Page 10 of Speechless
“She lives in Nashville?” Marisa teased. “How convenient, you know if you guys wanted to pick up where you left off.”
I chuckled, swiping a hand over the ever-present scruff covering my jaw. “Hon, the girl can barely stand the sight of me. So, I don’t think that’ll be happening any time soon.”
“But she’s here tonight,” Marisa said. “That has to count for something, right? And if she was the reason you performed like that, you must still have feelings for her.”
Luc laughed. “My wife, always the match-maker.”
She back-handed him in the stomach. “Be quiet, haven’t I told you before men are clueless when it comes to this stuff?” She raised her hand at me. “No offense, Mav.”
“None taken. I am clueless.” Because if I’d had a clue, I would have found a way to hold on to Codie all those years ago. I may not have known a lot about life, then or now, but I knew enough to know that girl was the real deal.
“So, what’s her name?” Marisa asked. “What does she do? Obviously, she’s not married. Divorced? Any kids?”
Luc shook his head, looking at his wife out of the corner of his eye. “What is this? Twenty questions?”
“I just want to know more about the girl that’s got our boy Mav here all tied up in knots.”
“Did I say I was—”
“Please.” Marisa rolled her eyes, not even letting me get a word in. “You don’t have to tell me you’re still crazy about her. I was there, remember? I saw your performance, heard the dedication.”
“Right.” That damn dedication. I hoped it wouldn’t come back to bite me when me and Codie finally came face-to-face again.
“Well?” Marisa said. “You still haven’t answered my questions. I want to hear all about your girl.”
My girl. How would they feel when they found out I still had a thing for the very same woman my producer had probably already fallen for? “Her name’s Codie. She has a tattoo shop downtown—”
“Shut up!” Luc and Marisa shared a look before she burst out laughing. “Oh my God, we’ve known Codie for years.” She pointed at the colorful ink wrapped around her husband’s bicep, peeking out from under his short-sleeve shirt. “Luc was a client first, but both Trey and I have gotten her to do tattoos for us too.”
“Seriously?” I felt like I was the only one who hadn’t been inked by my ex. I’d have to change that. Stat.
“Yeah, she’s awesome. And gorgeous.” Marisa poked me in the stomach. “No wonder you still have a thing for her.”
“Did I say I still have a thing for her?” I smirked when Marisa rewarded that comment with a hard eye roll. “What if I told you she’s been dating Austin?”
“Oh God,” Luc muttered. “I’d say you’re a day late and a dollar short, buddy.”
Luc’s assessment of the situation irked me. Sure, my producer was rich and powerful, but shit like that had never impressed Codie, and unless she’d become a completely different person in the past fifteen years, it wouldn’t be enough to win her over now.
“Has Austin said anything to you?” I asked Luc, knowing how close they were. “About anyone he’s been dating?”
Luc shook his head. “Na, but Austin doesn’t usually talk to me about relationships unless it’s serious.”
Marisa hooked a thumb over her shoulder when my phone buzzed again. “Sounds like we’re not the only ones who thought you killed it tonight. The video of your performance has probably gone viral by now, and everyone wants to be able to say they knew you when.”
I laughed, swiping the phone off the table. “Shit,” I whispered, glancing at the screen. “Codie’s friend isn’t feeling well, so they’re heading back to the hotel. She just wanted to thank me for the tickets.” I muttered a curse. “I can’t believe I’m not even going to see her before she heads back to Nashville.”
“Ask her to meet you for a bite in their hotel lobby,” Luc suggested. “If her friend’s sick and they’re sharing a room, she’ll probably want to give her some space anyhow.”
I suspected I’d get shot down, but it couldn’t hurt to ask. I fired off a text and held up my crossed fingers. Within the minute she’d agreed to meet me, gave me the name of the hotel and said she’d see me in half an hour. I was in shock.
“Looks like I have a date, guys.” I grinned. “I’m still sweaty as hell though, so I need to grab a quick shower before I meet up with Codie.”
Marisa kissed my cheek, holding my chin as she looked into my eyes. “You deserve this, you hear me? All of it. The success. The girl. The money. You. Deserve. It.”
I knew part of my problem had always been impostor syndrome, but given the way country music fans reacted to the songs I’d written and performed this year, I was starting to believe that maybe I did deserve to make a name for myself in this crazy business.
ChapterFour
