“What…” Realization lit his craggy face. “Okay, then.”
“Do what?” Buddy asked.
Rusty crossed his arms over his barrel chest. “Beau’s probably not making it, but Hailey and Lottie are doing the show.”
“Is that alright with you guys?” she asked Buddy, who’d just rejoined the band and Tom.
The two shared a look then shrugged. “Fine with us,” Tom said.
Rusty slapped his hands together. “Alrighty, then. You get Lottie, and we’ll get the set together. Then we’re going to have some fun.”
“Would you cut that out?” Jack snapped.
Beau stilled his hands that were tapping out a rhythm on his knees. “Sorry.”
“I know you’re anxious to get to the dance, but you’re driving me crazy.”
They were just a couple of miles from Zachsville. Thankfully, once they’d gotten south of Belton, the weather had cleared enough for the traffic to start moving again. If not for that miracle, then they’d never have made it back in time for him to keep his promise. “I am. I made Lottie a promise.”
Jack ran his hand over the steering wheel. “You, Hailey, and Lottie have gotten really close.”
Beau played with the button on his jacket. A sick sinking feeling in the pit of his gut joined the anxiety pumping through him. With his lifestyle, he knew what the odds of a relationship working out would be. “Yeah, we have. They’re awesome.”
Jack’s mouth kicked up. “That’s good. They are awesome. And according to Luanne, Hailey’s gotten a terrible rap over something that happened forever ago.”
“Yeah, she has, but what we’ve got going on is just temporary.” The words tasted like the sour candies Lottie liked so much.
Jack glanced at him. “Really?”
“I mean, I’m about to go on the road, and that’s no way to have a family. Not that I’m looking for a family,” he quickly added, even as he called himself a liar.
“I see what you’re saying, but you know that you get to choose the kind of life you have, right? Hailey’s already singing with you, why couldn’t she go out on the road with you?”
Beau shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “And what about Lottie?”
Jack shrugged. “With the internet, she could homeschool, and you could travel with a nanny. I mean, it’s unconventional, but it can be done.”
The muscles in Beau’s shoulders relaxed when they pulled into the elementary school’s parking lot. “It’s pointless to talk about this because Hailey’s not leaving Zachsville or the bar.”
The car slowed to a stop. “All I’m saying is that your career shouldn’t come at the expense of your happiness, and I can tell you’re happy when you’re with Hailey and Lottie.”
“Are we bonding?”
Jack punched him in the arm. “Shut up. All I’m saying is think about it.”
Beau opened the car door and put one booted foot on the ground. He glanced back at his cousin and friend. “I’ll think about it. Thanks for getting us back in one piece.”
Jack snorted. “Luanne would’ve kicked my ass if I’d done anything else.”
“You are correct, sir.” Beau laughed and exited the vehicle. “Give her my love.” He shut the door and headed inside. He checked the time. Shit. He was more than an hour late.
He heard the music before he opened the side door. It was one of his songs. Who was covering his music? Had they gotten someone to replace him? Then he heard Hailey’s sultry voice come through the speakers. Damn, she was good. How could she not know that? When Lottie’s clear voice joined her mom’s, it turned the song about lost love in an old honky-tonk into something piercing and pure that lassoed his heart and refused to let go.
The organ behind his ribs contracted then expanded when he saw the two females who had taken over his life. The spotlight made the sparkles on Lottie’s dress twinkle like little diamonds, but they had nothing on the girl wearing them. The confidence rolling off her blew him away. He stood a little taller knowing he’d played a small part in giving that to her.
He scanned the room and saw Derek standing in the back with Ariel’s little girl, and both were scowling. The guy was an idiot to have walked away from these two amazing people.
The packed gym smelled like fruity perfume, cologne, and just the slightest hint of dirty socks. He kept his head down as he navigated his way to Rusty at the soundboard. The last thing he wanted to do was draw attention away from the duo in the spotlight. “How’d you manage that?” He hooked a thumb toward Hailey on stage.
Rusty grinned so big that Beau could see every one of his yellowed teeth. “I’m not really sure. At first, she wasn’t havin’ any of it, then a few minutes later, she stormed up to me and said we were on.” He shrugged. “I got ’em up there before she could change her mind. They’re three songs in.”
“Gotcha. Well, I should probably get on stage, not that they need me.”
Rusty laughed. “They are pretty great. But I know they both want you up there. Your guitar is set up and ready for you.”
Beau slapped his friend on the back and made his way to the side of the stage just as the song Hailey and Lottie were singing ended. He was in shadows so they couldn’t see him. The smiles on their faces did something to him, and he knew he’d do whatever he had to do to keep them in his life.
Screw inconvenience.
He’d figure out a way for them to be together.
Chapter 26
Hailey stood back and let Lottie take a bow. She had to admit things were going well, and even if they weren’t, she and her daughter were having fun and that was all that mattered to her.
A quick swig of water and a glance at the set list, before she went back to the microphone. Then a squealing started at the front of the stage, and quickly spread through the room. She knew that sound and what it meant. She glanced over her shoulder to see Beau striding onto the stage in all his rumpled glory. Lottie ran and jumped into his arms. They exchanged a few words that she couldn’t hear over the screaming and applause.
He threw his head back and cracked up at something Lottie said, and she knew she loved Beau Callen.
Butterflies flitted through her stomach like acrobats on crack. This might be the stupidest thing she’d ever done—fallen for a man who didn’t want any entanglements. She yanked on the shields that she kept around her heart, but they wouldn’t budge. They were down, and there was no putting them back where they belonged.
She loved him.
Nearly every life choice had been taken from her. The only two conscious decisions she’d made for herself in the last ten years were choosing to sleep with Derek and walking out on Roger. Nothing, from getting married, to where she worked, to…anything, had been her choice. She’d stumbled into being engaged to Roger, and she’d kicked Derek out because he’d given her no choice.
Not anymore.
Loving Beau with everything she had would be her choice. She’d be with him as long as she could, which meant she was choosing the broken heart that would come when he left, but at least it would be her decision.
Her little girl was all smiles when Beau put her down and made his way to the microphone. “Howdy, folks. Sorry I’m late. I’ll try to make up for it.” The crowd cheered louder. “Give me a second to get my guitar, and I’ll see if I can sound half as good as these talented ladies.”
All Hailey wanted to do was throw herself into his arms just like Lottie had. He’d kept his promise, and judging by the dark circles under his eyes it hadn’t been easy. She glanced at the audience, toward the people whose approval she no longer cared about earning. Screw them. Two steps, and she was in his embrace.
His green eyes danced with amusement. “You that glad to see me?”
“You have no idea. Kiss me.”
His golden brows shot up his forehead. “Really?”
She leaned into him. “Really.”
His lips were warm and smooth, and she lost herself in the kiss until Buddy and Tom started playing some sexy
bedroom music.
The number of girls in front of the stage had doubled, and they were all squealing and clapping.
“Gross.” Lottie covered her eyes but was laughing.
He pulled away and grinned down at Hailey. “We better get to work.”
She sighed. “If we must.”
“We must,” Lottie yelled over the crowd.
“Hang on.” He slipped his hand into his pocket and withdrew a purple and pink rhinestone bracelet on an elastic band. He knelt before Lottie and slipped it onto her wrist. “I got this for you as a good luck charm for tonight, but it looks like you didn’t need it.”
Hailey’s heart two-stepped around her chest when Lottie turned teary eyes to Beau. “It’s beautiful. I love it.” She wrapped her skinny arms around his shoulders. “Thank you.”
His long legs straightened and he cupped Lottie’s chin in his hand. “You’re welcome.” He held her gaze. “You ready, Lil’ Bit?”
Lottie made a gun with her thumb and forefinger and pointed it at him. “Born ready.”
He laughed, stepped up to the mic, and owned the crowd. That was the effect he had on an audience. They belonged to him the minute he walked on stage.
And they weren’t the only ones.
After the last song, Hailey, Beau, and Lottie made their way to the refreshment table. Hailey knew Beau hadn’t eaten, and she’d been so nervous, neither had she. They stopped every few steps to accept congratulations from several of the dads. The little girls wanted Beau’s autograph. A huge smile split Lottie’s face when a couple of the younger girls ask her to sign their programs.
Hailey was filling a glass of punch for Lottie when Derek stormed up to them. “What the hell was that?”
She was so over him and his histrionics. “That was a music show.” She said it slowly, so he didn’t miss any of the words.
“I’m not kidding, Hailey. How dare you make a spectacle of my daughter. You can make a fool of yourself all you want, but you can’t do that with my daughter.”
Thankfully Lottie wasn’t listening. She was too busy signing autographs to be bothered with her idiot father. But Beau heard, and he got right in Derek’s face. “The only person making a spectacle of themselves is you. I suggest you take it down about fifty notches.”
Hailey put her hand on Beau’s arm. “He’s not worth it, Beau. He’s mad because someone is getting more attention than him. He’s jealous, even of his own daughter.”
A crowd had begun to form and out of the corner of her eye she saw Rusty leading Lottie away. She was smiling, so she probably hadn’t noticed what was going on.
Derek puffed his chest out and crossed his arms. “Always trying to tear me down, aren’t you, Hailey? You’re just a vindictive bitch.” He leaned toward her. “Always have been.”
The meaning of that last statement was clear. It was the same old bullshit and she was sick of carrying this secret. “You know what? You’re right.” She flung her arms wide. “I did tell you the night before the big game, knowing you’d lose your shit.”
There was an audible gasp from the crowd around them.
“I knew it. You ruined my life.” Derek sounded whinier than any of the little girls in the room.
“Yeah, well, you tried to ruin mine too.” She stepped into his space. “But you know what, you didn’t succeed.”
She waited for the shame that had dogged her for the last ten years, but it never came. In fact, she’d never felt freer.
She glanced around at the accusing faces. “Instead of blaming a scared, pregnant sixteen-year-old for causing the hometown football star to lose the game, you might want to ask why your star player was so weak-minded he couldn’t handle his life.” She looked Derek up and down. “I know I have.”
Beau’s warm arm slid around her waist. “You ready to get Lottie and get out of here?”
She smiled up at him. “Almost.” The women who had been talking about her earlier were standing just behind Derek. “And Marla, you can take my name off every committee I’m signed up for.”
The bottle blonde’s eyes bugged out of her head. “But what about the teacher appreciation lunch next week? You organized the whole thing.”
“I’ll send you my notes. I resign as the slave girl for this whole damn town.” She took Beau’s hand. “Find yourselves another sucker. I’m done.”
And she was.
She was so freakin’ done.
Chapter 27
Beau leaned against the doorframe of Lottie’s room while Hailey tucked the girl into bed.
“But I’m not tired, Mom. Please, can I stay up a little longer? I promise to go to bed early tomorrow night.” He had to give it to the kid, she was a world-class negotiator.
Hailey fussed with Lottie’s blankets. “Baby, it’s way past your bedtime.”
“But I want to talk about the show. It was sooooo fun.”
Beau bit his lip to keep the smile away. “We can talk in the morning, squirt. You do what your mom says tonight.”
Sunshine poured from the smile she gave him. “Okay, Beau. Goodnight.” She flipped to her side and closed her eyes.
“Hey.” Hailey playfully shook Lottie’s arm. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
The giggle that came from the rascal in the kitty cat pajamas sounded like music to his ears.
Lottie sat up and threw her arms around Hailey’s neck. “Goodnight, Mom. I love you.”
Hailey kissed Lottie’s head. “Love you. Sleep tight.”
Beau stepped out of the way to let Hailey pass. “Don’t let the bedbugs bite.”
“Okay.” The little girl who’d come to mean so much to him burrowed under the covers.
“You did good tonight, Lil’ Bit.”
“Thanks, Beau.” Her words were as airy and dreamy as cotton candy, and she was asleep before he flicked off the light.
He followed Hailey into the kitchen. “She’ll probably sleep for twelve hours.”
Hailey opened the fridge and withdrew two beers. She handed one to Beau, then twisted the cap off the other. “From your lips to God’s ears. Tomorrow’s the first day of fall break, so I’d like to be able to sleep in.”
“How long is she out of school?”
Hailey sipped her beer. “A week.”
A plan began to form in Beau’s head. “Are you closing for Thanksgiving?”
“Nope. The only night we’re not open is Christmas Eve.”
He twisted the top off his beer and took a long pull. “Not Christmas Day?”
“Lord, no.” She chuckled. “There’d probably be a riot if we were. Folks need a place to drink after dealing with family for the day.”
He laughed. “I guess I can see that, even though I loved holidays with my family. It was one of the times that it didn’t feel like it was just me and Clyde.” He picked at the label on the bottle. “It was nice to be around everyone. Besides, Aunt Mimi’s one of the best cooks in three states.”
She sat her beer on the counter and leaned her butt against the edge. “You’re close to them.” It wasn’t a question. She knew his family was important to him.
“Yeah.” He moved to her and sat his beer next to hers. He placed his boots on either side of her feet and moved into her space so she had to look up to see him. This woman. She never backed down, and he loved that about her. His hands went to her sides. “So, are you spending Thanksgiving with your dad?”
The smile on her face flipped upside down in a heartbeat. “Yes, an appearance at Dad’s is required. Totally sucks. Believe me, if I could figure a way out of it, then I would.”
He liked the sound of that. This plan of his just might work. He wrapped one of her dark curls around his finger. “So, you know how the awards show is Sunday?”
Her whiskey eyes searched his. “Uh-huh.”
“And you know I’m performing.”
Now suspicion slid over her face. “What are you up to, Beau?”
He laughed and kissed her neck. He didn’t miss
how she pressed her body into his. “Why do I have to be up to something?”
She turned her head and gave him better access to the place he was tasting. “I know you, Heartbreaker. Mmmm, yes, right there.”
“Well, I was wondering if your manager could cover the bar, so you and Lottie can come with me to Nashville.”
Both her hands went to his chest and she pushed. “What?”
The lack of anger and indignation in her voice gave him the courage to continue. “I was thinking we could make a fam—um…a trip out of it. Like a mini vacation. You and I are already going to the awards show. We could just include Lottie.”
Her brow crinkled. “What about Lottie? She can’t go to the awards show.”
“I was thinking maybe May would like to go with us.” He gave his best you want to say yes smile. “Come on, Hay. It’ll be fun, and Nashville’s on Lottie’s ‘To Visit’ list.” He went back to that curl he loved so much. “I’m just asking for a few more days.”
“That would be nice—oh, crap, Lottie’s with Derek this year.”
“That’s a bummer, but you and I can still go.”
“Ummm…” Her plump bottom lip slid between her teeth. “I really shouldn’t leave the bar for more than a night or two.”
“I get it.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to go. It’s just the bar…”
He knew this woman, and if he pressured her, she’d run. “Hey, I get it.”
She stared at his chest and seemed to be having some internal conversation. “I’ll ask Newt if he minds covering for me.” The statement came at him so fast he wasn’t sure he’d heard her correctly.
“Yeah?” His heart kicked like a pissed-off bull.
A smile that he’d never seen from her split her face. “I’m saying yes.”
He bent his knees so he could look her in the eye. “Really?” She was in his arms and he spun her around. “Yeehaw!”
Her hands covered his mouth. “Shhhh, you’ll wake Lottie.”
He nipped her finger. “I wouldn’t want to do that.”
Brides on the Run (Books 1-4) Page 102
