“Now?”
“You’d think someone who was so confident on a stage wouldn’t be afraid to talk to a guy she likes.”
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” I lean forward on my elbows and confess. “I’m usually outgoing, but Gavin is so reserved that he intimidates me.”
“Could it be that he’s a dad,” she shrugs, pinching her lips to the side as she ponders her own question.
“Maybe. It’s kinda weird, right? I never thought I’d like someone who already has a child.”
“Humph.” I look up to see an older woman standing by our table, staring at the muffin I dropped with narrowed eyes of disappointment.
“Sorry,” I mumble and reach down to pick up the pastry that offended the woman.
I stand and dump it, getting in line to buy Ainsley a new one. She gives me a triumphant smile, and I glare in return.
“We meet again.” I flick my wrist in a half-wave when Gavin turns to look at me.
“Yeah,” he nods. Thankfully, Penny giggles at my awkward greeting.
“We just saw you!”
“You did. Did you buy all the feed you needed?” I bend down and focus on her instead of her distant father.
“Yes, and then Daddy promised me hot cocoa since I was such a good helper.” She twirls around, messy pigtails flying around her face. Her plaid button-down shirt and small cowboy boots tucked into her jeans are the perfect cowgirl outfit.
“Good job,” I pat her head.
With a tight smile, I order Ainsley’s muffin and wait for the barista to hand it to me.
“Bye, Famous Singer,” Penny sing-songs with an enthusiastic wave.
I laugh and wave back, not bothering to correct her. Gavin whispers something as he leads her out of the coffee shop.
Ainsley’s shoulders shake with laughter as I sit back down and shove the muffin in her face. “At least Penny likes you.” Her amused observation does not make me laugh.
“Ugh.” I tilt my head back. “Why do I even care when I don’t live in Everton? It’s not like I could actually have a relationship with someone from here, let alone a single father.” Everton isn’t my home, and daydreaming of a man who lives here is pretty pointless, especially when my career is only getting more chaotic.
I love what I do, and I’ve been fighting for my break into the music industry for a few years now, even auditioning for Music Unplugged. I almost gave up when I didn’t get accepted into the singing competition.
It’s hard living away from my Mississippi home. I miss my family and the friends I left behind when I decided to move to Nashville, but when we have a dream, we risk it all to accomplish it. Leaving Mississippi was out of my comfort zone, and yet here I am living out something I’ve wanted since I was a little girl. It was worth taking a leap of faith, even with the years of work it took to get here.
I used to help my dad around his ranch with cowgirl boots and messy blonde hair, tangled with strands of hay from swiping my hands through it after attempting to help pack hay. I’d sing to old country songs and imagine performing for a huge crowd.
“Are you still thinking about getting a place here?” Ainsley interrupts my nostalgic thoughts.
I shrug. “I don’t know if it’s worth it. I know I spend a lot of time here, but I already have my apartment in Nashville. I can’t really afford two places. Averly has been kind enough to give me a discount at her bed and breakfast for booking weeks at a time, but I feel the hit financially.”
Averly is another friend I’ve made here in Everton. She’s married to Eli, Knox’s best friend, and it’s been so helpful staying at her bed and breakfast.
“It feels like lately, you’ve spent more time here than Nashville.”
“I was while we were preparing for the tour. It was just easier to be here, but I play in a lot more bars in Nashville than here.” I have a schedule of gigs I play weekly at some bars in Nashville. I know once my record goes out and I begin touring, that will change. By then, I’ll be able to afford two apartments if I want, but right now, it’s not possible.
Touring with Knox was a great way to get my name out there and my music in front of a lot of people’s ears. My first album is available on Apple Music, Spotify, and a few other streaming sites. I’m moving in the right direction, it just takes a bit to get the ball rolling and royalties to come in.
“Well, I have good news.” Ainsley’s smile sparkles, lighting up her blue eyes.
“What?” I lean forward, tense with anticipation.
“You’ve hit one hundred thousand followers on Instagram and…” Ainsley pauses dramatically.
“Don’t torture me now,” I beg.
“Your single, ‘He Ain’t Worth the Heartache’ is featured on Apple Music’s Hot Tracks in Country Music and in the Top 100 for the genre.”
“Shut the front door,” I exclaim, jumping in my chair.
“Yup,” she grins widely. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you, but honestly, I couldn’t do it without you. I know you didn’t want to work with the label, but you’ve been a godsend.” I tell her honestly, squeezing her hand across the table.
Knox tried to get Ainsley to take charge of marketing for the label, but she refused. She didn’t want business to get in the way of their relationship, and later, marriage. I asked her, desperate for her help, over a year ago, and she agreed to work with me.
The process of writing, producing, and releasing my album has taken longer than I could’ve ever imagined, but seeing it succeed like this makes my heart fly. It was a naïve dream to think I’d have an album out in three months, but a year and a half after working with Bentley Records, I’ve got my first album out, opened for Knox on tour, and I am starting to write songs for my second album. Dreams happen when the hustle is strong, and the mindset is right.
“You don’t need to thank me. You work hard and show up each day with a positive attitude. That makes a huge difference,” Ainsley tells me. I nod and smile.
“What did Knox and Harris say?” I lift my eyebrows.
“They don’t know yet.” Ainsley waggles her eyebrows conspiratorially. “Do you want to brag about it?”
“Hell, yes! Wait…” I lift my hand. “How is Knox’s new single doing?” Knox had taken time off from the music industry and decided to make a comeback once he and Harris started the label.
“He’s also in the Top 100, right below you,” Ainsley teases, singing the last part.
“No,” I gasp.
“Yup.”
“I’m definitely going to brag! Ready to go?” I smirk.
Ainsley’s laughter rings around us as she nods and stands. Throwing our trash away, we head out of the coffee shop and toward Ainsley’s car. Everton is small enough that I don’t need to rent a car when I visit since everything is within walking distance, but Knox’s house is a little further away from Main Street, and it’s cold as heck to be walking a couple miles in this weather.
Ainsley chuckles as I go over ways to break the news to Knox while she drives to their house, where they have the studio. A small amount of friendly competition can’t be a bad thing.