AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her breath catches. “Maybe your heart grew two sizes like your…” I cover her mouth with mine.
“I’m serious. I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you. There’s a camera in the necklace. You have to tap it twice to activate it. Tap it now, so we can make sure it’s working.”
We give it a trial run and my phone notifies me of an incoming video.
Vanessa’s eyes widen when she says, “My boyfriend is a spy. This is so cool.”
Of course, Vanessa would jump from a cliff with no net if she knew it was a thing. I hope she never watches that extreme sports channel. The difference between us is she’s a risk taker and I take calculated risks.
“Let’s go catch a private plane.”
She kisses me then asks, “Is Hayes meeting us at the airport?”
“No, he’s meeting us at the ball with the contract signed.”
* * *
In the thirty minutes it takes Maverick to fly us to Nashville, Vanessa, Jessie, Ali, and Wynter are already buzzed. They all did shots of the new Bourbon 12. Vanessa said, “I can’t in good conscience sell liquor that I haven’t done shots with my friends. Consider this batch christened.”
Axel and I shake our heads and chuckle.
By the time we get to the ball, some of the effects have worn off. The girls are searching for Hayes and beg me to call him. I assure them that he’ll be fashionably late and make an entrance.
Wise Fox Hall is an old, white mansion used in movies and music videos. It covers twenty acres on the edge of Brentwood, about ten miles from Nashville. I check my earpiece as I see two of Ben’s men dressed in suits, stand against the far wall so that the whole room is in front of them.
Plus, there are a few undercover guys, too. We wanted to make sure people knew there was a security presence as there will be some high-profile celebrities, like Hayes.
Hayes messages me that he’s here, so Vanessa and I meet him in another room and sign the contract.
Starstruck, Vanessa stares at Hayes before saying, “You are perfect for my brand. I need to give a little welcome speech, introducing my new bourbon, then I’ll introduce you. Sing as long as you want, but I paid for six songs.”
Hayes looks at me and says to Vanessa, “Yes ma’am. I’ll make sure everyone has a good time.”
When we get back to our friends, we all do a celebratory shot before Vanessa takes the small stage.
“Good evening, everyone. Thank you for coming to the first annual Bourbon Ball. The staff is coming around with a sample of my family’s Special Reserve called Barron’s Twelve. Please take a glass and we’ll toast in just a moment.” She blows out a breath.
“I fought against coming into the family business until my dad made me feel so guilty that I moved home. I was living here in Nashville, barely scraping by, like so many others in this town waiting for the big break. I didn’t need a break; I was already broken and hiding from my feelings. Keeping secrets from those I love the most. But life is about timing and my dad brought me into the business when I needed it most, and it reconnected me with my past.
Barron’s Bourbon is entering a new phase in its life, just as I am. I grew up ruining batches and playing hide and seek on the grounds, but no one knows that distillery better than me. I know every nook and cranny. Barron’s 12-Year Special Reserve will partner with exclusive businesses and celebrities. Raise your shot. To Barron’s 12-Year!”
The crowd throws their heads back, even the women. It’s smooth and you can see on their faces they’re pleasantly surprised that there is minimal burn.
“Now without further ado, I’d like to introduce the face of Barron’s 12, country music’s own, Haaaaayes Deislich.”
The party goers race to the stage while clapping. “Thank you. This first song goes out to my friends, Beau and Vanessa. I wrote it last week, so you’re the first to hear it. Hope you like it, it’s called ‘Piece Me Together.’”
Maverick grabs Jessie, Axel grabs Ali, and I extend my hand to Vanessa. She’s wearing a classy, maroon one-shoulder gown. I twirl her into my arms. “I’m proud of you. Your dad would be, too.”
She looks at me with those brilliant green eyes and my heart squeezes. There’s something I haven’t told her yet. Not that I’m keeping it from her intentionally, but it has never been the right time.
“Thanks. I owe much of it to you for keeping me safe. It’s allowed me to concentrate on work, sometimes.” She winks at me with those sinful, deep raspberry lips. The ones that make me crazy when she wraps them around me.
The words of ‘Piece Me Together’ couldn’t be truer for Vanessa and me.
Every piece of me is a memory of you.
Pick me up and show me the way.
