Chapter One
“Y’ALL AREN’T GOING TO BELIEVE WHAT I HEARD THIS MORNING. ” MRS.AGNES ABERNATHY BLEW INTO DELTA DAWN’S BEAUTY PalacelikeanEasternCarolinaHurricane
There were two things youcould countonina small Southerntown God and gossip. As a preacher’s daughter who’d gottenknockedupoutofwedlock,Iwasnostrangertoeither.
TotuneAgnesout,Iturnedmyblowdryeronhigh ThelastthingIneededwastogetbehindwithmyfirstclient Ihadafull dayof hair and nail appointments, a mountainof night school homework, and double the kindergartenregistrationforms to completebeforeIcoulddragmyselftobed
Ms.Hazelpattedmyarmandshouted,“Turnthatoffforasecond.Thissoundslikeit’sgonnabegood.”
“Surething”Iheldinasighandhitthepowerbutton
“Whathappened?”Delta,mygrandma,setdownherhairsprayandgaveAgnesherfullattention.Shealwaysperkedupat thepromiseofsnoopingthroughsomeoneelse’sdirtylaundry.
For the owner ofa beautyparlor, a red-hotrumor was more thana chance to be nosey Itmeantanincrease inwalk-in business.Theonlythingfolksinthesepartslovedmorethanhearinggossipwasgivingtheiropinionsaboutit.
“Hold your horses I’mgetting ready to blow your minds” Agnes grinned like she’d found the winning lottery ticket “Truly,comeoverhere.You’regoingtowanttohearthis.”
I cringed before I could stop myself. Gossip in Swans Harbor worked a lot like that old game, Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.Ifshewantedmetohearit,Agnes’srumorwasprobablyaboutmeorsomeoneIcaredabout. Thankfully,myphonerang.
“Savedbythebell”IgrinneduntilIglancedattheRaleighnumber “Ineedtotakethis”
Agnesblewoutafrustratedbreath.“Fine,thenI’llwait.”
Deltaraisedabrowandmouthed,“Lawyer?” Inoddedandhurriedtothebackporch.“Hello.”
“Hey,Truly.Doyouhaveamoment?It’saboutyourcases.”Macysoundedfartoochippertobediscussinglegalmatters. Myalreadyfrazzlednervessparkedlikedownedpowerlines.“Hi.Yes.Ofcourse.”
MacyandIhadbeencollegeroommates until I’ddroppedoutwhenI’dgottenpregnant.Whilewe’ddriftedapartafter I leftDuke,shewasthefirstpersonIthoughtofwhenIdecidedtoexploremylegaloptions Macyhadtakenonelookat both my casesanddeclaredshe’dworkformeprobono.
“IheardbackfromtheLasVegascoroner’soffice Eli’sbloodandtissuesamplesweredestroyedbeforetheyreceivedthe courtorder.”
She’d warned me establishingpaternitythis waywas a longshot, butI’d insisted we try. Itwasn’tthe twins’faulttheir fatherhadnotonlynevergottenaroundtosigningtheirbirthcertificates,butdiedwithoutawill “Whataboutthegrandparents’ DNAtests?”
Macy’stonehardened “MavisandHaroldVaughnrefusedtosubmitasample”
“Because theystand to inherit everything.” I would never forgive Eli’s parents for robbingmygirls of a share intheir father’sestate Itwasn’tlikeIwasaskingformillions,justenoughtokeeparoofovertheirheadsandfoodintheirbellies,and maybe,somemoneyforcollege.
“HasMavisaskedtoseePaisleyandSkylar?”
“Notsince the funeral” Iunderstoodmoneymade people dohorrible things,butIcouldn’tunderstandhow Mavis could turnherbackonhergranddaughters.Whethershelegallyclaimedthemornot,theywereherfleshandblood.
“That’ssadforherandthegirls”Shedrewadeepbreath “Westillhavetheintellectualpropertycase”
“Iguess.”Establishingpaternitywasonething,butoutrightsuingmydaughters’fatherwasadifferentkettleoffish.Sure, he’d never givenme creditfor the music I’d written, butthe whole IPlawsuitthingfeltgross Especiallynow thatEli was dead.
“Isentyour copyrightcertifications,thepertinentcorrespondencebetweenyouandEli,andaninfringementnoticetothe
recordcompany.Asexpected,theyrefutedyourclaimtothesongsyouwrote.”ShesoundedfarmoreoptimisticthanIfelt.
“What’sthenextstep?”
“Wetakethemtocourt I’dlikeyoutocomeinandreadovereverythingbeforeIfilethesuit Youcansignthepaperswhile you’rehere.”
Betweentheprospectofatwo-hourdrive,thelawsuit,andmylifeingeneral,Idesperatelyneededtoblowoffsomesteam MybodymusthaveagreedbecauseIlaughedinMacy’sear.
“Youstillcacklewhenyou’refreakedout?”Shechuckled Myfaceburned.“Youknowmetoowell.”
“We’llgetthroughthis,Tru.WhatcanIdotomakeiteasieronyou?”
“Canyouemailthepaperstome?Idon’thaveamorningoffuntilthetwinsstartschool”Ipacedthebackporchtoclear myhead.“Plus,Ineedtoslowdownandthinkthisthrough.”
“I’ll sendthemnow”ThesoundofMacy’stypingfilledtheline “Iunderstandwhyyou’rehesitant,butthinkaboutwhat thismoneycouldmeanforyouandthegirls.”
“PaisleyandSkylararetheonlyreasonsI’mevenconsideringthis ”Istruggledtoswallowbacktheemotioncloggingmy throat.“It’dbedifferentifEliwasstillalive,butdoingthisnowseems…Idon’twanttodirtyhislegacy.”
“Ihearwhatyou’resaying.Andyes,Eli’saccidentwasatragedy,butyouwouldn’tbeinthissituationifhewasalive.You couldgetthissortedoutwithasimplephonecall”
There was more to the situation thansullyingEli’s memory. Ihad the girls to thinkabout. “I’mworried about how the twinswillfeelwhentheyfindoutIsuedtheirdad Oncethepressgetswindofthecourtcase,everyoneintownwillbetalking aboutit.There’llbenokeepingitfromthem.”
“Technically,youcan’tsueaco-copyrightholder.We’regoingafterShenandoahRecords,”Macysaid.
Thedistinctiondidn’tmakemefeelanybetter.“Iknow,butitfeelslikewe’resplittinghairshere.Peoplearegoingtoget hurt.”
PeoplelikeChanceAlden,theotherhalfoftheVaughn-AldenBand
Whenwewerekids,Eli,Chance,andIhadbeenliketheThreeMusketeers.Onceuponatime,I’dconsideredChancemy bestfriend,buthewassomuchmore Hewasmyfirstkiss,firstboyfriend,firstlotsofthings IowedittohimtotellhimwhatwasgoingonbeforeIfiledthelawsuit.Byrights,thesongswerehalfhis.I’dcomposed themusic,andhe’dwrittenthelyrics.
“I’mgoingtoreachouttoChanceonemoretime,”Isaid.
“I’msureheknows this is coming.Therecordlabel wouldhavetoldhimabouttheinfringementnotice.Besides,you’ve beentryingtocontacthimformonths Myguessishisattorneysadvisedhimnottospeaktoyou”
Thetruthinherwordshitmelikeatwobyfourtotheheart.“Ididn’tthinkaboutthat.”
“AndI’madvisingyoutodothesame Anythingyousay,nomatterhowinnocent,couldbeusedagainstyouincourt” Iwanted to argue the Chance Iknew would never betrayme, butthatwas a lie. Ididn’tknow himatall notanymore. “Thisisamess.”
Macydrewadeepbreath “I’msorry Iknowyoulovedthemboth” Loved,asinpasttense,didn’tquitesumupmyfeelingsforChanceAldenandEliVaughn.Apartofmewouldalwayslove them Eliforgivingmethegirls,andChance I’dalwayslovehimfornootherreasonthanhe’downedapieceofmyheart sincewewerekids.
“Thanks”Eventhoughshecouldn’tseeme,Istoppedpacing,stoodstraighter,andputonabraveface “I’llletyouknowif IhaveanyquestionsafterIreadthedocuments.”
“Keepyourchinup.Youhavearock-solidcase.”Macydisconnectedthecall. IglancedacrossthestreettoDelta’sramblingVictorian Thepeelingpaintandsaggyfrontstepsweren’ttheonlythingsthat neededfixing.Theplumbingranscaldinghottoicecoldornotatall,andtheelectricaloutletsinthegirls’roomdidn’twork whenitrained Theentireplacewasabig,beautifulfirehazard
Themoneyfromthelawsuitwouldgivemethemeanstofixitup.ItwastheleastIcoulddoaftereverythingmygrandma haddoneformeandthetwins WhenI’dfirstfoundoutIwasexpecting,myfathercutmeoffandrefusedtoallowmetocome home. Mymomhad died a few years earlier, so Iwas onmyown. Thankfully, Delta had takenme in, givenme a job, and providedashouldertocryon.
Atsomepointduringthoselongninemonths,AgnesandHazel,mygrandma’sbestfriends,hadsteppedupandnominated themselves honorarygreat-aunts-to-be. They’d gottenme throughthe newbornphase, the terrible twos, and the darkmonths afterEli’sdeath Iwouldneverforgettheloveandsupportthewomenhadshownmeduringthehardestyearsofmylife even iftheirshenanigansdrovemebatty.
I walked backinside withmyhead held high. Otherwise, the ladies would have peppered me witha millionquestions aboutmyphonecall.
Itturnedoutthegrown-upsweren’ttheonesIhadtoworryabout.
Paisleyglancedupfromhercoloringbookandwrinkledherbrow“Youlooksad,Momma.” “ShealwayslookssadwhenshetalkstoAuntMacy.”Skylarranabrushthroughherbabydoll’shair.
Ikneltbesidethem,stuckmytongueout,andcrossedmyeyes “Isthisbetter?” Skygiggled,butPaisleycontinuedtostarewithaworriedexpression.
“TalkingtoAuntMacydoesn’tmakemesad IfIwasfrowning,it’sbecauseshegavemealotofthingstothinkabout,”I said.
Paisleynoddedandpulledapinkcrayonfromthebox Withthegirlsappeased,Istood,squaredmyshoulders,andmademywayintothemainpartofthesalon. “Aboutdangtime.” Hazel shookher headatme before motioningto Agnes.“Now, spill it.Whathas yougrinninglike a donkeyeatin’briars?”
Eyestwinkling,Agnesdrewadeepbreathandpreparedtolaunchintoherstory. Beforeshecouldsayaword,MavisVaughnstrolledintothesalon “Didy’allhearChanceAldencanceledhistour?Word ishe’sindrugrehab.Ialwaysknewthatboywasnogood.”
Myheartthuddedtoastop Therehadtobeamistake Chancedidn’tevendrinkalcohol He’dneverdodrugs Notafterhis biologicalmotherhadoverdosedwhenhewaslittle.
“Mavis.Thatwasmystorytoshare.”Agnesstompedherfootandfoldedherarmslikeascoldedtoddler.“Andyougotit wrong Chancedidn’tcancelthetour,therecordcompanydid Theyhaven’tsoldenoughalbumssinceElipassedaway” Alleyesturnedtome.
I’d never getused to the pityinglooks and muttered prayers everytime someone mentioned him Before Icould thinkof somethingtosay,orevenreact,thetwinsrantomyside.
BothgirlsstaredatMavisasifwaitingforhertoacknowledgethem.Shedidn’t. “Ifanyoneownsthestory,it’sme.Itwasaboutmy boy.”Mavisglared.“Besides,itwasalloverthenewsthismorning.” Sensingaseniorcitizencatfightbrewing,Inoddedtothebackofthesalon.“Girls,goplayBarbiesinGrandma’soffice.”
Thetwinsglancedbetweenmeandthetickedoffwomenbeforehurryingaway “Well,sinceyouspoiledallthefun,youmightaswellleave.”Agnesblewaraspberryattheotherwoman.
“Asperusual,yourmoodisasuglyashomemadesoap”Withoutsparingaglanceinmydirection,Mavisstormedout “Goodriddance,”Hazelmutteredunderherbreath.
Theclackingoffakenailsonakeyboarddrewmyattention.Deltasquintedatthelaptop,shookherhead,andtypedsome more.
IhadafeelingIknewwhatshewasdoing,butthatdidn’tstopmefromasking,“Whatareyoulookingup?”
“Turns out poor Chance is still struggling with injuries from the accident” She turned the screen so I could see the headline,alongwithapanty-meltingphotoofthe bad boy of country music singinghisheartoutonstage.Behindhimstoodthe gorgeousredheadedbassplayer,MirandaBishop hisfiancée
Ithurtmetolookathim,butIcouldn’tturnaway.
Delta handed the laptop to Agnes and wrapped her arms around me. “I’msorry. Ididn’trealize seeingthe photos ofthe boyswouldupsetyouso”
“It’sjust…”Istruggledtogetmywordsout.“IhatethatIwasn’tthereforhimaftertheaccident.”
“That boy is trouble on two legs” Agnes pursed her lips “He might have been raised here, but living in the big city changedhim.”
“What are youtalkingabout?” Staringat the computer, Hazel cocked her head this wayand that as if tryingto find the trouble,orknowingtheelderlywoman,shewascheckingouthislegs.
“Withhair like that, Ibethe’s one ofthose metrosexuals,” Agnes spoke loud enoughto be heard inthe nextcounty, and certainlyloudenoughtobeheardintheoffice
“Agony.”Hazelgasped.“Doyouevenknowwhatthatwordmeans?”
“Don’t call me that And yes, Hazel, I do” She harrumphed and folded her arms so dramatically, she put the twins to shame.
Deltalaughed “We’vebeencallingyouthatsincedirtwasyoung Youoldbat” “Hushyou.Whatisthis,pickonAgnesday?”
“Whatdoesitmean, Agnes?”Hazelstretchedouttheotherwoman’snameintofivesyllables.
“Whatdoes what mean?”Shescoffed Hazelcuppedherhandbesidehermouthandwhispershouted,“Met-ro-sex-u-al.”
Agnesglancedaroundtheroom,huffed,andthrewupherhands “They’relikethosemenonthatdragracingshow” Deltapointedaboneyfingeratone,andthentheother,ofhermisbehavingfriends.“Playnice.Thereare children present, andI’mnottalkingaboutthetwoofyou.”
Peekingaroundthecorner,PaisleyandSkylarwatchedtheverbalsparringmatchlikespectatorsatWimbledon.Theylikely hadnoideawhatweweretalkingabout,butbothgirlsworehugegrins.
EvenDixie,mygrandma’stinyPomeranian,gotinontheactionbybarkingandspinningincircles. Callitastressinducednervousbreakdown,butIstartedlaughingandcouldn’tstop.
Agnesshottoherfeetandplantedherhandsonheroversizedhips “What’ssofunny?”
Delta rolled her eyes so hard theydid a complete three-sixty. “You. That’s what. Notonlyare youinappropriate, you’re wrong ThepeopleonRuPaul’sshoware drag queens MetrosexualsarethoseprettymenlikeRyanSeacrestandthat Pirates of the Caribbean actor.”
Agnessweptherarmsoutwide “Ohplease,enlightenus,Delta Sinceyou’resodamnedknowledgeable” “Asamatteroffact,Iwill.”Deltawipedherhandsonhersmock.“Hazel,takethegirlshomeandgetthemasnack.” Assoonasthetwinswereoutofearshot,mygrandmaproceededtoschoolAgnesoneveryletterintheLGBTQalphabet andsomethatweren’t
I HADN’T FALLEN ASLEEP IN THE GRASS SINCE I WAS A KID. Sunonmyface,coolbreezeinmybeard,theearthyscentofthecottonfieldafewyardsaway,itwasperfect Noteventhe factIcouldn’trememberhowI’dgottentherecouldspoilthismomentofpure,unadulteratedpeace.
Memories of afternoons napping in a different field filled me with nostalgia. It struck me as funny that I could miss a hometownthat’dneverfeltmuchlikehomeandwasbarelyatown
Ahorse-shapedcloudfloatedacross the brightblue NorthCarolina sky.Istretchedmyarms outatmysides anddugmy fingersintothecrunchy,sunbakedgrass “Ishouldwriteasongaboutthatcloud” “That’s a greatidea. I’ll getyoua penand paper.” Apolice officer, witha face as brownand withered as the pasture, stareddownatme “RightafterIbookyoufortrespassing,destructionofprivateproperty,andpublicintoxication” IwasprettysureIwastrespassing,andnowthathe’dmentionedit,Ivaguelyrememberedcrashingintoafence.Butpublic intoxication?Absolutelynot.
“Idon’tdrink”Ipushedmyselfuprightortriedto
Hepinnedmeinplacewithaboottotheabdomen.“Staydown.Onyourbelly.Now.”
Thiswasn’tmyfirstbrushwiththelaw,butitwasdefinitelytheweirdest “Can’trolloverwithyourheelinmygut” “Don’ttryanythingfunny.”Handhoveringoverhisgun,hetookastepback. Irolledontomystomachandclaspedmyhandsbehindmyback.“I’mnotdrunkorhigh,ifyou’ll ” “Saveit.”Hemutteredsomethingaboutdrugaddictsandhippiesunderhisbreath.“Isthatyourhotrodamileorsoback?” “Yeah.Adeercameoutof ”
“Adddrivingundertheinfluencetoyourlistofcharges”Hesnappedcuffsonmywrists,yankedmetomyfeet,andhauled metowardhiscar.
Painshotfrommyrighthiptothesoleofmyfoot,butImanagedtostayupright Barely “Careful ofmyrightleg,Ihave twenty-threepins ”
“Whatyouhave is the rightto remainsilent. Isuggestyouexercise thatright.” He smirked a familiar smirkthatbrought backarushofoldmemories.
Iglancedfromhissourexpressiontohisnametag.“Youdon’trememberme,ChiefHobbs?”
Henarrowedhiseyes “I’mOfficer Hobbs ChiefHobbsismyfather”
“Holyshit,Wyatt?” Man, did he get old. IlaughedbeforeIconsideredthewisdomofpissingoffaguywithagun.“Ididn’t recognizeyou It’sme,Chance ChanceAlden”
Wyattglancedfrommymuddybootstomyovergrownbeardandlonghair.“Bullshit.Let’sgo.” “It’sme.CheckmyID.It’sinmybackpocket.”
“Nicetry,buddy Ifyou’reChanceAlden,I’mthenewKingofEngland”Heswungthedooropen,puthishandonthetop ofmyhead,andshovedmeinside.
While Iwasn’t expectinga homecomingparade, Inever thought I’d be rollinginto townfor the first time inalmost six years,inthebackofapolicecruiser.“Comeon,Wyatt.CheckmyID.”
Heslammedthedoorinmyfaceandmarchedtothedriver’ssideofthecruiser Infull freak-outmode, Isangthe chorus ofmyfirstnumber one hitsong, “Takingthe Backroads Home.” It’d topped the countrymusicchartsforsixmonthsandputtheVaughn-AldenBandonthemap.
Wyatt spun around and stared slack jawed “Chance? My God What ? How ? Wow You look like you stapled roadkilltoyourface.Kindasmelllikeittoo.”
IknewIlookedbad,butnotthat bad “It’sbeenaroughcoupleofyears” “IwassorrytohearaboutEli…”
I nodded No matter how much time passed, I doubted I’d ever be able to talk about the accident that’d killed Elijah Vaughn,mybestfriendandbandmate.Hell,judgingbytheeventsofthepreviousfewhours,talkingaboutitwastheleastofmy issues.
Henoddedtowardthepasture.“Whattheheckhappened?Mrs.Connellycalledthestation,saidsomelunaticwaspitchin’ ahissyfitinhercottonfield.”
“Ihitadeer”IleftoutthepartwhereI’dhadapanicattack,losttime,andwokenupinthegrass Wyatttookoffhis hatandmoppedthe sweatfromhis brow.“Your car’s a goodmile downthe road.How’dyouendup here?”
“Iwalked.”
He quirked a brow, an expression that reminded me too much of his hard-assed father “And what? You got tired and decidedtotakeanap?”
“IalwaysfallasleepwhenI’mmeditating,”Imumbled,well-awareIsoundedlikeanut-job.
“Whywereyoumeditatingonthesideoftheroad?”
Istared outthe window, unsure how to respond. I’d grownup withWyattHobbs, butIdidn’ttalkaboutmyPTSDwith anyoneexceptmytherapist,andeventhatwasacrapshoot
“Come on, Chance. I’mgonna need somethingmore thanthatto tell myfather…and Mrs. Connelly.” He cracked a grin. “Anddon’tthinkshe’sgonnaletyouoffthehookbecauseyou’refamous She’shaditoutforyousincethecowtippingincident freshmanyear.”
“CorrectmeifI’mwrong,butyouandEliweretheoneswhodecidedto ride thecow.”Memoriesofthatnightweremore bitterthansweet Whoeverhadcomeupwiththatoldsayingabouttimehealingallwoundshadneverwatchedtheirbestfriend die.
“Things change I’manofficer ofthe law, and you’re the bad boyofcountrymusic” Wyattlowered his voice “Offthe record,areyoudrunkoronsomething?”
“TheonlythingI’monisgasstationcoffeeandLittleDebbieoatmeal pies.”Idrew adeepbreathandlookedhiminthe eye.“IfItellyouwhathappened,isitgoingtoendupallovertown?”
“OnlyifIputitinmyreport.” His expressionsoftened. “Butfolks are gonna talkone wayor the other. It’s better ifwe comeupwiththestorywewantthemtospread”
Gotta love small towns.
“You’reright”Ihadnochoicebuttotrusthim,butthatdidn’tmeanIknewwheretostart “Wherewereyoucomingfrom?”Wyattasked. “Nashville.”
Hewhistled.“Tenhoursisalonghaul.”
“Yeah.” Iswallowedbackthe bile risinginmythroat.“Iwas fine until Ihitthe deer.Itwas like a switchflippedinmy head,andIwasbackintimetothenightEli ”
“Iknowwhatyoumean.ItwasthesameformewhenIcamebackfromAfghanistan.”Wyattglancedaway.“That’swhyyou weremeditating?”
Inodded.“Ithelps,evenifIdofallasleep.”
“Andthehissyfit?”Hechuckled.
“Idon’tremember MaybeIwaspacing?YellingatGod?” “Beenthere myselfa few times.” He dragged his hand downhis face. “Okay. So, this is whathappened. Youhita deer. Whenyougotouttocheckonthedamagetoyourvehicle,yousteppedinayellowjacketnest Thosesuckerswillfollowyou formiles.”
Ilikedwherethiswasgoing,butwehadaproblem “Idon’thaveanystings”
“Sotheybityouthroughyourclothes.”Hemotionedtomyface.“Notthatanyonecouldtellwithallthatfur.Seriously,man, youlooklikeaskinnyversionofthatwoolyfellafromHarry Potter. ”
“Hagrid?”Iwasn’tsureifIshouldlaughordefendmyhonor Ichosethelatter “Iwas People Magazine’ssecondsexiest manontheplanet.”
“Thatwasthreeyearsago,and close onlycountsinhorseshoes Bragaboutitwhenyouwin”Heshookhishead “Chancefreaking-Alden.Ineverthoughtyou’dsetfootbackinSwansHarbor.”
“Technically,myfeetaren’tintownlimits”ItwistedtothesidetoremindhimIwasstill cuffed “Canyouletmeoutof thesethings,orareyougoingtoarrestmeforneedingahaircutandshave?”
“Ohshit,Iforgotaboutthose.Although,Ishouldarrestyouforcancelingyourtour.Meandmygirlhadticketsfortheshow inRaleigh”Wyattclimbedoutofthecar,strolledtomyside,andhelpedmeoutofthebackseat
Myrightfootslippedontheloosegravel.Ajoltofpainshotfrommyheeltomyasscheek.Theshockofithadmegasping forairandstrugglingtokeepmybalance whichwasimpossiblewithmyhandscuffedbehindmyback HesteadiedmebeforeIhittheground.“Damn.I’msorry.Iheardyouwerehurtintheaccident,butIdidn’trealize…Isthat whyyoucanceledthetour?”
“Ihatedtodisappointthefans,butIcouldn’tdoit.”Iturnedsohecouldremovethehandcuffs,butalsosohewouldn’tsee thehalf-lieinmyeyes.
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