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Chapter 16
She listened to the easy rhythm of Nick�s breathing as he slept. It usually lulled her to sleep, but tonight it only added to her anxiety.
Had it really been six weeks since AJ�s showcase and her meeting with Ben Zuikker and Dakota Hancock? It seemed longer. AJ left a month later with 10 new songs added to his catalog and meetings set up with Hancock & Associates, CAA, and a follow-up with Zuikker.
She had not been surprised to hear about what went down with Dakota, Ben and Kevin. She felt the sorriest for Ben, because he had the misfortune of being a stumbling block for what is inevitable. He was a good man and even though Dakota had gone back to work with her Dad, he had remained steadfast in striking out on his own.
Abe�s thoughts drifted back to her last conversation with AJ, when they had stopped for lunch on their way to the Airport.
�Do you think I really should meet with Hancock? He never liked me.�
�AJ, I honestly think he doesn�t like more than half the people he reps., so that is a non-issue. It can never hurt to meet with him. Just make sure he keeps his word about including Dakota in the meeting.�
�Yeah. Yeah. Truth time. What do you think about the three?�
Abe studied him for a moment. �Truth. CAA is huge and would be my last choice, because I really don�t think they get you at all. I would have said the same of Hancock. Not to mention your past history with them. History, some have not forgotten. However, the wild card is Dakota. Now that she is back on board there, I think she would fight for you tooth and nail. She is the only reason I think you should even possibly consider going with Daddy. Ben is still the frontrunner in my opinion, unless something has changed. He has the contacts, the respect, and the talent to get you where you need to be without all the baggage of the other two. He is hungry to prove himself as more than Grant�s New York Guy. Most importantly, he gets you and likes you.�
�I�m sold.�
�But AJ, you need to go meet them all, just to be sure you are making the right decision.�
�I will. Thanks for all you�ve done.�
�You�re welcome.� She gave him a bright smile.
He returned it before turning serious. �Sorry about bailing before your move.�
�No problem. You have to do what is best for you. I can handle the move.�
�Make Nick help, too. I can�t believe he�s leaving before the move.�
�He has to.�
�Still.�
�Its Jive.�
�Yeah. Fuckers.�
She stifled a chuckle at the memory in an attempt not to disturb Nick, but he still shifted in his sleep.
He had backed up his Playstation and everything with it, but the bulk of the packing was prepping for heading to L.A. to record. His flight left the next afternoon. Her mind went back to the lunch conversation with AJ.
�You are not loosing him,� AJ argued.
�Yeah. I really think I am.�
�Then tell him not to go.�
�I can�t do that.�
�Yes you can!�
Her eyebrow cocked. �What is the quickest way to get him to dig his heals and do exactly what he shouldn�t?�
A rye grin curled his lips. �Tell him not to.�
�Exactly. I will loose him completely, if I try to keep him from going.�
The knot in her stomach was growing. How would she ever be able to say goodbye tomorrow without breaking down? She had to attempt to be positive and happy for him. She could pretend�she hoped.
********
Nick stared out the window of the plane as it taxied down the runway. For a brief moment he fought the urge to yell, �Stop the plane! I need to get off.� Why did he feel this need to run?
He was embarking on the next phase of his career. He had a one album deal with Jive. They promised things would be different this time. He would have more say. Even if he couldn�t trust them, what other choice did he have? It wasn�t like what happened with AJ. No one else was knocking on his door and offering him anything else.
The plane broke through cloud cover and banked to the west. No turning back now.
He had left so much undone. They had managed to finish all the paperwork for renting the new house. It was a refurbished bungalow near Shaman�s offices and not far from music row and the heart of downtown. Abe loved it and he loved it, because she did. He felt bad about leaving all the packing and moving to her, but Jive had insisted he be in LA for a planning meeting tomorrow.
After AJ had headed for the coast, he didn�t want to delay getting this thing going anymore than he already had. He hated the jealousy he felt every time he thought of all the great things happening for he friend, but it was hard not to. If he was really honest with himself, he would admit it was more a case of fear. Fear, he was never as good as AJ. That he was a joke�a failure.
He accepted the beer, the attendant handed him. Letting the liquid slide down his throat, he thought of Abe. If she were here, she would be fussing at him and telling him not to think that way. He wished he could believe in himself the way she did. But did she really? Lately, he had begun to wonder. It was little things, like her being so quiet about the choices he was making. Then how she would bitch at him about stupid stuff like dusting or driving. She could make him feel like a little kid with one look or a couple of words.
Shifting in his seat, he pushed those thoughts out of his head. No. Bella loved him. She would always be there for him. He just needed to ask. When had it become harder ask? He didn�t know, but it had.
She had been overly cheerful and positive all morning. Assuring him she could get everything packed and moved before going to see her best friend Michele a week after moving.
After some touch and go months of bed rest, Torgar announced his arrival into the world very loudly Thursday morning the previous week. All of the family were doing fine. Abe had held off going to visit, until after Nick headed for LA and the move.
From there she was heading to her parents. Allen was graduating with honors and a full scholarship for wrestling to the Michigan State University. He felt bad about not being there to celebrate with Abe and her family.
The attendant took his empty bottle and offered him another. He declined. Looking out, the window, he could see them passing over fields and interstates.
He couldn�t shake the image of Abe standing by the security gates. They had already said goodbye All morning, she seemed to be taking it all in stride. But for a moment before he went through security, he thought she might ask him to not go. She had hesitated at saying goodbye, but in the end had whispered it against his lips.
He had walked down the hallway to the gates and just before going too far, he snuck a glance back to see her still standing there. She gave him a small smile and wave, but even from where he stood he could tell tears were sliding down her cheeks.
He chest tightened at the memory. She looked so small and lost. It was as if she thought she were loosing him. It was a thought he had fought, but now it came crashing in. Was he loosing her?
Chapter 17
�Time to sleep. Torgar need�s sleep. Yes he does.�
The baby yawned in response. Abe gently rocked her best friend�s son. He continued to fight his drooping eyelids, while she hummed to him. His eyes finally closed and remained closed. She continued to rock him allowing his breathing to lull her thoughts.
Michele appeared in the doorway holding her cordless phone.
�It�s Nick,� she said, handing Abe the phone.
�Thanks. Nick?�
�Hi.�
�Everything okay?�
�I was gonna ask you the same thing. Why are you whispering?� His tone was curt.
�I�m holding Torgar.
�Oh.�
She sighed, �Nick, what did you need?�
�I was trying to call to say hi, but you didn�t answer your phone.�
�I turned it off, while it was charging.�
�Why?�
�I don�t know.� Torgar jerked in his sleep. Lowering her voice, Abe explained. �I didn�t want to bother Torgar during his nap.�
�Well, I was worried. I had to call your mom to get Chel�s number.�
�What?� Her voice started to rise again.
�I didn�t have the number. I was worried.� His voice getting louder. �What was I suppose to do?�
�Fine. Sorry.� Her tone was sullen.
�Great! It�s fine.�
�Look, I can�t talk about this right now. I will call you back. Okay?�
�Yeah. Bye.�
Hanging up, Abe gingerly stood and took the baby to his crib. After laying him down, she turned to see Chely standing in the doorway.
�He�s asleep.�
Michele arched an eyebrow, then turned way. Abe followed her to the kitchen.
Putting the cordless back in its cradle, she asked, �What?�
�Why did you turn off your phone?�
�You were listening.�
�Yes.�
Abe blinked at her best friend�s bluntness. �Then you know why.�
�Why did you turn off your phone?� She watched her best friend divert her eyes. �So, you are avoiding him.�
Her tone turned weak. �I didn�t think he would call.�
�You�ve got to let him off the hook or own up to why you are pissed.�
�I�m not!�
�Yay. You are.�
�Well, he�s leaving me.� Her eyes filling with tears.
�He�s what?�
�You heard me.�
�I heard you, but you don�t honestly believe it.�
�I don�t know,� she sniffled. �I hate that he�s doing this.�
�Doing what? Trying to have a career? To work? Or not including you?�
Abe opened her mouth then closed it again. A clear sign her best friend was on to something.
�You miss having him around.� Chel waited a moment, and then asked, �When was the last time you did something with your friends in Nashville?�
�AJ and I��
She interrupted, �he doesn�t count. I�m talking about your friends in Nashville.�
�I don�t see what this has to do with the mistakes Nick is making.�
�Nothing, but it has so much to do with you. One of your best qualities is focus and one of your worst qualities is focus. When you have a project, your singled mindedness is a great asset, but in a relationship it can be a deficit. You have put all your focus on Nick with a short break to focus on AJ.�
�Are you saying I�m losing me?� Her friend�s tone was incredulous.
�To some degree, yes. I�m your bestest friend and that will never change, but I�m not in Nashville. You had some people you did things with before Nick moved in and I bet you have been blowing them off.�
Abe�s foot was bouncing. �I didn�t mean to.�
�But you did.�
�I still don�t get what this has to do with Nick.�
�First, it means you losing the person he loves and that probably scares him. Even if he is not aware of it consciously. Second, you�ve had too much time to think about what you have decided are his bad choices. And we both know, once you have decided someone is wrong, you go into mothering mode. Which means talking to the person like they are a child?�
�I didn�t.� The rye look on her best friend�s face brought Abe up short. �Oh crap!�
�Yeah, oh crap.�
�But Chel, he has decided to put his trust in people who screw him over every chance they get. He didn�t even ask me what I thought.�
�That was a bad move on his part, but you didn�t tell him how you felt about it.�
�How do you know I didn�t?�
�I know you Anna.�
�But he should have��
�Read you mind? That�s not fair to him and you know it.�
They fell silent. Abe left the room and Michele was afraid she had pushed too hard, but didn�t follow her.
She came back in carrying her phone. �So, bestest friend what do you suggest?�
�I suggest you call him back and start with an apology.�
Dialing the phone, Abe said, �Thanks.�
�Anytime.�
Nick must have been sitting with phone in his hand, because Michele figured that maybe a half ring got out before she could hear Nick�s worried voice on the other end of Abe�s phone.
Abe walked outside as she said, �I�m sorry.�
Chapter 18
Soon
The characters and events portrayed are fictitious, and any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental.
Copyright ©2004-2005 All Rights Reserved No part of this text may be copied or reprinted without the author's permission.
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