Page 95 of Almost Perfect
“I wish. But I also have an exclusivity contract, and they get my next album. It’s iron-clad. So… maybe I force their hand this way.”
She gave me a wry smile. “Fair enough. Then I’d say, let’s start now. Choose your favorite song and come up and sing it at the bar. I’m on tonight from seven to ten. We’ll do dinner, and then you can come with me. The people there won’t be expecting you, and it’s a random Thursday at the tail end of the season… it should be fine. We can even have Diego confiscate phones if you want.”
“Can he do that?”
She lifted a shoulder. “Eh, I don’t know.”
Grabbing my bag, I scooted out of her car and glanced at the towering edifice that was the Silver Ridge Resort Hotel. The stonework on the front was beautiful. It managed to look sophisticated, and yet just rustic enough to pair well with the neighboring historic lodge.
“I’ll think about it. Thanks for giving me a ride, and I’ll see you tonight.” I dragged my suitcase behind me and gave her a chin nod as she waved off my thanks and slipped back into her car.
The bellhop greeted me. “Miss Rice, nice to see you. Please, allow me.”
He took my bags and guitar, which I happily surrendered, and gestured me into the lobby. I couldn’t believe I still hadn’t been inside, but the rift with Wyatt had opened the door. Or it’d closed the door on my staying up there, which I still needed to alert Warrick to. I’d pay to the end of my extended time, of course, but I couldn’tbethere. So close to Wyatt, but in what felt more and more like an alternate universe.
I’d checked in online–well, Kristoffer had gotten the room and checked me in, so all I had to do was sit around and wait until dinner with Quinn and the girls. Then I’d listen to her sing, which I definitely looked forward to.
And tomorrow, I’d head back to LA and figure out how to start a life I now realized I wanted but didn’t totally know how to embrace fully since a big part of my heart would remain here in Silverton.
FORTY-TWO
Wyatt
Mom answered on the first knock. She looked fancy.
“Wow. Girls’ night?”
“Uh, yes.” Her cheeks turned crimson, and she folded her hands. “I have to go in about twenty. Was I expecting you?”
“No.” I leaned down to kiss her cheek, then moved past her to slump onto her couch. Not nearly as good as mine with Calla on it, but way better than my empty, horrible house without her.
“What’s wrong, son?” She perched on the arm of the couch.
I rubbed my forehead, searching for the right words. What was wrong?Everythingfelt wrong right now, but logically, I knew that wasn’t true. So I went with, “I think Calla and I are done.”
“Oh, Wy. I’m sorry.”
“I just keep wondering if we have to be, and that’s driving me insane. I’ve never felt like this—trying to pick something apart and figure out how to put it back together again, but differently. Usually when I break up with someone, there’s this acceptance that comes along with it. Like Samantha—I didn’t agonize over that.”
She moved to sit next to me and take one of my hands. Hers were so soft and small, and her holding me like this made my heart ache a little.
“How long ago did this happen?”
I sighed. Dramatically, if the truth be told. “Yesterday. Not yet a full twenty-four hours.”
Damn, it felt pathetic to say that. Hadn’t even been a day, and I’d run to my mom to help mend my broken heart.
But that was the difference this time that I didn’t want to acknowledge but had to. My heart hadn’t been mixed up with anyone else. I’d never loved anyone but family and friends until Calla. I’d never felt like this, so it made sense that I’d never felt likethis.
“Well, it might be you need some time. Or…”
I studied her face. She really did look nice. Though I often missed having her up at the house, I knew she was enjoying life here in town a lot more after she’d moved. And just now, though I sat here miserably, she seemed quite happy. I narrowed my eyes with suspicion. “Or what?”
“Or you need to man up and fight for the woman.”
I made a sound—something between a groan and a scoff.
“Don’t give me that. You and Calla are different. I knew that the first time I saw her and you got all quiet and severe. I knew it even better when she came for dinner at the house. And don’t think your little brother hasn’t been telling me all the nitty gritty details about you two, especially after our last chat.”
