Wounded But Not Scarred (New Adult Rockers 2) (9 page)

“That's a big deal! When?”

“Friday afternoon.”

“Well, there’s nothing else to
discuss. I’ll be there!”

“Daddy says you’re welcome to stay
at the house anytime.”

My mom makes a face. “Well, that’s
very nice of him, but I might opt for a hotel just the same.”

I laugh. “I figured. Just thought
I’d pass along the message.”

“Well, I’ll work things out at work
and then I’ll get in touch with you. I know you’re going to be busy promoting
your album, so you let me know how much you’ll be around and I’ll make my plans
accordingly.”

We walk out of my mother’s house
and down the driveway to my car. It's refreshing to be back in Bristol this weekend
and I hadn’t realized how much I missed my mother until I was actually with her
again.

We spent Friday afternoon at the
spa together, getting massages, manicures and pedicures before heading out for
a nice dinner in town. After sleeping in on Saturday, my grandmother came over
and we did some baking using my grandmother’s secret family recipes. I had
three containers filled with sweets already packed in the car, and I knew Blake
and Daddy were going to be thankful for those. My grandmother made her famous
ribs Saturday for dinner, and I had a cooler bag filled with those leftovers, too.

We all went to church on Sunday
morning, and then had brunch in town. I said my goodbyes to my grandmother and
Momma and I did some shopping Sunday afternoon before bringing home take out
from one of my favorite restaurants. Of course, my mother had asked if I wanted
to visit any friends, but we both knew that I had none in Bristol anymore.

On Monday morning I packed up my
car and was ready to head back to Nashville.

“I’m so proud of you, Paige,” my
mother says, pulling me in for one more hug. I hug her back once more and kiss
her on the cheek.

“Thank you, Momma. I’ll see you
real soon and we’ll talk soon too, okay?”

“You got it, sweetheart.”

I get into my car and pull away,
looking at my mother in the rearview mirror. She was already dressed for work, and
I knew she would be getting into her car moments later to head to one of her
meetings.

It was good to visit Bristol, but
it also reminded me of how sad and empty my life had been here. I leave Bristol
behind me and set my sights back on Nashville, my mind already focusing on the
upcoming weeks.

We head out of the radio station,
and I scroll through my phone. I have two missed calls from my realtor, Cici.

“Great job!” another DJ calls out.

I smile and wave, as Ben and Ryan
yell out a thanks. It’s only the first week of doing press for our CD, and
already the band is getting some major hype. Of course, Paige is doing great
too, her single which dropped four days ago, is already making its way towards
the country top 100.

“Hang on,” I say to the guys, as I
pause to listen to the voicemail.

“Hi there, Blake. Just wanted to
let you know that a couple made an offer on your house today. It’s a little
lower than we were hoping for, but rumor has it that another potential buyer
might make an offer, and that could start you off on a nice little bidding war.
Give me a call when you get this.”

No shit! My house has been on the
market for less than two weeks and I already have an offer? I’m not sure how
low the offer is, but a bidding war definitely sounds like a good thing.

“Hey, I got an offer on my house,”
I say, catching back up with Ben and Ryan.

“That’s great,” Ryan says, as we
make our way out to the parking lot.

“Yeah man. Good luck with that,”
offers Ben. “You off to see Paige now?”

“Nah. She’s in Memphis for the day
promoting her stuff.”

“Damn! Memphis!” Ben whistles.

“She’s a hot chick who can sing,”
Ryan reasons, “it’s no wonder she’s there. What do they have her doing?”

“I think she started out on a radio
show this morning and then she's supposed to be doing a live performance on one
of the morning talk shows. Then I think she has to make a few other stops
around town. She should be back later.”

I was proud of Paige. She was
working hard and she had hardly blinked at the demanding schedule we'd been
given. At least I got to go around with my buddies to promote, but Paige had to
promote by herself. Except for the few instances where she was booked with the
band.

I say goodbye to the guys and get
into my truck. Before I even have the chance to call Cici back, she calls
again.

“Hey Cici, I was just getting ready
to call you back. I’ve been tied up at the radio station all morning.”

“No problem!” she says, her voice
excited. “I’m sorry to bug you again, but I just had to tell you that you’ve
got a second bid on the house!”

“No way! That’s great!”

“I know! The second offer is still
lower than what we wanted, but better than the first. So I’m going to get the
ball rolling now, but I think you’re going to sell your house in no time!”

“That’s great, Cici! You’re the
best! So, what do I need to do now?”

“You don’t do a thing. I’m going to
get this started, and then we’ll see what we can get. Once we get possible
counter offers, I’ll let you know.”

“Sweet.”

I’m excited but terrified because I
wasn’t planning on the house selling so soon. I definitely don’t want to rush
Paige into anything, and right now we’re way too busy to even house hunt or
discuss our future. My parents already offered that I could move in with them
in the event that the house sells before Paige and I take the next step.

I drive home thinking about the
three weeks we have leading up to the release of our albums. Usually, singers
release their single a good month or two before their actual album, but since
we’re not well known, we’re only doing three weeks. And Kenny has just about
solidified a tour that is set to start in late October and run until
mid-December, with a two week break for the holidays, and then to continue for
the month of January.

I’m lost in my thoughts so much so
that I don’t notice the sleek black sedan parked across the street. I park my
truck and get out, smiling at the For Sale sign in my neatly mowed yard, hoping
that I can take it down soon.

“Blake!” a deep voice calls out,
and I’m startled as I turn around and see Jeffrey Devlin emerging from the
black sedan.

What the hell is he doing here?

My mouth presses into a thin line.
“What can I help you with Jeffrey?” I ask abruptly as he strides up to me.

He’s dressed in an immaculate
three-piece suit, with gleaming cufflinks that probably cost more than my
truck.

“I’d like a word with you,” he says
formally.

I don’t move a muscle. “Sure.”

“Can we go inside?” he asks, eyeing
my front door.

“Right here is just fine.”

He nods, and takes a moment to
gather himself. I’m not sure what he has come for, but I’m sure it’s nothing
good, and I’m not going to make him comfortable in the process.

“You hurt our daughter deeply,” he
begins and I hold my hand up to stop him.

“If this is about your daughter,
I’m not interested in hearing it. Savannah and I broke up nearly two months
ago, and I’ve moved on with my life. I suggest your family does the same.”

I’m not listening to this bullshit.
Doesn’t Jeffrey Devlin have a corporation to run?

“Well, that’s just the problem.
Clearly you’ve moved on because you had another woman waiting in the wings,” he
draws. “Savannah, on the other hand, can’t seem to get over that fact.”

“Then I suggest you find her a good
therapist,” I say coldly.

I highly doubt Savannah is a having
a hard time getting over things. I’ve heard the rumors, and it seems Savannah
is doing just fine and making her rounds through the beds of Nashville’s most
eligible bachelors. I may be an asshole sometimes, but I’m not about to inform
Jeffrey of his daughter’s sexcapades.

Jeffrey gives me a shrewd look. “I
suppose I shouldn’t be surprised by your callous attitude. I thought you might
feel a little sorry about what you had done, clearly I over-estimated you.”

I give him a hard look. “I
am
sorry
that I hurt your daughter, but Savannah and I
both
knew we were not a
good match. I think she’s more upset about the fact that she was ‘embarrassed.’
And let’s be honest here, Jeffrey, did you really want me for a son-in-law?”

Jeffrey makes a sour face and I
don’t need any answer other than that.

“Exactly. So, let’s drop this and
move on with our lives. We all know that I never had any intention of giving up
my music and coming to work for you.”

“Be that as it may, I don’t like to
see my little girl hurting. Now, I’m going to offer you one last chance to make
things right.”

Is he fucking serious? He must be
out of his damn mind.

“I
have
made things right,”
I say furiously, and I take a moment to calm myself down. The last thing I want
to do is have a heated physical altercation with Jeffrey Devlin outside on my
lawn.

“Savannah doesn’t think so. I’m
offering you one million dollars to leave your girlfriend and get back together
with Savannah. I’m prepared to purchase any home that you and Savannah should
desire. And on top of that, I’m going to set up a bank account for you and
Savannah, and deposit three million dollars on the day after you marry. For
each yearly anniversary you celebrate, I will contribute an additional three
million dollars to your joint fund.”

I stand there staring at Jeffrey,
my mouth hanging open.

He smiles smugly. “Impressed aren’t
you? Hard to turn down an offer like that.”

“Are you serious?” I sputter. Does
he really think I’m speechless because I’m so
impressed
by his offer?
“I. Don’t. Want. A. Dime. Of. Your. Money,” I spit.

Jeffrey clearly wasn’t expecting
this, and he pulls at the cuffs of his suit, and straightens his shoulders.

“I’m sorry. Come again?”

“You heard me. I don’t want one
cent of your dirty money.”

“You’re out of your mind.”

“No, Jeffrey, you’re out of your
mind. I can’t believe you have the balls to show up at my house and offer me
that kind of money to marry your spoiled, selfish daughter.”

“Watch your tongue!” he warns.

“You’re just as disgusting as she
is. Coming over here to bribe me. I. Don’t. Love. Your. Daughter. Do you
understand? You really want her to marry someone that doesn’t like her, let
alone love her? You’re willing to
bribe
me with
millions
of
dollars because you know that I don’t
want
your daughter. Want kind of
scum do you take me for? And how can you think so little of your daughter?”

“You damn idiot!” he hisses, “Don’t
try to tell me that I don’t care about my daughter. I’m doing this
because
I love her!”

“Bull shit! You should be ashamed
of yourself. Now get back into your chauffeured ride and stay the hell away
from me. And the same for your daughter! I want nothing to do with any of you!”

I stalk away, shaking my head in
disgust. I’ve never felt so unclean, and I actually feel bad for Savannah. Her
father is willing to pay someone millions of dollars to pretend that they love
her. It blows my fucking mind.

“You’ve screwed with the wrong
people, Blake Evans.”

I spin around. “What the hell is
your problem? I broke up with your daughter! I didn’t commit a crime! Get a
fucking life!” I’m yelling now; I can’t help it.

I jam my key into my lock and shove
the door open. I slam the door shut behind me.

“Argh!” I yell, pounding my fist
against the closed door. I pace back and forth in the hallway for a minute and
then stride over to the window and tear the curtain back.

The sedan is gone.

I stalk into the kitchen and grab a
cold beer. I twist the cap off, throw it in the sink and take a deep, long
drink.

“That stupid son of a bitch,” I
mutter, chugging the rest of the beer. I toss the bottle across the room and
into the recycling bin. I feel a bit of smug satisfaction when I hear it
shatter in the bin. I feel like a caged animal and I jump up again, and start
pacing the kitchen.

What the hell is wrong with that
family? I had every right to end things with Savannah. I hadn’t signed some
damn contract promising to love and marry her. People break up; it happens. It
wasn’t pretty, but it happened. And now her crazy fucking family is harassing
me because I don’t want her anymore. Don’t they have any damn pride?

I want to tell Paige what happened,
but I’m still way too angry, and I don’t want her to hear how angry I am – it
will only upset her and scare her. Once I calm down, I’ll tell her about it in
a reasonable tone.