Page 16 of Finding Hayes
“It was my choice, Scotty.” I made no attempt to hide my irritation. He had zero self-awareness. We’d dated more than a decade ago, and today was not the day to have this conversation. Hell, there wasn’t even a reason to have the conversation. We’d remained friendly after we broke up.
But today I was grieving, and he was completely unaware.
“I think it was hard for you to share me back then. But I’mmore balanced now,” he said, as he put his yellow Camaro in park.
I sighed. He wasn’t going to let it go. “Hard for me to share you with who?”
“My fans. The music industry.” He shrugged. “I couldn’t give you what you needed because of my craft, my people—they came first back then.”
I did what I could to stop my jaw from hitting the floor. The Disasters only performed once, from what I remembered from back then. And it had been in the garage of Scotty’s parents’ house. Me and four other people attended the show—I’m not judging because I was proud of him for chasing his dreams, but I hardly had to share him with his fans and his “people.”
“I promise you that I did not break up with you because of your musical aspirations. You know I support chasing your dreams. I’ve had many, and I would never have a problem with someone pursuing what they love.”
“So what was it, then?” He reached for my hand, and I startled.
What in the absolute loving hell is happening?
I was in some sort of Magnolia Falls twilight zone.
We hadn’t talked in years. I thought this would be a faint memory for him.
“Scotty, I don’t know what’s going on here, but I’m just not up for it today. I’m sad, and I just want to go inside and be in my feels, okay?”
“Can I come inside with you?” He waggled his brows. “Remember all those good times we had?”
Actually, no. I can’t recall a single good time at the moment.
“I need to be alone. But it was good to see you. Take care.” I tugged my hand away and unbuckled my seat belt.
“I miss you, babe. Let me take you to dinner tonight.”
“I can’t tonight.” I pushed out of the car.
“I’ll call you, okay?” he shouted, but I just kept walking,relieved when I heard him pull down the driveway.
Just as I put the key in the door, the sound of crunching gravel came from behind me. I turned around to see Big Red driving toward me.
With a man I didn’t recognize behind the wheel.
I truly was in a Magnolia Falls twilight zone today.
I marched toward the car, as the guy put it in park and stepped out.
“Who are you?” I demanded, arms crossed over my chest. “And how do you have my car?”
“I’m Carter. I work for Warner.”
Is that supposed to be helpful?
“I don’t know who Warner is.”
He tossed me my key and pointed at the blue truck now coming up the driveway. “That’s Warner. He owns the mechanic shop. He followed me here so we could drop your car off.”
Warner got out of the blue truck and walked toward me. “Engine’s fixed. You needed an oil change, too, so we got it all fixed up.”
“First of all, I didn’t call you. Do you just pick up random cars left in bars’ parking lots and fix them?” I shook my head in disbelief.
Carter chuckled, and Warner looked confused. “No. Hayes reached out and asked me to take care of it and drop it off here for you.”
