Page 69 of Forever To Me

I grunt. “What do you want?”

“I don’t know yet.”

I exhale, already regretting this. “Maybe.”

Will hums, pleased. “Good enough.”

There’s a rustling on the other end of the line. Then, “What’s the girl’s name?”

I hesitate for half a second too long.

Then I say it.

“Violet Wilson.”

Silence.

Then—interest.

“Well, well,” Will murmurs. “Now that is interesting.”

My grip tightens on the phone. “Why?”

“Let me do some digging first,” he says smoothly. “I’ll be in touch.”

The line goes dead.

I sit there for a long moment, staring at my phone, that uneasy feeling creeping in.

Will knows something I don’t. I could hear it in his smug voice. Will is a good guy to his core. When I left Nashville years ago, I made it a point never to work with anyone who was dirty or bad. I wanted a clean break. When I started over here, I wanted to ensure that I was good with who I worked closely with and only with people I could trust. I know that I can trust Will. But I don't know what he's going to want.

Will is very connected in Nashville. He has no problems selling all the songs I write for him. He can get the job done quickly and privately. And that has kept an abundance of income coming in for me. When I left the industry, I had enough to set us up for life if we lived modestly. But I still havedreams. I wanted to build a home and a life here that Mack deserved. I wanted her to have everything. Without the glitz and glamor of stardom, because that isn't really what people think it is. Paparazzi and reporters can be vicious and vile and can ruin you if they want. The industry is corrupt and not a world I want my daughter to be a part of. I've kept her out of it on purpose.

And I have a feeling I won’t like what Will wants in return. But deep down, I know I can trust him, so there's that.

I lean back in my chair, staring at the ceiling.

I should leave it alone.

I should have told Cami that it’s too much trouble—that I don’t get involved in other people’s business. Because I typically don't.

But then I think about Violet’s face when she talks to my dog. And I remember how close Mack and I were to Gus and now Pickles. If my ex had kept my dog, I would have been so wrecked. I love my dogs. Mack, Maggie, and I were so sad when Gus passed. Sure, he was old, but he was our family. He grew up with Mack. They were the best of friends. I knew I had to get another dog when he passed. Mack was thrilled when we found Pickles at a local shelter.

I think about how Red tilted her head when she ran her fingers over that guitar last night like she didn’t understand why I’d given it to her.

I think about how she looked at The Dogwood Motel's remains, holding herself together even though she was clearly breaking inside.

And suddenly, I know.

We gotta get that damn dog back.

Even if it means making deals with the world that I swore I’d left behind.

Violet Wilson, you have no idea what you’ve started. I never thought I'd be the guy who would burn the whole world down for a woman, but I'm getting there. And shit it scares me.

Chapter 18

Violet

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