Page 1 of Beneath a Tennessee Sky

Chapter One

Jack

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“RISE AND SHINE, ROCKSTAR,” Aggie hollers.

I groan, sit up, and blink against the early light pouring through the window over my bed. I run a hand through my hair, still a mess from the night before. Not that it matters. I didn’t sleep much. Too much on my mind.

Too much about Memphis.

Too much about Liz Belfer’s voice still echoing in my head. “Come with me. We’ll sign you at Rockline. Full tour. Studio time. All of it.”

I haven’t told Jinnie. I should’ve. But I didn’t want to ruin the one good thing I’ve got going right now by tossing a bomb into it.

“Be out in a minute,” I call out.

Aggie is a machine. She closes the bar and still manages to get up early. I don’t know why, but I’m feeling a little guilty. Like I don’t want to face her. Or Jinnie.

I should be celebrating.

This is the break I’ve been waiting for. My entire life, I’ve been dreaming of that moment when someone—anyone—with industry connections would hear me and see something worth investing in. And now it’s happened.

So why does it feel like I’ve been punched in the gut?

I drag myself out of bed and pull on a wrinkled t-shirt from the floor. The mirror shows shadows under my eyes. Liz’s business card sits on my nightstand, the edges already worn from how many times I’ve picked it up, studied it, and almost called. I stick it in the dresser. I don’t want anyone to see it just yet.

“Jack! Coffee’s getting cold!” Aggie’s voice carries through the thin walls.

“Coming!”

The kitchen smells like bacon and coffee. Aggie stands at the stove, spatula in hand, her hair pulled back in its usual messy bun. She doesn’t look at me when I enter, just pushes a mug my way.

“You were good last night,” she says finally. “Real good.”

“Thanks.”

“That woman—the one in the fancy clothes. She sure seemed interested in you, didn’t she?”

I nearly choke on my coffee. “Yeah.”

She glances over at me. “You okay?”

“Yeah. Fine.”

“Jinnie texted and says she’ll be over in about twenty minutes,” Aggie says.

“What? Why?”

Aggie frowns. “You promised to help paint the shed, remember?” she says. “Jinnie is going to help as well.”

“Oh, yeah. I forgot.”

“Are you feeling okay?” she asks. “You look...tired.”

“I am tired.”

“You went to bed before me,” she says with a laugh. “If my old bones can handle getting out of bed, I know you can.” She puts a plate with bacon, eggs, and toast in front of me. “Eat up. You’re going to need your strength.”