Page 139 of Pink and Country

“Yeah. And she walked away anyway.” I sighed, the air coming out of my lungs burning my trachea. “She fucking left.”

“Carter, this is big. What did she say?”

“She’s scared. She’s afraid she’ll screw up my career. How could she believe that? I’ve barely worked since I’ve known her.”

“Is it what you want? I mean, to marry her?”

“No, I’m just pussy-whipped.” I groaned. “Be serious, Dah. I refused to have sex with her in Nashville because I was afraid to ruin what we could have. Part-time wasn’t an option. So, what do you think?” My words were red hot lava on my tongue.

“Carter, you and April were good together, but you haven’t known her for long—”

“You’re better than that, Dah. You should be the one defending her right now. They’re doing to her the same thing they did to you when you were pregnant with Jack.” I shook my head and snapped my jaw. Was she for real? “Dah, they chased her away.”

I plopped down on a kitchen stool and grabbed my mug with both hands.

“I know. I’m sorry, Carter.” A long silence stretched between us.

My sinking heart shook, and its blood dripped, drop by drop, into my stomach.

“With April, I can have it all. Love. Dreams. Family. She’s the one for me, Dah. When we’re together, sparks fly. It’s deep, it’s electric, it’s real.” I cleared my throat, the emotions tightening it.

Dahlia stared at me for a moment, her forearms resting on the countertop.

I looked down to avoid her gaze and chugged my tea like it was whiskey.

“What are you doing here then? You should be with her, Carter. She should be the one you say those words to.”

“I’m fucking scared. What if she refuses to talk to me? What if she doesn’t want to be in my life anymore? What if she thinks I’m not good enough for her in the long run? She already said no once.”

I sprang to my feet and paced the kitchen—again—fisting my hair.

“Are you going to spend the rest of your life wondering about what-ifs? You’re Carter Hills, for fuck’s sake. You don’t shy away when you believe in something. You face it straight on. How do you think you’ve made it this far in your career? Because you don’t take no for an answer. And if someone throws a punch at you, you fight back. Find your girl and show her what she’s missing. You deserve to be happy. When will you realize that yourself?”

“I’m tired. Every time things settle down, another bomb explodes. Sometimes, I wonder if making music is worth all this. The fake news, the stalkers, the press, the rumors—I don’t think I could do anything else, but I’m also not sure if I want to keep doing it. I’m over having my love life dissected for nothing else but other people’s entertainment.”

“Take a break, Carter. Be with your woman, enjoy life, lie low. Take a vacation. God knows you deserve it.” I raised my eyes to stare at her. “April is good for you. When she’s around, you’re relaxed. You’re focused. You’re smiling. Be happy for a change and see where it takes you.”

Dahlia stood on her feet and inched closer to me. Her arms wrapped around me, and she hugged me with all her strength.

“Thanks, Dah. I needed this. A wake-up call. Why are you still dealing with my shit after all these years?”

“Because I love you. And I always will. And Carter? Do yourself a favor and open the envelope. You need to know the results of the paternity test. It’s preventing you from moving forward with your life. I think it’s time you put all your doubts to rest. Whatever it says, I’ll respect your choice.”

I nodded, my head buried in the crook of her neck.

“I will. You’re right.” The thought of finding the truth about Jack sent chills down my back. I owed it to myself to have the answer to the question that had been eating me alive for the last six years. “Thanks. I need you.”

Dahlia rubbed my back. “Carter, it’ll be okay. You two will figure this out. You need her more than you need me.”

“What if she doesn’t take me back? I can’t imagine—”

“And you need to sleep it off. To eat and take care of yourself first.” My mind spun at a thousand miles per hour. I had no idea how to shut it off.

Dahlia kept her arms locked around me for a long time. Her embrace acted as a calming blanket. One by one, the knots in my stomach slackened.

My eyes fought to stay open.

I blew out a breath.