Midlife Do Over

“She was going off to college, I couldn’t ask her to put her life on hold while we tried to make something of the band.” She was too bright, too brilliant to be sidelined for my career.

“Rii-ight,” Lacey said with a shake of her head and her patented annoyed sister eyeroll. “Because there are no colleges whatsoever in Nashville. Or Memphis.”

Roman pointed at Lacey proudly. “That right there. You messed up big time and you’ve been paying for it ever since. Time to shit or get off the pot, Ry.”

“Elegantly put, as always,” I grunted.

Lacey gave Roman a soothing pat on the back. “Crudely spoken, without a doubt, but his point is valid. If you’re not planning on forever this time, stay away. Far, far away.”

“Being warned off by my own family. That says everything I need to know about what you both think of me.”

“Come on, Ry,” Lacey insisted. “It’s not that. You didn’t ask her to go. If you had, you would probably be married now with a house full of kids. Imagine how she felt? So foolish and humiliated.”

“It wasn’t like that,” I roared.

“Maybe not from your perspective, but she stayed in town for weeks after you left and the whole town knew you’d just left her behind, discarded her like she didn’t matter.” Lacey shook her head. “It’s not about being the good guy or bad, it’s about action. And you need her to help your restaurant succeed, remember that.”

I sighed because, as usual, Lacey was right. Mostly. I wasn’t playing with Pippa, never had been and never would. But I had to tread carefully given this new information. “What’s this about an interview?”

Lacey, the head writer and editor at the local paper, Carson Creek Daily Journal, perked right up. “You have time?”

“For my nosy big sister? Always.”

“You’re the best, Ry.”

I quirked a brow at her words. “Just not good enough for Pippa?”

She growled and rolled her eyes. “I think you two are perfect for each other actually. But I think you’ll have an uphill battle on your hands getting her to agree to give you a second chance.”

“I’m rich. I’m handsome and I’m charming.”

“All good things, except for you’re also the guy who broke her heart. That’s not easy to come back from, trust me.”

“So tread carefully?”

“Very carefully,” she agreed. “If she leaves again I won’t be able to save you from Valona and Chase.”

“He’s the mayor,” Roman added unnecessarily. “He could probably have you tossed in jail or buried in the Smokies.”

“Get out now, or I’ll write a bunch of cheesy pop songs for you.”

“You wouldn’t!”

“Do you want to find out, or do you want your first solo endeavor to top the charts?”

Roman held his hands up with a cheeky smile as he walked backwards out of the recording booth. “Consider me as good as gone. We’ll talk soon, Ry. We still on for onion rings and pool at Wet Whistle tonight, Lacey?”

Lacey gave an eager nod. “And potato skins. Possibly dancing.”

Roman and I both frowned. “Who are you, and what have you done with our sister?”

“Stevie is out of town with her friends tonight, which means I’m going to kick off my shoes and have a good time, especially with a hot rocker as my wingman.” She winked at Roman, who wisely, stayed silent and then bolted for the door. “I’m a forty year old single mother, Ryan. But I’m not dead.”

“You’re forty-five, and I know you’re not dead. You’re beautiful and lively, I just wasn’t sure if you realized it.”

Her expression softened and she wrapped me in a tight hug. “I’m so glad to have you back,” she groaned and squeezed just a little tighter. “Now tell me, are you really home to write an album or get Pippa back?”

“Didn’t realize it was an either or type of situation.”

Her blue eyes widened in surprise. “I knew you were more than just a pretty face and soulful lyrics.”

“Gee thanks, sis.”

Lacey’s laugh turned to a sigh. “I want you to know that I’m rooting for you, Ryan. Both of you.”

That meant more to me than I could say, so I gave her a tight squeeze and a noogie. “Thanks, Squirt.”

Like I knew she would, Lacey shoved me away and punched my shoulder. “Small but not too small to kick your butt. Remember that.”

“You could try,” I teased. “But do you really want to embarrass yourself like that again?”

“You caught me off guard last time,” she insisted with a laugh. “Never again.”

I sighed with contentedness because it was damn good to be home. “You want to fight or you want to do your interview?”

“Are they mutually exclusive?”

“Brat,” she muttered before pulling out her notebook, turning on her recorder app and peppering me with questions for the next ninety minutes.

Chapter 14

Pippa

“This place is pretty lively for a Thursday night.” I looked around Wet Whistle with fresh, new eyes. “The last time I was here I think that jukebox played actual cassette tapes.” That wasn’t the only change. All the dark cherry wood had been replaced with a blond pine, lighting it up along with the royal blue booth and chair seats, and the bar stools. Instead of old pioneer décor, the place looked like a hipster saloon.