Nashville Dreams

by Pamela M. Kelley

  Cole saw Laura backstage before the show began. Her song was going to be up first after they announced the name of the first artist to be eliminated.

  She smiled when she saw him.

  He spoke first. “How are you doing? I can’t wait to hear your song.”

  “I’m okay. A little nervous. Excited, too. How are you doing? My fingers are crossed for you.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate that. I’m a little nervous, too,” he admitted and then grinned. “Who am I kidding? I’ve never been this nervous before.”

  The lights flashed, indicating it was time for everyone to get to their places. Cole rushed to take his seat with the others. When the show started, they had to all go on stage and immediately the first name was called, and Cole couldn’t breathe until they called a name that wasn’t his, which brought them down to four finalists. They shuffled back to their seats and then Laura was introduced, and she began to sing her new song.

  Cole was blown away again, even though he’d heard the song once before. Young Love was amazing and personal, but Magic was big and fun with a catchy melody. He could tell by the crowd’s reaction that it was going to be another hit for her. Laura was a star-in-the-making.

  The rest of the hour was a blur. Before every commercial break, they brought the finalists out and announced the name of another eliminated artist. Cole held his breath each time and survived until it was just him and Gina left. He really liked Gina, and if he couldn’t win, he’d be happy for her. But still, he’d never wanted anything so badly before. He and Gina walked out together and held hands as they announced the winner—and it wasn’t him. Gina screamed, and he immediately gave her a big hug while streamers and confetti rained down onto the stage.

  Everyone swarmed around Gina as the show ended. His coach, Gary, came over and gave him a big hug.

  “You did great. I really thought you had it there for a while. This was a close one, though. You know, sometimes you’re better off not winning these things. There might be something else better coming your way instead.” He slapped Cole affectionately on the back, took his phone number and promised to keep in touch. “No promises, but I’ll see what I can do for you.”

  “You did so well,” Laura said as she gave him a big hug.

  “Thanks. Close, but no cigar.”

  “This is just the beginning, you know. So what that you didn’t win? You can still make the most of this opportunity. Is there any way you can move to Nashville? Being here, being seen, meeting people. It makes a difference.”

  Cole sighed. “I wish. I’d love nothing more. But, Chelsea will never go for it. The most she’ll allow is occasional long weekends.” And he knew she wouldn’t be keen on him leaving again anytime soon. He also knew that the pressure was likely to start again for him to focus on landing an attorney position somewhere. Which wasn’t likely to happen either unless he got serious about studying for and passing the bar.

  “Well, the next time you come to Nashville, let me know. I’d love to see you and catch up.”

  “I’d like that. And same to you. If you ever get to Charleston, look me up. Are you sure you’re doing okay?” Cole had been so caught up in feeling sorry for himself that he’d forgot to consider how Laura was handling everything.

  “I’m okay, really. I just might go to Charleston soon. I think it might help me to get more of my memories back.”

  Cole nodded. “When you’re ready, I think it might be a good idea.”

  “Have a safe trip back, Cole.” Laura pulled him in for a goodbye hug and he breathed in her scent. She smelled the same as he remembered. Like sweetness and light, fresh and clean and just Laura. He would miss her.

  Chapter 25

  Chelsea was still at work when Cole arrived home the next day a little past four. He felt grimy from the long drive and had barely slept the night before. He’d been too keyed up, his mind racing as he thought about having to shift to his Plan B. Even though he’d known it was a long shot, he’d hoped hard that he’d win. It had seemed possible, for a while.

  But he’d had a lot of time to think during the drive home and knew he had to be realistic. He’d given it his best shot. Aside from moving to Nashville, which wasn’t an option, Cole knew he wasn’t likely to get on anyone’s radar in Charleston. As much as he hated the thought of it, he knew it was time to suck it up and at least start studying for the bar.

  He knew he could start right away at his father’s firm, but that was a last resort. Once he passed the bar, he’d have more options, but in the meantime, he could start sending out his resume. There was a good chance someone would hire him as an associate, and he could work and study at the same time. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. He could still do side gigs with the guys now and then. Plus, he knew that Chelsea was eager for him to get to work soon. She’d made that very clear.

  Cole was just toweling his hair after coming out of the shower when he heard her car pull into the driveway. She looked surprised to see him when she walked in.

  “I didn’t expect you back until tomorrow!” As she smiled and kissed him hello, there was a familiar tenseness about her, and he sensed that she was in one of her moods. She got like that sometimes when everything he said seemed to irritate her, and he could never figure out where it came from or what he’d done. This time, it seemed that she just didn’t like the interruption to her schedule.

  “I didn’t have any reason to stick around. I thought you might be glad to see me. Missing me, even?” he asked in a teasing tone.

  She rewarded him with a tight smile. “Of course I am. I just wasn’t expecting you back so I made plans to go out with some of the people from work tonight.” She checked her cellphone. “We’re meeting in an hour. I wanted to jump in the shower and freshen up. You’re welcome to join us, of course.” Her tone wasn’t overly welcoming, though. Cole guessed that she’d probably rather that he didn’t join them. He barely knew her co-workers. His first instinct was to tell her to go ahead without him, and to have fun. But he started to feel a bit irritated himself. He’d barely seen her in recent weeks. If it were the other way around, he would have happily canceled his plans with his friends.

  “Sure, I’d love to join you all.”

  Chelsea did a double-take. “Oh, okay. Great. I’ll be ready in about twenty minutes.”

  An hour later, Cole ordered a second beer at a crowded, loud bar downtown and wished he’d stayed home. After an initial round of congratulations from Chelsea’s co-workers for coming in second on the show, the conversation turned back to their jobs and Cole didn’t have much to contribute. Chelsea had introduced him to the half-dozen or so colleagues that were already at a table when they arrived. All of their names went in one ear and out the other, except for one, Austin Radley.

  He looked just like his name. Tall and arrogant. Cole disliked him immediately and was annoyed that he and Chelsea were practically finishing each other's sentences.

  “You’re like an old married couple,” Marsha said with a laugh and then looked Cole’s way and apologized. “I didn’t mean anything by that.”

  “Oh, Cole understands. I told him Austin, and I have been spending a lot of time together on this project. Austin is my work husband. I’ve seen more of him than Cole lately!”

  “Are you back for good now,” Austin asked.

  “Yeah, I think so.”

  “Cole is going to work for his father,” Chelsea said, smiling at Cole in a way that dared him to deny it.

  “I need to pass the bar first,” he said as he reached for his beer.

  “Your father would probably let you start working sooner, though,” she insisted. “It might be a great idea to get in there and get started.”

  Cole sighed. “Maybe. We’ll see.”

  Two hours later, everyone headed home. Cole was exhausted from the long day of driving. Chelsea was still chattering non-stop about some project they were working on and how Austin was such a great mentor. Cole yawned and fell into bed as soon as they got hom
e.

  He spent the next week cracking the books to study for the bar and hating every minute of it. He didn’t hate the law, exactly, but it was a reminder that he’d failed in Nashville and he kept remembering his time there. Everyone lived and breathed music and the past few weeks were the happiest he’d been in a long time. He’d heard Laura on the radio a few times since and each time he heard her voice, he thought about her and wondered how she was doing. He hoped that if she did decide to come to Charleston that she’d call. He’d love to show her around and, selfishly, he wanted her to get her memories back to remember how it had been with them. He wondered if she was happy with Dylan. He hoped so, but there was something that he hadn’t liked about the guy. A possessiveness or jealousy that he wouldn’t want for Laura. Even if they weren’t together, he still wanted her to be happy.

  He wished that Chelsea would consider moving to Nashville, or at least closer to it. But she’d made it clear that wasn’t an option and now that he was home and the show was done that chapter of his life was over, as far as she was concerned. She’d mentioned working for his father several times this week, pushing for an answer each time. Finally, she managed to get him to agree to dinner at the club after church on Sunday. When his father brought it up over dessert, Chelsea glared at him, and it was just easier to agree to start going into the office the following week.

  Cole was quiet on the ride home from the club, dreading the start of his new career. But he had agreed long ago that if the music thing didn’t work out, he’d start focusing on law. It seemed like it was time to do that. Chelsea, however, was in a great mood. She reached over and took his hand as he drove and gave it a squeeze.

  “It’s going to be great working for your father. I just know it.”

  Monday morning came quickly, and as Cole was walking to the car to drive to his father’s office, his cell phone rang. He didn’t recognize the number, but the area code was from Nashville. He quickly took the call and said hello.

  “Cole Dawson? This is Harry Evans from Black Duck studios. Do you have a minute?”

  Cole leaned against his truck. “Yes, of course.”

  “I didn’t follow much of that show you were on, but I did catch your performance of Young Love. I was curious after Laura told me you wanted to sing it. You did a fine job with it.”

  “Thank you.”

  “More than fine, actually. Your iTunes single of Young Love is still selling pretty good, and Laura’s sales went up too, by having you sing it on national television. It was good for both of you. Which brings me to why I’m calling. Your coach, Gary, and I are working on a new label that he’s going to manage. He’s picking the artists and will guide the development of their first album. He’d like you to be one of his first artists, if you’re interested.”

  Cole felt lightheaded for a moment, wondering if he’d heard right.

  “Of course I’m interested. I’m honored.”

  “Excellent. Can you make it in sometime this week to sit down with Gary and me and the team? Get your contract signed and get things rolling for you?”

  They agreed to meet the next day, late afternoon. Cole grinned stupidly as he ended the call and immediately dialed his father’s line.

  “Dad, I’m afraid I won’t be coming in today, or anytime soon, actually. I’m heading back to Nashville.”

  Chapter 26

  By the time Cole checked into his hotel, it was a quarter to six and he knew Chelsea would be just getting home. He knew that she wasn’t going to be happy with his news.

  “You’re in Nashville? I thought you were starting with your father today?” Her tone was icy and confused.

  “I was on my way in. But then Black Duck studios called. They’re huge, Chelsea, and they want to sign me to a record deal.”

  “So you just left. Without even talking to me first?”

  “There wasn’t a whole lot to talk about. This is what I’ve always wanted. There’s no way I could say no.”

  “I see. So, that’s it then? You live in Nashville now?”

  “No, of course not. I’ll be home in a few days. But I will be spending more time here once we start recording and hopefully performing.”

  “I’m not happy about this.”

  Cole felt bad that he didn’t tell Chelsea in person. But, he meant what he’d said. There wasn’t anything to talk about and if the way this conversation was going was an indication, it would have been even worse in person.

  “I’d hoped you’d be happy for me. You know I’ve always wanted this.”

  Chelsea was silent and Cole could feel her fuming. “Chelsea, we’ll talk in a few days. We can find a way to make this work.”

  “I have to go. Someone’s on the other line. Bye, Cole.”

  Chelsea hung up and Cole sighed. It had been a long drive and a tense conversation. He needed to go for a long run, to work off some steam and tire himself out enough that he’d be able to get a good night’s sleep.

  The next afternoon, he arrived at Black Duck studios at a quarter to two. He met with Gary and the studio head, Harry Evans, and a team of people whose names went in one ear and out the other.

  “We all liked what we heard. We all saw you on the show and I for one am glad you didn’t win. Because now we have a chance to work together.” Harry looked around the room dramatically and everyone nodded.

  “I couldn’t say anything to you then,” Gary said, “because we hadn’t ironed out all the details yet, but you were the first artist on my list. I’m looking to step back from performing myself and do more producing. I think we worked well together on the show and I think this could be amazing.”

  “I do too. I’m honored that you thought of me.”

  “So, here’s what we’re thinking,” Harry began. He told Cole what the process would be and asked if he’d written any songs himself.

  “A few. I’ve been playing around a little the past year or so.” He knew he was nowhere near Laura’s level as a songwriter, though.

  “Okay, give Gary whatever you’ve got. We’ll review it all. We have a few other songs in mind for you too. And this is our standard contract. Why don’t you review it tonight and if all looks good, drop a signed copy back in the next day or two.”

  “We can start recording sessions a month from now, if that works for you?” Gary asked.

  Cole nodded. “That sounds great.”

  As they walked out, Harry handed him two business cards. “Here’s my contact info, if you need it. You got a manager yet?”

  “No, I probably should look into that.”

  “Rick is Laura’s manager. He’s a good guy. Feel free to give him a call or ask around. Gary probably knows people too.”

  “Give Rick a call. If you guys don’t click, I have a few other names you can try.”

  “It may be premature to say it, but welcome aboard, Cole!” Harry slapped him on the back and Gary shook his hand. Both said they looked forward to talking again soon.

  Cole was in a daze as he walked to his truck. As soon as he got inside and closed the door, he called Rick and set an appointment to meet the next day. Rick told him to bring the contract with him and before they hung up, he offered his congratulations too. There was one other person that Cole wanted to share his good news with. He looked her number up and Laura answered on the first ring.

  “Hi Cole. Are you in Nashville already?”

  “I am and I have some really good news. Any chance you might be available for a celebratory drink?”

  “Of course. Where are you now?”

  He smiled. “I’m just leaving Black Duck studios.”

  There was a moment of silence and then Laura practically screamed. “Oh, my God, Cole I’m so excited for you! I can’t wait to hear all about it. There’s a pub right around the corner from there. The Black Rose. I can meet you in about twenty minutes.”

  When Laura arrived at the Black Rose, Cole was sitting at the bar and he grinned when he saw her. She gave him a big hug hello and slid on
to the stool next to him. The bartender, an older man with gray hair, a pot belly and a friendly smile came right over to take their drink order. They both ordered the local IPA draft beer and as soon as their drinks arrived, Laura lifted hers to toast Cole.

  “Congratulations! Now tell me everything.”

  Cole told her about his afternoon at the studio and what Harry and Gary were thinking.

  "They asked me if I've written many songs." Cole looked sheepish. "I mean, I've written some but nothing like what you've done. I guess I need to start working harder at that. They did say they have a few songs in mind for me, though, so that's good."

  "I might have a few that could work for you." Laura immediately started to mentally sift through her catalog of songs and began to feel excited. She could think of at least three, maybe four songs that could be well-suited to Cole's voice.

  "You don't have to do that. I wasn't hinting. I hope you don't think that I was?"

  Laura laughed. "Don't be silly. I literally have hundreds of songs and I would love for you to sing some of them. I’ll send you the ones that I have in mind. Hopefully one or two might work."

  Cole looked excited by the possibility. "If you could, that would really be awesome."

  Laura smiled. "So, when are you thinking about moving here?"

  Cole took a sip of his beer and looked deep in thought for a moment. "I don't know that I'll actually be able to move here. I still need to talk this through with Chelsea. It kind of happened suddenly, and she is adamant that she doesn't want to move to Nashville. They want me to start recording in about a month."

  Laura felt for him. She knew how badly he wanted to move to Nashville. She couldn't imagine not living there. It was the heart of the country music world.