“I do. He’s the only person I ever considered doing those things with. I took his last name, and I’m in the process of adopting Cara. It’s right for me. Tate is what’s right for me. And one day you’re going to find someone who’s right for you.”
“Don’t give me that bullshit speech please,” he grimaced and finished his cigarette. He flicked it to the ground and smeared it with his shoe.
“It’s true. You may not see it now, but you will. And you’ll laugh at the concept of me and you together. You’ll see this,” I brought my hand to my neck and fiddled with the gemmed spider. “And you’ll just see a necklace.”
“Is that all you see?” his voice cracked, as he was desperate for me not to be so cold and unfeeling. Again, I told him the truth.
“No. I see what we used to be. I remember how I felt when you gave it to me. It’s not a butterfly in my stomach happy, but more nostalgic. Even though we’re not together now, I don’t regret being with you then.”
“You don’t?” He let out the smallest hint of a sniffle and I nodded. I took the few steps that were between us and hugged him. He didn’t hug me back for a long moment, but when he realized I wasn’t letting go, he reached out and patted my back.
“Never. You’ve got to believe in the broken road.” I pulled away and took a step back. I smiled, even though I was starting to get a bit emotional myself. He cocked his head in confusion. I shrugged. “Without people like you and me in each other’s lives, you can’t find the person you’re supposed to be with. I needed to be with you so that when I found Tate, I would know that he was my person. One day, you’ll find yours and know that too.”
He smiled but didn’t say anything. I knew he understood what I was trying to say and nothing more needed to be said. I reached for my necklace again and broke out into a real, genuine smile.
“Now,” I pointed with my other hand to the door to backstage. “I’m going to go back inside and play the best show of my career. I’m going to wear my necklace because regardless of how things turned out, I love it and still care about how I received it. And you’re going to be right there beside me, playing yourfuckingheart out. We are going to sign those papers to be officially signed to a label, and then we’re going to party until morning. Got it?”
He laughed and then stood up straight. He saluted me.
“Got it boss.”
We nodded and walked in together. I was right. We did play the best show of our careers to date. The rep from the label, Levon, was waiting for us in the dressing room afterwards. He had contracts and pens for everyone.
“We can’t tell you how excited we are to have you guys with us. Starting tomorrow we’re getting you prepared for the tour. Merchandise, demo cd’s, advertising. We’re putting out a full statement with your names on the posters. You’re highly anticipated.”
We went through in a line and signed the contract.
“We’re having a party at Rag Dolls, if you want to come,” Dallas invited Levon. He appeared to be considering it, but eventually turned down his offer.
“I’ve got a long drive. Maybe next time. You guys go have fun. You’ve earned it. But be ready because in the next coming days you’re going to be busy.” He patted a few of us on the back before leaving us to undress and get loaded out.
We had finally stepped out of the gig and were headed to our separate cars. Cash, Dallas, and Ronny were taking his van to Rag Dolls and Tate and I were driving separately, as we had been. It worked out better this way so that we could leave earlier than them, which we almost always did.The crew waved goodbye, and Tate and I started to his car.
“Hey, you’re the girl from the band tonight.”
I turned to see a guy standing a few feet away from us, leaning against a black car. I smiled and waved but kept walking. It was too dark to go to him.
“Hey, I was talking to you,” he called to me. I stopped and saw that Tate had done the same.
“Are you serious? Get the fuck out of here,” Tate snarled. He moved closer to me and put his arm over my shoulder protectively.
“Or what?” The guy kicked off his car and started sauntering towards us. Tate started to slowly back us up. “Your scrawny little ass is gonna kick my ass? I remember you up there, you’re a fucking toothpick. I can talk to her if I want to.”
“What do you want?” I asked, as strongly as I could. Something about this guy had me on edge. I glanced around, even more nervous seeing that there were no security bouncers here. It was late.
“I just want to talk. I saw what you did to Tierney. I was looking you up. You were her best friend. You betrayed her.”
“Bud, get lost,” Tate tried again but the guy kept coming forward. The guy shook his head and that’s when I saw his face. His eyes were wild, he looked unhinged.
“Not until I hear her apologize for what she did. Have you seen Tierney lately?”
“No, what’s wrong with her?”
“She overdosed. She was in the hospital. You did that to her. You made her do those things to herself.”
I stumbled as I continued moving backwards. Tate caught me and pulled me behind him. I put my hands up and looked over him.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know. She didn’t tell me,” I tried to reason with him, but he wasn’t listening. I glanced behind me and saw our car at the far end of the parking lot. In the dark it seemed miles away.
