “He won’t be a gump because he’ll be married to his soulmate.”
“We’ll see. Thanks, friend. I’ll keep you in the loop.”
“Please do. Can’t wait to see you.”
She clicks off, and I check one item off my list.
Only eleven more items to go.
Chapter 12
Keaton
“Did you watch the show the other night?”
Liam is sitting on the hood of the Jeep as I pull out the seats so I can tear off the upholstery and get it ready for new leather.
“She looked damn hot,” Hudson adds from the workbench, where he’s tinkering with something on the Harley he just bought. The bike is parked behind him, and it’s a sweet ride. It’s not brand new, by any means, but it’s cool, and he’ll enjoy it. He’ll also take five years off his mom’s life, but Aunt Meredith will be okay. He keeps talking. “That dress was smokin’, and she sounded great.”
They both came over on the bike to show it to me and so Hud could dick around with it here in my shop. This is where everyone comes to work on their vehicles, whether it’s just an oil change or they need me to help solve something for them.
I’ve always loved having the family here.
Today, it’s damn annoying.
Both of my cousins are quiet for a minute, and when I raise my head, I see they’re both staring at me.
“What?”
“Well?” Liam demands. “Did you watch it or not?”
“Or not,” I reply and get back to work.
I started to watch it, but as soon as she walked out on that stage, I knew I couldn’t take it. I miss the hell out of her—everything about her, not just the sex.
Although, the sex is fucking incredible.
But I simply miss her. Talking with her, laughing with her. All of it.
And I’ve realized over the past week what a complete idiot I am. Of course, now it’s too late because she’s back in Nashville, back to her celebrity life, and our time together is over.
“Liv was right,” Liam decides. “You are a grumpy ass.”
I look up with a scowl. “Why the fuck were you and my sister talking about me?”
“I had lunch with her the other day at the office.” He shrugs that part off. “I’m just saying, you’re not usually this testy. Quiet, sure. Pissy? Nah, that’s not you, man.”
“Even if she does have a new boyfriend,” Hudson mutters, and my head whips over to him.
“What the fuck?”
Hudson turns and blinks at me. “The guy she was with the other night. That Rick guy, the singer.”
“You could have broken it to him a little easier than that.” Liam rubs his fingers into his eye sockets.
“If he had just watched, it wouldn’t be news to him. Sorry that she moved on so fast, man. But I guess those are the breaks when you’re diddling a celebrity.”
I want to punch my cousin, but it’s not his fault, so I just rub my hand down my face in frustration.
“Don’t kill the messenger,” Liam continues. “Besides, you two weren’t serious. You’ll move on, too.”
“Thanks for the counseling session,” I reply and walk over to my bench where I have a bottle of water waiting. “What are you messing with there, Hud?”
Hudson grins. “I’m just cleaning everything up. It’s running great, but I’d like you to have a quick look.”
“Let’s start her up.”
Happy to have a distraction from talking about Sidney, we spend the next thirty minutes giving the Harley a once-over, and I declare it in excellent working order.
“What year is this?” I ask him as I reach for a rag.
“She’s a 2010 Softail Deluxe,” he says proudly. “Got her for under fifteen grand.”
