In the Lyrics Read online

  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.

  That was a strange conversation, but I shake it off knowing that the night was sort of bizarre after the whole fighting ordeal. I’m thankful that they waited until the end at least.

  We pull up to the apartment and Dusty limps inside, leaving me to collect his bandages and everything else the nurse sent him home with from the front seat floorboards.

  Just like a man.

  “Excuse me, are you Hensley Bradley?” a man asks as he and another approach the passenger side door where I am standing. Holding my key like a makeshift shank, I prepare for the worst. I know if I scream, Dusty will hear me. He may not be much help in his current state, but I know he’d give both of these old men a run for their money.

  “Put down the weapon, Ms. Bradley. We’re not here to hurt you.”

  Their faces appear familiar as the light from the street lamp shines down on them.

  “Wait, didn’t I meet y’all tonight?” I ask confused as to why they would be creeping outside of the apartment complex.

  “You have a good memory amongst other things, like your voice,” one of them says, grabbing my attention.

  Trying to hide the smile from my face, I sternly say, “I’m intrigued. Carry on.”

  “Well, to be blunt, we’re interested in you. Our label, Smashtown Records, would like to offer you a spot on our team. Don’t get me wrong, it’s going to take a lot of work, but you have a raw knack and we think you’d be a great addition to our music family.”

  Stop the mother-fucking clock.

  “You wanna, like, I don’t know, sign me? Like for tours and all that?”

  “Yeah, we wanna, like, sign you,” the
other man says.

  “As soon I saw you up on that stage, pouring your heart into your music, I knew you’d be right for us.”

  I squeal, “Okay!”

  “Okay? That’s it? You don’t want to know the terms and all the fine details?”

  My brain freezes. Fine details? I would be an utter idiot to turn down anyone from any record label. How did they find me? Why me? Are they also interested in Colby and Dusty?

  “Well, of course, but this is my dream. I would be foolish to turn it down.”

  Their faces look confused.

  “I’m Michael and this is Robert, first of all. Secondly, this is my card. Call me in the morning and we can set up a time to finalize all of this. My assistant, Emiko, will be in contact with you also. We’ll want to fly you out to California as soon as possible. Like I said, this will be a lot of work. Are you sure you’re fully committed?”

  “Michael, you have my word. This is a dream come true. Thank you.”

  “It’s a shame that little boyfriend of yours doesn’t have much sense,” says Michael.

  “I’m sorry, what? Wait, what do you mean, any sense? Is he getting an offer too? That would be such a blessing. Colby and my best friend, Dusty, they’re both extremely talented too.”

  “You have a real talent, Ms. Bradley. Singing up there beside someone like Mr. Grant, you shone beside him, but did you hear all those women screaming his name. It’s just a shame that he didn’t let you lead more in your performance, that’s all.”

  I don’t want to argue with him, but he’s dead wrong. Colby would never try and overshadow me. It’s weird for someone to say that, especially about him of all people. He wants all of us to have our big moments during our gigs. Shrugging it off, they leave me with their card, and tear-stained cheeks.

  I cannot believe this. I told Colby they liked us.

  Running inside, I find Dusty sleeping on the sofa. I cover him up and then dial my parents’ number. I know it’s late, but my mom is going to die when she hears the news.

  COLBY WALKS THROUGH the door an hour later with Trevor at his side.

  Lifting Dusty’s legs off my lap, I jump up and run to Colby. “Where have you been, babe? I’ve got something major to tell you. You might want to sit down.”

  “Are you on drugs?” He bends to sit on the recliner.

  “Umm, no, but I am…wait for it…” My cheesy grin would make a child cry. I probably look like a hot mess right now.

  “Sunshine, are you pregnant?” he whispers and looks over, making eye contact with Trevor.

  “No, again, and that’s just…why would you go there? I don’t care. Listen, Smashtown freaking Records came here tonight. And guess what? They signed me! Well, not yet, but they will. Tomorrow, Emiko, I think that’s how you say her name…she’s going to contact me and get me all the paperwork. Those men that you talked to tonight and told we’ve been practicing, I told you they liked us. They want to move me out to Cali and start as soon as possible. Babe…Colby, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you smiling?”

  “Please slow down. Michael and Robert were here?” The distance in his voice scares me. Why would he care they were here, and why did he say their names like he knows them personally?

  “Yes, they were, and now they’re gone and you’re here, but I’m wondering why you’re not more excited that they want to sign me. This is it, babe – my dream. What I’ve been waiting my whole life for. It’s happening. I knew it.” I continue to ramble without stopping to catch a breath.

  Trevor chimes in, “That’s awesome, girl. I’m proud of you,”

  Standing up, Colby grabs his phone and marches out the front door. A sudden rush of emotions runs through me. Why isn’t he happy about this?

  “Come here, honey.” Trevor reaches for me. “Don’t cry. You have to understand you just dropped a bomb on his lap. He’s probably thrilled and proud of you, but you getting signed means you’ll be leaving him and he’s only just got you. Give it a few minutes. He’ll come back.”

  He’s right. I can’t imagine how I would react if he walked through the door and then told me he was leaving, that his dreams were coming true and mine weren’t. If the roles were reversed, I’d be a sobbing mess. So I hug Trevor back and allow Colby a little bit to sort through his thoughts, alone.

  THERE ARE NO rational thoughts that come to mind as I stand outside in the freezing cold and pace back and forth. Smashtown signed Hensley. Those no good bastards did this. They knew if I wouldn’t go they’d make me regret it and take the only reason I was staying – Hensley. Clenching my fists at my sides, I debate punching something. Anything, I don’t care. I just need to release some of this anger. But I don’t, instead I sit on the curb and blankly stare at cars as they pass by.

  I want more than anything to be mad at Michael and Robert, but my anger keeps getting pointed at Hensley.

  She said yes.

  She signed.

  She’s leaving.

  Bile swooshes around in my empty stomach as my mouth starts to water. Fighting the urge to puke is a lost cause. I physically feel like I could die. Leaning over, I surrender to my body’s reaction to the news and empty my stomach on the concrete. How did I not see this coming? The realization that the two of them are snakes makes my already queasy stomach churn, and now she works for them. Wiping my mouth with my jacket, I know I have to go inside and face this, face her. But what is there to say? Congratulations?

  I’m proud – she’s talented – but I can’t lie either. I’m angry, pissed, hurt, and more than anything I feel a sense of betrayal. Not that she did me wrong or even knows that she took my spot, my offer, but she’s leaving me when I chose to stay here with her. Or wait, does she know that I turned them down?

  Answers. I need them. Now.

  Pushing myself up, I walk the short distance back to the stairs. Opening the door, I see that she is sitting on the couch, staring off into space. Dusty isn’t lying there anymore, and I know Trevor hasn’t left, so I assume they’re in his room talking things out. I take a seat next to her…well, one cushion over. There’s enough room in between us so we’re not touching.

  “I’m sorry. I just needed a second to comprehend what you were saying,” I admit.

  She nods in silence beside me.

  Turning towards her, I swallow my need for answers. Her face is wet from crying, and suddenly, I don’t care if she knows. Honestly, I just want her to be happy and if leaving and following this dream does it, it’s enough for me. It’ll have to be. “I’m just gonna miss ya, that’s all,” I confess.

  It’s like the flood gates open as she turns to face me and our eyes lock. Tears start to stream down her face as she says, “It’s okay. We’re not breaking up. We’re going to make this work. I love you, and this won’t come between us. We’ll make it work. Like Tim and Faith. Look at all the singers who stray and divorce or let fame change them, but not those two. They’ve conquered the music industry and remained happily married while doing it. Let me be your Faith and you be my Tim.”

  The sincerity of her plea cuts me deep. It’s not that she thinks we can make it through this – that’s admirable. It’s more the fact that she’s leaving. She didn’t even second guess her decision. She just made it, without so much as a discussion with me. Yeah, I turned them down without telling her, but the difference is she’s leaving, I’m not. I have no words. No emotions. I feel like I’ve been punched in the stomach. Honestly, I wish someone would punch me. Then I’d have an excuse to go ape-shit and let out some of this rage that’s inside me, but no one’s here to do that. So I do the next best thing. I attack Hensley, with my mouth. Her lips open welcoming me in. Pushing her back against the couch, I climb on top of her, but hold my weight up with my hands.

  We’ve never really fucked; there’s been no need to be rough, or controlling, when we’ve both been content with being slow and enjoying every second. But not now, right now I need to explode, I need to pound into her as hard as I can. Maybe it will hel
p me feel better knowing how sore my dick is going to make her. Maybe she’ll remember this time when she’s out on the road singing on a different stage every night. I want her to close her eyes when she thinks of me, and I want her nipples to harden and her core to ache. Then I want her to remember exactly what it felt like in this moment. As my hands roughly grip her body and grind her slowly against the bulge in my pants. Because I’m not letting up, and for once there’s not going to be a sweet and gentle Colby.

  Grunts of need escape my mouth as my cock throbs, begging to be buried deep within her sweet opening. The warmth that I know is coming as soon as I get inside her makes me want to strip her bare and have my way with her, but she’s still my girl, and we don’t need Dusty or Trevor walking out here and seeing the things I want to do to her. So I lean up, wrap my arms around her and stand up off the couch. Walking towards my bedroom, her lips explore my neck, sucking and nipping.

  Sitting down on my bed, I pull Hensley down so she is sitting on me, straddling me. She doesn’t talk as she lifts up her shirt and tosses it to the floor. My eyes examine her flawless body. Unhooking her bra she slides the straps down her arms, one by one, leaving her chest exposed. Leaning my head down, my mouth finds her swollen buds. The pleasure from the warmth of my mouth closed around her causes her body to arch backwards as she pushes her breasts further towards my face.

  “Move over here,” I instruct as I gently push her off of me and I scoot over. She’s lying against the mattress and without instruction she unbuttons her jeans and slides them off. The vision in front of me is breathtaking, but it would be even more mouthwatering if the thin tan fabric of her panties wasn’t blocking the view in between her legs. My lips quiver as they beg to taste her. Resting on my stomach, I army crawl towards her, kissing her smooth legs as I go. Normally, I please her first. I want her to come as many times as possible before I get my fix, but not tonight. As much as I want to, I know I need this time to be for me – at least for the first time.