Chapter 22

22

Madeline

"Hottie McHottie is going to be a problem, isn't he?" Leigh says while we walk into the Nashville International Airport where I'm playing a set today as part of the airport's live music program.

I think about what Ethan did to me this morning after he carried me into the bedroom. By the Ethan Black standard, the sex was quick; by anyone else's, especially Leigh's, it was anything but quick. I have no doubt she will do her best to make him regret that decision, but I don't think he will. I certainly don't. Not even the fact that it caused me to miss my first interview of the day made me regret it.

I grin at her as my security team of four cages us in to keep the crowd that is forming away. "I kinda hope so. I'd like to live a life filled with Hottie-McHottie problems."

She rolls her eyes. "I think you like making my life difficult. Judy reamed me out over the missed interview this morning. Next time, I'm sending her your way. I thought I was all here for this new phase of our working life but now I wonder if I actually prefer the Madeline who always showed up on time and never made waves."

I know she's joking, and since I'm enjoying our new fun working relationship, I play along. "So, you think I should bow down for Tucker today? I could try. I'll smile like a good girl and ignore anything assholey that he says to me."

She lifts a brow. "Well, you always were so good at it. Let's see if you've still got it in you."

I laugh, not even the slightest bit offended because I know Leigh has my back all the way from here to wherever I take us. "I like this side of you. Keep it up."

"Keep what up? Saying offensive things to you?"

I shrug. "You're right. I was always good at letting people get away with this kind of shit. I've probably still got it in me."

Now, she laughs. And then she exhales a long breath before shooting me one of her stern looks. "Seriously, though, no more quickies when we've got a schedule to stick to."

God, I love her. More every day. "I promise, so long as you promise to make Ethan regret this morning. I'd have fun watching that."

"Ooh, I like this side of you. But how do you think I should do that? I mean, I know I said I would make him regret it, but I never imagined having to make good on my threat."

"Start talking to him in acronyms. Better still, I'll give you his number and you can text him all day long with acronyms and slang. He can't stand any of that and he hates his phone. That should do the trick."

She blinks at me. "Wow. If this is how you treat a guy you're falling for, I'd hate to see what you do when you don't like a guy."

"Get ready, then. We may run into a guy I hate today. Should be fun, don't you think?"

"If you start screaming, I'm outta here."

I laugh, feeling the lightness of it through my body. "I'll keep that in mind."

We make our way toward Concourse C where I'll perform a thirty-minute set after Tucker finishes his. This has been booked for months and we were supposed to perform together. Darren sent me a terse email two days ago letting me know we'd each do thirty minutes. There's a twenty-minute break in between, which is due to start any minute, so we should miss Tucker with any luck.

However, as we draw closer, I hear him. He's not singing but rather talking with his audience. Laughing and being the charismatic performer his fans adore. And since I know him so well, and know how he operates, it doesn't sound like he's anywhere near close to finishing up.

When he comes into view, Leigh eyes me. "You okay?"

I nod right as Tucker spots me. God knows how. A crowd separates us, but still, his eyes are now glued to mine and I'm stuck in a moment I wished to avoid.

I've thought about this moment, the first time we'd see each other after the disaster of our non-wedding. I mean, we work in the same industry, there was never going to be a way for us to avoid each other forever. I just thought it would be a long way off and that I'd have had more time to move through the mindfuck of it all.

My hand goes to my stomach, trying to ease the nerves that have sprung to life.

Shit.

I'm so not ready for this.

I feel sick.

"Maddie," Leigh says, bringing me back to her. She's looking at me with compassion that is so appreciated. "We can leave. You don't have to do anything you don't want to."

I manage a grim smile. "Judy will ream you out again if we do that."

"Let her. I can take it."

I reach for her hand, needing the physical connection, and squeeze it. "I'm so grateful to have you by my side." Glancing back at Tucker who is still watching me intently, I remove my hand from my stomach, push my shoulders back, and say, "I'm not going anywhere. I deserve to be here."

"Damn right you do," Leigh says. "But you also deserve peace in your life. Whatever you choose, I've got you."

Tucker, the asshole, lets the crowd know I've arrived. He does it in such a way that it puts me on the spot, unable to do anything but what he wants me to. "Friends," he says to the hundreds of people hanging off his every word, "my time here has come to an end, but I've just spotted Madeline, and since I know you're all eager to see us together again, to know that we're okay regardless of our relationship ending, I'd love to invite her up here to sing one of our songs with me before I leave."

That fucker.

I paste a smile on my face as all eyes come to me and I do what I'm really fucking good at: I perform. But this time, I don't follow any rule set down by Tucker or Darren. I follow my own rules.

My security guys get me through the throng and then I'm face-to-face with my ex who is watching me with a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes, his mask of public charm barely concealing the fury simmering beneath. Tucker is a highly strategic person, coldly calculating at times, and I see that in him now. He's already plotted his next move and I'm the prey caught in his sights with no escape route.

I don't think he got my memo though. The one I posted on Instagram in which I made it clear I'm no longer willing to play his games.

"Madeline," he greets me so smoothly, like he's not currently engaging in a campaign to have me canceled. "You're looking beautiful today."

The crowd is deathly silent. Probably holding their breath, waiting to see if this will all crash and burn.

"Thank you." I remove the spare microphone from the mic stand and look out at our audience. "Unfortunately, Tucker and I won't be singing together today. If you've ever gone through a break-up, which I imagine you all have, you'll know how hard the aftermath is. It wouldn't be fair to you if you had to sit through a love song from us when neither of us are feeling what we did when we sang it originally. I think it's best if Tucker finishes up his set, giving you what you love from him, and then I give you what you love from me." I smile genuinely as I add, "I'm really excited to have a new song for you today and can't wait to share it with you." I look at Tucker, ignoring the furious scowl in his eyes that's just for me but that I think anyone with a bullshit detector wouldn't miss, and say, with not one ounce of sweetness, "I'll let you finish up."

Without waiting for his response, I leave the makeshift stage and walk back to where Leigh's staring at me with admiration.

"I like that there was no screaming involved," she says, her lips twitching a little while she aims for a straight face. "Also"—she hands me my phone—"check your messages. The hot lawyer called and when I told him you were busy, he sent a text. He also said he'll try to catch you tonight after you're finished work for the day."

As Tucker's voice drones on in the background, I check my messages.

Hayden: Good news, Madeline. Darren has agreed to terminate your contract with no penalty, effective immediately. You're free to hire your new manager and I'm happy to handle that contract for you. Also, we spoke with Tucker earlier and he's agreed to a new contract to split your royalties equally. There will also be a lump sum payment for the royalties you should have been paid to date. I pushed him hard and got him to agree to more than he wanted to give, so I'd prepare for a clash the next time you see him. I'll call you tonight to go over the details as this isn't something I want to put in a text.

I stare at the message for longer than necessary, processing every word of it and every emotion it brings up for me. There's a sense of victory but mostly it feels right and fair. These men took advantage of me for too long, and I let them, but now I'm standing up for myself and that feels like the best damn thing in the world.

"Maddie," Leigh says, "Tucker's finished."

I glance up in time to catch his death stare as he walks away. Wow, yeah, he's pissed. I can feel his hatred all the way from here. And he's not even trying to hide it from his fans, which is unusual for him. That shows me the level of his emotion and it makes me suck in a breath.

This is the chaos, Miller.

Yes, yes it is, and while it has me feeling a bit bewildered, I'm running to it, not from it. Getting loud. Grabbing life by the horns.

A few minutes later, I'm standing in front of the same audience Tucker had. No, scratch that. Some guys walked away after he left, so it's not the same audience. But more have stopped by and everyone appears ready to hear from me.

Blasting a smile their way, I strum my guitar and lean into the mic. "Who's ready to hear something new?"

They cheer me on, whistling and yelling their excitement, and I then spend half an hour singing my heart out, not holding back any of myself.

Every second is exhilarating.

I'm wearing what I want.

I'm singing what I want.

I'm saying what I want.

By the time I sing my last song, everyone is singing with me. They're in this special moment with me. Heart and soul. And I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I am exactly where I should be.