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“Why, so you can go running to Dad and snitch, like normal?”
“No man, ’cause…’cause I miss you, how many times do I need to tell you?”
Ben sighed, regretting his response before it even came out. “I’m somewhere in Tennessee,” he replied.
“Let me guess, Memphis?” The cackle that came down the line made Ben end the call.
How had he and Matt ended up like this? They used to be so close as kids, playing together as a little team. Just the two of them against the world. Well, their parents and the staff. But then as they got older and expectations started piling on them, Matt pulled away, effectively ending their closeness and instead they became like strangers. That was one of the reasons Ben found it so hard to trust people. His own family had shut him out.
He shook his head; he didn’t need to think about them anymore. He just wanted Kayleigh, so he went and booted up his computer, ruffling Geralt’s long, white mane while he waited to log into the chat.
GoodGirlKay:What did the turkey say to its computer?
GoodGirlKay:Google, Google, Google!
GoodGirlKay:Happy Thanksgiving, bestie xx
Ben’s smile stretched wide. Yep, this was exactly what he needed.
*
Chapter 13
A couple of days later Ben was pacing back and forth in Taylor’s office, the volume of the crowd out in the bar twisting his stomach into knots.
It was all Kayleigh’s fault he was in this position. If she hadn’t been so damn inspiring, he would be at home having boys’ night with Geralt. Instead, here he was, examining the profound impact she was having on his life.
Ben had thought himself broken when he arrived in Citrus Pines, eager to seek out his online friend for comfort, to help him lick his wounds and start fresh. But the town and Kayleigh had brought him back to life. Only he was keeping two things from her. The true foundation of their friendship, and his passion for performing. And he couldn’t seem to work up the courage to tell her about either.
He would tell her who he really was, and soon. He owed it to her after she had done what he thought was impossible. Watching her grow in confidence and determination had given him the courage to take up performing again, to live his life how he wanted and ignore his family’s ridicule. Screw his family’s derision. Screw what they thought. Life was feeling good.
Except that he didn’t think he could find the words to tell her about it. Not after what happened the last time he revealed his passion to someone. But he couldshowher.
Which was how he found himself, in Taylor’s office, dressed in that white satin jumpsuit decorated with gleaming rhinestones, hair slicked back, guitar in hand, and pacing to keep the stage fright at bay.
He had spoken to Taylor, agreed with her that he would be able to perform tonight and see what kind of draw the event was. Last night he opened up his old Twitter and Instagram accounts to post for the first time in months.
@TheKingLivesOn:Live performance at The Rusty Bucket Inn in Citrus Pines, TN. Saturday November 26th at 7pm.
He had messaged Kayleigh, asking her to come to the bar tonight and bring her parents. She wasn’t meant to be working, a new girl, Rebelle, was starting her first shift and Taylor was working closely with her. He had also stopped by the diner earlier in the day and asked Ruby to join, he could hear her even now out in the bar, hollering and cackling at various jokes.
His tension mounted, his stage fright grew. Something else he and Elvis shared but when both of them got on stage, they loved it, despite the nerves. Still he needed Kayleigh here like he had never needed anyone before.
There was a knock at the door and his stomach clenched tighter. Taylor poked her head in and Ben remembered how jealous he had been of her when he first arrived. How he’d thought his girl had been in love with her and that he would never stand a chance. Now he could sense Kayleigh felt differently about Taylor, more sisterly than like a lover.
“Holy shit, you look fucking amazing!” Taylor gasped. “I swear, if I wasn’t dickmatized by Beau, I would be on you right now.”
Ben chuckled. She certainly had a way with words, he’d give her that.“Thank you very much.”
Taylor’s hand flew to her chest. “Be still my beating heart. You had to know what you were doing there, right?”
He chuckled again. The phrase had just slipped out. “Thanks, I think. Is Kayleigh here?”
“Yup, just turned up, parents in tow.”
Ben went over to the door and peeked out. Seeing Kayleigh, her little peach head peeking out above the crowd, looking for him, his heart settled, his stomach quieted and he justknew. He was ready to bare his soul to her.
“You should probably get out there, Ruby is gonna start a riot soon,” Taylor sighed.
