Chapter 6 - Tour Week

Why did I want to sing that song?. It was one Lilly Anne and I had never sung together before. Maybe this was meant to be. Me playing with Lilly Anne, Charles Kelly getting sick. Lady A hearing me sing that song. Can this lead me back to Zoe? Now, how am I going to pull this off. I am going to need help.

Wade starts making calls. He asks Lavon his advice, I mean, if he is doing this, it is only 5 days away. He wants Zoe to be there on Thursday but that is taking a chance. What if Zoe has to end up pulling a double shift. Who can help him make this happen.

Lavon says," what about George, he is there, he could make up something to get her there." Wade thinks better of it. Although it would feel good to see George's reaction if she did reconsider being with him. It is pretty risky. She could always turn him down and George would be there to pick her up.

Lavon tells Wade that he will call Gigi. I mean she owes him, She made a mess of his homecoming party. Wade went home to pack a week's worth of clothes.

Monday morning he drove to Mobile to meet up with the band and join them on the tour bus. They headed to Lexington to play in front of 18,000 fans at Rupp Arena. The band welcomed him and gave him an extended list and a time for him to ask questions about songs he may not know that well. There were a few that he needed to practice playing/singing that had a few solo parts.

It was Tuesday evening and getting close to time for his on stage debut with Lady ANtebellum. He decided to text Zoe.

W- I think Thursday night will work best. I can't wait to share my news.

An hour went by before Zoe replied.

Z- Just tell me. This hospital job isn't conducive to long conversations.

W- Patience, baby.

Z- Baby?

W- Sorry Doc, it's that southern thing. Thursday it is.

Lady A was being introduced by hometown hero Chris Stapleton. He was going to sing one song with Hilary, Need You Now. Wade was glad he didn't have to do this one because it is a little high for his voice in places. Rupp went wild for Chris and Hillary.

After that song, Chris introduces WADE KINSELLA filling in for Charles Kelly. The crowd clapped. They start off with "Bartender" then go into "Looking for a Goodtime" Then it is time to do Picture, Wade starts off the hands are sweaty, his knees are weak but he remembers what his dad told him, "take a chance son".

This audience of 18,000 was just as quiet as the RJ had been for about 20 seconds when the song was over. Then they erupted in screams, cheers and claps. The group sped things up with "American Honey", "Downtown" and a few more before" All We'd Ever Need" , "Just a Kiss", "Our Kind of Love" and "You Look Good". Encore song was I Run to You.

Wade was pleased that he didn't blackout and not remember the chords or lyrics. I mean most of these songs played in his bar all of the time. This was good dress rehearsal for Thursday night.

They stayed in the 31C hotel that night before getting up at 6am to start traveling to New York City. On the way, Wade asked the band if they could rearrange some songs for Thursday night. He proceeded to tell them the bare minimum about him and Zoe, how she left Bluebell because of him and the Battle of the Bands fiasco and his cheating. She is a surgeon in New York now. He told them how the song Picture suits them nearly perfectly. Except for the cocaine of course. Wade was strictly an alcohol man, no other substances had ever been a part of his life. The band set gave some advice and set the lineup. They were eager to help him. Country singers eat this stuff up.

Wade texted Lavon.

W- Is everything set for Zoe?

L - yes Gigi is all in and taking care of it

W- Can you ask her if she can get the doorman's name and phone number for me?

L- Really? The doorman?

W- Yes, Doc is close to him, known him since she was 10.

L- I will try.

W- Lavon, I need you there for me in case something goes wrong, I know George will be there but I am not sure I can count on him in this situation. And AB? Zoe may need her, Gigi is high maintenance.

L - AB and I are in, Anything for you and Big Z. Oh and Gigi is inviting some others.

W- Find out how many, I need to get enough tables up front, they said there are seats for like 100 and then standing room for about 500.

L- Breathe Wade, you got this. She will be able to tell how you feel, And if she is too neurotic to understand or comprehend then you will have to spell it out for her. We will hog tie her if we have to.

W- Thanks Lavon, you're the best. See ya Thursday,

Send me the doormans number plz

Wade texts Lemon,

W- Hey, hows things?

LB- Going great. Just made the largest deposit in our history. Wade you were simply amazin'.

W- I couldn't do any of this without you. I wish you could be there Thursday. I need all of the support I can get.

LB- I know. I will be there in spirit and if you need a swift kick in the pants, I will be all too happy to tell you off again! Now go and tell Zoe Hart that you love her and that she makes you better and you make her better!

Lemon called Lavon and told him to count her in. She would have to fly in and fly out in an 18 hour window but Wade is her best friend.

Lavon sent Wade the doorman's phone number and the final count of attendees without mentioning names. Lemon wanted to surprise Wade.

Wade called Edward. He explained who he was and what he and Zoe used to be. Edward replied, " I know of you. Zoe has talked about you. She loves you but you crushed her. I think she has forgiven you although she hasn't said it. I am not sure she will go back there with you. I just want you to know that and have a plan. My understanding is that you and Zoe both have a hard time communicating because neither of you have ever had a real relationship."

"Sir, since the day before she left Bluebell, I have tried to only say things that I mean. I am trying to think before I speak but Doc is one wound up little corkscrew and she can throw me off balance at any moment. It is one the things that I love about her but it can get in the way sometimes."

Then Wade explains the plan to him.

" Which brings me to the reason I am calling, to ask that you make sure she gets to the concert on Thursday. She listens to you and values your friendship, Of course I don't want her to know what is going on unless she absolutely refuses."

Edwards promised that she would be there.

He saved the hardest call for last, George.

"Hey wade"

" Hey George, has Gigi gotten in touch with you about Thursday?"

"Yep, I will be there"

"George I know this is awkward but I love her and I know that YOU of all people know that I do, since that fateful night 6 months ago. I have been with exactly one woman, Zoe. I need to know that you are on board and want this to work out for me. If not, please dont come."

"Wade, a part of me loves her but I am not sure it is the way you love her. I will let her explain if she wants to. Mine and Zoe's relationship is Zoe's to tell. I will be there. "

"OK, good"

They hung up.

I think I have a chance if she can just forgive me, Did Golden Boy drop out of the race? Or was he disqualified by Zoe?