Hey guys! it feels weird to be writing again after spending a month in ecuador with no computer aha! I am so beyond ready for sepetember 25th its a miracle that time has gone quite fast for me. Anyways...
...This is my new story, it's called progress because that is what it's about. It's about Rayna's journey in the months following the accident. im sorry if you dont feel like there is enough deacon/rayna content but that's really not what this story is about...please review/follow/favourite/PM as you like..
Hope you enjoy tell me what you think and if i should continue.
-Phoebe x x x
Rayna flicked the wisp of strawberry blonde hair away from her face. Her hair was shorter now, only by a few inches; the accident had slaughtered the ends to a point of no return. That was two months ago. Nearly all her scars had healed immaculately, however, if you looked closely you could make out the several incisions surrounding her hairline, where she had been prodded and infiltrated so many times in the recent months.
Rayna bounced gently on her feet to the sound of the elevator music, 'only fifteen floors to go' she thought to herself. She exhaled sharply gaining Bucky's attention instantaneously.
'Look Ray, we talked about this; if you aren't ready to come back, you don't have to.' Bucky sympathised, smiling meekly.
'What? No im fine. I want to go back. I have to go back. I can't exactly just abandon Scarlett and Will. They've got so much riding on the next few weeks.' She protested, fumbling with her nails.
'We both know why you want to go back and we both know Scarlett and Will are not the reason.' He retorted, giving her an omniscient stare.
'I don't know what you're talking about Buck.' She muttered, averting her eyes to the floor as she pretended to sort out her acrylics.
'Rayna.' Bucky sighed.
'Bucky.' Rayna mimicked, releasing an evidently false laugh in attempt to relieve some of the burgeoning tension in the 6ft by 8ft box.
'Ray im serious, you're gonna have to stop pretending that everything is happy families when we can all see the predicament you're in.' Bucky reasoned, Rayna shot him a warning look. Bucky was like family to her, he was probably the only person on this earth who new every aspect of her life, all her deepest secrets. But just because they were thick as thieves, didn't mean that he never pushed the buttons.
Rayna inhaled deeply to gather her words, before exhaling a long, drawn out breath. 'Buck, you know I love you. And always your opinion means a great deal to me, but im only gonna say this once; I am fine. I'm returning after this unnecessary hiatus because I have to, I have people that are depending on me and im sure as hell not gonna let them down.' Rayna smiled earnestly, fluttering her eyelashes as she made her way out the elevator doors ahead of Bucky. Suddenly, Rayna turned so that she was fixed on Bucky's eyes.
"Oh, and Buck, under no circumstances whatsoever will we be mentioning the D-word this morning." She ordered, frowning as she turned on her heel and into "business Rayna".
Bucky clapped his hands together and looked up to pray; praying for this diva-dip to end, and praying that the Lord may have mercy upon any soul that dares bring up Deacon in front of the resurrected queen of country.
Rayna approached the front desk, however the receptionist had changed from the middle aged tyrant that had adorned the desk for the past twenty-five years, to a twenty-something brunette with glossy doe eyes.
'Mm-Miss Jaymes,' the girl stammered, bowing her head in acknowledgement.
Rayna scoffed in bemusement, 'Did she actually just bow?' she quizzed herself. 'I'm here for my 11'o'clock with Marshall.' Rayna informed the girl as she tapped her nails impatiently on the desktop. Today would be the first time Rayna had contacted Marshall face to face since the accident; it wasn't that she was nervous to see him; she was more concerned about the lecture she was preparing to receive regarding her plummeting record sales.
'Oh you don't know?' The girl asked sheepishly.
'Know what?' Rayna cocked her head in confusion.
'Marshall left.' the receptionist whispered, obviously not wanting to be heard gossiping to the label's biggest artist.
'I beg your pardon?' Rayna chocked.
'Yeah, he took some time off just before I started work and hasn't been back since. About three, four weeks ago I think.' She blushed.
'Whaa- why?'
'If you don't mind me saying, and with no disrespect to you Miss Jaymes, but I don't think he took yours and Mr Claybourne's accident very well.' She hushed, not wanting to step out of line.
Rayna grimaced at the remembrance of her accident and the sound of Deacon's name. 'Well why haven't I been informed about this?' Rayna demanded, her smooth return wasn't working out exactly how she had imagined it.
'I'm sure if you speak to Mr Morgan he'll sort it out for you.' She smiled, trying to keep on Rayna's good side.
'Mr Morgan?' Rayna quizzed.
'Er, Jeff? He's taken over Marshall's role for now. He's a real hotshot from New York.' Rayna could tell from the girl's expression that "Jeff" had obviously left an impression.
'Right,' Rayna mused, wanting to maintain composure, 'Would you excuse me for one moment please?' she smiled sweetly.
'Of course, anything for you Miss Jaymes,' she gushed.
'Oh and please; call me Rayna." She called over her shoulder as she made her way to Bucky.
'Hey Ray,' Bucky smiled optimistically. His expression did a 180 when he saw the look on her face. 'What?' he asked gravely.
'How could you not tell me?' Rayna whispered, folding her arms over her chest to close proximity, she wanted to make sure any conversations now were private.
'Tell you what?'
'Oh come on, you know what. About Marshall. About this Jeff person.' She retorted.
Bucky sighed as his shoulders dropped. 'I didn't want to stress you out on your first day back that's all. I knew you wouldn't be comfortable with a new face; I just wanted to make sure you got here and gave him a go. He's meant to be superb.' Bucky explained, searching his friend's face for answers.
Rayna looked around in disbelief; she couldn't do with anymore secrets in her life. 'I just wished you would've told me.' She mumbled.
'Don't worry you'll be fine.' Bucky patted her on her back in reassurance.
'I hope so.' Rayna smiled making her way out of the reception and into the business sweet.
'Knock knock,' Rayna cooed from behind the glass door.
The dark physique was faced backwards to her, midway through what looked like to be a rather strenuous phone call, but nevertheless, he waved signalling for Rayna to enter. Rayna and Bucky sat in silence at the opposite end of the grand glass conference table. They shared looks of amusement at Jeff's apparent ignorance, apparently he didn't realise he was around one of the world's biggest stars. At least he had offered them the courtesy of seeing is face. Rayna scanned his appearance, if she had to judge a book by its cover; she'd give it a five-star review. The first thing Rayna noticed was that he looked clean cut, Rayna had forgotten what it was like to be around business-types, but he certainly wasn't from around here. The next thing that caught her eye, was the dimple in his left cheek. Dimples were her favourite. Deacon had dimples; at least, he used to have dimples, she hadn't seen him almost two months so she couldn't really remember. In fact, the resemblance between the two is what had caught her eye in the first place; Rayna just hoped that Jeff didn't have the voice of an angel or 40 years guitar experience.
Jeff rose quickly, strolling coolly over to where Rayna and Bucky were sat.
'Mr Dawes, good to see you again.' He nodded shaking Bucky's hand firmly.
Bucky reciprocated his greeting before gesturing Jeff to Rayna. 'Jeff this is Rayna, Rayna this is Jeff Morgan, the new acting head of label.' Bucky smiled and nodded solidly.
'Pleasure to meet you Mr Morgan.' Rayna smiled charmingly, elongating one arm.
'Pleasure's all mine Ms Jaymes, It's an honour to work with you.' He leaned forward and kissed Rayna's hand tenderly.
Rayna and Bucky looked at each other alarmingly. Rayna cleared her throat and retrieved her arm, she was a little unnerved, yet she couldn't help feel flattered at his chivalry.
'Should we get down to business then?' Bucky chirped, wanting this environment to remain strictly professional.
'As you wish Mr Dawes, Ms Jaymes, if you'll take a seat.' He instructed, gesturing to the chairs either side of him. Rayna and Bucky followed his extended arms swiftly, not wanting to keep him waiting.
'So, may I call you Rayna?' Jeff asked Rayna optimistically.
'You can call me anythin' as long as it's not "madame"' Rayna giggled, shooting Bucky a sly smile.
Jeff smiled, 'I'll keep that in mind, and please, call me Jeff. I feel like 35 is too young to be addressed as a Mr.' he smirked, playing up to Rayna's infectious personality.
'So Jeff, let me have it. How am I failing this year? How are you pulling my funding and who am I being forced to co-headline with for my next tour? Taylor Swift?' she smirked, sarcasm bleeding out her mouth.
Bucky gawped, 'at least she hasn't dropped the "you can kiss my decision as it's walking out the door" bomb yet.' .
Jeff chuckled, coughing in order to hide his astonishment. 'Well Rayna, I was actually about to congratulate you on your record sales, you've sold more albums these past few months than you had in the past year.' He nodded, smiling in pride.
Rayna rose an eyebrow, 'Well, I guess dearly dying and being trapped in an induced coma for three weeks will do that to a girl's sales.' She smirked, secretly pleased that her fans were still there for her when she needed it most.
'So, where do you see yourself going from here?' Jeff asked Rayna quizzically.
'Well,' Rayna drawled, ' I launched my label, signed my acts, but then obviously nothing really took off from there, 'cause, y'know, I was a bit busy in ICU, but I think I just want to talk to Marshall about getting Scarlett and Will prepared for their first albums. Then I'll call up Liam, grovel at his feet and get him back for my album, which is still not finished.' Bucky nodded in agreement, scrolling through the notes on his blackberry to make sure they coincided with Rayna's.
'Wow, so a lot then.' Jeff puffed.
'I'm a very busy woman.' Rayna smiled appreciatively.
'I bet you are,' Jeff smirked, making Rayna blush and sink into her chair even further.
'I will set up a meeting with Scarlett and Will for next week for you, I'll have Liam come in for a meet and greet at some point in the near future so we can get our number one artist back on track.' Jeff nodded, noting on his iPad the details, Rayna smiled as her glass of water met her lips. 'Oh and by the way, er, who will be replacing Mr Claybourne as your band leader after he, y'know terminated his contract.'
Rayna spat out her water instantly, shock running through her body. She didn't know how to respond, if Deacon had left Edgehill then things were truly over for them, he had given up on them and he had given up on music. Rayna wanted desperately to ask why, but she had to honour the decision she had made the day she left the hospital, there was no Deacon until her life was back on track.
Rayna rose from her chair impulsively and marched out the conference room. Jeff watched her leave in awe, whilst Bucky simply sat, asking G-D why this kept happening to him.