“I know how to drive a boat,” Rob grumbleddarkly.
An autumn blanket had fallen over Lake Rosseau. The trees that lined the water’s edge were bathed in rustic paint, and the air had a crisp bite to it. Winter always came quickly up North, and I knew it was only a matter of weeks before it started tosnow.
I made a mental note to remind Grady to tend to the driveway and road. During the winter months, my buddy relied on his snow removal company to earn an income, and I hired him every year to make sure that the cottage was accessible for mymom.
Walking through the front door, I was greeted to the scent of Mom’s homemade spaghetti. My mouth watered, and my stomachgrowled.
“Travis!” Mom gave me a quick hug, standing on her tippy toes to kiss my cheek. She barely came up past my sternum. My charming smile wasn’t the only thing I inherited from my sperm donor. “I’m so glad you could make it home before the tourstarted!”
“Me too,” I told her, giving her a tight squeeze before releasing her. “Is there enough spaghetti for Rob? I told him he could stay in the guest house this time. Makes sense, if he intends on following meeverywhere.”
“I’ll be staying at a hotel,” Rob corrected, shaking his head withexasperation.
“Well, join us for dinner at least,” Mom decided, gesturing to the kitchen. “Come on in, make yourself athome.”
My mom and Rob were around the same age, and I figured if I kept tossing them together, they’d hit it off, and maybe he’d be distracted enough to leave me alone for a bit. So far, both of them remained impervious to my feeble match-makingattempts.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket before I sat down at the kitchen table. Unlocking it, I pulled up Grady’s number and sent him a text, asking if the guys were still planning on meeting up for wings and beers. It had felt like ages since I’d seen everyone, and I needed the distraction—otherwise, I’d show up on Becky’s doorstep, and I knew that wasn’t a well thought out plan. I needed to give it a day or so, just so I didn’t seem tooeager.
“Put your phone away,” Mom scolded, setting a heaping plate of spaghetti down in front of me. “You know I don’t like them at thetable.”
“Sorry Ma,” I apologized, slipping it back into my jeans. “Just following up on some work stuff,” I added, not wanting Rob to know and tagalong.
I wouldn’t have been able to get away with a stunt like this in Nashville, but Rob was a little less intense about me going places alone when we were in Parry Sound when it wasn’t tourist season. I still didn’t want to take the chance that he’d shadowme.
My mom’s nose twitched, a small indicator that she knew I wasn’t being honest. Luckily for me, she wouldn’t call me out on it in front of guests. To her, Rob was still a guest—probably because he was stiff and formal, and had never once taken us up on the offer to stay in the guest house. He’d drive fifteen minutes to the nearest dive motel and sleep there—which I was counting ontonight.
I made it through dinner, and waited until Rob left before kissing my mom on the cheek. “Leaving so soon?” sheasked.
“I’ll be back later tonight, Ma,” I answered, shoving my arms through my coat sleeves. “I need to blow off some steam.” Whether I was in Nashville or on tour, I rarely had a moment to myself. I was always shadowed by someone from the label, be it Rob or Barbara. It was nice to shake everybody off for a little while, to get back to my roots and remember who I was before thefame.
Humble beginnings and whatnot.
“Alright. Have fun and besafe.”
I headed out to the garage and jumped into my truck. As I drove into town, my hands tapped against the steering wheel in time to the music pumping out of myspeakers.
Gordon, Grady, and Brock’s trucks were all parked in the small lot in between O’Riley’s and the hardware store. I parked and hopped out, tugging up the collar of my brown leather jacket to ward off October’schill.
The heavy wood door swung shut behind me as my eyes scanned the old bar. The hardwood floors had seen better days, and the lighting sucked—but it was still the best place to go for brews in town. The wings were good too, and it was blissfully quiet. During the summer months, it was packed with locals and tourists alike, but aside from the six people sitting at the bar, a few people shooting pool, and a couple of occupied tables—O’Riley’s was almostempty.
I spotted the guys sitting at a booth to the left of the bar, near the pool tables. Surprise shot across Brock’s face when he looked up and saw me making my way over. “Speak of the devil!” he said with a grin that didn’t quite reach hiseyes.
Dread rendered me frozen for a moment, and I had a panicked thought that somehow, Brock had found out about me and Becky. I didn’t relax until Gordon spoke up toclarify.
“Heard you were spotted in Toronto earlier. I figured you’d be bringing your ugly mug back around soon,” Gordon ribbed, moving over to make room forme.
“How long are you back for?” Grady asked as I slid into the booth across fromhim.
“Just two weeks, then I’m on tour until July,” I answered tiredly. Jet lag was hitting me, but I knew I’d get my second wind in duetime.
“Lifestyles of the rich and the famous,” Gordonsmirked.
“Whatever, Gordon,” I snorted, glancing around for the old bartender, Mick. I was thirsty, and a beer would wake me up a little. I grinned when I saw that he was already on his way over with a tray of beers in hishand.
“If it isn’t our resident celebrity,” Mick exclaimed, setting a beer down in front ofme.
“How’s my favourite barmaid doing?” I shot back with a smile. “Still as gorgeous asever.”
