Watty stood on the side stage, watching each of the acts. Even though he was there for Rayna, he still kept his ears open for a new, exciting sound. He let his eyes roam over the crowd. Rayna's sister had brought her and he knew she was somewhere out there. Tandy reminded him of Lamar. Her looks favored Virginia, but she had Lamar's steeliness. He knew Tandy was sixteen when Virginia died. He wondered if she knew anything about his relationship with her mother. She'd looked at him a little oddly when Rayna had introduced them, although she'd been perfectly pleasant.
Then it was Rayna's turn on the stage, so he left his thoughts about Tandy and focused on her sister. Rayna was so like Virginia. It was what had struck him about her when he'd first met her. She had Virginia's looks, but also her zest for life, her love for music, and a whimsy that reminded him so much of his lost love. It was Rayna's voice that really caught his attention though. There was a richness there already, one he knew would deepen and grow as she got older. She was a pretty girl, would become a beautiful woman. He could introduce her to the right people, make sure she had a good manager, and help her fulfill her dreams.
She had caught his attention first, of course, because she was Virginia's daughter. But Rayna had real talent, he'd seen that almost immediately. She would headline arena shows one day, that he knew for sure, as long as she was serious about a career. If she was willing to do the work, make the sacrifices, throw herself into it for the long haul, she would make it. And he wanted to help her get there.
She would need at least a guitar player at first, since she was simply not that good, but eventually he thought she'd be playing large stages and arenas and would need a complete band. But that was a little ways off. He was a little surprised when he saw Deacon Claybourne walk out onto the stage to back her on the guitar. He'd seen Deacon around town, singing with his sister. He had thought they were decent, but nothing particularly special. Deacon's guitar skills were outstanding though, which he saw yet again as he played behind Rayna.
As he kept watching, he suddenly felt a magic on the stage. The two of them together had something special. Deacon made her better somehow. Maybe it was not having to focus on the guitar that freed her up to really let loose with her vocals, but, as good as they were, they were now almost commanding. He could really see the artist she would become.
It gave him an idea.
####
It made Tandy nervous for Rayna to go do a show at Exit/In. She was, of course, familiar with the place, since it was just around the corner from Vandy and a favorite of many of her college friends. In truth, she'd spent a fair amount of time there as well. It just didn't feel like the kind of place a sixteen year old girl should be. But she also wanted to support her sister's dreams, so she had told their father Rayna would be spending the weekend with her. He didn't have to know what Rayna's Friday night plans were.
When they got to the venue, Rayna was like a kid on Christmas. She turned to Tandy with a huge, excited smile on her face. "Oh my God, Tandy, this is like the real deal!" she cried.
Tandy couldn't help but smile. "I'm excited for you, sweetie," she said and put her arm around her sister's shoulder.
Rayna pulled away from her. "Mr. White!" she called out, waving her hand above her head. Tandy felt her stomach turn over. "Mr. White!"
The man Tandy knew was Watty White walked over to where they were standing. He was a tall, rangy man, his dark hair just touched with a bit of gray at the temples and a full beard. He had the hint of lines around his eyes and across his forehead. His crystal blue eyes were penetrating, but his smile was easy and gentle. He was wearing a suit, with a shirt unbuttoned at the neck. "I thought I told you to call me Watty," he said, smiling indulgently at her sister. Tandy couldn't help but wonder what his interest in Rayna really was.
Rayna laughed. "I'm sorry. Watty, this is my sister Tandy. Tandy, this is Watty White. He heard me at the Bluebird and has been giving me some advice on my career." She looked eagerly back and forth between Tandy and Watty.
Tandy narrowed her eyes just a smidge. She couldn't help but wonder about this man who had apparently swept her mother off her feet. The man who made Virginia Wyatt want to leave her husband and family and run away. She was sure Watty must have known her mom had a family. What kind of man is okay with a woman leaving her children behind? She forced a smile on her face and held out her hand. "I've heard quite a bit about you, Mr. White," she said, crisply.
He gave her a questioning look, but then it vanished. "You can call me Watty too," he said, pleasantly. He nodded towards Rayna. "Your sister is quite talented."
The smile faded a bit. "And what's your interest in her?" she asked, feeling protective of Rayna. Her sister was a teenager, after all, and had been sheltered most of her life. Tandy knew Rayna wasn't as savvy as she liked to think she was.
"Tandy," Rayna said, under her breath, looking a little horrified.
Watty shook his head and waved his hand at Rayna. "No, no, it's okay," he said. "She's just being a good sister, looking out for you." He looked back at Tandy. "Your sister is very talented, as I said. I'd like to help her get her feet on the ground. Help her grow as an artist, get her into some places where she can start to create some buzz. I think she could have a really phenomenal career in country music."
Rayna beamed and Tandy looked at her sister, wondering if he was doing it because she was Virginia's daughter. If he really thought she had the talent or if it was just some way to feel close to his old love again. She would definitely have to keep an eye on this.
She stood against one of the poles along the side of the venue, watching the acts on stage. She watched the reaction of the crowd when Rayna came out and was pleased to hear how receptive and enthusiastic they were. It had been a little while since she'd heard Rayna perform and she really thought her sister was even better than she had been before. Her guitar playing had not really improved much, despite the lessons she said she was getting from that Deacon Claybourne fellow.
Just as she thought his name, she watched as he walked out on stage and took over as Rayna's guitar player. At first she frowned, thinking it was really sort of forward of him to do that. But as she listened, she couldn't help but think that he really complemented her vocals. When Rayna didn't have to concentrate on the guitar, her voice was even more compelling than before.
Tandy understood why Watty would have had a professional interest in Rayna. She certainly hoped he had her best interests in mind. But more concerning to her now was the way that Deacon was looking at Rayna. She didn't know if Rayna had enough experience to know when a young man was in love with her, but Deacon Claybourne certainly looked like a man in love as he watched Rayna.
Tandy felt a little shiver run up her spine.
####
Rayna's mind was swirling as she hurried off, away from Deacon and Samantha. Her eyes filled with tears and her heart felt heavy as she blindly walked towards the steps.
"Rayna!" She heard Watty call her name and she stopped, then turned slowly, wiping her eyes. She forced a smile to her face. He was smiling. "That was fantastic," he said.
"Thanks," she said.
He frowned a little. "Did you feel good about it?"
She thought about that. When she was singing, that had felt fantastic. It was everything that happened after that that had felt…confusing, and definitely not fantastic. She nodded. "Yeah, I did. I was happy with the songs," she said.
"That was a great idea, having Deacon come out with you."
She shook her head. "I didn't know he was going to do that."
"Well, I thought it worked really well. The two of you have some amazing chemistry on stage."
She felt the tears again and blinked hard. "Well, I think he was just bailing me out on guitar," she said, trying to smile. "You know, because I'm so bad and all." She laughed a little.
Watty crossed his arms over his chest and smiled at her. "You did good tonight, my little songbird. You should be proud. I think this will turn out to be a launching pad for you." He pointed a finger at her. "So stay tuned. I've got some things in mind."
The fake smile turned into a real smile then. "Thank you so much for your support, Mr., I mean, Watty." She could feel herself blush a little. "I'm ready for whatever you have in mind."
She couldn't fall asleep. Tandy was on the other side of the bed, dead to the world. She lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling. The night had felt surreal, on so many levels. It was the biggest crowd she'd played in front of and that had felt both intimidating and exhilarating. Hearing the reaction not only to her own music but the music of all the other artists there that night had been like a dream come true. It had felt like what she imagined it would really feel like to be a working artist.
She couldn't help but think about her mom and tears welled up in her eyes. Her mom had been the one to open her eyes to all the possibilities, encouraging her to sing and express herself that way. All the way back to the very first song that had touched her soul – the haunting 'Wayfaring Stranger' – to the song that solidified for her that she wanted to sing country music – John Conlee's 'Rose Colored Glasses'. She loved the old classics and wanted to be that kind of artist. Another Patsy Cline or Dottie West.
Deacon walking out on stage to help her had seemed like a dream come true, for a half second. That he would do that for her had given her hope, had given her strength. She thought maybe it meant that they could get back on solid ground with each other, but then he had to spoil it. You just don't need me out there. Maybe that was true, but she had wanted him there. It had felt right, somehow, in a way she was at a loss to explain. When he'd been bumped into her, for a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her, or something. But he'd pulled away so fast and then Samantha had walked up and it had killed the moment. Or maybe there hadn't been a moment to kill. She felt so confused.
Seeing Deacon that night with Samantha had just reminded her that he was off limits, that her little schoolgirl crush – and that was surely all it was – was a waste of time. Samantha was a woman, that much was clear, and she surely satisfied him in ways Rayna couldn't even imagine, not even after reading all of Tandy's romance novels. She felt a lump in her throat as she remembered him coming out on stage with her. He probably thought I was so pathetic, he just needed to bail me out. She rolled over onto her side and let the tears roll down onto the pillowcase.
She told herself that Deacon wasn't part of her life anymore. She was going on a different journey, one that Watty White would help her plot out. Deacon had his own life to live, finding his way as a single artist and living his life with Samantha Beeswax. She smiled a little to herself. Beasley. Beeswax. She wanted to laugh out loud then, but she didn't want to wake up Tandy. Deacon and Miss Beeswax were made for each other. She wouldn't let herself be tied down like that. The sky was the limit and everything was in front of her for the taking.
She finally fell asleep, a smile still on her face.
####
Deacon was playing at an outdoor space in East Nashville, behind one of the neighborhood bars that dotted the area. One thing he'd discovered since being in Nashville was that there was live music almost everywhere. It didn't matter if it was a dive bar or a honky tonk or a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant. There were aspiring artists everywhere and they were all looking for a place to ply their trade, hoping for that chance of a lifetime, when some big time producer or label head happened to be out, listening for new voices, new sounds, and would sign someone on the spot. He suspected it didn't happen often, but he was always a little hopeful it might happen to him.
Vince and Stewart had showed up and the three of them jammed together. He enjoyed performing with them, but he still wanted to make a name for himself on his own. He had a good catalog of songs already and was always looking for something to inspire him. When he finally walked off the stage, he was a little surprised to see Watty White sitting off to the side. The other man beckoned to him and he headed that way.
"You got a minute?" Watty asked, when Deacon had reached his table.
Deacon nodded. "Sure."
Watty pointed towards the seat across from him. "Sit," he said, and Deacon did. Watty frowned. "You play with those other two often?"
Deacon shrugged. "Sometimes. Not as a regular thing though."
Watty steepled his fingers in front of his mouth. "Any of the songs you do your own?" he asked.
"Yes, sir. Well, when I play alone. I've wrote a lot." He was curious where Watty was going with this.
Watty nodded, not saying anything right way. Then he sat forward, dropping his hands in his lap. "You were great on stage with Rayna Jaymes the other night at the Exit/In."
Deacon slumped a little in his chair. "That wasn't nothing. Just helping her out, 'cause she ain't that good on guitar. I could tell she needed to, well…." He shrugged.
Watty gave him a tight smile. "She needed some help. So she could concentrate on what she was good at." He nodded. "It's okay. I actually was quite impressed. You're a very good guitar player, Deacon. Better than most of the session musicians I've heard."
Deacon smiled a little sheepishly. That was high praise. "Thank you, sir," he said, dropping his head a little.
"Stop calling me sir," Watty said, the sound of laughter in his voice. "Watty, please." He put his hands on the table. "Would you consider teaming up with Rayna? Playing guitar for her and singing background with her?"
Deacon frowned. "You mean, be her back up?" He shook his head. "I ain't here to be nobody's back up."
Watty waved his hand. "No, no, I mean like a duo. I'd need to hear the two of you sing together, but I think you'd be good together. There was a lot of chemistry on that stage."
Deacon took a deep breath and then stood up. "Look, Mr. White, I appreciate that and all, but I ain't looking to be a duo with nobody. I was gonna do that with my sister, but she went home, so that's the end a that. If you're interested in me as a solo act, I'll listen, but me and Rayna aren't a match." He picked up his guitar and headed towards the parking lot.
"Think about it!" Watty called after him. Deacon just shook his head and kept walking.
He hadn't been able to stop thinking about Rayna since the night at the Exit/In. He kept remembering how she'd run off from him. It had just confirmed for him that he needed to stay away from her. But he still couldn't stop thinking about her. He'd dream about her at night and her face was in front of him during the day. He was just glad that she wasn't calling him, asking about guitar lessons.
Watty's offer had been surprising, but it was true, that wasn't what he wanted. He really wanted to be a solo act. That had even been true when he'd come with Beverly, but she was his sister and he'd done it for her. But now that she was gone, he wasn't really interested in teaming up with someone.
He kept busy, busing tables in the mornings at the diner, running the sound board at Robert's in the afternoon, and playing anywhere he could in the evenings, either on his own or with Vince and Stewart. He tried spending more time with Samantha, hoping that would help push the unwanted thoughts away. Samantha had given him an ultimatum though, after the night at the Exit/In. You're either all in with me or you're not, Deacon. There's no halfway with me. He wasn't sure he was all in – with anyone – but staying with Samantha helped him steer clear of Rayna.
It had been several weeks since the Exit/In when Rayna called him. He'd been surprised to pick up the phone and hear her voice on the other end. "Hey, Deacon, it's Rayna," she said, sounding perky.
"Uh, what's up?"
"Well, I was talking to Mr. White the other day and…."
He scowled into the phone. "I told him I ain't interested," he said, raising his voice, angry that Watty would have gone behind his back to her.
She was silent for a moment. "What?"
"I done told him I ain't interested in being in a duo. With you or anybody."
"I don't know what…."
"Look, Rayna, I helped you out, but I can't do that no more. I'm trying to make it on my own, same as you, and I don't have time to be your back up."
"Hey, wait a…."
He huffed. "Look, I gotta go." And he hung up the phone. Then he stood there for a moment, realizing he was shaking. He hadn't really meant to be that harsh with her, but he didn't want to drag her down. Watty was right, she needed a guitar player, but he just couldn't be the one to do that.
The phone started to ring again and he looked at it. Then he picked up his guitar and keys and headed out the door.
He was setting up the sound board at Robert's, not really paying attention to what was going on around him. So he didn't hear the footsteps approach until she slammed her open palm on the top of the board. He looked up. Rayna was red in the face, her eyes practically shooting fire and her mouth set in a grim line. He was so surprised, he couldn't speak.
"How dare you hang up on me!" she shouted. The customers who were in the place turned to look.
He took a deep breath. "Rayna, I'm sor…."
"You are probably the rudest, most horrible person I know, Deacon Claybourne!" she said angrily. "I called to see if you could still give me guitar lessons and you just dump all over me for no reason." Her hands were on her hips at this point. "I have no idea what you and Watty talked about but you had no right to talk to me that way."
He could see people craning around to look and some of the other staff had come out of the back. He walked around the board and put his hand on her arm to lead her out, but she pulled away from him. "Rayna," he said, his voice low.
"Don't touch me!" she cried.
"Let's go outside and talk," he said.
She shook her head. "I don't want to talk to you. I'm sorry I was ever nice to you. I'm sorry I thought we could be friends, or anything else. I just wanted to tell you that you're despicable and mean and I hope I never see you again." With that, she whirled around and marched back out the front door. He was too stunned to do anything but watch.
When he finally regained his composure, he was conscious of the fact that people were still staring at him and he felt a combination of anger and embarrassment. He looked away and went back behind the board. His hands were shaking with emotion and he breathed in and out, trying to settle himself. Then he thought about something she had said. I'm sorry I thought we could be friends, or anything else.
He wondered what she had meant by the 'anything else'.
####
Her anger had somewhat dissipated by the time she got back to her car, just returned to her by her father. That's when she started to shake and tears filled her eyes. She stomped her foot, angry at herself for crying, and swiped at her tears. She got in the car and sat for a moment, digesting the whole fight she'd just had with Deacon. She still wasn't sure what he was talking about, what he meant by not wanting to be her back up. She needed to talk to Watty, ask him what that was about. But whatever it was, he had no right to hang up on her or be so mean.
Finally she pulled out of the parking lot and headed over to Music Row.
"I'm so sorry, Rayna," Watty was saying, as he sat on the edge of his desk, a contrite look on his face. "I just thought the two of you really sounded great out there on the stage. I'm sorry I didn't talk to you first."
She sat there, her arms crossed over her chest. She'd been angry again when she arrived at Watty's office, but, after he'd explained why he'd reached out to Deacon, she felt a little nauseous. She'd said some terrible things to him, and he'd clearly been surprised at her outburst. Now she felt like she'd made a mess of everything and that she'd probably lost a friend in the process.
"Well, I guess I still need someone to teach me to play guitar," she said then. "Or to play for me." She sighed. "I think his girlfriend wouldn't have let him help me out anyway. She seems kind of possessive."
Watty smiled then. "Girlfriends can be that way," he said. "Look, we'll find you someone. Let me worry about that."
She looked up at him and nodded, but she still felt bad about her behavior. As she got up and left his office, she felt like she needed to apologize, even if Deacon stayed mad at her. She walked out to her car and went back downtown.
####
Deacon was surprised when he looked up and saw Rayna standing in front of him. He felt himself tense up, wondering why she was back. He frowned.
"I went to see Watty and he told me what he asked you," she said. He could barely hear her above the music and had to lean a little closer. "I'm sorry."
He breathed in, then shrugged. "Okay," he said.
She stood there for a moment and he wasn't sure if she was going to say something else or not. Finally she squared her shoulders. "That's it then," she said. "That's all I wanted to say." Then she turned and walked back out, his eyes following her until she was gone.
####
Watty was waiting for her out behind Douglas Corners. He'd told her it was a newer venue, a great spot for up-and-comers like her. It was another of those showcases, so she would be there with a lot of other performers and would only have to do three songs. She'd been hesitant to come, wondering if Deacon would be there, but she'd shrugged it off. This was her career and she needed to do whatever Watty told her and not worry about Deacon Claybourne.
Watty smiled when she walked up. "I got you right in the middle, so you won't be the warm up and there should be a good crowd by the time you go on."
She smiled, feeling a little anxious, like she always did right before she went on stage. She wondered if that feeling would ever go away. "Thanks, Watty," she said. "Do you know how many other people are here?"
"It seems like they have a good group lined up. Ten acts." He looked at her carefully. "You're not nervous, are you?"
She shook her head. "No, of course not," she said, even though she was. "I'm excited."
As she waited backstage, a young guy with sandy blond hair and hazel eyes sat next to her. He was tall and lanky and he seemed pretty relaxed. She had noticed him earlier, standing with another guy, with dark hair and a husky build. They looked a little familiar, but she couldn't place where she might have seen them before. He turned to her then and held his hand out. "Hey, there, I'm Stewart," he said. "Stewart Osborne."
She smiled, taking his hand. "Rayna. Nice to meet you, Stewart."
He looked around. "This your first time here?"
She nodded. "I didn't even know this place was here."
"It's pretty new, but the good news is that you can do covers here. So for people like me that don't write songs, it works."
"Have you been in Nashville long?" she asked.
He laughed, an easy laugh. "All my life," he said, with a grin. "I was born and raised here."
She raised her eyebrows. "Really? Me too."
"Wow. I think we might be unique in the room then. What part of town?"
She bit her lip. She always hated telling people where she was from, like they would assume she felt entitled and all. So she hedged a little. "Over near West End."
"Ah, the good side of town." He nodded. "I grew up in Whites Creek, but now I live in Lockeland. Over by East Nashville."
She smiled. "The cool part of town."
He laughed. "I don't know how cool it is, but it's cheap for us folks that gotta make a living." A dig, she knew, even though it was a soft one. She decided to ignore it. He looked at her carefully. "You look familiar. Have you been at one of these before?"
She shook her head. "Not here. I did one at Exit/In a while back though."
He looked thoughtful. "Maybe that's it. If you're gonna be doing these, I'm sure we'll see each other a lot. Most everyone does 'em."
Just then, someone came back and called out her name. "Rayna? We're ready for you."
She got up and picked up her guitar. "It was nice to meet you, Stewart," she said.
He smiled. "I'll see you after. I'm last. Well, me and my friend are." He nodded toward the dark-haired, husky guy, who seemed to be hitting on a server.
She smiled. "See you then," she said, with a wave, and then followed the person out to the stage.
It felt comforting to look out over the crowd and see Watty, leaning against the front wall, smiling his approval. The crowd was an appreciative one. At the beginning of one of her songs, she played a wrong chord sequence, and felt embarrassed, so she stopped and started over, and then felt comforted again by the fact that there was an understanding acceptance that things happen like that. When she walked off the stage, she felt energized and happy. She smiled and waved at the crowd, as they gave her an appreciative send-off.
She half-skipped, half ran backstage, feeling warm all over. Stewart was standing with his friend and they waved her over. "You were great, girl!" he said, with a big smile.
She felt like she had a goofy grin on her face. "Really? You think so?"
"Damn, girl, you got a voice that won't quit," the other guy said.
"This is Vince," Stewart said, gesturing towards his friend. "Steer clear of him, though, 'cause he chases every tail in town."
She felt herself blush. "Oh, okay," she said, not really sure how to take that. Just then Watty walked up to rescue her.
"Great job, Rayna," he said, gently trying to steer her away.
Just before they walked off, Stewart reached out and handed her a napkin. "I'm having a party next Thursday. You should come. Out by the pool. Lots of people from here will be there" – he gestured towards some of the other performers – "so it'll be fun. Just a hang out with other people starting out. If you can."
She looked at him, then down at the napkin. It was an address on Ordway. She looked back. "Thanks," she said, not committing, and then she let Watty lead her out the back entrance.
####
He walked up the steps to Stewart and Vince's apartment. He guessed he understood why the apartment management would let them use the pool for their party, but lock the pool house. Stewart and Vince would surely not clean it up. He shook his head as he let himself in.
After he used the restroom, he plucked a beer out of the fridge and downed it in one swallow. He tossed the empty bottle in the trash and let out a loud belch. Then he got another beer and headed for the door. He hadn't been to one of Stewart and Vince's parties in a while. They usually got pretty crazy and he usually got pretty trashed. He'd sort of needed it, he'd thought, when they told him about it. He'd finally broken things off with Samantha and he'd been surprised at how much lighter he'd felt without that relationship.
Samantha wouldn't have let him come to a party like this by himself. There were a lot of things she didn't want him doing by himself. He wasn't ready to be all in. That's what he'd told her. Not with her, not with anyone. He wanted to concentrate on his music, not be suffocated by her watchfulness. So he'd broken up with her, a little surprised she was less upset about it than he'd thought she'd be. But he hadn't looked back and he hadn't missed her at all, although he did sometimes miss the sex.
He opened the door and walked out onto the walkway, heading for the stairs down to the parking lot level. He glanced over at the pool, across the way. It was a good turnout and someone was already singing. It was a good group of people, even if they did get rowdy after a while. As he started down the steps, his eye caught something and he stopped. He stared at the back of a girl with reddish-gold hair and his heart started pounding. It couldn't be Rayna, though. As far as he knew, she didn't know Stewart or Vince.
He kept watching. He hadn't seen Rayna since that day she'd come in and apologized, after the fight they'd had. Or more accurately, the fight she'd had with him. He hadn't heard from her, hadn't run across her. He didn't know how to reach her anyway. He wouldn't have just gone to her house and he couldn't remember the name of her school, or if she'd even told him the name of it. But it was mid-June already, so she was probably done with school for the summer. His heart was still pounding as he watched Stewart walk up to the girl. It couldn't be her.
Then she turned so that he could see part of her face and it was like there'd been a rush of blood to his head. Rayna.