In the Lyrics (26 page)

“Oh, no, dude. I just…”

Dusty interrupts me, “You just what, randomly met people from a label and didn’t tell us?”

Before I have time to answer him, Brittani saunters up to us. She’s drunk, again.
When does this girl not drink?

“Cole,” she shortens my name. “I’ve been missin’ you!” she chuckles. Reaching her hand out to brace herself, I move my shoulder with lightning speed, dodging her touch. There’s no way in hell she’s using me to get to Hensley, and I know that’s her goal. It always is. Rolling her eyes, she makes a snotty face and says, “Whatever. Looky, I was just comin’ to say y’all sounded good. But I can see ya don’t care, so buh-bye!”

Silently thanking our lucky stars, we ignore her as she makes her exit, straight for the bar.

“Anyways, she’s right. We played a hell of a set!” I hold my fist up for Dusty to pound, but he doesn’t. “What’s wrong, dude?”

He looks pissed.

“Nothing, bro. I can hide shit too.” Walking away he heads towards the bar and stands by Brittani and her annoying posse.

“That smile looks good on you,” I wrap my arms around Hensley’s body as I near her.

Beaming she says, “Thank you for putting it there. I don’t know what you did or who you had to pay to invite us here tonight, but it’s been amazing. It’s been…real. Like we’re actually musicians that people paid to come see, to come listen to. It’s pretty freakin’ cool.”

Taking a deep breath, I say, “Yeah, it’s pretty freakin’ cool.”

“So who were those guys and how do you know them?”

I know I have to tell her. I wouldn’t ever blatantly lie to her face.

Softly I say, “Music producers.” And her eyes widen. I don’t know if she’s going to haul off and punch me or she’s just in shock. Moving my eyes to her waist, her hands stay below her belt and I know it’s the shock that leaves her speechless.

“What do you mean? How do you know them? Holy shit, stop the clock, Colby! I feel like a baseball player and the major league scouts just watched me throw a perfect game. What if they sign us?”

Regret, guilt, and douchery wash over me. It pains me to know that they weren’t interested in either of my closest friends last time, but even though it’s not looking good so far, I have hope that after tonight they’ll want us all. I need them to want us all, because after the summer we’ve had, the memories and things we’ve shared, her meeting my brother and my mother who adores her, I can’t leave her. I’d turn Michael and Robert down without a second thought. I just don’t know how to tell her all of this without her thinking I’ve been keeping something. Which I have, but it sucks royally admitting it to her.

Swallowing the giant egg in my throat feels impossible. “Let’s not get too excited, Sunshine.”

“How can I not get excited? Wait, why aren’t you more excited? And what did Dusty mean, do you already know them?”

Shit.

“No, Sunshine. Not personally. Listen, you’re right, they did seem pretty stoked. Let’s just calm down though, wait and see what they say. Come over here and give me some love, that’s what I wanna worry about.”

Holding Hensley close to me, we walk towards a small booth and sit down, as remorse takes its presence in my heart, blocking out the boyfriend-of-the-year award I just lost by lying. She’s still feeling the high from the show; her hands won’t stop moving and her foot is kicking knots on my ankle as it dangles beside me. Attempting to chill, we sit and people-watch from afar for a while. It’s amazing the things you observe when you’re one of the only sober people in a room. Not that I’m on a high horse or anything, but seeing how my Pops loves the bottle probably more than he loves me, it’s not something I want to or would ever resort to. Either to drown out my fucked up life or to have a good time. I don’t need booze; all I need is this sweet thing beside me.

A roar draws my attention and then the sight of two dudes fighting makes me jump up. Hensley stands behind me as we catch a glimpse of Dusty wrestling on the floor with Logan.
What the fuck?
I didn’t even know he was here. Why would he come out and watch us in the first place? Hensley is the only explanation I can muster up. He sweats her big time and it makes me sick. I actually feel ill, because I’m scared if I catch him staring at her with that stomach-turning look one more time I might kill him. That is if Dusty doesn’t do it first.

Turning around, I grab Hensley’s face with both of my hands. “Stay here. I’m not kidding, Hens. I know you get all high and mighty like you can do anything a man can do, but not tonight, Sunshine. Please, just sit down and stay away from them. They’re both crazy!” I kiss her gently and then sternly stare at her until she backs up and her ass hits the booth. Rushing through the crowd of people, I see Logan sitting on Dusty’s chest. Blow after blow, Logan’s fist is attacking his jaw.

“Move the fuck out of my way!” I holler as I elbow people, trying to break through them and get closer. “That’s enough, boys,” I bellow, grabbing Logan’s wrist. I squeeze tightly. Dusty’s mouth is bloody and there’s a big gash above his eyebrow. The class ring on Logan’s hand sure did its job.

“I don’t know what you two idiots are fighting about, but this isn’t the place or time. Logan get the fuck up, and you,” I grab the first female I see, “Take him to the bar and get some ice on his hand. If he ever wants to play football again, he’s going to regret not icing the son of a bitch.” She nods, but he doesn’t stand up. “Do I look like I’m kidding?” Dusty groans as Logan puts pressure on his chest to push himself up with one hand. “Morons, I swear,” I mumble under my breath. The girl holds onto Logan and they walk towards the bar. Bending down, I help my dumbass best friend to his feet. He doesn’t say a word as his feet shuffle forward.

“Oh my gosh, look at your face!” Hensley whines as we near the booth. I’m please she listened and stayed put. If one of these jerks had hit her by accident instead of each other, I don’t care which one it was, I’d beat the shit out of them.

Dusty bends down and sits on the wooden bench.

“Dude, what’s up? What was all that about?” I question him.

He doesn’t answer, but sits shaking his head. Something’s going on. The way he tested me earlier and was acting grumpy and now this. “It’s fucking Logan, dude. He’s a chump. He told Trevor that I’ve been messing with someone else. So he didn’t come. I can’t find him anywhere, but I found Logan. So I hit him, and then he hit me a few more times.”

“Yeah, well, looks like you’re going to need a few stitches. Hensley, why don’t you take the car and Dusty to that little urgent care place? I’ll tell Mitch that we had to leave for an emergency. He shouldn’t mind. I’m pretty sure he said he had another gig lined up to play after us anyways. I’ll pack all this equipment up. Just swing by and scoop me up on the way home.”

“Okay.” Standing up, she hugs me. “Stay out of trouble, babe. Logan’s not worth Dusty or you getting in trouble with the law for.”

“I know. Go on. He needs to be seen ASAP.”

PICKING HENSLEY’S GUITAR up and placing it in her case, I hear Michael’s voice from behind me. “We went ahead and had the studio fax over some documents, Colby.”

Turning, I bark, “What documents?”

“Seriously, son? What do we have to do? Tell us, because we want you. Smashtown wants you.”

My dream is being handed to me on a silver platter, Levi’s dream. And for a split second after the words leave Michael’s mouth all I can think about is telling Hensley. The look on her face when I tell her I got signed and she didn’t. It would devastate her, and honestly, while I’d like to believe our love would keep us together and help her broken heart mend, I don’t know if it would. I can’t leave her. I don’t want to. Ever.

Emotions dance across my face, as my mind and my heart battle.

“Listen, Colby, before you turn us down…” Michael walks closer to me and puts his hand on my shoulder. “Young love is something we’ve all been through. That kiss on stage told me you were in deep, but this is your career. What you’ve always wanted…it’s happening. Sign this form, and let us turn you into the biggest country star out there. Smashtown wants you, and you need us. It’s a win-win. And in the end, if your relationship lasts, that will just be a bonus.”

My ears ring as his mouth moves. These are the words I’ve been waiting to hear, praying to hear for years now, but I can’t shake the feeling in my gut. I love music, it defines me from the inside out, but I love Hensley more. And I know with certainty that Levi would love her too.

“With all due respect, sir…”

Robert interrupts me, “Mr. Grant,” he says as he opens the left side of his blazer and pulls out an envelope. “There’s a check inside with your name on it. Take a look at it before you say another word.”

Handing me the envelope, I take it and walk away. My feet feel like boulders as I lift my legs and climb the wooden steps to the stage. The place has been closed for a while now, so it’s just the workers and us three here. Fumbling with the sealed paper, I rip it open and stare at a number that makes me want to vomit. In the memo section it says, “Sign-on Bonus.”

$150,000.00 is a hell of a bonus.

My brain rushes through the things that could be done with that money, and it keeps replaying images of the farm, the one that’s going under faster than we thought. This money would help, it would more than help. It’d save us. Maybe then my Pops would stop drinking. If he saw the light at the end of the tunnel and things got better, maybe it would help him realize good things can still happen for him. But my heart is twisting in my chest, and I actually feel short of breath.

What are the signs of a heart attack?

“So, do you want this pen?”

Without hesitation I bark, “No, sir,” and rip the check in half. “I’m honored, blessed, and honestly fucking amazed that you see that kind of talent in me. Smashtown is huge. I’m not a fool, but I’m also not one of those jewel-jean wearing singers y’all represent either.” Their faces turn cold. “I did my homework after the last time we met. I can’t guarantee this is a smart decision, turning down money like that, but I don’t want this industry to change me or what I know is right. And right now, this is what’s right for me.”

“If playing on this stage that looks like it’s about to rot is right for you, then so be it, son.” He statement reminds me of the words my father said not too long ago when I left home. “But…you’re making a very big mistake for your career.” Michael’s voice sounds cold and distant as he scolds me for my decision. “There are millions of kids your age that would die to be offered this opportunity, some you may even know. I’d hate to see you with a broken heart and no record label.”

I nod. Not because I agree, but because I am at a loss for words. This is an amazing opportunity. I’m not blind, but I’m in love and I can’t leave my girl. Not now after she told me she loves me.

Robert bends and picks up the shredded check, and then they both walk away leaving me feeling like a giant idiot and the best boyfriend all at the same time. But for some outlandish reason, I feel like Michael was threatening me. His words ring in my head, “I’d hate to see you with a broken heart and no record label.”

His ego must be wounded. I’m sure he doesn’t get turned down a lot.

HITTING COLBY’S NAME on the screen, I turn onto the freeway. Urgent care was closed so we had to go to the hospital. Three stitches later and here we are. Looking over my shoulder, I switch lanes as the phone rings.

“Hello,” Colby says, his voice sounds hoarse.

“Hey, babe, you okay?”

“Just a li’l tired, that’s all. I was just about to call you. Trevor’s here. He’s helping me load everything up now. We’ll meet y’all at the apartment.”

Trevor’s there?

“What’s he doin’ there?” I yap.

“Word gets around fast. I guess someone told him what happened and he rushed here to check on Dusty, but y’all were already gone when he got here. So he stayed around waiting, helping me clean things up a bit.”

Okay, that was nice of him.

“All right, well, we’re about to be at the apartment. See ya in a few. I love you.”

“I love you more than anything in this world, Sunshine,” he says before we both disconnect the line.