Chapter Thirty-Three

Blake

" T hese two look like they're having a great time." Bret puts his phone in my line of vision, showing me a picture of my girlfriend and sister-in-law out in New York last night. They're holding hands, along with a few friends of Willa's, as they make their way into what looks like a restaurant.

"They do. I'm happy for both of them," I reply. Bret gives me a look, with this weird smile on his face. "What? Do I have something on my face?"

"No." He shakes his head. "I'm just happy for you too. I know you spent a lot of your youth in a relationship that didn't end up going the way you'd assumed it would. I know you had planned on marrying her. You seem very happy with Willa, and that makes me happy for you. There's a contentment that comes with knowing you're going to have stability. I think you have that with Willa."

I think I do too, and part of that is very scary because I know so many want to see relationships like ours fail. It's human nature, and unfortunately, it's something we have to live with because we're in the public eye. "It's just hard. I know eventually people are going to start saying we're too public, that they're sick of seeing us, and shit like that. I'm not looking forward to it."

Bret scoffs. "That's outside noise. You and I both know you can shut it out when you need to. That's the fear of knowing this is forever. I had it with CeCe too. You kind of want to self-sabotage, but you know you can't. There aren't many women who would deal with lifestyles like ours, and Willa? She gets it, man. The two of you have something special. Don't let all of this"—he gestures to the plane around us—"get in the way of it. This is all going to end one day, as is her career. What you're left with will be what matters. Remember that. You don't get a second chance to live life, Blake. Especially not in the lifestyles we chose."

I take everything he's said in and realize how correct he is. "Marriage and a kid really made you grow up, didn't it?"

He laughs. "Something had to."

"I'm going to take a nap—didn't sleep super good last night. I'm not ignoring you. Just want you to know."

"You've had a lot going on. I imagine you're exhausted, and it's not going to get any less hectic than it already is. Take whatever time you can and enjoy it. That's exactly what I'm about to do," Bret says as he turns over in his seat and covers his body with a blanket.

I do the same, but right as I'm about to drift off, my phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see Willa's name.

W: I know you're probably on the plane and you might not be able to get the message, but I wanted to text you since I haven't talked to you in a day and a half.

B: LOL! I am on the plane, and I wondered how you've been doing, but I didn't want to ruin the time you're spending with CeCe.

W: You're not going to ruin anything. I would have texted sooner, but I didn't want to seem like a desperate girlfriend.

B: Trust me, you're everything to me, and desperate is not one of the things you are. I appreciate that you and I are able to have lives without there being any jealousy.

W: Agreed. So I'm going to be at the game tomorrow, and I know y'all can't come out tonight, but can you after you play?

B: Yes, since we're having a bye week. We have a bit more freedom than we normally do.

W: So I have a question for you. Have you heard the announcement?

Now I'm confused, and I have no idea what she's talking about.

B: No...I don't think so.

W: I wasn't sure if they'd tell you all before they told the general public, but I'm going to be performing at the Thanksgiving game in Nashville.

B: OMG, babe, that's amazing!

It goes without saying that I'm happy she's going to be in town for the holiday, too, which means we'll be able to spend it together. I calculate the time in my head. That's only four weeks from now.

B: Do you have enough time to plan it?

W: Oh yeah, I'll be doing an abbreviated set from my tour, with a few dancers and a small piece of the stage. There's not much I'm going to have to practice, which is a blessing. You know there are so many people who are going to say this is because of us, right?

B: Or they could mention that you're from Nashville and you're a major superstar, but yeah, I know. Fuck 'em right?

W: LOL! Fuck 'em. Anyway, CeCe and I are off to get some lunch. I'll see you tomorrow. Have a great game.

B: I will. Can't wait to give you a hug.

And that right there is how I know this girl has gotten under my skin, how I know she's inevitably changed my life in ways I never imagined. I can't wait to fucking hug her.

W: Same. ::heart emoji::

I love you is on the tip of my tongue, but I can't yet. I refuse to do it in a text, but sometime while we're in New York, I will make sure this woman knows exactly how I feel about her.