I shove my contract back in my purse and lean back, glaring at her. What I want to say to her is. “You’re not my mother. You’re not my boss. And I’m not marrying fucking Wes.” I have never cursed at her in my life or have thrown the mom thing in her face before but enough is enough. I have tried so hard with this woman for my father’s sake, but I can’t do it any longer. I don’t know how he puts up with her and her over the top bullshit.
Barb glares at me as though she knows exactly what I am thinking. “So help me God, I will ruin you if you don’t fix this.”
“That’s enough, Barb,” my father warns her. His jaw ticks and I can tell he is getting pissed off now.
Inside my head, I tell her, “Bitch, try it.” I imagine that I take the water on the table in front of me and throw it on her. I don’t know what just got into me, having these thoughts, but damn did that feel good playing out in my head. I have always been the bigger person and let things roll off my shoulders but today I feel different. Like all the nice in me has been sucked right out. “Listen, Barb. I don’t know why we have never been able to get along. I’ve always treated you with respect and mostly done what you’ve asked of me, but I’m an adult now and you have to stop treating me like a little girl who needs a mother. Stay out of my life. Let me worry about who I will or won’t marry. We’re done here.” I stand up and look to my dad, his eyes shining with pride. “I love you, Dad, but I’m out. I can’t sit here and be berated by her like I’m not capable of making my own life choices. All these years…I only did it for you.”
He gives me a nod and starts trying to calm Barb as everyone stares at us.
I leave the restaurant with my head held high. Once I make it back to my car, I rest my head on the steering wheel. Shit, I didn’t even get the chance to ask him for a room to stay in not that I want to be anywhere near Barb. She’s always had it out for me. I don’t know what I ever did to her. Any chance she has ever gotten to make me feel horrible she’s went for it. I start the car up and head to the only place I know there is an extra room, a place where I’m always welcomed.
**
“Hey, Nan. Guess you aren’t quite getting rid of me after all, “I announce as I put my purse on the kitchen counter.
She gives me a sad smile. “What’s happened? You father said you’d probably be headed here.”
I shake my head as my tears fall and step into her warm embrace. “Everything is a mess. I called things off with Wes. Jameson is back, and I did it. I got onto Nashville Star.” She squeezes me tight.
“Then why the tears? Sounds to me like things that were meant to be are finally falling into place. Sit down. This calls for a drink.” She winks at me and goes to the cabinet over the fridge and pulls out two shot glasses and a bottle of Pappy’s liquor. I don’t have the heart to tell her it probably has more water than liquor in it from me and Jameson. “Wipe that guilt from your face. This is a new. You think I didn’t know what went on when I’d leave you and that boy alone.” She smirks at me and my cheeks bloom pink.
Flashback
She’s my addiction
The only drug I will ever need
Her kisses set my soul on fire
There could never be another
All I will ever need
All I could ever want
She’s my addiction
My cocaine bliss
My sugar high
Honey and vanilla
She’s my addiction
Her kisses set my soul on fire
“Oh my God. You did it, J. I am so proud of you. I knew you’d win.”
His arms wrap around me and he pulls me in for a
big sloppy sweaty kiss. “I couldn’t have done any of it without you, Fancy.”
I pull back and smile. “This was all you. I can’t take any credit.”
“You’re my muse,” he whispers into my lips, kissing me again. “Let’s go celebrate with the guys.”
I already said my goodbyes to my dad and grandparents. Nan told me not to be out too late. We pile into his clunker truck he bought with his savings from cutting grass every summer. We make it to his friend Austin’s house and the party is in full swing. He goes to a different school, and I don’t really know anyone here other than Jameson, but he’s all I need.