Because I’m really doing this.
I look around the table at the women I love, who are stepping up to support me in the way I need them to. “Thank you for believing in me,” I whisper.
“Always,” Avah answers without hesitation.
I’m going to find Kristen Quinn. Or not. Either way, I’m saying yes to my bucket list challenge. To live without fear.
Okay, I might still be scared shitless, but I’m doing the thing anyway. That feels like my first win, and I’ll take it.
5
JENSEN
Cody is stillin bed when I walk out of the bathroom from my shower. He’s sprawled across the comforter wearing only his boxer briefs, a hardcover propped against one thigh. He looks about twelve years old, which is fitting considering last night, while I was brushing my teeth, he snuck out of the room like an annoying teenager.
“Get up.” I grab a pair of jeans from the armchair. “We’re getting breakfast.”
He flips a page without looking up. “You do know room service is a thing?”
“This motel doesn’t have room service, and I need coffee since someone woke me up stumbling in after midnight.” Yeah, he snuck out to drink whiskey at a local dive bar, and I didn’t have the energy to track him down.
“What kind of a bar closes at midnight?”
“It was Sunday night, Cody. And you’re supposed to be keeping a low profile.”
“Not hard to do in this town.” He finally glances up, and I know from his grin whatever’s coming next is going to make me want to punch him. “At least I didn’t get kicked out of the localbookstore. Are you ready to talk about being annihilated by your girl? I thought you were some kind of legend with the ladies.”
“I never said that.”
“Lots of other people did.”
“Lots of people said you’re the future of country music, but now you’re stuck with a babysitter because you have a penchant for throwing punches at strangers twice your size.”
He scoffs. “The last guy started it.”
“You grabbed his girlfriend’s ass in a bar.”
“She put my hand on her ass and didn’t mention the boyfriend. Details matter, Jensen.”
“There’s a fine line between cultivating a bad-boy image and tanking your career because you’re an asshole, Cody. You’re tiptoeing on the wrong side of it.” I know because I spent too much time straddling that same line.
“I can handle my career.”
“That’s not what your producer says, and I owe him, so we’re in this together. Now get dressed.”
He scratches his bare chest and flips the page. “I’m busy reading.”
“Since when do you read?”
“Since I bought this book yesterday while you were busy getting shot down by the woman of your dreams.” He pulls a little square of cardstock from between the pages. “This one was recommended bythe ownerherself. She has great taste.”
“You’re not supposed to take the recommendation card with you.”
“Why not? It was clipped to the edge of the book.”
“Because other shoppers might benefit from it, dumbass.”
“Well, she has nice handwriting, and I wanted a bookmark.” He closes the book and swings his legs over the side of the bed.