CHAPTER8
Chris
It feels like she’s taken a sledgehammer to my heart. Shards of broken glass lie around my booted feet and it takes all my control not to run.
“Hey, Chris?” A soft voice calls to me. I look up to see a beautiful redhead smiling at me.
“Don’t listen to her. I heard what she said. She doesn’t mean it. Your manager came at her. Telling her that she’s ruining your life. It backed up what she’s secretly thinking. She thinks she’s not good enough for you.”
“That’s silly,” I grunt. “I’m the one who’s barely good enough to hold her hand let alone marry her.”
“Is that what you want?”
“Eventually. But right now, I think she just needs to know that I’m all in.”
“Tell her. Tell her right now.”
I shake my head, locking my jaw. “I’ve got something else to take care of first. Just don’t let her leave.”
“Alright,” she says. Then she runs off, talking to another beautiful strawberry blond.
I don’t remember this many beautiful women in this town but none of them can hold a candle to mine.
I stalk off, finding my manager talking to some of the crew. “Hey! I need to talk to you,” I growl.
She grins and I want to smack her. If she wasn’t a woman, I would.
“What the hell did you think you were doing talking to Carinna like that? Her and my daughter mean the world to me. And you fucking told her to leave me?”
My voice gets louder and I see some of the crew’s jaws drop. I don’t care though. Better that they know you can’t fuck with my family.
“I was just trying to do what’s best for you.” Her hand tries to touch my chest and I move away, growling.
“You can pack up and go. I’ll find a new manager. I don’t want to see you around here again.”
“I’ll apologize to her. It’s not a big deal.”
“It is a big deal. And I wouldn’t let you near her. Not ever again. Get out of here.”
She stalks off, her back rigid. “You’re gonna regret this.”
“Not likely,” I grunt.
I turn to the crew and start running over the changes to the program tonight.
Half an hour later, I stand on the stage, taking a deep breath and praying that I can change her mind.
The lights go up and I step out on the stage, pulling off my hat and waving it to the fans. My hometown fans.
This concert means something to me.
“Thanks a lot for coming tonight. Before I start this concert, I need to say something.” The lights drift through the crowd until I spot her pale blond head and then I nod.
Instantly there’s a spotlight on her and her mouth falls open.
“Carinna. You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved. I would never hurt you for the world. What that woman said? She was just trying to keep her meal ticket. I would never say that kind of thing about you or our daughter. You’re not dragging me down. You both only lift me up. You’re the reason I get up in the morning with a smile on my face. You’re the reason I laugh at stupid jokes. Every damn happy feeling I get through the day, I just want to share with you.”
She moves closer and I move to the end of the stage. I squat in front of her. “Don’t leave me, baby girl. I can’t survive that again. I did it once but only because I didn’t realize how much and how long it would hurt. I can’t do it again.”