Page 81 of Every Now and Then
“Alcohol and Orgasms?!” Aghast, Annabelle sputters, “Y’all named your album after your nights of wild partying?”
With a wicked grin, Josh smacks James. “Oh, this is going to be great. I can’t wait to see Bambi talk his way out of this one.”
Like a fish out of water, I open and close my mouth a few times. I always intended to tell Annabelle about the songs I wrote for her, and about her, but somehow, I just never did. We always had so many other things to talk about. It kind of slipped my mind.
I also kind of avoided it, fearful of her reaction to me publicizing our very private night.
But it was the night when my entire life changed.
Rowdy clears his throat and explains between belly-busting guffaws, “Nope. Hayes titled the album afteryourwild night of partying with him at Tank’s, Annabelle.”
Annabelle drops her jaw in disbelief. “No. He. Did. Not!”
“Oh, girl, he did,” Bailey commiserates. “But otherwise, it’s really sweet. Most of the songs were written with you in mind.”
Twisting in my lap to face me, she whispers, “You wrote songs about me?”
I nod. “Yeah, baby, I did. A whole album’s worth.”
“The entire album is about… me?”
“Not every song, but most of them are.Room 112, Every Now and Then, Sunflower Eyes, Heaven, Between Dusk and Dawn, Tequila Sunrise.”
Josh teases her, “How does it feel to hate country music, but be the inspiration for what is sure to become a best-selling country album?”
Burying her head in her hands, Annabelle moans playfully, “The album is really named after my orgasms? Is it too late to change the name?”
28
Annabelle
Now
Since Laura’s wrist is still in a hard cast and immobilized, I’m in charge of bringing our coffees to our morning chats now. I’ve been back at work for several days after taking the week of Christmas and New Year’s off, but it’s Laura’s first day back after her car accident. And I’m excited to catch up with my best friend. I have so much to tell her.
Christmas at the ranch, trading I love yous, meeting the rest of Outlaw, having sex. Gah, the sex! It’s still just as good as I remember. Honestly, it’s even better now because of the depth of my feelings for Hayes. But before I can get to any of those topics, my cell phonebegins to ring.
“Anna, I have great news! I received an above-asking offer on your house this morning,” Marsha gushes as soon as I answer the phone.
“Above-asking? That’s amazing!” Besides the comfort of having a bank account total with more than two zeros in it, it will be nice to relax again. The girls and I are so over having to keep the house immaculately clean. It’s an impossible task, and I hate constantly nagging them. They’re kids. They should be able to get messy and have fun.
“But there’s a catch,” Marsha hedges.Because of course there is. “The buyers require a closing date that’s only twenty-eight days away.”
“Okay, that’s pretty standard, right?” I ask.
“And they want to move in immediately after closing.”
“Immediately?” I stammer. “That’s only four weeks! How am I supposed to find a new place to live in four weeks?”
My mind flips into overdrive. Four weeks?! To pack, move,andfind a new home.
“Four weeks really isn’t that tight of a timeframe, and for an offer that’s over asking, I think you should try to accommodate them, Anna.”
Especially since this is the only offer I’ve received since putting the house on the market. I can’t afford to pass this one up.
Maybe the fast turnaround time will actually be beneficial because it will force me to make a quick decision rather than dilly-dallying and overthinking.
I take a breath and push out the words. “You’re right. Yes, let’s accept their offer, Marsha.”
