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Normally, the whole pub manager thing for the Austin Sentry Band would’ve been a dream offer, but all it did was give me heartburn. The fact she took pity on me and offered me a desk job, well, my family would want me to take it, if for no other reason than I’d be living at home or at least in the same city.
Either way, Marcia was way too kind.
“Okay, but don’t get your hopes up.”
“That’s good enough for now. Gotta run. Whatever you decide to do, remember what I said about them being players.”
She disconnected, leaving me more confused than ever.
THE CALL WITH Marcia had me so rattled, I could barely eat my lunch. By the time we arrived home, I felt so bad both physically and mentally, the guys could see it and gave me the rest of the day off.
I gladly took it, spending the remainder of the afternoon and early evening in bed. Loraine brought over grilled chicken, plain Jasmine rice, and steamed broccoli for dinner, and I scarfed it up. I hadn’t eaten all day, not even the soup Austin had ordered for me at the restaurant, and Loraine’s food went down easy.
I joined the guys for the first set at Dirty Coyote, but I was so bummed afterwards about my secret dilemma, I asked Buck to please take me back home, which he did. We chatted about playing music, and I learned that he used to play the fiddle in a bluegrass band with his grandfather. Had it been any other time, I would’ve had a million questions for him, but as it was, I let the conversation drift off.
Once back in my little slice of heaven, I seriously considered leaving while the guys were busy performing. I didn’t know if I could live my lie any longer, when they’d been so good to me.
Returning to Nashville wasn’t my ideal resolution, but at least my life would be a lot easier there. Life here was getting more and more complicated. I had to come clean if I stayed, and if I did come clean, everyone would hate me for the betrayal. I could handle anything but their disappointment and their hate, which was completely justified.
After a glass of wine, and one more try atThe Devil Went Down To Georgia,which I still couldn’t get, I decided it was time for a stealth midnight departure.
It was for the best.
I gathered up my things but decided to leave my violin behind for Annie. She would get more from it than I ever could. I stuck a note to it with her name on it. Plus, I wrote a short note to each of the kids as well, which of course caused me to bawl my eyes out. The guys I could steel my heart against, but not the kids. They owned my heart.
I loaded up my Jetta and was just coming in from stuffing the last of my things in the trunk for a final walk through, when the doorbell rang. I’d kept the door closed whenever I came back in, not wanting Loraine or Austin’s parents to worry about an open door.
I figured Loraine must’ve known something was up and was paying me a visit to learn more. After all, nothing got past Loraine.
I swung the door open, hoping I could make my departure short and sweet. I mean, if anyone knew about nannies quitting without warning, she certainly did.
But it wasn’t Loraine.
It was Kasey, Austin, and Boone, standing in a huddle and looking panicked.
“Loraine sent us an urgent message,” Boone said.
“You’re packing your car?” Kasey asked.
“We thought you weren’t feeling well. What’s all this?” Austin asked.
“Why aren’t you on stage?” I asked, not willing to answer their questions.
“We don’t want you to leave,” Boone said, walking in closer, looking way too adorable.
“You don’t understand…” I said, now somewhat willing to tell them my secret.
I took a step back, and Boone took a step closer, getting in my space. “What don’t we understand?”
“Why I have to leave.”
Both Kasey and Austin stepped inside, joining Boone and me.
“Youhaveto leave?” Austin asked. “Why?”
“Is a family member sick? Your mom? Dad? A sibling?” Kasey asked, as he closed the door, then turned back towards me.
“Um, not exactly,” I told them, trying to put some space between us, but they looked as though they were on a mission. “There’s another reason.”
