Something I Need (xoxo Nashville Book 1) (24 page)

C
ash had spent
the morning shopping with Tanner’s interior designer friend, Anya. The woman was a high-maintenance pain in the ass, but she was damn good at her job. Thankfully, Jerry had been able to come in early to open up when Cash had called to say he was running late.

His plans were well and truly in motion, and for the first time in a long time he felt good. Of course, he’d feel better in two days’ time when Jonte finally returned. Christ, he missed her something bad. But everything was going to be okay. He was going to fix things between them and then she’d stay for good.

A guy in his thirties, wearing designer jeans and a light-blue Ralph Lauren polo shirt, and pulling a suitcase on wheels approached the bar’s open double glass doors at the same time Cash did. Cash offered a curt smile and gestured for him to enter first. Preoccupied, he headed straight to his office to dump his keys, helmet, and jacket like he always did.

Eager to make a couple of calls, he shut his office door behind him, but hadn’t even sat down when there was a sharp knock on the door.

Without waiting for a reply, Jerry poked his head in.

“Hey, boss. I need ya.”

“Just give me a couple of minutes and I’ll be right out.” Cash waved Jerry away, pulling up his solicitor’s phone number on his cell.

“Cash, you
really
need to come outside, now.”

“I swear I’m gonna slam your Irish head in that damn door if you don’t remove it from my office,” Cash snapped, stalking towards the door.

“That dude you just followed in, he’s Jonte’s brother.”

Cash’s cell slipped from his hand, dropping to the floor with a crashing thud. “Shit! Are you sure?”

“Come see for yourself,” Jerry said, opening the door wider.

Cash stepped backwards, shielding himself behind the door. He wasn’t hiding. Okay, he was a big fucking hiding baby. Whatever.

“Which brother is it?” Cash whispered. Not that it really made any difference which one was here.

“Jack,” Jerry replied and returned to the bar.

Christ. Why on earth was Jonte’s oldest brother Jack in his bar? And how much did he know about everything? He let out a deep breath and walked over to the bar.

Be cool. Be calm.

“Hey, Jack, is it?” Cash held out his hand.

With perfectly coiffed thick, dark brown hair and hazel eyes that matched Jonte’s, Jack could be a damn Abercrombie and Fitch model.

“Yeah,” Jack replied, shaking it firmly, staring at Cash. “I’m looking for my sister, Jonte. Is she around?”

“She’s at work…in Ohio.”

“Ohio?” Jack repeated, his voice harder than before. “What in the hell is she doing in Ohio?”

“The abridged version is that she’s helping out a friend. She’ll be back in two days.”

“You’re him, aren’t you?”

“Sorry?”

“You’re the guy that she thought she
might
be seeing, right?”

“Maybe.” Cash rubbed his jaw. As far as he knew, the only other person Jonte had been seeing was Seb.

“Maybe? What in the hell kind of answer is that?” Jack leaned on the bar and got up in Cash’s face. “Were you or were you not seeing my baby sister?”

Cash flinched at the word
baby
. Jonte was not a baby. Although neither was Dolly, and he still thought of her as his baby sister. Fucking brilliant. Here he was staring at an older version of himself.

Cash sized Jack up. He figured he could probably take him if it came to it. Not that he wanted shit to go that far, but it was clear there was no way this conversation was ending well.

“I didn’t know you and Jonte were shaggin’,” Jerry interrupted.

“Not now, Jerry,” Cash grumbled, shooing away the nosey Irishman.

“So if you were seeing my sister and she flew all this way to sing in Nashville, can you please explain why she is now in a completely different state? Because right now none of this is making any sense to me.” Jack pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a long breath.

“We’re not technically seeing each other at the moment –”

“I’m pretty sure I owe you a smack in the mouth.” Jack shook his head, his icy glare letting Cash know how disgusted he was.

Take a number, buddy.

“I love her,” Cash blurted out, opting for the truth and holding his hands up in surrender. “I fucked things up, okay?”

“And that’s why she’s in Ohio?”

“I think so. I’m gonna fix everything when she gets back, though.”

“Don’t count on it,” Jack huffed. “Do you have an address or something for her in Ohio?”

“No.” Cash shook his head, feeling even more stupid.

“Of course not. Why would you?”

Jack was right. It was pathetic. How could he have no idea where the woman he loved was? Yeah, he could Google the address of the bar in Ohio, but he was pretty sure that wasn’t going to cut it with Jack.

“Dean,” Cash said, clicking his fingers together and realizing he knew how to find out exactly where she was. “Dean will have the address for her apartment.”

“Do I even want to know who Dean is?”

Cash let that one slide and grabbed the cordless phone sitting under the bar. Shit. He didn’t have Dean’s number. But Dolly did. He went to call her right as she sashayed through the door. Perfect fucking timing. Cash signaled for her to come quick.

“Hey, Dolly. This is Jack, Jonte’s brother.”

“Jack!” Dolly squealed and threw her arms around Jack, pulling him into a hug before he had a chance to protest.

“
Thank you,” Cash mouthed while Jack was distracted. “Can you call Dean and get Jonte’s address?” he asked out loud as Dolly propped herself up on a stool.

“You’re the roommate, right?” Jack turned and asked Dolly.

“Roommate, best friend.” Dolly waved her hand around in her whimsical way. “Cash, get us a couple of beers, would you?” She thumped the stool next to her, gesturing for Jack to take a seat.

Jack glared a, you’re-on-my-shit-list-fucker glare, at Cash, but sat down with Dolly. Cash busied himself pouring their beers.

Half an hour later, Dean waltzed through the bar’s glass doors. He’d never liked the wannabe cowboy, but today he could have sworn his undying allegiance to the man. Dolly must have somehow shot off a sneaky text to him. Cash wasted no time in pouring him a beer and setting it on top of the bar as Dean swaggered up to Dolly.

“Dean, this is Jack. Jack, Dean,” Dolly said, introducing the two men.

“Nice to meet you.” Dean shook Jack’s hand.

“Right. So tell me, Dean, do you know where my sister is?”

“Sure do. She’s working at The Big Bang bar in Columbus, Ohio and staying two blocks away with one of the waitresses. It’s ‘bout a six-hour drive, but I’m happy to take you to her,” Dean said and then reached for the beer.

“That would be much appreciated.” Jack nodded and actually smiled for the first time.

“You don’t want to ruin your surprise.” Dolly shook her head and patted Jack’s leg like they were life-long friends. “She’ll be here in less than forty-eight hours and I just know she’ll be so happy to see you.”

“I haven’t seen my sister in two months,” Jack said, sounding decidedly unimpressed with Dolly’s suggestion.

“I promise you she’s okay. I spoke to her earlier this afternoon. You can call her and check for yourself,” Dean said.

“It’s quieter in my office.” Cash nodded towards the closed door across the room.

“Thanks.” Jack made his way over to the door, shutting it firmly behind him.

“He’s here to take her home,” Dolly whispered, hanging her head in her hands and looking like she was going to lose it any second now.

“Calm down.” Dean patted Dolly’s back in an attempt to mollify her.

“Christ, this is all my fault.” Cash ran his hands through his hair, once again exasperated by the stupidity of his actions.

“Come on, you two, it ain’t over yet. You’ve clearly had a change of heart and come to your senses.” Dean looked Cash square in the eyes.

“Somethin’ like that.”

“Thank fuck for small miracles. She belongs here in Nashville, not in Ohio. I don’t know what your deal is, but you better fix what you broke or we’re all gonna lose her.”

Jack eventually returned from the office, placated that Jonte was safe in Ohio. He declined Dolly’s offer to stay upstairs in Jonte’s room, explaining how he’d already booked accommodation. But he did exchange contact details with Dolly and Dean, and took them up on their offer to come check out The Big Bang later.

This whole situation was one big fuck up on his part, and having Jack here now simply made it worse.

A
fter a full day
of ass numbing sitting, Jonte’s bus finally pulled into the Greyhound station. Although, returning to Nashville was complicated.

Of course she’d missed Dean and Dolly these past few weeks, so she was excited about seeing them again. But once her next American Country Star audition was done in a couple of days, she was going back to Ohio. Her boss, Tyrone, had offered her a permanent gig and she was all set to take it. She just needed to let Sierra and Dolly know.

She was in no hurry and waited while the other passengers clamored and fought to get off the bus. Eventually, she made her way down the narrow aisle with her duffel bags and guitar case, thanked the driver, and stepped off the bus.

Oh, crap.

Leaning against the railing and as sexy as ever was the last person on earth she wanted to see. Damn Dolly and her never-ending obsession with setting her up with Cash. Why did she refuse to accept it wasn’t going to happen?

“Cash.” Jonte moved closer with purpose, feigning cool confidence, she locked down her heartache. “What are you doing here?”

“I love you. I’m ready.” He pushed away from the rails and stepped closer too.

Pardon? Rewind.

He loved her?
Had she heard that correctly?

Cash fished something out of his jean pockets and handed her a small creamy-colored rock. She turned the smooth pebble over in her hands. “What is this?” Obviously it was a pebble. But why he had given it to her?

“It’s from the river at Nannie and Pop’s. Remember when we skimmed rocks that day?”

She nodded. Of course she remembered. Their perfect morning.

“You’re the water, Jonte. You’re free. You give life to everything you touch. You were a good friend to Dolly and me. Coaxed me out of the stupor I’d been living in for years. You made me laugh. Made me feel. I’m the rock – stubborn, selfish, and solid. But I’m trying. I want to change. I don’t want to sink to the bottom, alone and unseen. I want to be the rock that skims across you. I want to create something beautiful with you.”

Don’t react. DO. NOT. REACT.

She was not going to cry. Yes, yes, what he was saying was lovely, but she refused to be sucked back in. There was nothing stopping him from pulling her back in and then spitting her out all over again once he got what he wanted.

“I’m happy you want to change, Cash, really I am. But you and I, we’re not gonna happen.”

“But that song you sang before you left, Dolly told me she thought you wanted me to say something. I’m here, I’m telling you now. I got scared. I –”

She cut him off. It was too late. And she didn’t trust him with her heart. “I’m sorry, Cash, but they’re just words. They don’t mean anything.” She handed him back the rock, turned on her heels, and walked away, needing to find a cab, seeing as Dolly was clearly nowhere in sight. No way was she getting into Cash’s truck, which she now saw was parked across the lot. Gah. How had she not noticed it earlier?

“Jonte!” Cash called after her, but she didn’t turn around. She crossed the road and jumped into a cab.

The cab pulled up outside Rock on Nashville. Jonte wasted no time in paying the driver and hauling her gear out of the back seat, determined to get inside the apartment ASAP.

“Jonte!”

Was she halucinating now? She rubbed her eyes, overwhelmed, suddenly dizzy and disoriented at the sight of Jack striding towards her.

How? Why? Was he really here?

Her big brother pulled her into a tight hug and she couldn’t stop tears from escaping.

“You’re here,” she cried, dropping her bags and the guitar case, and throwing her arms around him. “What are you doing in Nashville?”

“I came to check up on you and support you tomorrow, silly.” He shook his head, as if it were obvious. “Imagine my shock when I showed up and you weren’t here.”

“Oh my god. Jack, I’m so sorry. That’s why you called the other day?”

“Yeah.” He nodded, his grip on her still firm, like he was scared she’d disappear if he let go. “I take it you and Cash didn’t sort your shit out?”

“You know about all that?”

“I know bits and pieces. Dolly, Dean, and Tanner brought me up to speed these past few days.”

“Oh, right. Sounds like you’ve met everyone.” Jonte was pleased Jack had met Dean but anxious about what had gone down between Jack and Cash.

“It seems so.”

“Where are you staying?”

“Just up the road.”

“Right.” Jonte fidgeted and squirmed, confident Cash would be here soon. She didn’t want to see him again right now.

Jack finally let go of her and picked up her bags. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

A
fter dropping
her stuff at Jack’s hotel, Jonte took Jack to The Stage, where they met up with Dean for drinks and her favorite tater tots.

Dean scooped Jonte up and spun her around. “Please tell me you’re back permanently?” he asked, setting her down on one of the wooden bar stools.

“Not sure.” She didn’t want to lie to Dean, but also didn’t want to get into the mess right now in front of Jack.

“You two.” Jack pointed between the two of them. “Explain to me why you’re not together? You two make sense, but you and that broody bartender. I’m having trouble getting my head around that.” Jack huffed and took a seat.

“We’re just friends.” Jonte glared at Jack, not liking his abruptness. Although tact had never been his strong point. “And Cash actually is a really good person. We’re just not right for each other.” After everything he’d done for her, despite where they were now, she felt obliged to defend him.

“Yep, purely platonic here,” Dean said.

“So, Dolly took me over the road the other night. Do I get to see you play tonight?” Jack leaned over and grabbed a handful of bar nuts, popping some into his mouth.

“Crowd’s been missing ya,” Dean said. “Me and Seb too.”

“Oh, please.” Jonte rolled her eyes. “You, Marcus, and Seb were the three musketeers before I walked in. I’m sure you’re all fine.”

“Marcus is a dick. You know this.” Dean turned to Jack and mock stage-whispered, “Seb’s a soft spot too. She also tried dating him.”

“Huh. Busy girl. Seb was the drummer you introduced me to, right?”

“Yep. Pity those two couldn’t get their shit together. They’re my two favorite people in the world.” Dean nudged Jonte.

“Hmph,” Jonte huffed, throwing a quick I-can’t-believe-you-said-that-glare in Dean’s direction now. “You know I wish things were different with Seb.”

“I know, I know.” Dean wrapped an arm over Jonte’s shoulder and squeezed.

“For someone that barely dated back home, you sure managed to get yourself all tangled up in a few months here,” Jack said.

“I was busy studying back home. Besides, you, Justin, and Josh didn’t exactly make things easy for me.”

“And look at the mess you’ve created without us.”