Promise You: A friends to lovers romance

by Fabiola Francisco

  I shake my head and look at Mark, Zack, and Steve. “Sorry about earlier, guys,” I apologize again. “Let’s put on a great show. I won’t fuck this up,” I give them my word.

  “Don’t worry about it. Let’s have fun and show them what we’re made of,” Mark encourages me.

  I nod and wait for the green light to begin as the bar fills with people. I didn’t expect a crowd like this when Peyton told me about Southern Charm being a small local bar. Jake wasn’t exaggerating when he said they would fill up, though. From my understanding, they’ve been hosting live shows for some years, and it’s been growing ever since.

  I give it my all when we start, singing song after song, disconnecting from my real-life problems and getting lost in the music. This I can do. I can escape into the cheers of the crowd, the pride of them singing along, and the feeling of being enough for a group of people even if the one person I want may not feel the same.

  After we finish, I head to the bar and grab a whiskey. Women come up to me with their EP for me to sign. Some even ask me to sign their shirts. A few flirt, pushing their tits in my face. As I talk to them, I order a second drink, selling myself and my music. Aware many of them probably only care about my face and body instead of my music, I keep feeding into them.

  I’m so tempted to say fuck it. Forget about Reese with another body. An eye for an eye. Flirt with the women surrounding me, throwing themselves at me.

  But all I see is her head tilted back as she laughs, the shine in her blue eyes when she would look at me, the sound of her soft voice telling me to kiss her. All I can think about is the promise I made to her. Heartbroken, I still can’t do it.

  “Fuck it.” I leave my untouched whiskey on the bar and walk away.

  I thank Jake on the way out and squeeze through the crowd until the evening breeze hits me in the face, no longer able to drown out my emotions.

  “If you walked away from them it means you love her.” I turn around to see Cash standing by the entrance of the bar, arms crossed.

  “I’ll be professional for the sake of all of us, but I don’t need one more person giving me a lecture,” I stand my ground, matching his stance.

  “No lecture. Well, kind of. The first thing I learned very early in my career was not to believe everything you see in photographs. Hell, I’d be alone and miserable if I hadn’t learned that.” He shakes his head and walks to me.

  “Reese is a good person, and you’ve proven to be one, too. Don’t let them win.” Cash sympathizes with me.

  “She’ll choose him. That was her first love, and I don’t think she ever really got over him,” I shrug.

  “You don’t know that. I’ll tell you the same thing I told Hunter not too long ago, you always fight for the girl.” He shakes his head as if he couldn’t understand how that wasn’t common knowledge.

  “Maybe sometimes you just gotta let them go so they can be truly happy.” If Knox is the person she loves, then who am I to get in the way of that. I can’t compete with him.

  “Do you love her?” He looks me square in the eyes.

  “Yes,” I don’t hesitate.

  “Then she’s worth the fight.” He doesn’t flinch either. Then he walks away, leaving me with the battle of my love for Reese and the feeling that when it compares to Knox, here won’t even be a fight to win.

  Chapter 25

  Reese

  I curl my body on my bed, tears streaming down my face with no end in sight as I gasp for air. What the hell happened? Dex was so angry, not even letting me speak. How can he think that the baby isn’t his?

  I called him as soon as I saw the picture and then sent him several text messages to explain. I guess the damage was already done.

  I press the heels of my hands into my eyes, hoping something will help stop the tears. Fortunately, my boss didn’t give me any trouble when I called in, saying I wasn’t feeling well. As soon as I saw the test results yesterday, I knew I had to take the day off to process what I was feeling. Now, the calm I had slowly breathed in has been swept away.

  Seeing Knox in person, waiting for me, tumbled me. I never expected to see him again, not like last night, confessing he was getting a divorce and wanted me to hear it first from him.

  I squeeze my eyes as I remember what he told me. How he explained that he couldn’t live the lie anymore when he was missing having a life with me. Hearing him say he never fully moved on. God, I hated him in that moment.

  I grab a pillow and hug it to my body, trying to calm myself down, anything that will stop the trembling of my body. This can’t be good for the baby, all this emotional stress. I wipe my nose on the pillow and snort.

  A soft knock sounds on my door and I still, holding my breath.

  “Reese?” I hear Taylor’s voice.

  I remain quiet, hoping she’ll think I’m asleep. No such luck.

  “Are you okay?” She opens the door and walks in.

  “Yeah,” I croak.

  “What’s going on?” She sits on the edge of the bed, her hand landing on my covered leg.

  I shake my head, forcing myself to stop crying as I gasp for air. My body vibrates as I do so.

  “You’re worrying me.” She lies down next to me, facing me. Her hand moves tear-soaked strands of hair stuck to my face.

  “Dex and I had a fight. Pretty sure we broke up.” The tears start up again as I choke on my words.

  “Shhh… Talk to him. He’s crazy about you, there’s no way he won’t talk to you,” Taylor tries to reason.

  My head thrashes from side to side. “He’s so mad. He saw a picture of me and Knox and the article was bad.” I’ve never told her everything about Knox, even after she insisted she knew something went on between us.

  “What?” She leans back with wide eyes.

  I sigh heavily and close my eyes, my lashes soaked. “When I got here last night, Knox was waiting for me in the parking lot. He wanted to tell me personally that he is getting divorced,” I laugh dryly. “As if it would all be okay.”

  “Whatever happened between you?” Her eyebrows furrow.

  “Knox and I were in a relationship years ago, we kept it hidden with his growing popularity. I didn’t want to be dragged into the spotlight, and he wanted to protect me. His label, thinking he was single, arranged for him to become an item with Amelia Stanford. It would push both their careers. A musical power couple,” my nostrils flare.

  “He didn’t want us to break up, but he also didn’t take a stand for us when he was threatened that if he refused his career would be over before it even began. Instead, he sold his soul to the devil and tried to convince me that it was all for the papers, but I was the person he loved. I refused to be the other woman. There was no way that would end well, and I’d be the one thrown to the lions when he was mine first. But I wasn’t the one with a shiny ring on my finger, being wooed by the man I love in public.” I take another breath. The memories rush back as if I’m reliving it.

  “I had to watch their relationship grow, knowing it was fake, until I couldn’t take it anymore. I blocked Knox out of my life, and I tried to move on.”

  “How long were you two together?” Taylor asks, her eyes softening.

  “Two years before this happened. I thought it was hard to keep it a secret from everyone. It was harder to watch him move on with someone else I knew he didn’t love.” I squeeze the pillow and Taylor hugs me.

  “I’m so sorry, Reese. If I had known.”

  I shake my head. “I couldn’t tell anyone, I had signed an NDA. My lips had to be sealed. What hurt more is that he would think I’d run my mouth. Of course, it was the label’s idea for me to sign,” I add sarcastically. “Everything is blamed on the label. He wasn’t man enough to stand up for what he believed in, or he never really believed in us,” I hiccup.

  Taylor’s arms tighten around me. “Shhh…” Her hand rubs my back soothingly. “It’s okay. Does he expect you to get back together?”

  “Yeah, I guess. He thought we cou
ld talk things out, start again. I told him I was with someone and had moved on, truly moved on, not a replacement like he did. I don’t need a band-aid fix, my wound is healed.” I want to say all of this to Dex, but he refused to hear me out.

  “He’s an asshat,” Taylor declares.

  “Yeah. I knew another side of him, but not everyone handles fame well. Hopefully, he finds happiness again if he’s really getting divorced. I don’t wish him harm, but he no longer has a place in my life.”

  Taylor leans back and looks at me. “I’m sure Dex will understand.”

  “The article made it seem as if Knox and I have been having an affair. Apparently, he’s been frequenting Nashville more often. Dex wouldn’t hear me out. There’s more…” I hesitate, lifting my eyes to hers.

  “More?” Taylor’s eyebrows lift.

  I inhale. “I’m pregnant.”

  “What?” She jumps off the bed and looks down at me. I sit up slowly, uncurling my body.

  “I found out last night. I was at Cassidy Rae’s, and I wasn’t feeling well. When she took in my symptoms, she gave me a pregnancy test, and it was positive. Anyway, I guess Jason found out and rushed at Dex this morning. They got into a fight, it seems.” I scrub my face. This is a nightmare.

  “What am I going to do?” I look up at my little sister, hoping she has the answers to my worries.

  “I’m speechless. Pregnant?” She sits back down, grabbing my hand with both of hers. “Did you call your doctor?”

  “I have an appointment for next week. It was the soonest they could fit me in.” I lift one shoulder.

  “What did Dex say?

  “He asked if the baby was even his.”

  Taylor flinches. “Wow.”

  “I know. How could he even think that? How could he believe I would betray him in that way?” I ask the questions I wish I had answers to.

  “He’s angry, hurt. I’m sure he doesn’t really believe that.” Taylor shakes her head as if trying to make sense of it all. “If he knows about Knox, he could feel as if you’d pick Knox over him. Maybe it’s insecurities?”

  “I don’t know, but I expected more from him than a cheating accusation. We’ll talk when he gets back next week for the sake of the baby, his words, not mine.” A sob moves through me, and I hug my midsection.

  “We’ll get through this. I do believe Dex will come to his senses soon. Give him a few days and take the time to take care of yourself. You’ve got a little bean growing here that is going to be very loved.” She puts her hand over my arms.

  “I wanted to celebrate this with Dex, talk it out with him, ask him what he feels about being a father. I didn’t think I’d be in my room crying, the possibility of raising this baby alone a daunting reality.”

  “Go take a shower and relax. I’ll order dinner. Let’s get out of this room and watch a funny movie or something.” She stands, on autopilot to fix my problem. “Come on.” She pulls my arm to drag me out of the bed.

  “I know things will work out, even if it doesn’t seem like it right now.” Her words are meant to encourage me, but they sound like a cliché phrase from a Pinterest image.

  After I shower, I find Taylor sitting in the living room, a spread of Chinese food on the coffee table, and Gilmore Girls playing on the television.

  I offer a small smile. I appreciate her effort in trying to make me feel better. If I wasn’t heartbroken and scared, I’d be giggling along with her at the witty banter on the show.

  Six days until Dex returns, and I feel like my fate hangs in those minutes that tick toward our future.

  Dex

  It’s been four days since Reese and I fought. Four days since I found out she was pregnant. Four fucking miserable days.

  I run a hand down my face and back up the same path. I’ve fucked it all up. The energy on the tour has shifted, everyone keeping to themselves and their bus. Jason doesn’t acknowledge me. The only person who still talks to me is Olivia, making sure I’m okay. I’m not.

  Not only did I lose the woman I love, my career is hanging by a thread before it actually takes off. All because I was jealous. Truth is, between me and Knox, there’s no competition. I know what Reese felt for him, and if he’s back for a second chance, there’s no way she’ll choose me.

  I’ve been hiding in my bunk most of our downtime on the road, ashamed of my behavior. I’m not this guy—the kind who reacts on impulse, accusing people of shit that I know isn’t true. It’s too late now to take back what I told Reese. I’ve gone and thrown away the best thing I’ve ever had in my life, the person I care more about than music.

  I blow out a breath and close my eyes. I’ll see her in two days when I get back. We’ll talk because I meant what I said about being there for the baby. I just hope my actions don’t push her back into the wrong arms.

  When my phone buzzes on the mattress next to me, I press the side button to silence it. By the third time, I look at the screen in case it’s Reese, by some miracle of God. Not that I deserve for her to call me.

  “Hello.” My voice is flat.

  “Hey,” Hunter says. “What’s going on?” Straight to the point. Wouldn’t expect anything less. “I saw Reese. She looks like shit but didn’t say what had happened. I also talked to Cash…” he trails off. Great.

  “We got into a fight, one I’m not sure we can come back from. I said some things… disrespectful things. It’s not like me, but I’ve gone and messed everything up. Doesn’t help that Jason is pissed at me and charged at me like a fucking bull. Who knew he was that strong?” I exhale loudly, not wanting to relive that moment.

  I always thought when I’d find out I was going to be a father it wouldn’t be from my girlfriend’s pissed off brother. I’m a sucker for those videos I see online of the woman creating a memorable experience for the father. Fool, that’s what I am.

  “Cash mentioned something. What happened between you and Reese?” Hunter pushes.

  I tell him about the pictures and Knox. I tell him about Jason rushing into the bus yelling I had gotten his sister pregnant. I tell him everything up to this point.

  He’s silent while I speak. I’m sure he already has the response to all of this, but he lets me finish.

  As soon as I do, his words hit me. “Learn from my mistakes. Don’t walk away from the woman you love. Communicate. Do you want to spend years wondering what could’ve been and fightin’ to win her back?”

  “I don’t know how to fix this. I accused her of cheating on me,” I remark.

  “You apologize, that’s a start. You talk to her, tell her the reason for your reaction. Then, you act like you mean it. You prove it to her with actions because words are empty sometimes,” he advises.

  “I told her we’d talk when I got back to Nashville, but I’m not even sure she’ll want that,” I resign.

  “She does. I saw her, and she’s falling apart. Don’t wait for another day to pass when you can fix this now.” His words sink in. Hearing him say she’s falling apart breaks me even more.

  “Thanks, Hunter.”

  “Anytime, buddy.” I hang up, tossing his words around.

  I know Reese, and what I said isn’t something she’ll shake off easily. If I call her, she could easily not pick up the phone, and I don’t have the luxury of flying into Nashville for a few hours and then back out again for my next show.

  My thoughts are interrupted when I hear someone say, “Can I come in?”

  I look out of my bunk and see Jason standing by the curtain.

  “Whatever you want.” I stand up. I hadn’t even realized we stopped moving.

  “I wanted to apologize. I was out of line and let my anger get the best of me,” Jason holds his hand out at me.

  I stare at it and then look at him in the eyes. “You only apologizing because Peyton ripped you a new one?”

  “Nah. No one told me I needed to apologize. Truth is, I got blind when I heard Reese was pregnant. I’m overprotective and although she makes herself seem strong, an
d she is, she’s also the most vulnerable out of the three of us. She tries to hide it, but I know her too well.” He keeps his hand in place, his face serious.

  When I don’t shake it, he drops his hand. “Look, I get it Dex. I shouldn’t have punched you. You’re a good guy, but you’re a musician. Your life is different than the stability Reese is used to. Having a baby isn’t easy,” he explains as if I haven’t thought about all that already.

  “You would know,” I throw out.

  “Yeah. It’s true that Cassidy Rae got pregnant before we got married. We were also living together, and my career was already steady. I’d been there for the worst of times and the best.”

  “I get that you’re protective, but you’re using excuses right now. I love Reese, and I’d do anything to make her happy. Whether she’s pregnant with my child or not, she’s it for me. I could lose all of this today,” I hold my hands up, signaling the bus. “But that wouldn’t matter if I had her in my life.” I push my fingers through my hair.

  “Except I messed that up. I let my anger and jealousy get the best of me,” I sigh.

  “I guess we both let our anger get to us. I am sorry, and I shouldn’t have gotten in the middle of it. I’m sure Reese will have some choice words for me when we get back. You’ll be able to work it out. I’ve never seen her as happy and open with anyone as she is with you.” Jason gives me a tight smile, holding his hand out again. I shake it, for the sake of peace, but I know it will be a while before he and I are on great terms.

  After he leaves, I make a call and begin working on my own apology.

  Reese

  The mess created by that article with Knox has made this week even more unbearable. I’ve had random people come up to me and ask if I’m Reese and to confirm my relationship with Knox, which I denied every time. I never wanted to be in the spotlight, and now I’m forced into it because of someone I’m no longer involved with.