AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I nodded.
“I guess they are still using the demo we recorded, with me on the lead vocals.”
I nodded, again.
“Donnie is the guy who owned the bar I worked at. He’s the one who helped spread our names around town.”
I wanted to cry; I knew I couldn’t. I couldn’t show him that his leaving would hurt me. I was a college dropout who had no clear path ahead of me. I would live a simple life, with a simple job, living in a simple town. I couldn’t be the one to hold him back from greatness. He had the talent and the true potential to make something of himself. Who was I to stand in his way? I sat back on the couch and took a deep breath. “That’s great news. A new record label would be a great opportunity for you to start with.”
Chase’s eyes narrowed. “Merritt, I’m not going back to California.”
“You’re not?”
“No. Of course not. I have you now, and I’m helping my mom and Tanner at the shop. That ship has sailed.”
“You came home because your dad was sick. He isn’t here anymore. Your mom and Tanner are running the shop just fine. Plus now they have me.”
His mouth nearly dropped into his lap. “And what about us?”
I shrugged. “I’d still be here. This is your dream we’re talking about.”
“So, you’re telling me you think I should go to California and start a whole new life.”
“No. I’m telling you to go to California and live your dream. It would be a new chapter in your same old life.”
He ran his fingers through his hair. “I can’t believe you’re saying this right now.”
“I can’t believe you’re saying you won’t go.”
“I didn’t think it was even an option.” He looked down at his hands in his lap. “I thought you’d want me to stay.”
I raised his chin up so he would look me in the eye. “I always want to be with you. I don’t want you to leave me. I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy when I’m with you.”
“Then don’t screw some California groupie chick, and you’ll have me.”
“I meant what I said before. I don’t want anybody else. You’re it for me.”
“Good. Then pursuing your dreams on the other side of the country won’t change anything between us. I’ll be here waiting for you when you come back.”
“Come with me.”
I laughed. “Yeah. Right.”
“Why not? You don’t have anything tying you to this place.”
“I couldn’t just leave Tanner by himself to work in the shop.”
“My mom was talking about selling the place.”
“Yeah, if they couldn’t keep the business afloat. I can help them keep it afloat. They would be crushed to lose your dad’s shop. Wouldn’t you?”
Chase shrugged. “It was never my thing. I always had other plans for my future. If they can’t make it work, they should just sell it and be done with all the stress.”
I played with the strings from my hood. “I couldn’t move to California. You’d be busy, but what would I do?”
“Why not go to school there? Finish getting your Bachelor’s Degree, and go from there. We can get an apartment together. I can bartend for cash.”
