Caroline

I sat in awe as I watched his fingers move over the keys.  When his voice escaped those lips and graced my ears, I almost couldn't breathe.  He is amazing, and his daughter walked over and climbed up on my lap. 

Jessie watched her father in amazement, and to say my mind is blown is an understatement. He looked over at Jessie and smiled at her as he sang, then winked at me. 

I could stay in this music room with him for days and create music with this man. He finished his song and Jessie climbed off my lap and hugged him.

"I love you, daddy." She said as he hugged her back.

"Love you too, bug." He kissed the top of her head and I could have cried in that moment. He had given me enough inspiration to play on the keys with him.

"Wait!  We need to write this down." I ran over and got a pen and paper.  In one hour, we had an entire piano ballad written. 

"Wow!" We both let out a breath.  "This is amazing!  See what I mean?  We could do so much together.  Caroline, I know country music isn't your thing, but will you please spend your summer with me, and help create an album?" He asked. I do have my summer open, but he has a tour starting.

"I don't know how this would work, Cody.  Summer, I would imagine, is your busy season.  You've got the whole summer laid out for you." I said.

"Come with me on tour, we can work while we travel.  I promise I'll make it worth your while. It would be a great experience for you, and we can even work on your vocals together." He said.

"Money isn't an issue." I told him.

"Then make it about the experience.  I leave Wednesday, but you can fly out right after your last day of school.  Please?" He begged.

"Can I think about it?" I asked. 

"Sure, but until then, we can work on this one."  He said.

"Okay, I'll let you know." I stood up from the piano and saw Gizmo spooning Jessie on the floor while they slept. I had let him out to keep her busy while we played. "I have to get a photo." I laughed.

We both then sat down on the couch and talked.

Cody

I hope she says yes.  We could create something amazing together, and I could give her a hell of an experience this summer. 

"What are you doing tonight?  Dean called earlier and said the guys are hitting the bar again.  We could practice work on your fear of singing for crowds.  I'm sure it would help you a lot in Vienna, since that'll probably be a big part of it." I asked.

"I don't know. Anna would want to go, and you saw how last night worked out for me, that was humiliating." I said.

I can understand.

"Why, do you have more secrets?" I asked, and she shook her head with a shy smile.  "Your ex is an idiot." I added.

She looked over at me.  "You leave Wednesday.  When do you spend time with your wife?  I've met her a few times, and she's a lovely woman." She said.

I sighed.  I really just forgot all my problems and here we are talking about the biggest one.

I looked at Jessie to make sure she's sleeping.

"June is a remarkable woman.  She holds everything together for us and she works hard to protect our family, but I've asked for some space.  Sometimes I feel like I'm suffocating and I can't breathe.  Between her, Dean, and our manager, my life is planned out to the last second.  I've been restless for year's and I need to find some kind of contentment." I told her this in hopes I can trust her.

"You were young when you married." She pointed out.  "I was nineteen when I married Matt.  After years of being married, he got lonely because I dedicated myself to music. Don't make the same mistake I did, take the time and work on your marriage.  That little one over there needs you to do it for her." She said.

She has no idea how much I want to, but it's just hard.

"Did you love Matt when you married him?" I asked.

"I like to think so, but things spiraled out of control.  I do know I cared deeply, and I will warn you, divorce can be ugly, and it's very painful.  Avoid that as long as you can, Cody.  Matt had Cassidy, who I barely even met.  I never held it against her even one time for obvious reasons, but I felt sorry for her.  Her dad was consumed in regret and grief, and I'm sure she felt it." She said.

"I'm doing my best by taking a time out.  We will be fine, I'm sure I'll eventually come around.  Anyway, will you come out with us?" I asked.

She nodded.  "Sure, why not?"

"Great, Dean and I will pick you up around eight o'clock." I said.

I told her stories about things that happened on the road, and talked about my life back in Texas.  Conversation is never boring with Caroline.  I can see how we could be great friends.  When Jessie finally woke up, I took her home only to face my wife once again.

"I really hope you're happy." June is obviously pissed.  "Your video from last night went viral on Social Media." She said.

"So?  It's good to spark that interest in the band.  I'm sure that's all it is, June."  I shouldn't have to defend myself.

"They're talking about the amazing chemistry between you and that teacher." Her eyes watered.

"You're going to have to get over that, June.  Some people have great artistic chemistry.  It doesn't mean it's physical chemistry." I said but obviously it is true in this case. So, I lied...

"It took you five hours today, Cody.  For a piano lesson?  Come on, how stupid do you think I am?  You even had our daughter with you." She said.

I took a deep breath.  "We wrote and we played instruments.  Jessie has a real fascination with the cello." I said.

"Where are you going now?" She asked as I slipped my wallet in my back pocket.

"Out with the guys," I responded.

"You're seeing her, aren't you?"  Her eyes started to water, and I refuse to let her guilt me when I'm doing nothing wrong.

"We are going to see if we can do another set."  I said.

"I can't believe you! We are on the verge of being on the front page of a tabloid, and obviously, you don't care." She said.

I shrugged.  "You're right, I don't care."

"Did you like the days when Jessie was a baby, and we couldn't even afford to feed ourselves?  Is that where you want to be again, because you're killing your career?" She asked.

I shook my head.  "No, I'm taking my career to the next level, and taking back control of my life.  I'll see you later, June." I said.

I walked straight out that door without a second thought.