Page 4 of Wasted

"You don't hate me?"

She smiled softly. "No." She shook her head. "I did for a long time, and I'm still mad he took my choices away, but for some weird reason, I understand why he did it." She flattened her palms on the bar. "So, what do you say? Will you come to Nashville?"

"I can't leave town. Who will take care of the bar and the ranch?"

"I will," Bailey said. I glanced over my shoulder to see the short, dark-haired woman strolling up. "What's up, Ky?"

"You knew they were coming, didn't you?" I narrowed my eyes.

"Yeah." Bailey smiled.

Shaking my head, I glared at her. "This was a setup."

"Look," Bailey sighed, "if you won't do it for Cole or me, then do it for River. She would be devastated if she couldn't see her daddy anymore."

I shook my head firmly. "I'm sorry, but I can't help. There's too much history there."

Kylie leaned in, her voice soft. "Taylor, please. Think about River. She needs her father."

I clenched my jaw, torn between my resolve and the image of Cole's daughter growing up without him. I let out a heavy sigh, and my shoulders sank with defeat. "I'll... I'll give it a try. But I'm not making any promises, and I'm sure as hell not sure you'll get the results you want."

"Come on." Kylie smiled, waving me around the bar. "Let's go see what Wyatt's willing to offer."

I tugged at the strings around my back, untied my apron, and tossed it to Bailey. "Looks like it's your show tonight." Bailey wasn't just Cole's little sister and my sister-in-law; she was my only friend. Caring for my dying husband and father, running Caleb's bar, and maintaining my parent's ranch didn'tleave much time for a social life, and even now, a year after their deaths, that was still my excuse.

I rounded the bar and followed Kylie to the high top in the back of the bar, where Mr. Hayes was sipping his bourbon, watching the Bucs spank the Panthers. Wyatt Hayes was a middle-aged man with dark hair and brown eyes. He was attractive but also looked like he carried way too much stress on his shoulders. Kylie slid into the seat next to him, and I grabbed the spot across from him.

"Okay," I said. "You've got my attention. How can I help?"

His smile widened. "Cole has six shows left in this tour." He leaned forward on his arms, which were flat on the table. "If you can get him to each show on time and sober, I will make sure you don't lose your parent's property."

"And what if I get there, and he sends me home?"

"He's not hiring you. I am."

"What if he doesn't want to listen to me? What if I make things worse?"

"I think you're underestimating the power you have over him, Taylor," Kylie said.

I groaned as I remembered the last thing Cole said to me. "I don't ever want to see you again, Taylor." I'd hurt him, and I'd done it on purpose because I knew if I didn't, he wouldn't leave. His amazing talent would die in this small town. He'd get a job working at a ranch or in the bar. He'd never be what he was destined to be. All because I was too selfish to let him go, and now, he was going to lose it all, and everything I did would be for nothing. I couldn't let him throw it all away.

"I guess we'll see how this goes," I said. "When do we leave?"

"How quickly can you pack?"

For the second time in my life, I was taking a deal I really didn't feel right taking, but just like last time, it was to help Cole.

Chapter Two

Taylor

Standing in front of the large suite window, I stared down at the streets of Nashville, second-guessing my decision to come. Nashville was full of tall buildings, busy streets, and neon lights. I'd never seen anything like it. It was both exciting and terrifying. Even as an adult, I'd rarely left the city limits of Bridgewater, and when I did leave, it didn't look anything like this.

"This is Cole's room," Wyatt said, pulling my suitcase through the door. "He has one more show here the day after tomorrow, and then we leave for Kentucky. You'll have to share a room tonight and tomorrow, but for the next show, I'll try to get you a connecting room."

I fidgeted with the hem of my shirt, my stomach knotting with anxiety. "Where is Cole now?"

Cole hadn't seen me in two years. He'd left and never came back. Not even for his brother's funeral. I couldn't imagine how this would go when he returned to the hotel, and I was waiting for him.

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