Page 57 of A Country Kind Of Love
“You saidyes, right?”
“To the initial conversation, yes, you bet I did. I was excited. I thought it was my big break. I’d be the next Tim McGraw before I knew it.” Jesse sighs. “When I got to the label. I was in a room with three other guys. Turns out they wanted to put us together as a band. They didn’t think any of us where good enough to break onto the charts as a solo artist, but as a band we could at least get ourselveson the map.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. I wasn’t expecting it. My ego took control and I outright refused.”
“No, you did not!” Peyton stares at Jesse with a startledexpression.
“I’m not proud of it.”
“What happened?”
“They formed the band without me. That band is now travelling the world and selling out arenas.” Jesse shrugs.
“Who is it?” Peyton jerks her headtowards him.
“Blue Bird Buffalos.”
“Nooooo... you were almost a member of the BBB?” Peyton jumps up. The Blue Bird Buffalos have been flying high in the country charts for three years. Peyton lived off nothing but Chinese takeout and their last album in the months after her breakup with Chloe. They’re current influential chart-topping mega stars across the country. Peyton even tried desperately to get tickets for their latest tour, but the thirty day arena tour sold out in underten minutes.
Jesse nods. “Stupid name though, don’tyou think?”
“Oh, absolutely.” She can sense his anguish. “Who’d want to be a part of a band with a name like that anyway.”
“The funny thing, two years later I ended up in a band anyway.” He does this sad, pretend laugh that breaks Peyton’s heart. “I’m happynow though.”
“Thank you.” She leans her head on his shoulder.
“For what?”
“Just for sharing your experience with me. It’s not an easy thing to do. I feel like you’re looking out for me, and in a place where I have nobody that means a lot.”
“I have to look out for you.” Jesse smirks. “You’re a small innocent fish in a big dark sea. You’re basically Dory.”
“I’m Dory?” She slaps her hands dramatically. “So, I’m ditzy andforgetful?”
“No, you’re innocent, friendly, and optimistic. And likely to get stung by ajellyfish.”
“I feel like there’s a metaphor in theresomewhere.”
Her phone buzzes; it’s a text from Cleo.
Let me know when you’re done atthe studio.
I can’t waitto see you.
Cleo x
If she wants to do the right thing, she has to tell Cleo, come clean, tell her everything, and reject Marvin’s proposal, or at least reject the part she doesn’t like––singing on the track with Avery. After Jesse’s speech, she isn’t sure what the right thingis anymore.
She walks back into the studio. Herhead spins.
Why can’t life come with instructions?She ponders.
There has to be a manual hidden somewhere, right?
Boardgames come with instructions. Electrical appliances come with manuals. Cars come witha handbook.
