A song for him

Chapter 6

I wake up and find he’s still asleep. He’s beautiful. He has the longest blond eyelashes I have ever seen. I’m so tempted to kiss it.  He’s perfect and he’s in love with me.

I can’t help, but kiss him on his mouth and he stirs, pulling me closer to him. I could get used to this. “Hey.”  He says quietly, “Ready for breakfast?”

“I could do breakfast.”

“Great, but before I eat, I like to have a proper wake up.” 

“Really?  And how do you do that?”

“Like this.” He says, rolling onto his back and pulling me onto him, thus beginning what I come to learn is one hell of a wake-up call!

We arrive in Nashville by plane on the Friday morning. Mike has graciously, even if under threat by Roan, given me the day off.  We grab a taxi straight to the studio Jesse owns.

She’s really welcoming, even with Roan in tow. He busies himself with e-mails while she takes me through the process. She’s written a song and plays it for me. Its definitely not her usual sound. Its something more suited to Sarah McLachlan or Jewel.  Its right up my alley.

“You like it?” she beams. 

“Its amazing!”

“Thanks! As you can hear, its not my sound and it doesn’t suit my vocal style at all. In fact, it comes across as a bit pitchy.”

What do I say to that, ‘Yes, you’re pitchy.’ Instead, I wait for her to proceed. “Wanna give it a go?”

I nod, “Yes, please.”

“OK, let’s give it a practice run and then see what its like with the backing track.”

I am beyond nervous, but also very excited.

I quickly kiss Roan before heading into the recording room. He responds fully. Jesse clears her throat, “Sorry.”

She winks her eye at me, “Its OK.  I still can’t keep my hands off Reese.”

I get the song after about fifteen minutes of practice and then Jesse says, “Right.  Let’s record!”

She heads out and into the sound room, signaling for Roan to sit next to her and listen through some headphones.

Not nerve-wracking at all! I close my eyes and picture myself alone. I take a couple of breaths and signal that I’m ready. I open my eyes to a smiling Roan. Jesse drops her hand once the backing track begins.

Its such beautiful words.

'Run away, run away, run away from him. He doesn’t love you baby and he never will. Make yourself smile, girl, go it alone.

You could be happy, even on your own.

No one’s gonna blame you…no they won’t.

Make your life easy and don’t go back to him, don’t. Say it out loud, say it everyday

Say you won’t go back, no way.

Be loved, by you, always Always….Always

Tell me its OK to love again Tell me its OK to live again Be love, by you, always Always

Never meant to fall again, never meant to But this time what could I do?

He treats me right, he does

This one’s different, its love.

I think this could be my one

I think this could be more than love Its everything I need and more

Its all I’ve ever wanted before.

Be loved, by you, always Always….Always

Tell me its OK to love again Tell me its OK to live again Be love, by you, always Always…'

As the music fades, I look to Roan, who looks like he’s just realised something. He is beaming when I come out. Jesse gets up, signaling for me to come out. She throws her arms around me, “Oh.  My.  God.   You nailed that!  Wow, Dillon!”

“Dillon Tate, I think you’re about to be famous.” Roan says as he kisses me. I feel my skin flush at his compliment.

“What happens now?”  I ask Jesse.

“I am going to play this for Reese. He is also my producer and we’ll contact you with what is going to happen from here.” She hugs me again, “I’ll call you before the weekend is out. You’re staying in Nashville for the weekend, right?”

“Yes,” I look to Roan, “We are.”

We’re staying at the Country Inn in town. Jesse has urged us to let her settle the account. Roan, being Roan, won’t accept.

We decide to stay in for dinner, being the new couple that we are. I am way too comfortable around Roan and decide to strip down to my t-shirt and undies, while watching a movie.

He loves it and teases that it’s easier access for him anyway. After dinner, I decide to probe him a bit.

“So?  You talk to Jordan yet?”

He shrugs, “If you wanna call it talking.”

“What happened to you two? I imagine you would be closer, considering what you’ve been through.”

“I guess. I just think he has a lot of issues he needs to move past.” 

“Like your parents’ death?”

He nods, “Yeah.  Jordan thinks I blame him.”

“What? That’s crazy. Why would you blame him?” 

“They were coming home from seeing him.”

“At college?”

“No. In Hogart, a rural area. It’s not far from Benton. Jordan’s an addict. He was at a rehab facility there.”

“I see.”

“Yeah. It was a multiple car wreck.  I try not to dwell on the what ifs and who's responsible part.  It just leads to lots of negative thoughts and I like to think I've moved past it. I don't blame him though.  Not one bit.” He begins looking uncomfortable. 

“I’m sorry, Roan.”  I shift closer to him on the bed and stroke his hand.

“You’d have loved them. In fact, I am quite sure they would have loved you too!” He perks up, “Speaking of love.  How appropriate is that song of Jesse’s?”

I smile at him, “Its perfect.  Like you.”

“Me?  Perfect?  Nah.  Give it a few months.”

I laugh, “You don’t snore. You chew with your mouth closed, but you do smoke.” 

“Just on weekends now.”  He laughs.

“Gimme a couple of months. I’ll get you to quit.” 

“So you’re sticking around?”  he looks hopeful.

“I am.”

Jesse messages the next day to invite us over to the studio again, to discuss the single. “We’re going to sign you.”  She claps excitedly.

“You’re kidding!”  I am yelling.

“Yes!”  she shrieks, “You’re my first sign up.” I hug Roan immediately.

“So, what happens now?”  I ask enthusiastically.

“Well, go home. Tell everyone you’re going to be famous and I’ll contact you in the next week so we can sign a formal contract.”

It sounds so easy.

“Will I have to come back to sign?”

“No. I’ll have the contract delivered and then collected again.” 

“Duh. Sorry.” I blush. “Great!  Thank you for everything.”

“You’re an amazing talent, Dillon.  Don’t forget it.” She hugs me quickly and holds me at arms length, "This is going to be great for both of us.  I'll see you soon."

Roan and I head out to dinner to celebrate and we call Jill to tell her the news first. As expected, she’s excited for me and also finds time to tease me about Roan.

We’re having dessert, when Roan suddenly looks me dead in the eye and says, “I don’t blame him, you know.”

“What?”

“Jordan.  I don’t blame him for my parents’ accident.  He was just a kid.” I reach over to touch his hand and notice the slight quiver in his voice.

“I’m pissy with him because I don’t want him to relapse. He’s struggled so badly these last couple of years, but being away from Benton is good for him.”

“Why do you say that?”

“The crowd he knows here are still into what they think is recreational using. So, when he comes back here, I know it isn’t to visit me.”

My heart sinks for both him and Jordan. I don’t know what to say to him. “Do you like having him home though?”

“I guess. I just can’t be watching him like he’s still this scared teenager, ya know?” 

“Does he stay for long periods?”

“Well, its usually over the summer and when they all go back to college, he goes off too.” 

“So where does he go off to?  Back to Hogart?”

“Nope. He’s in college now. He’s trying I guess.” 

“Maybe he hasn’t used this summer.”  I say hopefully.

“I can’t say for sure.  He rags me for smoking, but he does the harder stuff.”

He laughs, albeit sardonically. “I want to ask him to stay and work with me this summer, but I think he’s getting anxious”

Roan seems relieved to have spoken about Jordan and I am happy he’s trusted me. I hope they can speak with one another.

“Do you wanna go back upstairs?”  I ask, still stroking his hand.

“If you look at me like you’re doing right now, then hell, yeah.”  He says, dropping his dessert spoon. I have a feeling I’m about to get a second serving of dessert, my new favourite kind, Roan.