Homecoming Queen: A Second Chance Romance (Carlisle Cellars Book 2)

by Fabiola Francisco

  He watches me sauté them afterward, asking a ton of questions.

  “How much olive oil did you put?”

  “I don’t know. I drizzle enough so that they won’t stick and can sauté.”

  “Not gonna help. I need an actual measurement. When do you know the vegetables are done? And can I add meat to an omelet?”

  Laughing, I look at him over my shoulder. “The good thing about omelets is you make them however you like. Add sausage, ham, turkey, bacon, spinach, peppers, onions, cheese. The options are endless. It’s about having fun with your food.”

  “Good thing you’ll be here from now on to have fun,” his eyebrows waggle.

  Giggling, I slap his chest before grabbing the bowl where the eggs are whisked. “You’re impossible. When the veggies look like this,” I point to the tender mix in the pan, “they’re ready for the eggs.”

  Pouring the eggs into the pan, Tate takes the bowl from me and places it in the sink before his body presses into my back. His lips lower to my ear. “I’m not impossible, just happy. I’m happy and in love, and I plan to keep you that way, too.” His hands trail down the sides of my body, and I shiver.

  Turning to look at him, I say, “You already do.” I smile, and his thumbs trace my dimples.

  “Beautiful girl.” His lips brush against mine.

  My phone rings, interrupting the moment, and Tate groans. His forehead lands on mine with annoyance. “Ignore it.”

  I shake my head and slip around him, looking at the unknown number with confusion.

  “What’s wrong?” His voice is tense.

  “I’m not familiar with the number. The location on the ID says Wyoming.” I scrunch up my nose. “I should let it go to voicemail.”

  “Answer it,” Tate surprises me. “See who it is. If you don’t, we’ll worry about it.”

  Nodding, I answer right before it goes to voicemail, walking to the stove to lower the temperature and cover the omelet so that it cooks evenly.

  “Hello?” Tate watches me carefully as I answer the call.

  “Hello, Rose?”

  “Yes…” This must be someone from Nashville since they use Rose, but the caller ID confuses me.

  “Hi, it’s Knox Bentley. I hope it’s okay that I called.”

  My eyes widen, and my mouth opens and closes like a fish fighting to breathe.

  “What’s wrong?” Tate hisses.

  I shake my head and lift my hand to stop him.

  “Hi, Knox. Please call me Madison. Rose has been left in the past.” I sit at the counter, wondering why he is calling. I know he had his share of issues with RWB Records when he was signed with them but cut ties and created his own label.

  “Understood, Madison…” I stand and start pacing, nerves bubbling inside of me. Tate continues to look at me with confusion. I point to the stove and turn my hand, signaling to turn it off, but he doesn’t react. Rolling my eyes, I head that way and check on the omelet before turning it off.

  “You’re probably wondering why I’m calling or how I got your phone number. Firstly, I want to share how sorry I am for everything you’ve gone through. I know how RWB Records works, unfortunately, and I hate seeing another colleague hurt by them.” Colleague. As if Knox Bentley and I are on the same level. Puh-lease.

  “I appreciate that. I know you’ve had difficult experiences with them as well. Hopefully, they’re stopped from hurting anyone else after their investigation.”

  “I agree. The second reason I called is because Sutton, one of our singers at Bentley Records, insisted I should.” He chuckles. “I’m normally not this forward, I’ll admit, but she’s a big fan and said you and her had performed in the same bars years ago.”

  I think about Sutton Wright—thankfully, no connection to the asshole Wright who attacked me—and smile. “We did. I haven’t seen her in ages. She’s doing great by the looks of it, and it makes me so happy she got her chance.”

  Sutton started her career a little after me. Our paths crossed a few times, but she never got signed in Nashville, spending her nights performing in bars and smaller venues until Knox signed her to his new label. Since then, she’s been soaring.

  “I’d like to meet with you. I’d be happy to fly to Texas with my business partner, Harris, or fly you to Everton, where we’re based.”

  Why would he want to talk to me?

  “Can I ask what you’d like to meet about?” I don’t stop pacing, and Tate continues to stare at me with narrowed eyes. His tight jaw and tense muscles are a clue that he doesn’t like being left out.

  “I figured you’d ask though I prefer to go into details in person. I know you may be hesitant, considering what you went through. Honestly, I was that way a few years ago. I’d like to talk about the possibility of working with Bentley Records.”

  Holy shit. “What?” I screech and then reel myself in as Tate rushes to me.

  “What’s wrong?” he repeats.

  I shake my head again, silencing him, and I see his patience wearing thin.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell. I mean, honestly, I’m not sure what my next steps are. I have a few ideas, but I’m not prepared right away to return to music.” I figure honesty is the best approach.

  “I understand that. I also had to take a step back. I’d still like to meet with you and get to know each other better, share what our label is all about.”

  It does sound tempting. Working with someone who has been burned in the past might be a good option. I look at Tate’s worried face and smile to appease him.

  I keep my eyes on him as I speak the next words. “I’d like to talk to my boyfriend about it. I did things wrong the first time around, but I’m making it better now.” Tate’s eyebrows furrow as he tilts his head.

  Knox chuckles dryly. “We all have.”

  Agreeing to call him back as soon as I have an answer, I hang up and look at Tate with wide, disbelieving eyes.

  “Who was that?” Tate looks like he’s about to shake the information out of me.

  “I don’t know what the hell just happened, but let’s sit.” The omelet’s forgotten as I take Tate’s hand, and we sit at the counter.

  “That was Knox Bentley, the country musician. He wants to meet in person, talk about the possibility of working together. Tate… He owns a label with his old manager. After what he experienced with RWB, he took a break, moved back to his hometown, and started over when he was ready. Holy shit…” I whisper the last part.

  Looking at the man I love, I say, “I just don’t know if I want that anymore. I don’t know what I want. I feel lost.” I shrug with a frown.

  He moves to stand between my legs and hugs me. Pressing his lips to my temple, he says, “We should go.”

  “What?”

  “Let’s go hear him out. It might be something you’d want. If he understands what you’re going through, then he’ll be sympathetic.”

  I stare into his eyes as my body releases tension on an exhale. “You think so?”

  He nods. “Besides, we can use a short vacation after all that’s happened,” he grins widely.

  “That’s true. Although, from what I’ve heard, he lives in a small town.”

  “Good thing we’re not new to the small-town scene,” he winks.

  “Oh my goodness… You’re serious.” I lean back and look at him with wide eyes.

  “Completely. What do you have to lose? A few days at most in a town. We’ll get away from here and sleep in a hotel and have wild sex.”

  I laugh at him and feel my lips settle into a big smile. “I love you, you know?”

  “I know,” he nods confidently.

  I wrap my legs around his waist, forcing him to step closer. His eyes darken hungrily.

  “We can have wild sex anytime you want.” He roars. “Now, are you gonna kiss me or what?”

  He does just that. He pours all his emotions into the kiss, promising to always love me with soft murmurs.

  Chapter 29

  Tate<
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  I sit beside Madison, my hand on her knee as our families talk around the dinner table for our first Thanksgiving together. After we get back from our trip to meet Knox Bentley, she’ll be moving in with me. I’m counting down the days until I have the woman I love fully immersed in my life.

  With Madison in my life, it feels like the sun never fades, and darkness can’t consume. It’s been a tumultuous ride getting here—an impossibility I left in the past—yet here we are.

  “June and Miles, how’s the wedding planning coming along?” my mom asks them.

  June smiles and looks at her fiancé. “Good. We finally set a date, thanks to Madison, who offered to help me plan. I’m a mess with it comes to those things.”

  “That’s great.” My mom smiles warmly at Madison.

  My parents have been excited for us since I mentioned we were working things out. Now that they see the progression of our relationship, I think they’ll be expecting grandbabies soon. As much as I’d love to see Madison pregnant with my child, I want more time with her alone before we get to that point. I want to make sure she’s secure and confident in her career and in life. She still has a lot of healing to do, and I’m going to hold her hand along the way.

  “We’re excited. We’re going to have an intimate ceremony and reception in the vineyard at the winery,” June explains, beaming with happiness.

  “How is the construction coming along?” My dad asks Mr. Carlisle.

  “It’s going… We’re finally getting started on it and have an expected completion date for the spring. I hope we all stay on track.”

  “It better,” Brett mumbles. “Sorry,” he shrugs. “It’s been a headache, but I’m glad we’re getting somewhere.”

  Charlie and Chloe stare at their plates, and I have a feeling they’re still not over the trauma. Maybe I can offer to talk to them about my experiences working as a firefighter. I make a note to mention it to Madison.

  “I hear you two are flying to Wyoming,” Brett looks at Madison.

  “Yeah… It’s no big deal,” she shrugs it off.

  “It is a pretty big deal,” I add, raising my eyebrows at her, which earns me an eye-roll.

  As soon as I suggested we go to Everton, Madison called Knox back and made plans to fly out on Saturday after the holiday. She’s been brushing this off for the last two days, but I refuse for her not to celebrate her success. If someone wants to sign her on, it’s because she’s crazy talented and deserves to know that.

  RWB Records mailed out the agreement to end their contract and cut all ties for Madison to sign. Once it arrives and she sends it back to them, she’ll be completely free of them. They’ll still own the rights to the music she created while with the label, but she’ll have the opportunity to start new. I want that for her. I want her to have peace to do anything she wants because she can choose to. No longer a prisoner to people who play dirty.

  “I agree with Tate. It’s fantastic,” Miles says.

  “I’m going to meet with them, see what they offer, but I’m still not completely sold on the idea. We’ll see once I’m actually there.” She offers a weak smile.

  Madison is still struggling with what she lived through; it’s still raw, which is expected. She’s strong, though, and will overcome it. I’ll make sure of it.

  After dinner, I watch Madison play with Charlie and Chloe. She laughs as she teases and tickles them. A heavy hand on my shoulder pulls my thoughts away from her, and I find Miles standing beside me.

  “I’m glad she has you.”

  “I’m grateful for it,” I say without shame. “I have her just as much.”

  He nods in understanding, hands in his pockets as he looks at his sister for a moment. I know how close they are, how difficult this must’ve been for him. Knowing Miles, I’m sure guilt has consumed him for not being more aware of his twin.

  “I know we haven’t been close the last few years. It’s just…”

  Miles waves me off. “If my ex-girlfriend’s brother was always in my life, it’d make it hell to move on, especially in the conditions you two broke up.”

  “Thanks for understanding.” I nod gratefully. Miles and I were close growing up, but when Maddy and I broke up, it was too difficult keeping a friendship that would always remind me of the person I lost. I lost more than her when she left; I lost friends.

  “It’s good y’all were able to work things out. She hasn’t been truly happy for a long time. She thinks she’s good at hiding it, but there’s a reason she’s a singer and not an actress.”

  I chuckle, agreeing with him. Madison isn’t good at hiding her emotions. I’m sure the distance helped fool her family, but she gives herself away. I’m glad she’s like that, though, because had she been better at it, no one would be able to help her when she needed us the most.

  “I hear she’s movin’ in with you.” He turns to look at me in the eyes.

  “Yeah, when we get back from the trip. I’m not sure what will happen after, but I want her with me regardless. No point in waiting.”

  “I get that.” His gaze move to June, who is talking to her mom, Mrs. Carlisle, and my mom.

  I then see Brett sitting alone, staring off.

  “What’s going on with Brett?” I dare ask.

  Miles shakes his head. “He’s been working too damn hard since my dad announced he’d be retiring soon. Even before the fire happened, I had warned him to take it slower. The girls need him, now more than ever. Honestly, though?” He looks at me questioningly. “He hasn’t been the same since Ella died. I can’t blame him. If I lost June, my world would end.”

  His gaze turns hard, and I shiver. I know the feeling. I thought I’d lost Madison seven years ago, but I knew she was alive. Despite how angry I was, she was still there. Death, though…I wouldn’t survive that.

  “I don’t even want to think about that.” My eyes move to Madison, memorizing her like this and praying I never have to live through that.

  “I know. Honestly, I think he needs to take a break and spend time with the girls, help them heal. I still have nightmares, so I can’t imagine how it is for them,” he admits, my eyes falling to his scarred skin.

  “I can talk to them. It might help since I have experience with fires,” I offer to Miles since the moment came up.

  “That’s a good idea. We can talk to Brett once you’re back. It’ll give the girls time to get to know you better, too.” He smiles, staring at his nieces adoringly.

  “Perfect,” I clap his shoulder. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

  He nods with a knowing grin as I stalk over to Madison since she’s alone at the moment. Wrapping my arms around her waist from behind, I feel her tremble. I drop a kiss on the side of her neck.

  “Hey, beautiful.”

  Madison’s hands land over mine, and she laces our fingers together. The smile that meets me when she looks over her shoulder sucker punches me in the gut, stealing my breath.

  “Hey, handsome.” She kisses the corner of my mouth. I love this woman with every beat of my heart. It’s all hers.

  “Are you ready to go?” I whisper.

  Her eyes narrow, and a snicker escapes her. “Are you tryin’ to get me into bed?”

  “Of course not. We need to pack for our trip.” I feign innocence.

  “Yeah, because we won’t have tomorrow for that.” She lifts a brow, turning around in my arms and sliding her hands up my chest and over my shoulders.

  “But, I work tomorrow, sooo…” I waggle my eyebrows.

  Her nose scrunches up adorably. “I’m gonna have to stay alone for twenty-four hours? Sleep in your bed without you?”

  “Make plans with June, go to the bookstore, come up with wedding ideas. The time will pass quickly. As for sleeping, it’s our bed now, not just mine, and yes, because I want you there when I get home.” I love the idea of coming home to her.

  “We’ll be flying in the early afternoon, so you will need to rest. No hanky-panky.” She taps my chest.
<
br />   I growl. “More reason to go home now and make up for it.”

  She smiles, holding my face, and kisses me straight on the lips. No tongue, no deepening it. Just a hard peck that makes me want more.

  “A little while longer?” She looks at me with doe eyes, and I nod.

  “Okay.” I’ll give her anything she wants. She hasn’t had time like this with her family in God knows how long. She may have spent holidays with them in the past, but it seems as if now she’s fully herself again. Madison, Rose left in a pile of dust that will never be recovered.

  “Thank you.” Her arms come around my neck. Right when I think she’s going to kiss me, Charlie calls for her. Madison giggles and kisses my cheek before going to her niece.

  Yeah, I’m definitely going to want her to myself for a while before we have kids. Grabbing another beer, I sit with my dad as we talk about the trip, work, and our plans for the holidays. It feels right to have our families together.

  ***

  I hold Madison in bed, both of us satiated for now, and smile. We’ve been talking about the trip, the different possibilities, and the pros and cons.

  “What’s holding you back?” I ask her.

  She pauses a moment, her hands skimming up and down my chest. “Honestly? It’s nothing I can pinpoint. I trust you when you say you’re in this and will support me.”

  “I wouldn’t hold you back,” I shake my head.

  “I know.” Her fingers trace my face softly, and I relax. “I don’t want to go back to how it was. I don’t want to be Rose. I want more power over the songs I record. And for a bit, if at all possible, I don’t want to go on long tours.” She snuggles closer, her arms now around my back and her face resting against my chest. Her soft breath floats across my skin.

  “We just got this back, and I’m not ready to leave you for the road yet. Your career is just as important, if not more, and I won’t let you give that up.”

  “Both of our careers are important, Maddy. Don’t cut yourself short. Music is medicine; it heals. I’d even risk and say it saves some people just like I do when they’re in trouble.” I feel her smile against my chest.