Mar 3rd, 1990
Dear Diary,
I think I'm in love. I thought I loved Bobby Frank sophomore year, but it was nothing like this.
A week ago, I thought I hated Deacon Claybourne. I'm still not quite sure how this happened, but it's amazing. He's amazing. I've never felt such attraction to anyone. He kissed me tonight in the Bluebird parking lot, and the world stopped. He's so gentle and loving. I've never felt so safe or cared for in anyone else's arms.
I can't believe this is the same guy that was such a jerk last week. I completely misjudged him.
He's taking me out for my birthday on Sat, and I can't wait to be alone with him again. I know our first date is going to be magical.
Oh and he agreed to do the demo…we're recording Friday! Everything is amazing right now!
Several hours ago…
"Hey, Deacon! It's Rayna again. I've been trying to reach you for two days. I know we have our differences, and really didn't hit it off, but music means everything to me. Like I said in the last message, we really have a shot here as a duo. Can you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE just call me back?" Rayna sighed as she hung up again. She'd tried to call Deacon dozens of times in the last 48 hours, and left at least half a dozen messages to no avail
"Hi Watty. Have you had any luck with Deacon?" she sadly asked into the phone
"No honey, I'm sorry. He hasn't answered any calls and hasn't returned any messages. I even stopped by his apartment. His truck wasn't there, and no one answered the door. I did also stop at the Bluebird. They haven't seen him since Thursday night either, but Sarah did say he's scheduled to work behind the bar tonight for 4 hours from 8 to midnight. Can you possibly try to stop in there? I'd do it myself, but I'm doing a live radio broadcast then."
"I dunno, Watty. Wednesday nights daddy, Tandy and I have dinner at the country club together. I'm not sure how I'd get away, or what excuse I'd use. I'll try to come up with something but Wednesdays are the one day of the week daddy has dinner with us and usually comes home for the night after dinner." Rayna sighed again, feeling hopeless as she hung up
Across town Deacon and Vince had just arrived home. They'd taken an impromptu trip to Memphis with Kelly and Jessica the two women they were sorta seeing, or sleeping with to be more accurate. They'd left the apartment the previous Thursday night to meet the girls at Tootsies.
One drunken thing had led to another. Next thing they knew they had all crammed into Deacon's old truck and ended up on Beale Street in Memphis. They'd checked into a cheap hotel and stayed through the weekend. Deacon's girlfriend Kelly needed to get to Chattanooga by Tue for a family funeral. He'd left Vince and Jessica in Memphis while he took Kelly to Chattanooga.
It was now Wednesday afternoon. He was exhausted and irritated by the fact that he had to work tonight as he, Vince and Jessica entered the apartment.
"Hey Vince, check the mail and see if your mama's check showed up. It's the 3rd and rents late. I spent all my money in Memphis coverin the hotel and gas. You're gonna have to get rent. I'm goin to bed for a few hours before my shift tonight. Unless the place is on fire, leave me the hell alone." Deacon sniped as he slammed his bedroom door. He was extremely irritable coming off a 6 day bender, and after a 3 hour drive crammed in the truck with Vince and Jessica
"Hey Deke, there are several messages on the machine for you." Vince called as Deacon sleepily shuffled into the bathroom for a quick shower before work a few hours later
"I don't care. I'll listen tomorrow. You pay rent?" Deacon asked
"Yeah, I took care of it."
An hour later Deacon shuffled into the Bluebird for his 4 hour shift, carrying the biggest cup of coffee he could get from McDonalds drive thru
"You look like hell! What happened to you?" Sarah asked as Deacon joined her behind the bar
"I dunno. I don't remember much since sometime last week." Deacon mumbled
"You really need to cut back on the drinkin binges, Deke. That shits gonna kill ya." Sarah squeezed his shoulder as she passed him on the way to the office
"I'm good, just tired. Thanks for the concern." Deacon tried to smile
"OK, well, should be an easy night. It's been slow. Just a couple unknowns in the round. We're barely half sold out for tonight."
Across town the Wyatt's were just finishing up dinner at the country club.
"Thanks for dinner, daddy. I have an early meeting. Gonna head home. I'll see you Sat for shopping, Rayna." Tandy said her goodbyes as Rayna and Lamar climbed into their father's waiting limo
"Oh ya know what daddy, I need to run to Megan's to get some notes for school. I have a history test tomorrow. I'll be right back." Rayna said as she climbed out of the limo in the driveway at home
"It's after 10, Rayna. It's a school night. Do you really need the notes tonight?" Lamar asked as Rayna headed towards her red BMW
"Yeah, daddy. I'll make it quick. My test is tomorrow. I need to study the notes tonight."
"Why didn't you take your own notes? If you'd done the work yourself you wouldn't need Megan's notes." Lamar sniped
"Megan's better at takin notes daddy, that's all. Promise I'll be right back." Rayna again moved towards her car waiting for Lamar's next objection, but he simply sighed
"Back in 30 minutes, young lady, alright? I'll be in my study. Please come say good night so I know you're home." Lamar said as Rayna climbed into her BMW
She'd managed to escape, but knew there was no way she'd be back in 30 minutes. The Bluebird was all the way on the other side of town, and she'd need time to talk to Deacon. She hoped Lamar would get caught up in some pressing business detail and forget all about her. He rarely paid much attention to what she was doing, and most of the staff didn't care much for him since her mothers death. They usually kept quiet about Rayna's comings and goings.
It was almost 11 by the time she pulled into the Bluebird parking lot. Deacon's old blue truck was there. She finally breathed a sigh of relief. She'd found him. Now she just needed to convince him to do the demo on Friday, and play some gigs with her around town.
It was a slow night, approaching closing time. Deacon was half asleep on a bar stool waiting for the writers round to finish up so he could begin the closing routine, go home, and pass out
Rayna quietly entered, careful not to disturb the round. Deacon's back was to the door. He hadn't noticed she'd walked in.
"Hey…Deacon, can we talk? Please?" she asked
"Rayna…what….why are you here? It's late! Don't you got school in the mornin?"
"Yeah, but you won't return my calls. We need to talk."
"Bout what? It's really late. You shouldn't be in this part of town alone now." He answered with what she thought was actually concern
"Haven't you listened to any of my messages?" she asked
"No, sweetheart, no…I…I've been outta town for damn near a week. I just got back in time for a nap, shower, and just made it to work on time. What are you leavin me messages bout?"
"Where have you been for a week?" she asked without really considering it wasn't any of her business
"ahhh…just me, Vince, and a couple lady friends went to Memphis." He was really to tired to argue or make up something
"Thought you weren't boyfriend material?" Rayna recalled his own words from last time they'd spoken, and felt a twinge of jealousy at the thought of Deacon with someone.
"She's not really my girlfriend …just….ahhh…." he suddenly felt weird talking to Rayna about another woman
"Sex…she's just sex?" Rayna asked more accusingly than she'd meant
"What is it you wanna talk to me bout?" he asked changing the subject
"Well, apparently there was a rep from Edgehill Republic Records here last Thur night. They really liked what they heard when we sang "No One Will Ever Love You", and they want us to do a demo, and play a few more live shows around town. Watty got a studio set up for Friday at 4 so we can record the demo. I just wanted to ask if you'd do it?" she held her breath as Deacon thought about her request
"I dunno, Rayna. What does all that mean? They want a demo…and a few shows…and then what?" he asked
"This could be my big break, Deacon. Yours too. I'm not sure where it will all go, but I wanna find out. Please just say you'll do it? Watty said we just need to give them what they ask for now, and after we're signed we can change things up a little and have more say in….."
"Wait wait …just wait a damn minute! You're askin me to get signed to a label…with you as a duo?" he asked
"We're not signed yet, but Watty says this is the beginning of big things. Please Deacon? I'm begging you. I will do whatever you want if you'll just help me out here?" she was pleading with him
"Rayna, we sang together once. This is crazy. We barely know each other. Hell, a week ago I didn't think we even liked each other. I need some time to think bout this, and talk to Watty."
"OK, but we don't have much time. Watty wants to do the demo Friday."
"Alright, you need to get home. It's almost midnight. Let me walk you to your car. This isn't the best neighborhood." Deacon gently helped her from the bar stool, and placed his arm around her waist as he led her to her car
"So…you'll really consider it?" she asked hopeful as he opened her car door for her
"Yeah, I'm considerin." He smiled and his eyes twinkled under the street lights. She'd thought he was cute before, but now looking at him she realized how handsome he was.
"Rayna, I'm sorry I was such an ass before. You're right. I don't know anything about you. It was wrong of me to judge you, and I'm really sorry. Can we start over, and maybe be friends?"
"Yeah, I'd like that, Deacon. I'm sorry too for thinking the worst, and fighting you when you only meant to help me. Thanks for playin guitar for me last week."
"Anytime, sweetheart. We make a pretty good pair onstage, and …." He stopped short of saying offstage, afraid of her reaction
"Offstage?" she finished for him and smiled sheepishly melting his heart as he looked into her eyes
"Yeah, that too…uuhhhh…." He blushed not sure where to go from there
"Rayna, I like you. A lot more than I should…I mean…not that I shouldn't or anything, but…" he was fumbling for the right words
"…but I'm too young?" she asked sadly
"A little, yeah. Your daddy would have me by the balls if anything happened between us and…." He sadly looked away
"I like you too, Deacon! …and What if I said I'll be 18 in a few days?" she pulled him closer, her hands on his waist, their faces only inches apart
"72 hours, huh? Got any birthday plans?" he asked smiling as he brushed her hair gently away from her face for a better view into her green eyes
"Are you asking me out, Deacon Claybourne?" she flirtingly replied tightening her grip on his belt
"Are you agreeing to go out with me?" he whispered, as he moved closer, pulling her against him, leaning in for a kiss
The chemistry between them was like an electrical charge as their lips touched. Rayna had dated, and kissed other boys, but it never felt like that. Deacon was so soft and tender. He was so gentle she barely felt his touch at first. She pulled him to her prompting him to deepen the kiss, unable to get enough of his touch. He held her tight never breaking the kiss. When he finally pulled away she was breathless. Her knees felt as if they might buckle. He gently lowered her into the driver's seat of her BMW, stealing another sweet kiss as he did.
"Goodnight Ray. Drive safe, baby. I'll see ya Friday for the demo." He gently closed the door and watched as her taillights faded out of sight, missing her already.