Page 44 of The Fate of Us

Carson grabs my hand and squeezes. “He won’t. I’m glad he has you. I mean that, Anna. You’ve let him be the man he used to be before life wore him down.”

“I just want him to be the man he wants to be.”

“And that’s why you are perfect for him. I’m glad he has you.” With that, Carson walks away leaving me slightly confused.

Mason takes his seat quickly and sets a shot glass of tequila in front of me. “Carson giving you a hard time?”

I blink at him and shake the thoughts from my head. “Ugh no… maybe… I’m not really sure.”

“He just wants Noah to be happy.” He pauses. “And you make him happy. Don’t listen to Carson. He is going through some shit right now. He’s turning into a dick.”

“Is everything okay?” I ask, honestly concerned for Noah’s brother.

Mason shrugs. “Him and Tiffany are having some trouble is all.”

“That sucks. They looked so happy last time I saw them together.”

“Yeah well I am sure this will be short lived like usual.”

“This happens often?” I ask as I adjust myself on the chair.

“More or less. He is boring, let’s not talk about him.” Mason quickly changes the subject. “Did you submit your paperwork and pick out your songs?”

I smile at that. “Yeah I did. I’m all set. I can’t believe I’m doing this!”

Mason raises his shot glass to me. “Anna May Cooper, you are the best damn songwriter on this planet. You are going to blow them away!”

I knock my shot glass against his and down the tequila.

“You still have a crush on my girlfriend?” Noah asks as he walks up to us, his hand landing on my shoulder.

Mason guffaws. “Dude, can’t you let it go? That was so long ago. And she is clearly head over heels for you.”

My cheeks flame. I still find it weird Mason had a weird crush on me back when I was in The Sparrows. Noah leans over me, tilting my head back and kissing me.

“I’m head over heels for her too.”

“Ugh, you guys are gross. I’m outta here.”

Noah fist bumps his brother as he leaves and Noah pulls me to my feet. “Did you want to go?”

“We just got here, babe. I’m fine. You celebrate.”

He presses his forehead against mine. “I love you.”

I grip his shirt in my hands. “I love you too.”

15

Anna

I walkinto my house and head straight for my music room that is slowly being moved over to Noah’s house, our house. I open my safe and pull out the envelopes labeled rent, bills, and Nashville. As I stare at the envelope marked Nashville I wonder if I even want this anymore. I can write songs here, record them at Mason’s studio. But it won’t be the same exposure. Nashville is still my ticket to get what I want in life. To be a songwriter. To put hits on the radio.

I am torn between staying here and my dreams of Nashville. I like my life here. I’ve fallen in love when I never thought I would be able to. I feel like I have a family here.

But could I do it? Walk away from the life I have built here? A life I never thought I could have. Could I walk away from Noah?

The truth is I don’t think I can. And now I am torn between following my heart and following my dream.

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