Love at The Bluebird

“What do you mean?”

“He should trust me. I know he was mad, but he should have known I wouldn’t do something like that to him.”

“You’re right,” she agrees then looks down and takes a shaky breath before bringing her gaze back up to mine. “That said, you know his history and you knew that not telling him and him finding out about Kathleen might cause problems.”

“Yeah.” I swallow hard, seeing only one solution to this problem. “I need to quit my job.”

“What?” Her eyes widen as I start to come up with a plan to prove to Gavin he’s what really matters to me. Handing in my notice should prove to him that I’m with him for only him and not advancement in the music industry. “I’ll quit my job and get a job somewhere else.”

“Do you really want to quit your job?”

“No, I mean I love my job, but I’m not happy Kathleen put me in this situation. And I can apply what I do to almost any industry, so I’m not worried about finding work.”

“You’re talented and smart, so I know you’re right. If you’re sure about this, then I can help you reconstruct your resume.” She takes my hands as I smile in my excitement of finding a solution. I hug her, tackling her to her couch.

“I love you so much, Willow Mayson!” I say to her as I squeeze her to me. “Thank you for always being here for me.”

“I love you too, Aly.” She returns my hug, her arms tightening around me. I pull back so she can stand up. “Now get in that car, call Shane to give him your notice, and go find Gavin!”

“I will, but you have to know that when this drama is over, we’re going to have a conversation about you and Brodie.”

“I figured as much.” She rolls her eyes.

I give her a hug goodbye then race out of her house. Hope starts to fill me as I get into my car, shut the door, and start the engine. Please, God, this has to work! I have enough savings in the bank to live comfortably for six months until I find my next job. And while I’ll miss Shane and some of my co-workers, Kathleen showing her true colors makes me second-guess if Big Little Music is where I’m meant to be. I dial Shane’s number, praying he picks up and understands when I tell him why I’m quitting.

“Baby girl, you should’ve told me,” he says sadly after I finish. We’ve been talking for the whole thirty minutes I’ve been stuck in traffic, and I’m now parked across the street from Gavin’s building. I have no idea if he’s home, since he normally parks in his building’s garage, but I figured I can start here first and then go hunt him down at the studio.

“I should’ve told a lot of people, and now I’m paying the price for it.”

“I’m so fucking livid right now, Alyson!” I’ve never heard Shane this angry in my life, but with Kathleen owning the company, there isn’t much he can do if he wants to keep his job. “You shouldn’t be in this kind of position.”

“But I am, Shane. Do you understand why I’m quitting though? Even if Gavin and I aren’t together any longer, there’s no way I can continue working there for her.”

“I completely understand, but you know I’m connected in this industry. I can get you another job at another label like that.” I hear his fingers snap and smile in sadness, as I truly will miss working for him, but I know he’s my friend for life.

“I think it’s best that I choose another industry, no matter what the outcome of my relationship with Gavin will be.” The more I think about it, the more it makes sense for me to completely get out of the music industry. I couldn’t bear to stay in it anyway if he and I don’t end up together, knowing I might see him with other women at industry events. The image of him even holding hands with someone else makes bile rise up in my throat.

“I need to give Kathleen a piece of my mind right now when I tell her the news of your resignation. I love you, my sunshine. Call me after you find Gavin to let me know what’s happened. If you need me, I’m here.”

I say goodbye and hang up with him. I look over at Gavin’s building and take a deep breath. Please let him be home, I pray as I get out of my car and walk across the street. I type my code into the keypad and open the door when the buzzer sounds.

“Good afternoon, Miss Dawson,” the doorman says to me on my way in. I nod and smile in greeting, too nervous to even talk right now. I punch the up button and the elevator doors slide open. I smooth down my hair, pinch my cheeks for some color, and wipe the corners of my eyes while the elevator rises to Gavin’s floor. I take a shaky breath when the doors open and lift my head up in confidence as I walk out, determined to win my man back. This is our first major bump in our journey together, and I know we can overcome it.