Cody

Jessie's teacher inspired me to shut myself in my music room and write some music. It's been years since I felt so inspired. I didn't even hear the knock on the door until it opened.

"Cody, can we talk?" My wife popped her head into the room.

She is going to anyway, so why stop her? "What's up?" I set down my guitar to listen.

"I hope I didn't break your concentration." She said.

"You're fine." I replied.

"We need to talk about everything. You've been avoiding me since before you left for Pittsburg." She said.

I knew this was coming.

"I'm just tired, June." I lied.

"You're not tired, you're avoiding my request. Jessie is six now and she should have a sibling. People are starting to talk, Cody." She said as she stood with her hands on her hips.

I internally groaned. "I said no, June. I don't want a baby right now. I don't spend enough time with Jessie as it is, and I don't want to split what time I do have, between two kids. That's unfair to the daughter we already have." I gave the same argument.

"What about what I want, Cody? You're off fulfilling your dreams, while I'm here holding our family together. I need another baby." She said.

I shook my head. "It's no longer up for discussion." I stood up.

"Don't you dare walk away, you're being so selfish. This is for Jessie too, not just me." She argued.

"I'm heading out. The guys are all meeting up in town." I walked away.

"Cody! What's happening to us?" She cried.

"You spent sixty grand on a fucking fountain. We live on a farm, June. Do you have any idea how stupid that looks? You hurt my mothers feeling when you wouldn't take Jessie for my parents anniversary party, and you lied to me about your birth control. I'm tired of the bullshit, June." I said.

"Why should I travel to Texas without you? You didn't even make the time for your parents." She defended.

"I had to work and make money so you can buy ugly fountains and support your image! This tour was scheduled before they planned their anniversary party. My parents knew it was impossible." She stood there fuming. " You're spending too much, June. I work hard for that money, and I'd like to have a say on how it's spent!" I opened the door. "I don't know when I'll be back." I slammed the door on my way up to the bedroom to get ready.

I ran upstairs and got changed before making my way out to my truck. I swear the only reason I come home is to see Jessie. June isn't a bad woman. She's sweet actually, and I understand her obsession with our family image. She wants to keep us in country living magazines and out of tabloids. She wants Jessie to be able to attend school without fear of the paparazzi. I want what's best for Jessie too. This is why we moved closer to her family. To a small town where the locals eventually just see us as one of their own, but I'm not content. Something is missing, and I know it isn't my wife's fault.

I care for the woman, but I can't say I ever loved her, not the way a husband should love his wife. I'm faithful, despite my lonely nights on the road, but that's just it, she's never been on tour with me. I met her, and suddenly I was going to be a dad. I was tied down just as my career was beginning. She doesn't even have respect for music the way I do, but she had a hot body and she was innocent, I was an idiot.

I arrived at the bar at the same time as the guys. "Holy shit, I can't believe it. It's the man himself!" Sean yelled out, and the rest laughed with him.

"Feeling restless again, aren't you bud?" Dean patted me on the back.

"Something like that, I guess." I said.

My bandmates moved to town with us, which I'm thankful for their loyalty. I couldn't ask for a better group of guys. Dean is divorced with two kids that don't live far from this little town, and the rest are lifelong bachelors.

Just as expected, our presence was known because the place is packed. Jamie arrived earlier and got us a couple of tables. I stopped in my tracks, when I noticed one patron in particular. The little musical genius I met earlier today. A smile crept up on my face, I'd love to pick that girls brain someday.

"Damn, what's a classy chick like that doing in a honky-tonk?" Dean asked.

"I don't know, but I'm sure to find out." I grinned.

"Careful Cody, remember June." He said.

I shook my head. "She's Jessie's teacher, Dean. You also know I don't cheat." I reminded him.