DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING
CHAPTER 9: Please read and review. I appreciate feedback/constructive criticism.
Thanks again for all your reviews. The upside to sitting at home waiting for tradespeople is I had time to write another slightly longer chapter. Just basically trying to lay some groundwork for later. Sadly there are no new Nashville episodes until the 27th of March. I thought last night's ep was great though. After E12 I though E13 was a bit anti climactic. Not liking the look of Deacon's new love interest in the promo, talking about timing? Now that Rayna is finally available. Oh those writers do continue to torment us.
Mood Music Whilst Writing:
Artist: John Hiatt
Album: Bring The Family
Rayna sighed softly to herself and stared out the window as the bus pulled out of the hotel driveway in Denver. She pressed her forehead against the glass and let the coolness soothe her. They were heading back to Nashville for a month; it was the first scheduled break in her very long tour. She craned her neck to find out where Deacon was sitting, specifically because it wasn't next to her. They'd had a number of fights in recent days with the worst one being right before they were due to get on the bus. She spotted him a few seats ahead and he looked to be sleeping. She knew he probably wasn't though; he'd be stewing over everything she'd yelled at him and everything he'd yelled back at her.
Deacon had been annoyed at her attitude ever since the press had found out about them several weeks ago. She had wanted to hide even more and pretend there was nothing to know about. She figured that with no new gossip the media would get bored and move on to something else. But Deacon thought that there was no reason why they shouldn't openly be a couple in public now. He took personal offense to the fact that she wasn't in agreement.
"I don't need you to make public declarations of love for me Ray. But you're going out of your way to deny this instead! I just don't see the need for it. Unless you're ashamed to be seen with me?" he'd snapped earlier this morning.
"I'm not trying to deny you, I'm trying to protect our relationship and keep it private," she had tried to reason.
"Protect us from what? Being able to get a cup of coffee in public together? I really don't see how that could do any harm," he'd scoffed. "They way it is now is far worse."
"You just don't get it," she'd sighed.
"I think I do get it," he'd said. "You don't want to acknowledge me in public or to your father. You care too much about what other people think. You just won't admit it."
"Deacon," she'd called as he strode towards the door.
"I'm going to pack my bags Ray. See you on the bus." He slammed the door behind him.
She'd sat down on the bed and put her head in her hands, shaking slightly. They'd had this fight at least ten times and it never ended any differently. Usually when they reached a stalemate they ended up sleeping together. And afterwards when basking in the afterglow neither of them brought it up again.
And sometimes it ended with Deacon pouring himself a drink from the minibar. The alcohol seemed to quell his mood and he'd even manage a smile at her. Then she'd just pretend she was fine so they could go back to getting along. But something always seemed to trigger it again. And they hadn't had time to make up this time, so now he wasn't even speaking to her.
Rayna dozed off and was jolted awake as the bus pulled into Nashville. I'm home, she thought bitterly. Back home to her father and sister, to prying eyes. She'd been planning to hide out at Deacon's during the break. An opportunity to spend more time with him and do some solid writing. He'd had to pick up a roommate to cover the cost whilst he was away so it wouldn't have been quite so private. But still, it would be better than being at home. And she could just be with him. Well, so much for that.
She took a while to gather her things, in no hurry to get on her way. By the time she stepped off the bus Deacon was nowhere to be seen. Bucky was waiting for her on the curb and she smiled when he caught her eye.
"Need a ride Rayna?" he asked.
"Yeah, that would be great thanks Buck. Mine seems to have disappeared," she murmured.
"Everything ok with you two?" Bucky asked, as they walked towards the parking lot where Nancy had left his car for him.
"No not really," Rayna admitted bitterly. "I'll just let him cool off and then we can talk about it."
Bucky remained silent so after a moment Rayna continued. "He just doesn't get why I'd want to keep our relationship private. He doesn't understand about my father and all the rest. I just need time."
"It's easy to underestimate Lamar until you see him in action. I'd see why you'd want to keep him away from that. But in terms of the media, don't let them stop you from living your life. Otherwise it's not much of a life at all."
"Thanks Buck," she smiled appreciatively. "You always understand and know just what to say."
"I'm not sure my wife would always agree! Maybe next time she's harping on at me I'll tell her you said that?" he chuckled.
"Fine by me," Rayna laughed back.
"So," Bucky said. "You heading home?"
"I guess so. Back to Lamar and Tandy," she said unenthusiastically. For now, she thought to herself as they pulled out of the parking lot. Just for now.
Rayna was up at the crack of dawn the next morning. She had barely slept as it was and saw no point in tossing and turning over Deacon any longer. She forced herself to sit and wait in her car outside Deacon's apartment block until just after 8am. Then she got out and was just about to ring his buzzer when a pretty blonde opened the lobby door.
"Mornin'," the girl smiled cheerily. "Who are you after?"
"Number seven, Deacon Claybourne," Rayna answered.
"Oh, I'm his new roommate! I'm Annalynne, pleased to meet you," she said, extending her hand.
"I'm Rayna," she said, accepting a brief handshake.
"Rayna? Oh, Rayna Jaymes. I'm sorry I didn't recognise you out of your stage attire," Annalynne said, somewhat delighted. "I'm sure Deacon will want to see you. He seemed a bit moody when he came in last night. But I'm sure seeing you will cheer him up!"
"Oh, I don't know about that," said Rayna softly.
"Ah, well look, I'll just let you in before I go to work," Annalynne offered. She bounced up the stairs with energy and unlocked the door. "I think he is still sleepin'," she added.
"Okay," said Rayna. "Thanks."
"No problem. Good to meet you. Bye!"
"Bye."
Rayna shook her head at the revelation of Deacon's peppy new roommate before making her way to his door. After turning the handle she was dismayed to find the room in a state of disarray and Deacon passed out naked on his bed. Oh Deacon, she thought to herself.
"Hey," she murmured, shaking him gently. "Hey Deacon, wake up!"
"Ray?" he muttered eventually, rubbing his eyes. "What are you doing here?"
"Your new roommate let me in. You never told me about her," she said pointedly. Not wanting to start a new argument she quickly added, "Look I just came to talk. To make things right."
"I'm not up to talkin' right now. My head is poundin'."
"Oh, well do you want me to get you some water or Advil?" Rayna asked, wincing at how motherly her voice sounded.
"Nah Ray, I don't need ya to get me nothin.' Just lay down here and stop talkin' for a while," Deacon said softly.
"Okay," she replied. She slipped off her jeans and shoes and slid under the covers with him, trying not to be bothered by the strong smell of alcohol. It wasn't okay yet but at least she was next to him again. It was something at least.
A few hours later Rayna and Deacon arose. After they each showered separately Deacon poked around the fridge so he could make them some food. Surprisingly it was fully stocked and he emerged with bacon and eggs.
"I sure as hell didn't buy all this but I ain't complainin', "he chuckled, cracking a smile.
"Yes it must have been Annalynne," Rayna replied, placing emphasis on her name.
"Not jealous are you Ray?" he asked, challenging her.
"No," she said, in a tone that indicated otherwise. "Look Deac, I don't wanna fight with you anymore. I can't stand it."
Deacon's heart melted when he saw the tears in her eyes. "Oh Ray, me either." He walked around from the bench and joined her on the couch, taking both hands in his.
"I'm sorry if you think I'm ashamed of you, I'm really not. I was just to keep you away from my family problems. And I'm not used to people reporting on what I do, it makes me self-conscious. I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry too Ray, for yellin' and sayin' what I said to ya. We don't have ta go out in public if ya don't want. I'm happy to just be with ya," he murmured.
"No," Rayna said quietly.
"No?"
"We should go out," she said determinedly. "I love you. I don't want to hide away, I want to live my life."
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes," she said, kissing him on the lips and resting her forehead on his.
"In that case let's go out to eat. I'm not sure if I should be exposing you to my mediocre cooking skills just yet," he laughed.
"You're lying, I know you're a great cook," she exclaimed. "I'm the one who is lousy."
"You're right, you're right," he said, putting his hands up in surrender. "I just have a headache and don't feel much like cookin'."
"Ok then, where should we go?" she asked, going to get up but Deacon pulled her back to her seat.
"Oh there's a nice little café down the road. It'll do nicely for our first outin' as a couple. And then after I'm feeling a little better we can…" He broke off and kissed her on one cheek, then the other and then her lips. Rayna put her hands on his face and deepened the kiss.
"Deacon," she sighed.
He gave in to her and leaned in closer, running his hands up her thighs. After a few moments of enjoyment he pulled away.
"What, you don't want me anymore?" she asked, feigning rejection.
"Oh darlin' you know that couldn't be farther from the truth. But I wasn't lying' when I said I needed food!"
"Man's gotta eat," she said, sighing lightly.
"That he does," Deacon proclaimed, pulling her to her feet. "Let's go."
After they had been at the café for ten minutes Deacon realised that Rayna was kind of right about them being out in public. People were clearly looking at them to see if they were going to do anything newsworthy and whispering amongst themselves, it felt awkward.
"You're right, people are starin' at us," he whispered to her.
"I know," Rayna whispered back. "I hate it. This is my hometown too, it's weird."
"Yeah, it sucks," Deacon agreed.
"I…I don't care though. I'm still gonna stay here with you," said Rayna.
"Oh Ray," he smiled at her appreciatively and grabbed her hand under the table, placing it on his leg.
"I just was hoping to get more writin' done during this break. Bucky said if we could cut a few good songs together he'd show em to Watty White. I love Nashville but I almost don't wanna be here right now. It feels more stressful than tourin.'"
"You're right," Deacon said. "And I don't wanna spend the whole month with us just holed up in my apartment. Especially now Annalynne is there too."
"Yes. Annalynne," murmured Rayna.
"Yeah sorry I had to get a roommate Ray. She is just my mate's sister back from college. I couldn't afford to leave the place empty whilst I was away. I would've told you more about her but we've been fightin' so much lately."
"It's ok Deacon I get it," she said, giving his hand a squeeze. Not everyone was as well off as the Wyatts.
"But look I think I have a little solution to our problem. A way to escape."
"Oh," asked Rayna, her eyes lighting up a little. "What's that?"
"Well," began Deacon. "Have I ever told you about the cabin?"
