Page 52 of The Rebel with Broken Strings
“Don’t go making me cry, Gunner Woods,” she said, reaching for his hand, squeezing it tightly as Emily’s song reached its peak.
As the last chord faded, the audience erupted in cheers. Aubrey found herself on her feet, clapping until her hands stung, her vision blurred by the tears that threatened to spill over.
“Attagirl!” Gunner whooped, his face split by a grin that made Aubrey’s heart skip.
She nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. Emily stood frozen on stage, her eyes wide with disbelief at the crowd’s reaction.
As the applause began to die down, Aubrey sank back into her seat, wiping at her eyes. “I can’t believe how brave she was up there,” she murmured, more to herself than to Gunner.
He leaned in close, his voice warm. “Reminds me of someone else I know.”
Aubrey scoffed. “Yeah, right, I would never get up there and sing.”
Gunner winked. “No, but you would move across the country, leaving everything you know.”
Aubrey’s cheeks flushed. She was still navigating this new phase of her life, striving to rediscover the strong person she used to be. Thankfully, she was saved from explaining all that by the emcee taking the stage. Time seemed to slow as he thanked all the participants, building suspense before announcing the winner.
“And the first prize goes to Emily Johnson!”
The crowd erupted once more. Emily’s mouth fell open in a perfect ‘O’ of surprise before her face lit up with pure, unbridled joy. She bounced on her toes, hugging her mom before accepting the trophy with trembling hands.
Gunner was out of his seat in an instant, striding toward the stage. Aubrey watched as he scooped Emily up in a bear hug, spinning her around. His deep laughter mingled with Emily’s delighted squeals, the sound wrapping around Aubrey like a warm blanket.
“You did it, kiddo!” Gunner’s voice carried over the crowd. “I knew you had it in you!”
Aubrey’s chest tightened as she observed the tenderness in Gunner’s eyes, the gentle way he set Emily down and ruffled her hair. It was a side of him she was still getting used to—this nurturing, protective presence that seemed at odds with the rebel bad-boy image he’d once embodied.
As Emily ran to show her trophy to her friends, Gunner caught Aubrey’s gaze across the room. The pride and joy radiating from him was almost palpable, and for a moment, Aubrey allowed herself to imagine a future where moments like these were commonplace. But she couldn’t ignore that behind his easy smile and pride for the kids, there was tension in every line of his body.
His stare stayed on her as he approached, and when he reached her, she said, “Are you okay? You just seem…off.”
“I… I need to tell you something,” he said slowly. “Come here.”
Aubrey felt Gunner’s warm hand on the small of her back, guiding her toward a quiet corner near the stage. The touch sent a familiar tremor over her, but there was something different in his demeanor, a tension that hadn’t been there moments before.
“Aubrey, I…” His voice trailed off, his eyes clouded with an emotion she couldn’t quite place.
Aubrey’s heart quickened. “What is it?”
He took a deep breath. “My agent called earlier. That song I played at The Naked Moose last week with Emily? It’s gone viral. Like, millions of views viral.”
The words hit Aubrey like a punch to the gut. She blinked, trying to process the information. “That’s amazing. Isn’t it?”
“It is.” He nodded, but his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “But it means the label wants me back in Nashville. They’re talking about recording the song.”
Aubrey felt the blood drain from her face. Her mind raced, images of Gunner leaving, of her being left behind once again, flashing before her eyes. She struggled to keep her voice steady. “When would you leave?”
“They want me there as soon as possible,” Gunner said quietly.
Aubrey’s world tilted on its axis.As soon as possible.She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling ice coating her veins. “I see,” she managed. Inside, her thoughts were a chaotic whirlwind.This is it, isn’t it? Everyone leaves eventually. Just like Gunner did the first time. Just like my dad. Just like always.
She forced herself to meet Gunner’s gaze, searching for any sign that this was all a mistake, that he wasn’t about to walk out of her life just when she’d started to let him in. But all she saw was uncertainty that mirrored her own.
Gunner took a step closer, his gaze intense and earnest. “Darlin’,” he began, his voice a gentle rumble that sent shivers down her spine. “I know this is sudden, but I promise you, we can make this work. I’m not leavin’ you behind.” His hand reached out, fingers brushing her arm with a tenderness that made her heart ache. “I’ve been thinkin’ about us, about what we have here. It’s special. Real special. And I’m not about to let it slip away just ’cause of some record deal.”
Aubrey wanted to believe him, wanted to sink into the warmth of his words and the sincerity shining in his eyes. But doubt gnawed at her, insidious and familiar. She turned away, arms still crossed tightly over her chest.
“How can you be so sure?” she asked, hating the tremor in her voice. “Nashville’s a long way from Timber Falls. And once you’re back in that world…”
