“Thought you weren’t an expert on women,” I said.
“I’m an expert on that. It’s what did my first marriage in. You made her a deal, Drake. That she could go home Sunday night.”
“But this is our home,” I said.
“No. It’s your home. Just because she’s pregnant with your kid don’t make this her home any more than wearing your clothes makes her you. You still gotta grow a relationship with that woman. A baby don’t set a precedence. Her walking around and growing your kid doesn’t automatically give you two history. Y’all gotta make that first.”
“Your accent gets thicker when you’re mad, Hank,” I said.
“Damn straight it does. Now get your ass together. We need to go over these dates.”
CHAPTER 32
Delia
“Delia, come on. Why the hell are we doin’ this over the phone?”
“Because I’m about to go into to work,” I said.
“Why didn’t you come back yesterday? I waited up for you,” Drake said.
“I needed a good night sleep and some quiet. What is it you wanted to talk about?”
“You can’t get a good night sleep with me?”
“I didn’t call you so we could fight. Again. What is it you want?” I asked.
“Look, I got another tour that starts tomorrow. Six acoustic nights, since the guys in the band don’t think I’ll be any fun sober.”
“That sounds good. It could help rehabilitate your public image,” I said.
“Ya sound like Hank.”
“Then Hank’s got a point.”
“The last one’s in Nashville. Couple of weeks from now. Will you be there for it?”
“Do you want me to be?”
“Of course I want my girlfriend and the mother of my child there with me,” he said.
“Then yeah. I’ll be there,” I said. Hearing him say those words brought a smile to my face. Even with all the problems, I still couldn't deny that I cared for this man, deeply.
“I’ll have Hank set aside a ticket for you at will call. Just give them your name and you can get it. It’ll get you backstage and I can kiss you before I head on out to sing.”
I shoved my earrings into my ears as Drake continued to rattle on. I didn’t go to his house after work on Monday because I was tired and upset. The fight we had that morning about me just going into work was enough to exhaust me, then I had to put in nine hours at work doing mindless paperwork. I had gotten away from Drake’s ranch and I wasn’t ready to go back. I wasn’t ready to fight him every time I had to leave to go to work.
I knew he was just worried about me. After what happened to his wife, I couldn't blame him. However, this was my life. I couldn't fuck things up with this new job just because he couldn't get a grip. Besides, it scared me how fast I was falling for him, and how fast he seemed to be falling for me too.
I hung up the phone with Drake and focused on work. I had a long day of paperwork waiting for me and my boss was hovering over me every second he could. My coworker was quickly becoming a wonderful support system, however. While I fussed with all the paperwork, Stacia was fussing with insurance and taking phone calls for appointments. We worked side by side a lot of the time, and she greeted me Monday morning with edible chocolate flowers sitting on my small desk.
“Gotcha some coffee,” Stacia said. “It’s sittin’ on your desk. And it’s decaf so it’s safe for you to drink. Plus I loaded it up with chocolate syrup and creamer.”
I groaned as I sat down and pulled out the files of paperwork I had to complete.
“All right. I know that sound. Spill,” she said.
“It’s bad that you know that sound. I’ve only worked here a week,” I said.