“You’re a moron. Seriously. That last black eye barely healed and now you have a fresh one. Some face to put forward for your last show at O’Malley’s for who knows how long.” Sutton was icing my eye, and Charlie kicked open the door to his work room in his studio with a couple of cold beers he had confiscatedfrom next door.?
“I found some cold prosciutto, too. It’s not a steak, but it will have to do,” he said, handing it to Sutton and cracking open our drinks before handing them out.?
“I cannot believe the two of you are going to sit around and watch Magnolia marry this animal. I know she’s hot-headed, but you guys should step in. He’s quick with his fists, who’s to say he won’t get so mad at her that he hits her one day.”?
Sutton and Charlie exchanged a look, and I jumped off my chair. “What aren’t you telling me?”?
Sutton sighed and opened the prosciutto package, popping some of the thin-sliced meat into her mouth. “Nothing, it’s not… He threw a glass on Christmas morning after, well, you know… It just missed her head.” She looked to Charlie for help, and he just cringed. My blood was boiling. Sutton went on. “Now listen! We’re not happy it happened, either. We both had separate conversations with her about it. But there’s not much we can do, her mind is made up.”
Charlie nodded. “You know my sister, Lee. When she makes her mind up about something, that’s it. It’s done. And this is what she wants. Whatever we say about it now doesn’t matter.”?
I paced the room, looking back and forth between the two of them. “I’m just not even going to show up tonight. Forget it.”?
“Lee, she’s counting on you to play tonight. If you don’t, people will leave.” Charlie watched me wearily. “She’s sold about 250 tickets for this exclusive event, and people are dying to see you, especially since the tour was announced.”?
“Well, maybe my brother can fix it for her since he’s such a fucking hero,” I spit before storming out of the studio.?
Later that night, I sat on my bed in my hotel room, surrounded by the last pieces that were left of me to pack to take back to Nashville. I checked the clock before reaching for my phone, which was buzzing like crazy from the nightstand. I knew she was going to be pissed—beyond pissed—and I didn’t want to deal with it.?
She made her choice, and frankly, she needed to live with it at this point.?
I couldn’t save her or even try to take care of her anymore. I’d sent Ryan over to do a couple of covers and said my goodbyes to Sutton and Charlie. Therewas nothing left between me and Magnolia, and in a little over a month, she would be my sister-in-law. I’d given her all the help I was willing to.
I threw my phone into the drawer, slamming it shut, and closed my eyes.?
I wasn’t starting a new year living for Magnolia Pruitt. In fact, I wasn’t spending another second on her ever again.?
Chapter thirty-seven
MAGNOLIA
“Where the hell is he?” I paced restlessly in my office, then wandered into the green room and dramatically flopped down onto the couch.
Sutton opened the door to the bar, revealing a hunched-over Kasey, her ear pressed to the now-empty space. She jerked back, eyes wide with panic, and attempted to play it cool, though it was obvious she was spying.
Kasey took one look at me draped across the sofa and turned her attention to Sutton. “Is she okay? There’s, like, a million people out there asking questions.” She shut the door behind her and leaned back on the cool wood.?
“Ryan’s doing a great job. I don’t see the problem.” Sutton shrugged.?
“I’m fine,” I answered for myself, flinging an arm over my face. “I guess I just don’t get it. He wants to buy the bar, then he wants to be a silent partner. He wants to do these gigs to make us money, then he doesn’t show up. And where the hell is Dane?”?
“He’s not here yet, but I saved him a spot with Charlie and Eunice,” Kasey answered quickly. “Should I just shut it all down? I really don’t know what to do. The three new hires are freaking out. Magnolia, can you please come out and see everyone?”?
I shot Sutton a desperate frown as a wave of sad realization washed over me. “It’s over, isn’t it?”?
“It’s been over, Magnolia. Go out and do what you need to do,” she answered, topping off my bubbles.?
I lifted myself off the couch and took a swig of my champagne, glaring at Kasey. “Just go out and train. You’re going to be the manager of the bar soon, so please step up,” I snapped.
She made an agitated noise and threw open the door, stomping outtoward the front of the bar. Her voice was laced with anger as she addressed the new employees, who looked stressed and nervous about their first official shifts.
“Just let things be how they are, Magnolia,” Sutton murmured, crossing the room to stand beside me. “If Lee isn’t coming back, he’s a silent partner. Just like y’all discussed. Isn’t this what you wanted all along?”?
I nodded. It was whatheagreed on. But where did that leave me??
Maybe I always knew, deep down, that he’d go back to Nashville someday. Maybe I always knew that he’d just throw some money at me—an investment, he once called it—so he could go back to strumming his stupid guitar, just like he always wanted.
And I’d still be here, in Savannah, behind the bar and carrying on my family’s legacy, just likeIalways wanted.?
