Page 56 of The Rebel with Broken Strings
Jaxon nodded in agreement. “Eli’s right. This doesn’t have to be an either-or situation. You can pursue your career and still show Aubrey you’re committed to her.”
Gunner’s heart thrummed with gratitude as he absorbed his friends’ words. Their faith in him was palpable, a lifeline in the storm of his doubts.
“You make it sound so simple,” he said. “But I can’t shake this feeling that I’m standing on the edge of something big, and one wrong step could cost me everything.”
Eli’s steady gaze met Gunner’s. “That’s because it is big, brother. But you’ve got the strength to handle it. You’ve overcome addiction, you’ve rebuilt your life here. This is just another mountain to climb.”
Gunner nodded slowly, feeling the weight of their support settle on his shoulders like a warm blanket. His mind wandered to the life he’d built here in Timber Falls. The quiet mornings, the nights filled with music at The Naked Moose, the sense of belonging he’d found. And at the center of it all, Aubrey. Her fierce independence, her vulnerability, the way her eyes lit up when she laughed.
He could see it so clearly. A future here, with her. Mornings waking up to her smile, evenings spent on the porch watching the sunset, building a life together, note by note, day by day. The thought filled him with a longing so intense it was almost painful.
But there was that other pull too, the call of Nashville, of stages and spotlights and crowds singing his lyrics back to him. It was a part of him he couldn’t deny, couldn’t silence.
Jaxon added, “You said you wanted to fight for her, right?”
“I did,” Gunner said.
“Then fight for her,” Jaxon declared.
Seventeen
Aubrey woke the next morning, a soft moan escaping her as she felt the gentle brush of warm lips against her neck. Her eyelids fluttered, confusion clouding her mind as she tried to make sense of the sensation. The familiar scent of sandalwood and leather enveloped her, and she inhaled deeply, her body instinctively relaxing.
“Mornin’, darlin’,” a husky voice whispered, sending shivers down her spine.
Her eyes snapped open, her heart racing as she realized it wasn’t a dream. She turned her head slightly, her gaze meeting Gunner’s intense eyes. His tousled hair fell across his forehead, and a tender smile played on his lips.
“Gunner?” she breathed, her voice still thick with sleep. “What are you—”
He silenced her with another kiss, this time on her cheek, his stubble grazing her skin. Her breath caught in her throat, her body melting into his touch.
Eventually, he moved away, his fingers tracing lazy circles on her hip. “Hope you don’t mind the wake-up call.”
She closed her eyes briefly, fighting the urge to lean into his touch. “It’s…unexpected,” she admitted, her voice softening despite herself. “But not entirely unwelcome.”
She felt Gunner’s smile against her skin as he placed another kiss on her shoulder. “That’s what I was hopin’ to hear.”
As the last vestiges of sleep faded away, she found herself acutely aware of every point of contact between their bodies. The weight of his arm around her waist, the heat of his breath on her neck, the solid presence of his chest against her back. It was intoxicating.
“So, what’s up?” she asked as she turned to face him.
He propped himself up on one elbow, his eyes searching hers. “How ’bout we take this moment and stretch it out a bit longer? Say…all the way to Nashville?”
Her brow furrowed, her mind struggling to catch up with his words. “Nashville? What are you talking about?”
His smile widened. “My label called yesterday. This is my one shot for a comeback. I’ve got two tickets to Nashville, and a recording studio waiting for me.”
She pushed herself up on her elbows as she searched Gunner’s face. “You’re not serious,” she said.
“Quite serious,” Gunner replied, tracing a finger along her jawline. “We have a private plane waiting for us. I need to record that song and I want you to come with me.”
Aubrey’s mind raced, a whirlwind of questions and concerns battling against the thrill of spontaneity. “But the bar… My responsibilities…”
“Already taken care of,” Gunner assured her, his tone gentle but insistent. “Come on, Aubrey. When’s the last time you did somethin’ without thinking it through?”
She bit her lip, torn between her practical nature and the undeniable pull of adventure…and of Gunner himself. “I don’t know if I can just drop everything and go.”
“Sure, you can,” Gunner said, his eyes never leaving hers. “You pack a bag, and we leave.”
