Confidante
Chapter 1
"Hey," she says into the phone, as she wipes away another stray tear. "Are you at home? Do you mind if I come by? I'd really like to talk to you."
20 minutes later Juliette opens the door. "Come on in. I just poured two glasses of wine. You sounded like you could use one."
Rayna nods. "I could," she sobs.
Rayna follows Juliette to the living room. After nearly ten minutes of watching Rayna drink her wine and stare at the rock on her finger, Juliette finally breaks the ice. "You look awfully unhappy for someone with a shiny new ring on her finger." She says this without and judgment.
Rayna looks up, as if she is just remembering where she is. "You asked me a while back if I respect you, and, well, I do. I don't always agree with the way you go about doing things, but I do respect your talent, and even more, what you've done for yourself. I think you're a smart girl, and I've seen how loyal you can be. This might be way outta line, me comin' here like this, but I could really use a friend right now." Rayna breaks down again, sobbing, holding her hand up to her face.
Juliette slides closer to Rayna, putting both of their wine glasses on the table. "Hey, is this about Luke?" she asks gently.
Rayna starts to shake her head, then nods, then throws her hands onto her head, overwhelmed. She starts to cry again.
"Rayna, whatever you need to say, you can trust me. I don't go around spreadin' other people's business. All that stuff about people in glass houses, and all...I figure it's just better I keep quiet." Juliette scrunched up her nose, attempting to lighten the mood.
Rayna reaches into her pocket and holds out Deacon's ring in the palm of her hand. "Deacon asked me to marry him tonight."
Juliette sits quietly, wide eyed, as Rayna takes off Luke's ring and puts them both on the coffee table, moving away from them like they're ticking time bombs.
"What are you going to do?" Juliette asks.
"I don't know. Right now I can barely remover to breathe."
"I guess this counts as first world problems," Juliette says under her breath as she gets up and returns with a box of tissues. "Rayna, why did you come here? Did you figure it was the last place anyone would look for you?"
Rayna lets a laugh escape as she reaches for a tissue. "I'm here because I didn't know where else to go. Tandy and I aren't really speaking these days. In the past I've always trusted Deacon, or Teddy even…" She stops to blow her nose. "I must look a mess. Gosh, Luke went and proposed in front of 50,000 fans. What was he thinking?" she asks disbelievingly. "I can't just go talk to anyone about this. Now it's about more than just our relationship, it's about our careers, too. And honestly, you were the first person I thought of. I know we have a working relationship that I should respect, but, as you know, this business gets...complicated. When push comes to shove I guess I think of you as a friend."
Juliette smiles but remains quiet, allowing her to continue. Rayna lets out a deep breath. "You told me to hang on to Luke, so I assume you think he's a good guy. But, I know you and Deacon are close. You were one of the first to know that Deacon is Maddie's father, and it means a lot that you didn't say anything about that, including to Deacon on even me; that you never asked me why I never told him. You know him. You know my girls. And...you know alcoholics. You know what it's like to grow up with a parent who's an alcoholic."
Juliette nods. "I do."
"I've always just wanted to protect my baby girl from…not him physically hurting her…but the worry or the guilt if things went wrong.
I just…don't know what to do! I don't trust my own decisions anymore. I'm scared to make a step. There's just so much to think about."
"Seems to me you spend a lot of time thinkin," she says slowly, cautiously. "Sometimes people think they're doing the right thing and it turns out wrong anyway. No one knows what the furure holds." Rayna nods in agreement. "What are you most afraid of? I know this is a big, complicated decision, but, what do you want? What's your heart telling you?"
"I guess...I don't want to let anyone down. I don't want to let my girls down, or Luke, or my fans. I can't risk a big scandal affecting my label or my record launch. I don't want this to be a business decision, but it surely is."
"Is that all you're thinking about?"
"Isn't that enough?"
"What about disappointing Deacon?" Rayna looks up at Juliette, confused. "You didn't mention disappointing Deacon." Juliette raises her shoulders and tilts her head a little. "Maybe you already know what you want?"
Rayna fights back more tears, willing herself to stay calm. She reaches for the wine and pours herself another glass. "I was completely surprised when Luke proposed. I honestly didn't see it coming. I mean, a week ago he wasn't even sure how I felt about him! I've only meant one of his kids! But, I did see a future with him, and I know my girls like him."
Juliette starts choking and puts her wine down.
"Are you okay," Rayna asks, concerned.
"Wrong pipe," she gets out. Once the coughing subsides she asks "Have you talked to the girls since the concert?"
"Well, no, they went home with Teddy." She studies Juliette's expression. "Do you know somethin'?"
"I got a text from Maddie a while ago. I don't think she's too happy about having a 'third dad'."
"Oh, God. Why can't anything be easy?" Juliette gives her a tight smile. "Luke left the party early to pick up his kids, so I didn't stay too late. I was surprised when Deacon came to my door a while after I got home." She picks up the eternity band. Rayna starts crying again, not even bothering to wipe the tears this time. "He said that he never should have taken this ring back from me. He said we belonged together. He said he's finally the man I always wanted him to be, and he's ready to be a husband, and a father. He said it was Maddie and Daphne and me and him." Rayna grasps the ring in her palm tightly. "He kissed me, and...then he just left. He said I didn't need to answer him now."
Completely absorbed in the conversation, Juliette fans herself with her hand when she realizes Rayna has stopped talking. "Wow! That is just about the most romantic thing-" She stops talking when she realizes Rayna is staring at her, taken aback by her response.
"What? Do you think getting down on one bad knee on a stage and 3 Jumbotrons in front of 70,000 fans is more romantic?" Juliette asks sarcastically. Sounds a bit more like someone who was afraid you'd say no if he asked in private. And it's kinda cheesy too."
Rayna stares at her, stunned. "You're right. You are. I know it. But it's just his way. And he's a good man beneath that big hat."
Juliette nods. "He seems like it. But, is he your man? Is he the right man? If Deacon wasn't around, would you still want to marry him?"
"I think so. I mean, not tomorrow, but I can see us building a life together."
Juliette nods empathetically. "He looks great on paper. That's for sure. But Deacon is here. And...he's waited for you. You know that. If Luke wasn't around would you want to marry Deacon?"
"I'm scared," Rayna responds honestly. "What if it fails?"
"Rayna, what if it DOESN'T?"
"I almost died last time we were together. And all of the other times, the last time he went to rehab, I cried for a year! My heart just can't take losing him again. And I don't want Maddie to ever have to lose him."
"Rayna, you know he wasn't the one driving that car, right?" Rayna looks at her, almost as though she'd been slapped. "What, am I the first one to mention this? Listen, I blamed Deacon after the accident, too. I didn't run and bail him out of jail, even when Scarlett came to me asking for help. I figured old habits die hard. Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. But then I sat down with Maddie at the hospital, and she told me the accident was her fault, because she sprung the news on Deacon that he's her father. Rayna, he was sober for 13 years. I know he had to start again at square one, and that's how AA works, but what would you have done in his position? What are you doing now?" Juliette motions to the third glass of wine Rayna's pouring, making sure every last drop from the bottle is in her glass. "Wouldn't you admit that those were extenuating circumstances. He's been through hell this past year, and he's stayed sober. He loves you. And he is head over heels for Maddie. I'd be surprised if he ever screwed up again."
"Do you have anything stronger?" Rayna asks, handing the empty wine bottle to Juliette.