You cut me to the bone
You’ve bled me dry
Maybe I’ll just fade away into the great big empty
After the show, my phone rings with a call from my agent. Seems there is a new show underway. It’s not my usual scene, country music. Pure Country is looking for Nashville’s next big star and they want me to be a judge on the reality show. I avoid Nashville, my birthplace like the damn plague. I avoid anything that involves Peyton Mathews, however I’m interested in this gig and it’d be nice to see my family without having to fly them to me.
Maybe Peyton will still be there, doubt she’ll want anything to do with me, but even catching a glimpse of her would satisfy this pain in my chest I currently have just thinking about it. Why the fuck did I screw that up so badly? Oh right. I remember. Fuck. The past creeps up on me.
A constant reminder of who and what I gave up when I chose this path.
“Book it, I’ll be there.” Ending the call, I take a deep breath. “Nashville. Home sweet home,” I whisper to myself.
Chapter 2
Nashville Gawker
(Gossip Blogger)
Hello Music City! It’s me again. Your favorite gossip columnist and source for all things hot, and my friends on the DL tell me that the bad boy of rock ‘n roll is on his way home to star in an upcoming reality show that will take place in the heart of Nashville. As you know, Jameson Lewis has never graced our city with his presence since he hit it big after winning battle of the bands. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see what havoc he brings with him.
Chapter 3
Peyton
I’ve never been one for getting all girly and glammed up, well at least not like this. My eyes stare at the girl, no, the woman, reflected in the mirror before me. I don’t recognize this version of myself. Underneath the makeup and fancy gown, the real me stirs—the one who loves worn out, faded t-shirts, holey jeans and Chuck Taylors. I am doing all this for Wesley, my soon to be husband. He complains that I never sex it up for him. So for our wedding day I want to give him this…me all dressed up in a revealing, form fitting, satin A-line dress, with a plunging neckline.
“Wow! Peyton, you look like a princess,” Ruby Jane compliments as I stare at the stranger in the mirror.
“You think Wes will like it? Are you sure I don’t look like a slut,” I whisper the last word. I don’t even recognize my red stained lips, but I have to admit the longer I see myself, the pop of color is growing on me. I bat my lashes and instantly feel stupid. I don’t know how to be seductive.
Ruby Jane is rubbing off on me. A few weeks ago, I allowed her to convince me to send in an audition tape for some music reality show that is getting ready to film here in Nashville. I probably don’t have a shot in hell, but it was fun to pretend. I know Wes would never go for me being on TV or getting back into the music scene.
“I think any man would be lucky to have you meeting him at the altar, even if you were wearing a paper sack,” she gushes.
“If you say so,” I murmur getting ready to change. I still have another month until the big day, the day we say I do.
My phone buzzes with a text from my step-monster, Barb.
Mega Bitch: Peyton darling the florist called, they need you to decide if you want the peach or the pale pink in your arrangement.
Petty: Peach.
I answer with my short response, you would think we would be on better terms by now, but I never fully forgave her for what she did to me. It’s been nearly five years. I am no longer the naïve child I used to be, but Barb, well, she is the same old bitch she has always been. Barb by name, barbwire by nature. Despite how much I despise her existence, she does know how to plan a wedding; even if it isn’t exactly what I had in mind.
If the wedding were left to me, the ceremony would be lowkey, with a few friends, but Wes wants this. His family expects the best. He comes from a long line of high-powered attorney’s. We met at the firm’s Christmas party last winter. My dad thinks we are rushing into this. He had the audacity to ask if I were pregnant when Wesley asked him for my hand. Our age gap doesn’t help either. Wes is ten years older than me. My father wasn’t happy about me dating a junior partner from his firm, but Barb was ecstatic. I guess she thinks once I am married that I am no longer my father’s problem, or hers for that matter.
How my dad ever got caught up in Barb is a mystery. Every chance the man gets he tells me to live my life, not Barb’s. I’ve overheard so much yelling the last few months between those two also. It makes me wonder if Barb is blackmailing dad in some way. At least that’s the only thing I can think of as to why he’s with her at all. They never have struck me as two people deeply in love, but what do I know about love?
A knock sounds gently against my bedroom door. It’s probably Ruby Jane’s Aunt Thea coming to drag her home. Ruby Jane is still in high school, but she is one of my bestest friends. We’ve been friends since she first moved in down the street from me when she was four years old.
“It’s open,” I yell, as I begin taking my jewelry off.
“Hey, is Ruby Jane here,” the last voice I expected to hear, ever, calls as the door swings open. His voice cuts me like a knife through butter. My stomach blanches as the knots begin to form.
Jameson ‘motherfuckin’ Lewis.
Ruby Jane pops up from my bed, throwing herself into her brother’s arms. “Jameson!” She shrieks as he hugs her, looking over her shoulder at my shocked expression in the mirror.