Page 80 of Paint the Town, Dove
“Beaches, beaches…”I slipped towards the foyer, “Beach days in the Bronco.”
I wrenched open my front door, coming face to face with Tav. Angry Tav, definitely. Didn’t say much, didn’t let him in, just swayed to the rhythm of my own humming. “It’s the beast in the Bronco.”
“Huh,” he rubbed the stubble around his chin, “happy song for unhappy times, kid.”
Forcing his way in, he knocked my drink –when’d that get there??– knocked it, and fuck, it went all over my shirt. “Fuck you, Tav, this was custom.”
He rolled his eyes, little bit of a blur but he did. “Rich of you to be sayin’. Now hand it over and sit.”
“I literally don’t have anything of yours.”
“Not mine,” he pointed at my drink, “give that to me and take a goddamnseat, I’m not playin’ hooky with you today.”
Like a child, stomping, unplayful, unwanted – unorganized, dishevelled, drunk and wet,so fucking wetbecause of fucking TAV, I handed him the drink if I wanted to keep my career.
It was all I had left.
Now that my Dove’s gone.
My bourbon was in his hands. He took a sip, set it down, then shoved my shoulders until my ass hit the couch. “What happened?”
“Jim Beam,” I smiled.
“Where is she?”
“Who?”Scarlett.
“You know who, Ryden, tough up and tell me.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”Scarlett leaving.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. I was exasperating, a menace to him, a nuisance and a bother –why did he even care?“Why are you here?” I asked, fiddling with the chain around my neck.
It was ever present.
The escape. The urge.
To let me go, to let me live in peace for five seconds –five fucking seconds.
I didn’t do anything wrong, did I? I mean, what was wrong with me? The song wasn’t meant to –
“Nah, nah Ryden you didn’t do anythin’ wrong.” Tav released a breath and sat down.
Did I say that out loud?
He inhaled sharply. “The party’s tonight, your final tour’s comin’ to an end. You should be proud.”
“I am.”I’m not.
“You’re not.”
“How would you know?”
“I’ve known you for six years, kid. Managed you for four.” He shook his head. “I knowher, too.”
Scarlett.
The fucking thought of her brought tears to my eyes.
