Nashville Dreams

by Pamela M. Kelley

  "Will you go back and forth, then? That might be kind of tough."

  “It’s not ideal, I know. I’ll figure something out.”

  "Well, I'm excited for you. When I get home tonight, I'll go through my stuff and I’ll get an email off to you tomorrow with a couple of songs. Let me know what you think and then I'll forward the ones you like onto Harry for approval."

  Cole looked excited to hear it. "That would be awesome. I can't wait to see them."

  Laura’s stomach grumbled, and she laughed. "Did you hear that? I haven't had anything to eat since breakfast. Are you hungry?"

  "I can always eat. You want to grab a bite? I’ll get us some menus."

  He got the waitress’s attention and after a quick look at the menu, they both ordered barbecued pulled pork sandwiches and fries. It was one of the things Laura had fallen in love with when she moved to Nashville. Tender pulled pork smothered in tangy barbecue sauce. It just wasn’t the same in Montana.

  While they ate, Laura told him all about where to go in Nashville and all the different venues that she’d played. "Once you’re here, I'll introduce you to some folks and show you around. You’ll be in heaven with all the really great places to hear music." Laura was excited for Cole and was looking forward to showing him why she loved Nashville so much.

  "I'd love that."

  Laura's phone rang just as they finished eating and she saw that it was Dylan. She also saw that it was much later than she realized. She and Cole had been chatting for several hours and she’d lost all track of time.

  "Where are you?" Dylan sounded tense and irritated when she answered the phone.

  Laura hesitated for a moment only because she knew that what she said was likely to irritate him even further. "I'm at the Black Rose pub having a bite to eat with Cole. We’re celebrating some good news that he got today."

  "You’re with Cole? At the Black Rose? I’m at your house waiting for you. I thought we’d have dinner tonight?”

  "I didn't think we had dinner plans?" Laura was sure they’d never discussed it.

  "No, we didn't," he admitted. “But I usually see you most nights, and I figured you be home."

  Laura began to feel irritated as well. "Well, I'm not home. Why don’t you come here and have a drink with us?"

  "You're kidding right? Are you coming home soon?"

  She sighed. "Yeah, I think we’ll probably be leaving soon.”

  "Then I'll see you when you get here."

  Cole looked concerned as she set her cell phone down. "I hope things are okay with you and Dylan?"

  Laura reached for a French fry, annoyed that Dylan’s call had spoiled their celebratory mood. "I think he's a little jealous that I'm out with you. He shouldn't be."

  "Of course not. I'm sorry if this causes any trouble for you." He looked uncomfortable and Laura spoke quickly to reassure him.

  "Don't be ridiculous. I don’t need his permission to go out with my friends.”

  Cole finished his last sip of beer and set his empty mug down. “I was going to suggest another drink, but maybe that’s not such a good idea now.”

  “Probably not,” Laura agreed as she reached for her glass which was almost empty. “He said he’s waiting at home for me.”

  Cole insisted on picking up the check when the waitress brought it over and Laura finally agreed on the condition that she could return the favor.

  “When are you heading back to Charleston?” she asked as they walked out to their vehicles.

  “Tomorrow. I have a meeting with Rick in the morning and then I’ll be heading home after that.”

  “You’ll like Rick,” she said as she reached her car. “I guess I’ll see you in a month or so, when you’re back in town. Unless I get up to Charleston before then. I’m still hoping that I’ll be able to get away for a few days.”

  Cole smiled. “Well, if you do, be sure to give me a call. I’d love to show you around.”

  “I definitely will.” He gave her a quick hug goodbye, and she watched him walk away as she got into her car. She was glad that he’d called her and she was thrilled for him. She knew exactly how he felt and it was exciting to see someone else go through what she’d already experienced. She felt such a strong comfort level with Cole, like no one else, except maybe Tina. But she still couldn’t remember much about their past, only that there was one. It was frustrating to know her memories were so close, yet she still couldn’t grasp hold of them.

  As Laura drove home, she was already dreading the conversation with Dylan. She hadn’t liked his tone. He clearly had trust issues, and he’d grown more controlling lately, ever since he’d given her the engagement ring. When she pulled into the driveway, he was leaning against his car with his arms folded. Laura took a deep breath as she got out of her car. She was grateful that she hadn't gotten around to giving him a key to her apartment. He'd asked for one more than once and she’d agreed but hadn’t done it yet.

  "Nice to see you, finally," Dylan said as Laura walked over to him. He pulled her in for a hug and a quick kiss. He seemed calm enough and there was even a hint of a smile as he suggested that they go inside. Laura relaxed a little. Maybe he wasn't as mad as she’d thought he’d be.

  But once they were inside with the door closed behind them, his smile faded.

  "So, why were you out with Cole? What's going on?"

  Laura saw the anger in his eyes and noticed a muscle in his jaw flicker. Dylan was furious.

  "Nothing is going on. Cole and I are friends. He got some good news today and wanted to share it with someone. Someone who understood."

  “And what kind of news would you understand?"

  Laura smiled, hoping to diffuse the tension in the room. "He signed with Black duck studios today. They want him to make an album."

  "Well, isn't that great for him?" Dylan looked less than pleased with the news. "So, how did he know how to get in touch with you? Did you give him your number?"

  Laura took a step back, not liking the look in Dylan's eyes. She said nothing as he looked around the room and then picked up an empty beer bottle sitting on the counter.

  "Yes, I gave him my number and asked him to keep in touch. That's what friends do."

  Laura jumped as Dylan smashed the beer bottle down hard against the counter sending pieces of broken glass everywhere. His face took on a red flush as he shouted, "We're engaged! You will not be giving your number to any other guys from now on."

  Laura stared at him in horror. Another memory suddenly flooded in. She was about thirteen and her mother had been dating a new guy for a couple of months. He had a temper and he and her mother got into a fight about something stupid and he smashed his fist into the wall. It terrified Laura at the time and it made her mother so furious that she broke up with him immediately and told Laura that it was a good lesson to never put up with anything like that.

  Laura slowly worked her engagement ring off her finger and set it on the counter.

  Dylan's jaw dropped. "What are you doing?"

  "What I probably should've done when you gave the ring to me. I'm not ready for this and after what I just saw, I'm done.”

  "So, it's true then. You’re getting back with Cole?”

  Laura laughed. He was ridiculous. "No, I'm not. One, we’re just friends and two, the last I knew, Cole was still married."

  "You’re overreacting. Put the ring back on Laura. We can work this out." Dylan’s tone was different now, calmer and almost pleading.

  Laura shook her head sadly. "No, Dylan. We can't. I'm sorry."

  "So that's it then? You seriously want to break up?" Dylan was annoyed again and frustrated.

  "I do." Laura picked up the ring and handed it to him. He grabbed it from her and stuffed it in his pocket and turned to leave.

  "This isn't over Laura," he said as he opened the front door.

  Laura breathed a sigh of relief as soon as the door shut behind him. She grabbed the dustpan and brush and quickly cleaned up the broken glass in t
he kitchen. As soon as it was taken care of she collapsed on her sofa and pulled a soft throw blanket around her. She was sad about what just happened with Dylan, but she also felt like a giant weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She knew that she’d made the right decision to end things with him.

  Chapter 27

  Cole met with Rick in the morning and as Laura had predicted, he liked him quite a bit. Rick went over the Black Duck contract and explained all the fine print. Cole also signed an agreement with Rick for him to be his manager. Once the paperwork was finalized, the two of them shook hands and Rick promised to keep in touch over the coming weeks.

  Cole's mind raced during the long drive home to Charleston. As excited as he was about everything going on with Black Duck, he was dreading sitting down with Chelsea when he got home. He was still optimistic though that they could find a way to make it work somehow.

  Because the reality was that he was going to be spending a lot of time in Nashville once they started recording. He needed to line up some kind of temporary housing for short-term rental, maybe.

  He thought a lot about Laura too as he drove. It was great to see her again. As he always had, he just liked being around her. And now she even shared his passion for music. He’d been so excited to share his news with her. He was still furious with his father and the years he had robbed them both of. He could tell that Laura didn't fully remember their time together. She’d mentioned wanting to drive to Charleston and look around. He hoped that she would. Maybe once she saw where she used to live, where she grew up, she’d get more of those memories back. He needed her to remember how things once were with the two of them. Even if they would never be that way again, he wanted her to remember.

  And he had a bad feeling about Dylan. Laura had seemed stressed out when he called while they were at the Black Rose. Cole hadn't wanted to leave yet. The time with her had flown by. He enjoyed her company and wasn’t in a hurry to get back to his empty hotel room. But he could tell she was anxious to get home, and that Dylan was waiting for her. He seemed like a controlling jerk. She deserved better than that.

  By the time he pulled in the driveway, it was dark but Chelsea wasn’t home yet. He’d left her message earlier when he got on the road, to let her know that he was on his way. So, he was a little surprised that she wasn’t there.

  It was almost midnight before he heard a car outside. He’d gone up to bed around eleven, and as usual, locked all the doors. After a few minutes of silence, he went downstairs. Chelsea was still outside fumbling to find her keys. He opened the door, and she stumbled inside.

  "Where have you been?" He wasn't mad just curious.

  Chelsea set her bag on the kitchen table so close to the edge that it almost fell off. "Went out with friends after work," she said as she slid off her coat and slung it over a chair.

  "Was it a special occasion?” It was late to be out on a weeknight.

  "Austin's birthday." She slurred her words a little.

  "How did you get home?" He’d noticed when he opened the door to let her in that her car wasn’t in the driveway.

  "Austin dropped me off. I left my car at the office."

  "Well at least you didn't drive." Chelsea rarely had more than a few drinks and when she did, she was smart enough not to drive.

  "When did you get home?" Chelsea asked as she poured herself a big glass of water.

  "A few hours ago. It's late. We should both get to bed get some sleep. We'll talk in the morning."

  "Okay," she agreed sleepily.

  As they walked upstairs Dylan asked, "How many of you went out tonight?"

  "Just me and Austin,” she said. But a second later she added "No that's not right, the whole office went out. Sorry, I’m just really tired."

  “No problem. Good night, Chelsea.”

  Cole was up early the next day and had already eaten breakfast and poured himself a second cup of coffee by the time Chelsea made her way downstairs. With one look he could tell she was horribly hung over, and he sympathized.

  “There’s plenty of coffee left. I made a big pot.”

  She almost smiled as she looked his way. “Thanks. I think I’ll start with a huge glass of ice water. I dreamed about it, the water. It’s what got me out of bed.”

  “That bad, huh?”

  She groaned. “I had vodka. I hardly ever drink vodka. This never happens when I have wine.”

  She downed the glass and then refilled it and poured herself a cup of coffee too before joining Cole at the kitchen table. She slowly stirred a little sugar into her cup and took a tentative sip.

  “It always comes out better when you make it.”

  Cole laughed. “I think that’s just the hangover talking, but thanks.”

  Chelsea pressed her hand against her forehead and then looked around until she saw her purse on the other side of the table. She pulled it over, fished a bottle of ibuprofen out of it and downed a couple. Then she leaned back in her chair and slowly sipped her coffee. Cole stayed silent and waited for her to start the discussion he knew was coming.

  “So, tell me about Nashville. What happens now?” she asked.

  “It went well, really well. I signed a contract with Black Duck Studios and with a manager, good guy that represents Laura too.”

  Chelsea’s eyes narrowed. “Did you see Laura when you were there?”

  He smiled. “I did. She was excited for me. She’s sending me a few songs to consider for my first album.”

  “Is she still engaged?” Cole wasn’t sure if there was a hint of jealousy in her voice or just annoyance at the whole music thing.

  “Yes. To one of the guys in her band. I’m not crazy about him though. He’s kind of a jerk.”

  “Well, that’s too bad. Not really your problem though.”

  “No, I suppose not,” he agreed.

  “So, what’s the plan then? When are you leaving and how long will you be gone?”

  “We start recording in about a month. I’m not sure how long it will take. I figured I’d look into a short-term rental, month-to-month kind of thing. I can come back most weekends as long as I don’t have a gig lined up.”

  “You’ll be performing already in Nashville?” Chelsea sounded surprised

  Cole nodded. “Not right away, but Rick is looking into possibilities for me to get out there and be seen. To strike while people still remember me from the show, to leverage that.”

  Chelsea got up and topped off her coffee and then his before sitting down again.

  She sighed. “I’m happy for you, I really am. This just isn’t how I pictured our marriage.”

  “I’ve always been upfront with you about the music.”

  “I know.” Chelsea chewed her bottom lip for a moment and then spoke. “I have to admit, I never thought it would go anywhere. You went to law school. I thought you’d work with your dad or another important firm in Charleston and we’d have a nice life together.”

  “We still can. And for the record, I never wanted to work for my father.”

  “I know. I thought you’d come around on that. I just had a vision of how I thought things would be, you know?”

  Cole looked at her closely and asked the question he’d been wondering. “Is there anything going on with you and that Austin guy you work with?”

  Chelsea looked startled by the question at first, and then she laughed. “With Austin? Of course not. We’re just good friends and we’ve been working together a lot lately.”

  Cole believed her. “Okay, good.”

  She smiled. “He’s going to be quite the catch for some girl though. His family is even richer than yours and he’s on the fast track politically. People are excited about the possibility of him running for and winning a congressional seat in the next election. He’s very charismatic.”

  “That’s great.” Cole couldn’t help but notice how her face lit up as she talked about Austin and his future. It was everything she’d dreamed of. He understood how his music and having to spend so
much time in Nashville must be a disappointment to her in comparison. Even though he’d been up front with her, it wasn’t really what she thought she’d signed up for.

  “I need to just see where this goes. It might not go anywhere, lots of first albums never do. I might be back here practicing law after all.”

  “That wouldn’t be so bad, would it?” Chelsea brightened at the thought of it.

  Cole said nothing. Coming back to Charleston, studying for the bar and becoming a lawyer meant failing. And he wasn’t ready to think about that just yet.

  Chapter 28

  The next week was hell for Laura. She didn’t regret ending things with Dylan, but she hadn’t considered how messy it was going to be since they still had to work together. They had several gigs booked and after each one, Dylan insisted on talking to her and pleading his case, trying to convince her to get back together with him. She finally had to talk to Rick to see if they could reschedule an upcoming gig to open a weeklong break in her schedule. She told Dylan she was going out of town and when she came back, if they were going to still work together he needed to respect that her decision was final, or she’d ask Rick to start looking for another band for her to sing with. He didn’t like it, but he agreed and she could sense that it was finally beginning to sink in for him that it was really and truly over.

  She enjoyed a few quiet days to herself and decided to make the drive to Charleston mid-week for a night or two. Tina stopped by the night before she left and they enjoyed some wine together on the balcony, like they used to when they were roommates.

  “I think going to Charleston is a good idea. Are you nervous?” Tina asked.

  “Yes. Terrified and excited at the same time. I feel like I’ll get answers there. Hopefully the missing pieces of my memory, at least some of them, will come back.”

  “It’s still crazy to think Cole’s father did that to the two of you.”

  “I know. It worked though. He’s the governor now.”

  “Some say he wants to make a run for the presidency. Has Cole mentioned that?”