Page 73 of Pink and Country

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The first thing I did after I woke up was to send a message to my best friend back home. I blinked a few times and took calming breaths to keep the tears burning the back of my eyes at bay. Carter didn’t come home last night. Again. No message this time. He’d chosen to end our story—or whatever we had—on his own terms. Fine. Screw him. I was done defining myself through a man.

Me: Don’t bother driving up here. I’m leaving early to go back home.

Saunders: Is everything okay?

Me: Yes. No. Not discussing it.

Saunders: You’re sure you’re not running away in typical April Simmons fashion?

Me: Maybe. Not sure. It’s complicated. I’ll talk to you later.

Saunders: Everything fine between you and (OMG!!!!!) Carter Hills?

Me: I’ll call you once on the road.

Saunders: April, do I need to worry?

Me: Please don’t. I’ll explain everything. Later.

Saunders: Reed wants me to tell you to be careful, the roads are icy.

Saunders: I really wanted to visit you.

April: I know. Raincheck, okay?

Saunders: Call me when you can. Be careful -X-

Then, after some hesitation—and four drafts later—I sent Carter a text message to inform him I was leaving. For the second time in a week, I packed my stuff. My heart quivered, and my eyes overflew with warm tears. Taking my time, I filled my suitcase, hoping Carter would show up in the meantime. But he didn’t. Get real, April. Stop wishing for a happy ending.

With all my feelings in the pit of my stomach, I zipped up my suitcase and placed it in one corner of the bedroom. Squatting down, I lifted Bernice from the bed and cuddled her against my chest. She purred in the crook of my neck, and I felt better. Sort of.

My phone chimed, and thinking it was Saunders, I looked at the message. My heart leaped in my throat.

Carter: April, don’t go. I’m sorry. We need to talk.

I should’ve left at that moment, but my curiosity got the best of me. And maybe, I wanted to see him one last time. For closure. Yeah, closure .

I reread the message for the third time. What did Carter want to talk about? His actions were clear enough. No need to hear him say he regretted befriending me or that kissing me was a mistake. Or that I was just a fling, after all, and what we shared meant nothing. My ego didn’t need to be kicked to the curb face-to-face.

Carter disappeared three days ago after we spent an amazing weekend together. After we spent a day flirting and kissing as we strolled around Nashville. Was our time together all a joke to him? Did Carter play me for his own sake? Slouching forward, I buried my face in the crook of my elbow, my arms resting on my pillow, and let out a shaky breath. How did I end up in this mess? Why did HN have to be so handsome and my hormones so horny?

Like the masochist I’d become lately, I sat on my bed and played “Pink and Country” in a loop. By now, I knew it by heart. Each time I pressed play, my heart did somersaults, and tears welled in my eyes. Listening to Carter’s raw masculine voice, his heartfelt words, and his rich and bittersweet melody made me feel closer to him. Like Carter was talking to me. As if our hearts were connected in the most primitive way, bare and uncensored.

Last night, Saunders sent me a link to an interview Savannah Prince gave during the weekend.

With a warning.

Saunders: That bitch is crazy. Don’t listen past forty-eight seconds. It’s best if you hear it from me instead of some low-key gossiper.

Saunders was right. I preferred when she was the one bearing the news. However awful it was. Until now, I’d done my best to avoid watching the interview. Now, I was ready. Without overthinking everything, I clicked the link, and the actress appeared on the screen.

“How are you feeling about Carter moving on so quickly after your very public breakup?” the interviewer, a tall brunette with injected lips and perfectly shaped eyebrows, asked.

“Carter is a hard man to tame. Women are his ultimate weakness. I’ll never stop loving him. I hope he remembers how good we are together and stops fighting what we have. I’ll stay by his side to help him overcome his challenges. We’ll figure it out together, as a couple.” Savannah flashed a pearly white smile to the camera.

“So, you’ve seen Carter lately? We’re all wondering where he’s hiding. Can you tell us more?” the interviewer continued with a cheesy smile and wide eyes, fangirling over the movie star.