record deal, but he chose me over his dream. His dream!
And he hid it from everyone, especially me.
“You offered him a deal,” I summarize.
“I damn near laid out a silver platter for him,” Jeremy bites out. “And he just walked away.” He waves a hand, obviously still in shock that anyone would do that.
This is what Bobby has dreamed of since he was a kid. It’s what his family needs. It’s what he desperately wants. Before he went to Nashville, he told me how it seemed like something impossibly good might actually happen for him for once.
Sure, he loves me . . . now. But what if he starts to resent me, hate that he gave this up for . . . me? Some nothing-special girl who showed up at a bar a couple of months ago. He can’t give up everything for me.
Time shouldn’t matter. You can know someone your whole life and barely scratch the surface of who they are or meet someone and know them bone deep in a matter of seconds. I believe soulmates can be like that. But can we be soulmates if it means him losing everything he’s worked for his whole life? I’m just not worth that.
I swallow the bile that’s trying to rise up as my heart shatters into a million pieces. I know what I have to do. It’ll kill me. It’ll hurt Bobby. But the sacrifice of my own happiness is worth his. When he said he didn’t get the deal, I thought I would do anything to change that. In this moment, I know that’s absolutely the truth. Anything.
“Is that deal still on the table? Would you still sign him to NCR Records?”
“Fuck yes. That’s why I came here tonight, to talk some sense into him.”
I shake my head. “Don’t. Let me talk to him. Please.”
Jeremy looks at me, sees the tears in the corners of my eyes, then back to Bobby, who’s singing his closing song.
“Don’t fuck this up for him. He’s special—better and bigger than you and me and this whole podunk town.” He looks around the bar, and I can tell he doesn’t see the blood, sweat, and tears that go into keeping this place open. He doesn’t see the history inside these walls or feel the love they hold. He certainly doesn’t understand this town or how the people here are welcoming and supportive, even their gossip mostly coming from a place of love because they care about one another.
But he sees what Bobby could be, and that’s all I need him to recognize.
With that, he swallows the Johnnie Walker in one gulp, gives me a hard glare, and strides straight for the door.
My eyes are drawn to the stage, to Bobby. He’s listening to someone in the audience intently. He nods, smiling, and begins one more song. An encore request.
He sings Dig Down Deeper once more.
It hits differently this time, seeming like a prediction.
I’ll dig down deep, Bobby, so you can get yours.
Chapter 22
Bobby
“Did Ilene make you dinner?” Something’s wrong with Willow, and food is always a good guess with any woman. I learned that from Mom and Shayanne early on.
She hums in answer, though it’s a complete non-answer. She’s here physically, but her mind is somewhere else, her eyes unseeing and her smile nonexistent.
“Hey,” I say, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her body to mine, aligning us so that I can get her full attention. “What’s wrong?”
She ducks her chin, avoiding my eyes. Oh, we’re not playing this game again, sweetheart. I chased you once, and if I have to chase you again to find out what’s going on in that pretty little brain of yours, I will.
Tell me all your secret thoughts, I’ll protect them from harm. Let me into your private moments, I’ll share the solitude with you.
I lift her chin with one hand, whispering, “What’s wrong, sweetheart? Did someone do something? Need me to crack a skull for you?” I’m joking—well, sort of. If someone did something to scare or piss off my girl, I will handle it and deal with any consequences that might come. But I was watching all night, barely able to take my eyes off her across the room, too far away for me to touch with my fingertips but hoping my words would reach her heart. But I didn’t see anything amiss, so I expect to get one of her soft smiles in return for the joke.
One doesn’t come.
She blinks behind her frames,