“Yeah, because instead of healing from giving birth, I’m healing from a hysterectomy and receiving chemotherapy. And instead of taking care of a baby, I’m taking care of myself. How could you even ask me to perform during this time? And by November, I might look even more unrecognizable than I already do,” I point out, my voice quivering with a mix of hurt and anger.
“Even more reason to get a performance in so your fans don’t think the worst.”
My hands are shaking so badly I have to grip onto the counter to steady myself. “I’m not sure why you’re not hearing what I’m saying . . . I don’t give a fuck what my fans or the label, or anyone else thinks for that matter. I am fighting for mylife, Kyle. I thought you of all people would understand that.”
He sighs on the other end. “I knowyou. And that is why Iknowyou don’t want all of the little girls who’ve looked up to you for years now to be disappointed in you thinking you’re hiding out in some rehab center in the Bahamas. Do the performance, give back to the community who gave you your career, and then you can get back on a private jet to Minnesota in no time.”
I don’t respond at first. I’m honestly too pissed off to find words right now. He’s right, he does know me far too well, which is how he knew just the right thing to say to manipulate me into doing the performance.
“When did you say the concert was again?”
“Saturday, November 18th. It’s the weekend before Thanksgiving.”
I keep him on speaker so I can scroll through my calendar app, and that’s when I notice Jackson will be on an away trip. He actually has a game in Nashville that Friday before they head home for a home game on Monday. Maybe he could try to get out of traveling home with the team and stay an extra night with me. It’s a long shot, but it’s worth the ask. I’m just about to add the concert to my calendar when I realize the timing of events.
“I’ve got a round of chemo that Tuesday. So far I haven’t been feeling well for the four to five days following treatments. There’s a very real possibility I will be too tired or sick to perform, but as of right now you can tell the label I’ll do it. One song. I refuse to do anything more. And it’ll be a song of my choosing. I want full creative control if I’m going to agree to this.”
I can hear the smugness seeping through the line when Kyle says, “I can work with that. I’ll give them a call now. See, I knew you’d come around. Next time don’t make me have to work so hard for it.” He chuckles as if what he’s said is funny, but like most things when it comes to Kyle lately, I get this funny feeling deep in the pit of my gut.
“Right. Well I’ll let you get to it.”
Before I can hang up, he pleads with me. “You know I’m just looking out for your best interests, right?”
I bite back the snarky retort he’s rightfully earned himself tonight and instead say, “Sure. Bye, Kyle.”
I don’t give him a chance to say his goodbyes before I end the call. Something feels off, and if I’m being honest with myself, it has for awhile now. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I’m also too exhausted to try to contemplate it much farther right now.
Lying down on the glorious bed of blankets, I let out a deep sigh and debate whether or not to take another cat nap before Walker gets here. With all the unease that has slithered up my spine, this little bestie date night really could not have come at a better time.
Celebrity birthdays - Taevin Gray October 12th
Taevin Gray is twenty-nine, divine, and thriving . . . or is she?
By LARA BRADLEY
Taevin Gray hasn’t been spotted in Nashville in months, so where in the world is she?
The country music star turns 29 today, and is rumored to have checked back into an exclusive rehabilitation facility somewhere in the Dominican Republic for substance abuse.
No one has seen the country music star since her August performance at The Summer Stampede in Texas.
While we’d love to wish her a happy birthday, we haven’t seen her near Broadway Street in quite some time.
So if not rehab, then where in the world is she?
Country Know Nowhas reached out to Gray’s reps for comment, but have not yet heard back.
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Settling back into the bed beside Taevin, I pull the covers over me and slide my arm around her waist.
The late morning sunlight filters through a crack in the curtains and I’m paralyzed by my captivation for my sleeping wife. And it’s not even because she’s the most gorgeous woman to have ever walked the planet. Beyond her looks and god-given talent, she’s a genuinely good person who is beautiful inside and out.
I’ve been doing my research, trying to get caught up in all things Tae since we’d parted ways. She amazes me with everything she’s managed to build—she’s more than just a singer and songwriter. In only ten years in the industry, she’s become a household name and crossed several genres with her music.
