Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 80074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
He narrowed his eyes at me, slightly smilin’. “Still got that heart of gold, I see, but I don’t need your money, darlin’.”
“I don’t give a shit what you think you don’t need. Take a look around, Cash! I can’t keep lettin’ you live like this. This is probably why you never ask me to come visit.”
Tuggin’ his long blond hair away from his face, he ignored my question and asked his own, “Why are you here?”
“I needed my best friend.” I threw his own question back at him. “Why are you here? Why are you doin’ this to yourself? Is there somethin’ you aren’t tellin’ me? You better not be usin’ fuckin’ drugs, or I’ll drag your ass home right now!”
He busted out laughin’. “Ohhh, Harley, I sure did miss you.”
Followin’ his lead, I drank my whole beer down while he went and got us somethin’ stronger.
Whiskey.
“Oh man, are you tryin’ to get me drunk, so you can tell me you’re addicted to drugs? Is that why your eyes look so red? Are you fucked up right now?”
He laughed again, big and throaty. Sittin’ his ass back down on the couch, he took a deep swig off the bottle and handed it over to me.
“It ain’t funny. This is some serious shit.”
I downed a long pull, instantly coughin’ from the liquor burnin’ its way down my chest. “Ugh! You made that look way too easy.”
He scoffed out a snicker, takin’ the bottle out of my hands.
“I know it’s serious. I deal with it every day. You think there are things I don’t miss, Harley? If I told you some of the places I’ve had to look for a meal, you might question my sanity.”
“Like dumpsters and shit?”
“You’d be surprised what you can find in ’em.”
My mouth dropped open. I tore the bottle from his hand and stood, pacin’ around the room, drinkin’.
“It ain’t as bad as it looks, darlin’. You know me, I don’t take handouts from anyone. One day, Harley, I’ll prove everyone wrong. Startin’ with my old man.”
“Oh, I know it. You’re gonna be the most famous rock star in the world. Cash fuckin’ McGraw, everyone is gonna want a piece of him. I’ve known that since the first time you picked up a guitar.”
He smiled.
“Why don’t you consider goin’ to school? You could get financial aid, get a music degree. Might open some doors for you.”
Shakin’ his head, he stepped in my face and tightly gripped the bottle out of my grasp. “Harley, you ain’t pullin’ this shit on me too!”
I sighed. “But, Cash... I just don’t like seein’ you like this!”
“Like what? Wild and free. Livin’ my dream of bein’ on stage? Even if it’s only for a few people. There’s nothin’ like the feelin’ right before I strum the first chord. The lights dim. The audience gets quiet. They all wait for me to take them away. From their jobs, their daily routine, their kids, their bullshit of everyday life. The hustle. The grind. My guitar, my voice, my music has the power to silence it all. Even if it’s only for a few minutes, nothin’ else matters but me. It’s the best feelin’ in the world. The quiet space between chaos and melody. No matter how big an audience, the moment always exists, and I wouldn’t trade that for anythin’.”
I bit my lower lip.
“You know who showed me that?”
“Who?”
“You.”
“How?”
“Since the first time I picked up a guitar and started playin’, not havin’ a clue what I was doin’. There you were dancin’, singin’, cheerin’ me on. You showed me how my love for music can be loved by others. You were always there, showin’ me what my music could do for people. You were my first fan, little miss Harley Jameson, my very best friend. So please, darlin’, that’s what I need you to be right now.”
Before I knew what I was doin’, I pulled him into a tight hug. “I’ll always be here for you, Cash. We’re family. Always. No matter what.”
I meant every last word.
Chapter 24
<>Jackson<>
Now: Twenty-five-years-old
Ever since the night we ran into Cash a month ago, Harley started distancing herself more than before, if that was even possible. Pretending as if I didn’t exist unless Bailey was around.
I couldn’t take the cold shoulder any longer. I dropped our baby girl off at my parents for the night, so Journey could take her to watch the new kids movie.
I went straight home, needing to face my wife once and for all. She was sitting at the kitchen table with her head in between her hands.
Looking so lost.
So alone.
So fuckin’ beautiful.
Teddy came over to me, excited I was home again.
“Hey, buddy.” I crouched down, scratching behind his ears. “What’s wrong with Momma, huh?” Not allowing her solemn appearance to deter me, I announced, “We need to talk.”