rush away like that,” she says, grabbing my hand as I start up the stairs. “And don’t forget to think about what we discussed last night.”
I squint at her. “I have no earthly idea what you’re talking about,” I say. “Refresh my memory, please.”
“Coming along on this leg of the tour with us,” she says. “Don’t tell me you forgot our entire conversation about that? You said it sounded fun.”
“I did?” My brain is a fog, all of last night’s memories jumbled together.
“Six weeks on the road,” she says. “That’s all I’m asking. I’m begging you, Colton. Help us write some good songs. We need you.”
“It really would be fun,” Greg says. “Just like old times, man. Playing good music. Seeing the country. Touring with some of the big names in country. It’s the chance of a lifetime.”
I shake my head. I can’t even believe I told them I’d think about it. I can’t leave Jo and the bar. Not now.
“I’ll let you know,” I say, not wanting to get into it right now. Right now I just want to shower and get home before Jo kills me.
“We’ll swing by your place when you get off work tonight,” Willow says. “We have to head out of town around two this morning, so you need to make a decision.”
“Two?”
“Yeah, we have to be in Birmingham by noon,” Greg says. “But we’ll stop at your place to say goodbye either way.”
I nod. “Okay, I’ll see you guys then.”
Upstairs, I strip down and step into a scalding hot shower, trying to wake myself up and get my bearings.
It was stupid to come here last night, but for some reason, I just needed to let loose. I needed to let go of responsibility and figure out what I really want. But now I know. Being in a relationship is scary, but it’s worth it. I need to let Jo know how I’m feeling.
I just pray I haven’t already messed things up beyond repair.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
At four I head over to the bar to get things ready for the night. Knox is working with me so that I can go back to check on Daddy whenever I want, but it was Colton who was supposed to be on tonight.
I’ve tried to call him several times, but he isn’t picking up and I’m starting to get worried about him. I really needed him this afternoon, and it isn’t like him to just disappear like this. Is he still upset about last night?
His truck is still missing from the drive, and I wonder if something happened with his family. But he would have called me, right?
I don’t get it, but I’ve got so much on my mind right now, I can’t even think about it. Hopefully he’s okay, but then again, if he is, why isn’t he here?
“How is he holding up?” Knox asks when I walk in the door. He pulls me into a hug, and I have to fight back fresh tears.
“He’s doing well, all things considered,” I say. “You know Daddy, he’s always trying to find the bright side, even in this. He’s determined to fight as hard as he can for as long as he can. He’s found a lot of stories online and already reached out to a few people who have blogs and websites dedicated to their fight against ALS. People who have been battling it and surviving it for years.”
Knox nods. “That sounds like the Rob I know,” he says with a smile. “How about you? You doing okay?”
“I’m feeling a bit numb,” I say. “Angry, I guess. I don’t want this to be real.”
“I understand,” he says. “We’re going to make it through this together, okay? I’ve still got that appointment with the specialist in Atlanta in a few weeks. Maybe he’ll have some answers your local doctor doesn’t have.”
“I hope so,” I say.
“You know Leigh Anne and I will do everything we can to help out, no matter what,” he says.
“Thanks, Knox,” I say. “I don’t know what we’d do without you.”
“Where’s Colton tonight,” he says. “I don’t mind coming in to help, but it’s weird for him to call out like this.”
“He didn’t even call out,” I say. “He just up and disappeared. I don’t know where he is.”
Knox frowns. “That’s strange.”
I shrug. I’ve gone through so many emotions over the course of the past several hours that I don’t even know what to feel. Disappointment. Worry. Anger. I’m praying for a really slow night at the bar