Page 66 of Country Music Cowboy
“Here is… Oh.” Loretta stopped in front of the food and stared at the television. “Has something happened?”
“No.” Krystal shook her head. “But they’re acting like it has.”
But Loretta didn’t move or get her breakfast. A photo of her and his father the night of the IMAs popped up. He’d almost forgotten how incredible she’d looked in that dress.
“I think we’re up,” their father said, earning a round ofshhsfrom everyone in the room.
TNMreporter Delia Youngblood’s delivery was almost as over-the-top as her makeup. “The night made an impression on all of us. Not only were we the first to bring you the latest development on the Gram-King love triangle—”
Travis and his father both snorted, causing Krystal to laugh while waving at them for silence.
“But, later this week, we will have an exclusive interview with the man who knows Loretta Gram best.” Delia Youngblood turned to her coanchor. “I’m excited to see what insight he’ll have.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” coanchor Caleb Steward said.
A photo of a man wearing a LoveJoy shirt, holding up a LoveJoy album, popped up on-screen. He was tall and thin, handsome in a slightly used-car-salesman sort of way. But the man on-screen wasn’t what caught his eye. It was Loretta. She was holding the plate against her chest. From where he sat, she could tell her breathing was rapid and uneven.
“Who is that, Loretta? Do you know him?” Jace asked before he could.
But her answer confirmed his suspicions.
“That’s my father.” Loretta’s voice was flat.
“Up until now, Mr. Donnie Gram has remained silent on his daughter’s association with the Kings or how she’s been dealing with the tragic loss of her long-time singing partner, Johnny Hawkins.” Caleb Steward paused. “Why do you think he’s decided to come forward now, Delia?”
“He said he has some concerns about his daughter. Apparently, he’s made several unsuccessful attempts to reach out to her.” Delia’s pretense at concern completely missed the mark. “He seems to think he might have more luck reaching out this way, publicly.”
“I see.” But the look on Caleb’s face said everything Travis was thinking.
Pretty much:What the fuck?Who went on a notoriously inaccurate reality news program to reach out to their daughter?
“Excuse me.” Loretta set her plate on the counter, turned, and walked from the kitchen.
Travis hesitated. There was nothing he wanted more than to be there for her. Whatever this was, it wasn’t good. Her father had only come up once, and once had been enough. They weren’t close. So this? It felt…contrived. A way to reach Loretta, all right. But to what end?
“Are you going to go?” Krystal asked. “Because if you won’t, I will.”
That was when Travis realized they were all staring at him… And that he’d been staring at the door.
“Son.” His father’s concern was plain on his face.
Travis was up and out of the kitchen before he’d thought through what to say. By the time he was standing outside her door, he wasn’t sure this was the best choice. She was determined to keep distance between them. Not physically. But emotionally? There was no room for emotions between them—she’d said as much.
“Loretta?” He paused just long enough to say her name again, then opened her bedroom door. “Loretta?” There was no sign of her in the bedroom. He glanced into the bathroom. Empty. But he heard her then, her voice muffled, and paused.
“How much does he want?” There was a pause. “I don’t know why he’s doing this.”
Travis turned and frowned. She was in the closet? On the telephone?
“I know. I know. I appreciate it but this is what he does.”
Should he leave? Wait? Knock on the closet door?
“I blocked his number. He swore that was it… I know better.” There was a slight thump. “I have to pay him. True or not, he’ll say what he needs to say to get paid.”
Travis couldn’t move. He was rooted in place. His blood throbbing in his ears.
“This is why I should never have stayed here, Margot. All of this… I know better.”
