Page 59 of Bad Habits
“Dade needs an assistant,” I said, not wanting to reveal too much. “And Charli’s good at what she does.”
“Quit pussyfootin’ around,” Chee snapped. “What’s really goin’ on here? Is this dumbass after my baby girl, or what? He thinks he’s gonna make her the next unlucky lady, or what?”
“It’s not like that. He just—”
“He’sjustbeen married twice and engaged once. Don’t tell me he’s not lookin’ for a candidate for wife number three. And I sure as hell don’t want it to be my girl.”
I understood why Chee was so adamant, but he didn’t know Dade. I did. And I wouldn’t be much of a friend if I didn’t go to bat for him. “Look, the guy’s made some bad decisions with women, I’ll give you that, but the women he was with were—”
“Gold diggers, I know. Star chasers, whatever the hell you wanna call ‘em. But how the hell can a man be stupid enough to choose a woman like that three times?” he asked, holding three beefy fingers in the air. “That’s what I wanna know.”
When it came to our business Dade was one of the smartest guys I knew. Hell, he had half a dozen lucrative business investments that had nothing to do with music. In the next ten years he’d probably be one of a few artists joining the billionaire club because of those investments, but when it came to women… my friend was clueless.
“I wanna know that too,” I said, smirking. “I suspect Dade does too. He’s not a dumb guy, Chee. I can promise you that. And I know he’s doin’ a lot of self-reflection right now. He has no interest getting into another relationship right now, so if Charli does go to work for him, I don’t think you have to worry about those two hookin’ up.”
He pursed his lips and crossed his arms over his massive chest. That’s when I realized ‘hookin’ up’ might have been the wrong choice of words.
“Fine,” he bit out. “I trust you. And because I trust you…” He pointed a finger at me. “I know that Charli will be in good hands if she takes this job with your friend.” He paused. “You get me? I’m tellin’ you, you vouched for this character, and if he does a number on my baby girl, that’s on you.”
Great. Like I could control Dade’s actions. Or Charli’s for that matter. But if it made her father feel better to believe I was looking out for her, I’d concede. “Understood.”
Chee nodded. “There’s something else.”
“Okay.” He’d clearly been thinking about this awhile, probably while stuck in his hospital bed. Trying to figure out how to help his family if something happened to him. Truth be told, I was honoured he thought I was the man to step up.
“Columbia’s always been home,” Chee said, stroking his beard. “And I love it. But it’s just a place. If it comes down to it, I’d rather have more time with my family, than be a stubborn old goat rooted to one spot.”
I nodded, trying to process what he was telling me.
“I don’t want my girls to sacrifice anything to take care of me. That’s not right, Knox.”
“But—”
“Just hear me out,” he said, raising his hand. “This heart attack made me realize something. Life is fragile.” He chuckled. “Always thought of myself as invincible. But clearly I’m not,” he said, gesturing to the bed he was lying on. “The good Lord could take me out tomorrow, but if he spares me, I want to spend the time he grants me with my family.”
I knew my own father would have felt the same way. If he’d been spared after that car accident, that’s probably the one thing he would have asked for, more time with his family, to make up for the years he was working long hours to support us.
“That’s understandable.” I wanted to know how I could help him, because whatever he asked, I was game. “So, what are you thinking?”
“Well, if Charli takes this job with your friend, both of my girls are going to be in Nashville. I know they’ll be on the road a lot, but Nashville will be their home base.” He smiled. “And I know there’s nowhere either of ‘em would want to be. Music’s running through their veins, always has been. Deep down, I know this would be Charli’s dream job, workin’ in the music biz.”
“And I know she’d be an asset to Dade’s team.” Providing my friend had the willpower to keep his hands off her.
“And if something does happen to me…” He closed his eyes briefly, shifting in the bed. “I know Aidy would want to be closer to the girls. She’d need them.”
“So, you’re thinking about moving to Nashville?” I’d been praying Cece and I would find a way to work this out, but I had no idea Chee would be the one to offer our solution.
“That’s exactly what I’ve been thinkin’ about.” He grinned. “My girls aren’t the only ones who love country music, son. Who do you think got them hooked on it all those years ago? Music City’s always been one of my favorite places, so why the hell not start the next chapter of my life there, right?”
I could picture Chee hanging out on Music Row, knocking a few back with Aidy while listening to live music. They weren’t the type to go RVing or escape to a Caribbean beach in their retirement. Chee was definitely part of the loud music, crowded bar, fast car, motorcycle set, and so was Aidy, so I couldn’t think of a better place for them to settle.
“I love it.” I grinned. “Seriously. I think Nashville would be perfect for you guys. So, what can I do to help make it happen?”
His smile spread before he said, “Well, I kinda wanna surprise my girls with this after my surgery. Aidy already knows about my plans, obviously, and she’s on board, but I was wonderin’ if you might help find us a house there? You know what we like. Small. Simple. Like the place we got here. I wouldn’t want to put that kind of burden on Aidy, when she’s got me to worry about.” He chuckled. “Not that you’re not a busy guy, but I figured you might have someone on your team, an assistant maybe, who—”
“I know the perfect place,” I said, snapping my fingers. “A lighting tech on my crew is getting her parents place ready to go on the market ‘cause their moving into a retirement center. She’s having the place painted, new flooring, even new kitchens and baths, I think, so it’ll be move-in ready.” I knew the neighbourhood well. The homes were older, but well maintained, and it was smack dab between Cece’s apartment and my house, which I hoped would be her house too, before long. “I can have her send me some pics, see what you and Aidy think.” The house even had a wheelchair ramp, which Chee would probably need for a while, but I knew that wouldn’t be a selling feature to him, so I left that part out.
“Sounds great.” He grinned. “I can’t thank you enough.”
