Then I Met You: A single dad romance (Love in Everton Book 6)

by Fabiola Francisco

  I could focus on my living situation. Most of the money I’m currently making is going to lodging at Everton and rent here in Nashville. Ainsley might be right when she asked me if I’d be moving to Everton. This month, I’ll be paying my share of the rent to come to my apartment for one week. It’s just not adding up.

  I sigh and look out at the sun hanging low on the horizon as I lean forward on my elbows on the balcony rail. My cup of coffee warms my hands as I look around. Nashville is so different than Everton. There aren’t looming mountains covered in snow or vast ranch land. While I love this city, I’m questioning if my time here is coming to an end, which is hard to believe considering this is Music City. This is the home of the Grand Ole Opry, where all the big country stars have made a name for themselves. I love working with Knox and Harris, but I wonder if I’ll be making a mistake by leaving this city.

  The cool rail hits my skin when I drop my forehead onto it. Confusion washes over me like it always does when I’m back in Nashville.

  “Good mornin’, sunshine.”

  I turn around to look at Kelsey, my roommate.

  “Mornin’,” I grumble and leave the balcony behind me as I make my way into the apartment.

  “Uh, oh. What’s got you down?” Kelsey sits on the couch and pats the cushion next to her. I met her when I moved to Nashville and rented the vacant room in her apartment. We became fast friends, and I’m grateful that I got a roommate who isn’t snotty or rude.

  “Do you want coffee first?” I lift my eyebrows.

  “No. I’m actually on a clean eating kick, and coffee is forbidden. Can you believe the audacity?” Her eyes widen in annoyance.

  I laugh and plop on the couch. “Since when have you been on this clean eating thing? I’ve only been gone two weeks.”

  “I started this week. We’ll see how long it really lasts, but I bought a book with recipes that should help. No coffee, though…” She eyes my mug with longing. “I don’t know how long I’ll do without that. I did find a good tea substitute, and I’ve been having smoothies for breakfast.”

  “Good for you,” I praise.

  Kelsey shrugs and rolls her eyes as if it were no big deal. “Tell me what’s going on.”

  I take a deep, steadying breath and place the mug on the coffee table. “I’m thinking about my future and what’s best for me. I’ve been spending more time in Everton than here, which makes sense since the label is there, and I’m wondering if it would be smarter on my bank account to move to Everton.”

  “Oh.” Kelsey’s eyebrows shoot up on her forehead. “I can’t say it surprises me, though.”

  “It just makes no sense to pay rent and hotel when I’m there more often than here, but I don’t know if moving out of Nashville is the smartest choice for my career. I mean, it’s Nashville. I fought so hard to get here.”

  “And you did get here. Sutton, Nashville is more of a metaphor than a city to you. It’s your dreams, your career. You’re doing that. You have a record out, a single playing all over the radio at the moment, and you’re touring. You’ve achieved ‘Nashville.’” She shifts her body and stares at my eyes to make sure I understand what she’s saying.

  “When you put it that way, it makes sense.” I nod to myself. She’s right. The idea of Nashville has always been to become a singer. “Do you think I could really do it all from Everton?”

  “As long as you promise to visit me once a month.” Her eyes crinkle with her smile, and her messy top knot falls to a side, making me giggle.

  “Of course. I’ll still be coming here for shows, too. It’s not like I’ll never return, I just won’t be your roommate.” I give her an exaggerated pout, my lower lip rolling down.

  “But we’ll always be friends.” She slings her arm around my neck and pulls me to her.

  “That is true.” I nod against her shoulder.

  “Besides, doesn’t that hot cowboy live there, too?”

  My eyes widen as I move back to stare at her. “I told you that one drunken night, and we agreed to never speak of it again.”

  “You agreed. I did no such thing. How is Gavin these days?” She settles in with a cocky smile as if she’s ready for storytime.

  “Ugh,” I groan and toss my head back. “Confusing. I’ve seen more of him around town, and I even spent some time with him and his daughter when I ran into them at a bakery. They shared a cupcake with me. It was awkward, his daughter doing most of the talking. She’s adorable.”

  “Did you ever find out what happened between him and his daughter’s mom?” Kelsey’s face grows serious, all teasing gone.

  I shake my head, pursing my lips. “I have a feeling it’s not good by how closed off he is, but I don’t know what happened. I haven’t asked, and no one has told me. Regardless, I rather find out from him if and when that time comes.”

  “His daughter doesn’t talk about her?” Her eyebrows pull together.

  “Nope.” I shrug. “She’s a happy girl, a little shy at first, but she’s opened up a lot to me. Maybe she doesn’t know who her mom is? For all I know, she died.”

  Kelsey gasps, bringing a hand to cover her mouth. “Do you think so?”

  “I have no idea.” I drop back against the couch and fix my ponytail.

  “Well, just focus on you and continue being your amazing self. He’ll eventually see how great you are. If he doesn’t, he isn’t worth your time and heart.”

  “Thanks.” I smile. “I feel like you’re buttering me up for something.” I narrow my eyes.

  “I’d never.” An insulted hand lands on her chest. “But, if you happen to get an extra ticket to the ACM afterparty, I wouldn’t say no,” she winks.

  I laugh and shake my head, reaching for my coffee mug.

  “I’m kidding,” Kelsey smiles. “I say everything I do with unconditional truth.”

  “I appreciate it. I’m gonna miss you.” I scrunch up my nose. “And my coffee’s cold. Will you warm it up for me, please? You do have to make yourself some tea, right?” I hold my mug out to her and bite down my giggle.

  Kelsey frowns, giving me a bullshit look as her eyes narrow slightly.

  “You’re such a brat.” She stands and goes to the kitchen.

  “My coffee,” I call out.

  “Warm it up yourself. It’s torture to hold that mug when I can’t drink any,” she throws over her shoulder.

  Laughing, I stand and meet her in the kitchen. “How serious is this clean eating thing? Is there anything you can eat at Frenchie’s?”

  “Sure, tempt me with coffee first, then the best French toast place in town with unlimited mimosas. I’ll go shower.” She sighs as if it were too much trouble to please me.

  “You don’t have to, but I’ve been craving a good breakfast for two weeks.”

  “Puh-lease, as if I’d let you go alone. You’re a star now. You need your bodyguard with you.” She flexes her arms to show off her small muscles. “Maybe instead of clean eating, I should renew my gym membership,” Kelsey adds, looking at her arm. “Whatever, French toast and mimosas today. My body could use the shock, and we’re celebrating your new phase!” Kelsey shimmies toward her room, leaving me laughing in the kitchen. She’s something else.

  After stuffing our faces with French toast, and Kelsey blaming me for talking her into getting the carb breakfast choice instead of the omelet, which I did no such thing, we laugh and continue to drink our bottomless mimosas.

  “I’ll definitely miss you, but maybe that will give me an excuse to check out that small town you’re so in love with.” Kelsey lifts a brow over her champagne flute.

  “You definitely should come visit! It’s such a quaint town, very quirky.”

  “So you’ve told me. Any hot cowboys still available?” She tilts her chin toward her chest and wags her eyebrows like a creep.

  Laughing so hard I snort, I cover my face and shake my head. Kelsey cackles, drawing attention to us on the outdoor patio. Shushing her is no point, and I feel the heat of a b
lush creeping up my neck and landing on my cheeks.

  “You crack me up,” she says when she controls her laughter.

  “To answer your question, I don’t know which cowboys are available.”

  “Well, I’ll just have to go rope me one soon, then.”

  “You should definitely come soon. It’ll be fun to show you around and introduce you to everyone.”

  “Excuse me?” A soft voice cuts into our conversation, and Kelsey and I both turn our heads.

  “Yes?” I smile at the young woman with wide, unsure eyes that turn into wider, excited ones.

  “Are you Sutton Wright?”

  “Yeah,” I smile.

  “Oh. My. God. I freaking love your music! ‘He Ain’t Worth the Heartache’ is my current favorite song. Do you mind if I take a picture with you?” She bites her bottom lip as she waits for my response.

  “Of course.” I stand, and the girl shoves the phone toward Kelsey.

  After we take a picture, she turns her head and tells her friends, “I told you it was her.”

  Her friends frown and mumble. “We have tickets to your show on Wednesday, and they didn’t believe me when I told them it was you sitting here. We made a bet that if it were, I could take a picture with you. We didn’t want to bother you with a million photos.”

  Smiling, I look at the group of friends she’s with. “How about we take one group photo?” A crooked smirk takes over my face as I eye her friends.

  “Really?” she shrieks.

  Laughing, I nod my head. “Oh, my God. We’ll forever love you. I mean, we already do. Seriously.”

  After taking a couple of pictures with her friends, I sit back down with Kelsey.

  “It’s like you’re famous or something.” Her eyebrows scrunch in confusion, and her eyes roll before a big smile appears on her face. “I’m so damn happy for you.”

  “I can’t believe that just happened,” I squeal quietly. I don’t know who’s fangirling more—the girls or me.

  “It’s freaking amazing, and it’s only going to get better. Aren’t you happy you brought your bodyguard with you?” She gives me her best smile, all pearly whites and dimples.

  “I sure am.” Tapping my glass to hers, we drink more mimosas and celebrate.

  …

  “At what time do you have to be at Riot,” Kelsey asks as I step out of my room with a towel wrapped around my hair. After more mimosas than I could count, I took a power nap and showered before having to leave for my show tonight.

  Riot is a Nashville staple. A bar where all artists want to sing in at least once. Fortunately for me, I’ve played there often and always love the energy of the people that frequent it.

  “I’ll be there at six. Everything has been taken care of through the phone, but I like getting there early anyway.” Knox and Harris handle all the business, even when they can’t come to a show. They’re currently looking into signing another artist, and they’ll be in town on Tuesday for my Wednesday show and stay through Sunday for the ACM Awards.

  “Perfect, I’ll go with you.”

  “Oh, yay!” I clap my hands. “If we’re ready before, we can go earlier and have a drink before it’s time to go on stage.”

  Agreeing, Kelsey and I both race to get ready and meet in the living room two hours later.

  “Let’s go.” Kelsey links her arm in mine. “I’m going to have to soak up nights like this before you leave me for the small-town life.” She locks the door behind me as I laugh at her exaggeration.

  “I’ll still be visiting. Do you think you’ll always have a couch I can crash on?” I lift my brows and smile.

  “I’ll have to consult it with my new roommate when the time comes.” She shakes her head and sighs. “I hope you don’t mind the inconvenience,” she adds, layering on her thick southern accent.

  Giggling, I smack her shoulder.

  “You know you’ll always have a place here,” she says softly.

  “Thanks, boo.”

  The crowd is small when we arrive at Riot, so we grab two seats at the bar and order our drinks. Once the bartender serves a gin and tonic for Kelsey and my whiskey soda, we toast and drink.

  “I love this place,” she looks around.

  “Me, too. You’d love the bar I usually play in Everton. Not the same vibe, but it’s a lot of fun, and they make great cocktails.”

  “More persuasion, I see.” She smiles.

  “Well, it’s about time you visit.” I lift my eyebrows. She promised me she’d visit Everton when I first got signed. Then, when my single came out. I’m still waiting for her to see the place I’ve told her so much about.

  “How about this? After the ACM Awards, I’ll plan a weekend trip.”

  “Yes!” I dance in my seat and allow the burn of the whiskey to warm my insides.

  “Hey, you’re Sutton, right?” I look to my left and see a familiar-looking woman, but I can’t place her.

  “Yeah.” I nod.

  “I’m Ellie… Thorne,” she adds her last name.

  “Hey, I knew you looked familiar. You used to sing, right?”

  Ellie nods. I remember hearing her music a couple years ago. “I’m songwriting now, so I’m in town for work.”

  “That’s cool. This is my friend, Kelsey. Do you want to have a drink with us?”

  “I’d love to. I’m actually here to see you perform tonight. I figured all work and no play wasn’t the right way to do this visit, and it’s been a long time since I’ve visited Riot.”

  “This place is special.” I look around as Ellie sits on the empty stool next to me.

  “Where do you live?” Kelsey leans forward on the bar and asks her.

  “In a small town outside of Chicago. I lived in Nashville for a bit, but I moved back home to be with my boyfriend. He’s where I want to be, and I can write songs from anywhere.” She smiles kindly.

  “You hear that, Sutton. She can work from anywhere and visit Nashville when she needs to,” Kelsey talks slowly as if I were a small child, elbowing my ribs.

  Ellie’s eyebrows rise in confusion. I shake my head and roll my eyes. “My music label is in Everton, Wyoming, and I’ve been traveling back and forth, spending more time in Everton. I’m considering moving there and coming to Nashville when I need to, but it’s a hard decision to make when this is the place where everything happens,” I explain.

  “I get it,” Ellie nods. “I’ll be honest though, once you start touring, Nashville will just be a base the same way Everton would be. If your label is there, chances are, you’ll be staying less and less in Nashville unless you have a show, which I’m guessing is already the case?” Her guess turns into a question.

  “Yeah, it’s definitely already like that, which is why I’m at this crossroads. It’s hard to leave Nashville behind because of the music energy that surrounds it, but I love Everton, and we have quite a few places in the area where we perform.”

  “You’re signed with Bentley Records, right?” Ellie tilts her head.

  “Yeah.”

  “I think that’s great. Don’t be afraid to expand from this city. Ultimately, that’s what you want. World tours, your music being played everywhere. Nashville will always be here. For me, it was the right decision. I got the best of both worlds, and that’s priceless.” Her smile lights up her face at the mention of her boyfriend.

  “You won’t be the first or last artist that doesn’t live in this city,” she adds with conviction.

  “Thank you,” I smile, considering her words.

  “And this allows her to get the guy,” Kelsey sneaks in and confesses.

  I whip my head toward her with wide eyes and slap her arm.

  “Oh, there’s a guy?” Ellie’s eyes light up.

  “No. Not really. I mean, there is a guy, but he’s not my guy. I wouldn’t make the decision to move to Everton based on him, seeing as he barely talks to me.” Ellie narrows her eyes. “He’s shy,” I quickly add before she misunderstands me.

 
“Well, then maybe you need to break the ice.” Her Cheshire cat smile should make me nervous. Instead, it eases me and gives me an idea.

  “I think you might be right,” I wink before finishing my drink and checking the time.

  “Okay, ladies, it’s showtime. Will you still be here after I’m done?” I ask Ellie.

  “Sure thing.”

  I leave her and Kelsey together as I make my way toward the side of the stage and prepare for my set. There’s nothing I love more than standing on a stage and sharing my music with an audience—even if thoughts of Gavin are swimming in my mind the entire time.

  Gavin

  When Abbie invited us to go over to her place for dinner, the last thing I expected was to be staring at a country music awards show on the television. Thankfully, Finn is here to keep me company while Abbie and her sisters comment on every outfit. Penny listens, asking questions about the different fashion things they bring up. I wouldn’t be able to repeat them if they paid me a million dollars.

  “You want another beer?” Finn lifts his brows.

  “Yes,” I sigh, shaking my head.

  “Look at them!” Abbie yells before awwing.

  “Daddy, isn’t that your friend?” Penny calls for me.

  Staring at the screen, I see Knox and Ainsley dressed to the nines.

  “Yeah, that’s Knox.”

  “Ainsley’s dress is gorgeous,” Sienna comments, her eyes wide as she looks on with envy.

  “It sure is. Red looks amazing on her,” Abbie adds.

  I turn to look at Finn again with raised eyebrows, thanking him for the beer.

  “I’ll never get women and fashion,” he says as he takes a seat on the chair across from me in the kitchen.

  “Me either, and I have a daughter to raise that will eventually be into all that.” I blow out a breath and chuckle. I can just imagine myself taking Penny to shop and vetoing every choice she picks out.

  “Maybe you’ll have help.” Finn’s smirk is devious when he lifts his chin toward the television.

  At the same time, Penny yells, “She really is famous! Daddy, look!”

  As if I hadn’t noticed Sutton has been away for a week, I come face to face with her on the screen while she’s being interviewed on the red carpet.