"Why don't you stay in bed and relax the rest of today, babe. You don't look like you feel well. I'll bring lunch in to you, and pick up Mason. I'm making you a doctor's appointment whether you like it or not! I'm really worried, Deacon. You never used to get sick. This has been lingering way too long."
"I'm fine, Ray! I'm just tired. This last month on tour has been crazy with shows just about every night, and I barely got any sleep last night. The kids are makin me crazy. I need to just disappear off to an island somewhere with you for a few weeks." He smirked as he undid the first few buttons on Rayna's shirt and planted kisses on her chest
"You need to rest. Go back to sleep." Rayna said as she tried to slip away from Deacon's grasp
"I need you first." He said as he pulled her back for a long, slow kiss
"Deacon, I'm serious. You need to rest. It's only your second day home. We have all month for that. I don't want you getting worn out and really sick again." She finally squirmed away
"Fine, just leave me all alone in this big bed!" he pouted
"You're not gonna rest if I stay."
"That's the idea." He smirked again as she closed the bedroom door
Deacon was sound asleep just 15 minutes later when Rayna came back with his lunch. She had to resist the urge to kiss him. He was so handsome even pale and sickly looking, but she knew he needed to rest. She left his sub sandwich on the nightstand and quietly crept back out of the room.
The girls and Colt were still laughing and talking in the living room about the wedding. Colt had taken a liking to Clay and had been holding him and playing with him for hours.
"So, you think you might kinda like this daddy stuff?" Maddie asked as she watched Colt with Clay
"I could get used to it. He is awfully cute." Colt smiled at Maddie
"They're not always so cute!" Rayna added as she entered the living room laughing
"Ahhh…I was always an adorable baby, wasn't I?" Maddie seemed insulted
"Don't take this wrong, sweetie! No, you most certainly were not always adorable. You were cute, and I loved you to pieces, but you were quite the temperamental toddler. I was on tour then. Your dad had you so absolutely spoiled rotten! You were his little princess"
"Is dad OK? He looked horrible when he came back from taking Mason to school." Maddie asked worried
"I dunno. I'm making him a doctor's appointment. He had that nasty cold when he was home for the holidays. He's been sick several times since. He hasn't looked like he felt well the last few times home, but you know how he is. If you ask him he's always "FINE."
"I hope it's nothing serious." Scarlett said worried
"Yeah, me too. He's not a very good patient. If it's something that requires medical attention he's gonna be a crab ass." Rayna said worried too
"Let's not think about that, right now. We have a wedding to finish getting ready for. So, everything's pretty much ready? Is there anything else I can do to help?" asked Rayna
"I go for my final dress fitting tomorrow if you wanna go, mom?"
"I'd love to. What time?"
"9am."
"Perfect, Bucky wants to go to Knoxville later in the day to scout a music festival. I have the morning free so that works out great."
"So all the other details are taken care of?"
"Yeah, Luke's handling the rehearsal dinner. It's gonna be in the Union room at Kayne Prime Friday night after we rehearse at Cedarwood." Rayna cringed at the mention of Luke. She hadn't spoken to him in 15 years.
"Everything's pretty much ready for Cedarwood on Saturday. We leave for Paris Sunday morning for our honeymoon." Maddie excitedly gave Rayna the wedding details
"I'm sure it's all gonna be beautiful. I can't believe both my girls are gonna be married soon, and we're gonna have another baby in the family."
"Have you guys thought about names?"
"MOM…I'm only 8 weeks along. We just found out. Can't we get through the wedding first?" Maddie and Colt laughed
"Wait…you're pregnant?" Scarlett asked
"Yeah, we just found out a couple days ago. Totally unplanned and unexpected!"
"Wow…congratulations! Clay's gonna have a playmate. How did I miss that? You guys were talkin about babies a little bit ago, but I just assumed you meant someday…WOW!" Scarlett exclaimed surprised
"So, are you gonna keep touring or…"
"We haven't really had a chance for it to all sink and and decide yet. We've got 7 months."
"Yeah, well…that seven months will be 7 weeks before you know it. Kids seem to speed up time. I can't believe you guys are 21. Seems like we just brought Maddie home from the hospital, and Scarlet was only 5 when we brought her back from Natchez after grandma passed away. The years have flown by. Now my babies are married and havin babies." Rayna teared up a little
"You've still got Mason." Scarlett said
"uuhhh, yeah…He's gonna put your dad in an early grave. Has Mason said much to either of you lately?"
"Like what?" asked Maddie
"I dunno. When he's home he spends most of his time in his room playing that heavy metal grunge crap with really dark lyrics. His grades have slipped. They weren't that great to begin with. Your dad just found out today that he's skipped school 8 times in the past month and forged notes from me to cover it up. He's just distant and moody. Seemed to start when he met that Kiera, and it's been worse since they broke up."
"They broke up?" Maddie asked
"Yeah, a few weeks ago."
"I'd say that's a good thing. She was weird with all that goth crap!" Maddie gave her opinion
"I know, but he's takin it pretty hard. He was really upset the day she ended it, and he just really hasn't snapped out of it."
"I've barely seen him since I've been here. He's usually in his room, and I've been in mine." Scarlett noted
"If you get a chance, and without being too obvious maybe one of you could get him to talk, see what he's thinking or feeling?" Rayna asked
"Maybe he'd talk to Colt?" Maddie suggested
"I dunno. Could you try, Colt? He doesn't seem to wanna talk to me or dad. I'm afraid your dad's gonna lose his temper with Mason very soon if he keeps acting this way."
"That won't be pretty! Dad can be the sweetest guy in the world, but I hate being on his shit list." Maddie laughed
"Me too." Agreed Scarlett
"Me three, but he's been pretty mellow for quite a while. I don't remember the last time he really lost his temper with any of you." Rayna defended Deacon
"True, but he's always been like that until something sets him off…and when it does you don't want to be the person that pisses him off." Maddie warned looking at Colt
"So he has a temper, huh? Must be where Maddie gets it." Colt joked and leaned in for a quick kiss
"She is the child that's most like Deacon." Rayna agreed
"I'm not THAT bad!" Maddie was feeling ganged up on
I've gotta go pick up your brother from detention. Dad and I need to have a little chat with him about this absence issue. Could you guys give us a little privacy this evening, please?"
"Yeah, hey Scarlett why don't you and Clay stay with us at the apartment tonight? We can catch up. I haven't seen you in a few months, and I can't get enough of this little guy." Maddie suggested pinching Clay's chubby little cheek
"uuu…OK, fine with me." Scarlett agreed
Rayna quietly peered in to check on Deacon. He was still sound asleep. She debated on waking him, but decided it could wait till she got back home with Mason.
"So, 8 absences and forged notes from me, huh?" Rayna said as soon as Mason climbed into the passenger seat of her Escalade
****silence**** as Mason sulked next to her not bothering to look her direction
"What is going on with you, Mace?"
"Nothin!"
"Sure seems like somethin to me! All you do is sulk in your room. Your grades are slipping. Now we add skipping school, lying and forgery. What's next, Mason?" Rayna asked getting upset
"I said it's nothin! Can we just drop it, please?" he asked
"NO, we can't just drop it! 8 absences….EIGHT! I wanna know where the hell you've been goin those days? You got up and acted like you went to school."
*********more silence from the passenger seat********
"FINE, don't talk, but for the rest of this school year, your dad and I will be the only rides to and from school you get. You're not going anywhere after school, or on weekends for the next month."
"Fine, whatever!"
"Mason, do you care about anything, anymore? What is with this attitude?"
"Just leave me the hell alone, mom! I don't wanna talk about it!"
"This isn't over, Mason!" Rayna said voice cracking from frustration and getting nowhere with Mason as she started the truck and pulled away from the curb.
"GET OFF MY BACK, MOM! I DON'T GIVE A FUCK ANYMORE ABOUT ANYTHING, ALRIGHT! JUST LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!"
Neither spoke on the 10 minute drive home. Rayna barely had the car in park in the garage when Mason bolted slamming the car door, then garage door leading into the kitchen. Deacon was sitting at the kitchen table reading the paper as Mason blew through without a word.
"MASON! HEY…WHAT THE HELL'S THE PROBLEM?" Deacon yelled after the slamming garage door, soon followed by Mason's slamming bedroom door upstairs.
"I have no idea what to do with him. He won't talk. Now this whole 8 absences. He won't tell me where he was those days. What if he's on drugs or drinking or…." Rayna trailed off and cried quietly in Deacon's arms
"Hey…what happened on the way home?" Deacon asked wiping tears away
"I dunno. I tried to talk to him. The more I push, the madder he gets. Says he doesn't give a fuck anymore. What if he's suicidal or something? I'm worried about him."
"He'll be alright, Ray. He's just goin through his first big break up. He's hurt and frustrated. Let him cool off for a little bit. I'll try to talk to him at dinner, OK? Don't cry, baby. I can't stand to see you this upset. Let me deal with him, OK?"
"OK. I'm so glad you're home, Deacon." She sniffled into his chest and held him tight
"Me too. I'm sorry I've been away and dumped everything on you. You shoulda said somethin if you needed me. I coulda pushed a few shows and come home earlier."
"I knew you would, that's why I didn't. You're almost done. I didn't wanna mess up the tour for you."
"Rayna, I don't give a damn about the tour. If you or the kids need me that comes first, OK?"
"Why don't we order a pizza from Soulshine for dinner? I don't feel like watchin you cook." He smirked leaning in for a kiss
"That sounds good. I'm gonna go soak in the tub while you order it. Come get me when it gets here." She kissed his cheek as she left the kitchen
"Now that I wouldn't mind watchin you do."
"You're insatiable since you got home, babe!" she called from the foyer
"I've been deprived for a month. I missed you." He smiled as he grabbed his phone to order the pizza
"Hey, baby…feelin any better about things?" Deacon asked as he sat on Rayna vanity stool next to the tub 45 minutes later
"I guess. I just worry about him, Deacon. He used to talk to me. Now he barely acknowledges my existence. I feel like I'm losing my little boy." Rayna said tearing up again
"C'mere…he'll be alright. He's just goin through a phase." Deacon said wrapping Rayna in a towel and a hug as she climbed out of the tub and cried against his chest again
"Pizza's here. Why don't you put on something comfortable. I'll go get Mason and have a little chat with him
Deacon knocked on Mason's bedroom door a few times, but didn't get an answer. He finally just opened the door. Mason was lying on the bed, eyes closed with his sound ear muffs on. He turned the stereo off to get Mason's attention.
"Hey…why'd you turn my music off?" Mason sniped
"Dinner's here…pizza from Soulshine."
"I'm not hungry!"
"Well you need to eat. C'mon…have dinner with me and your mother, Please?"
"I'M NOT HUNGRY! WHY CAN'T YOU GUYS JUST LEAVE ME ALONE?" Mason barked
"Alright, look, I've tried to be nice. What the hell's wrong with you, Mace?
"Nothin!"
"Why the hell are you actin like this? Your mother's worried sick. She's been cryin since you got home. Do you even care?"
"She's overreacting as usual. Why is that my problem?"
"I'm gettin really sick of this attitude, Mason! Your mother cryin is NOT OK with me! Get your ass downstairs for dinner NOW! I'm not askin. I'm tellin you!"
"You know what, FUCK YOU, dad! You haven't been around much in years. Now just because you're about to retire you think you're gonna come home and act like one big happy family?"
"MASON, YOU ARE WAY OUTTA LINE! WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM? HAVEN'T WE GIVEN YOU A GOOD LIFE? YOU'VE HAD EVERYTHING YOU'VE EVER ASKED FOR, AND THEN SOME. WHY THIS SUDDEN ATTITUDE, SKIPPIN SCHOOL, FORGIN YOUR MOM'S NAME ON NOTES, HUH?"
***silence****Mason continued to just lay on his bed staring at the ceiling
"FINE, to hell with ya. If you wanna lay there and sulk your life away, go ahead." Deacon slammed the door as he left the room hurt and mad as hell.
"Well, that went great!" he sarcastically muttered as he sat at the kitchen table with Rayna for dinner
"I know. You just can't get through to him. He's been this way for months. It's just worse since Kiera dumped him." Rayna said exasperated and close to tears again
"Hey..don't cry, OK. I'm here now. We'll figure it out, alright?" Deacon said squeezing Rayna's hands across the table
"How? He barely acknowledges anything. I grounded him till schools out, but a hell of lot of good that'll do. He doesn't go anywhere anyway."
"I guess we go for things he does care about. I hate to take music away, but his guitar, amp and stereo are about the only things he seems to care about. Maybe it's time he loses them for a while, till he can be a little more respectable." Deacon suggested
"He's on the internet quite a bit. The laptop doesn't need to be in his room." Rayna remembered
"We can take care of that right now." Deacon said as he went to the home office and unplugged the router
"I'll change the WiFi password later. When he can be a little more decent to us, he'll get the new one."
20 minutes passed before Mason yelled down the stairs that the internet was out. Rayna and Deacon ignored him and continued with dinner. He finally came into the kitchen after realizing Deacon had locked the office door and he couldn't get to the router to reset it.
"Hey…didn't you hear me? I said the internet is out." Mason quipped not realizing Deacon had purposely taken it away
"So it is! When you learn to be a little more respectable towards me and your mother you can have it back."
"This is BULLSHIT! I have homework. I need to use the internet."
"FINE! Bring your laptop downstairs to the kitchen. You can do your homework down here. That's all you'll be doing on the internet. Sit down and have some dinner." Deacon calmly replied
"FUCK both of you! I'm outta here." Mason said grabbing his shoes from the foyer and heading for the front door as he slipped them on
"WHERE THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOIN? YOU'RE GROUNDED!" Deacon reminded Mason
Mason just ignored him and slammed the front door on his way out. Deacon was up and on the porch, but Mason was already to the street.
"MASON! DON'T YOU DARE WALK AWAY! THIS ISN'T OVER!" Deacon yelled as Mason continued to walk further away from the house
"Now what?" Rayna asked as a frustrated Deacon came back to the table
"You're right. I dunno what the hell to do with him either, but we can't just let him be disrespectful to us, and skip school, and whatever the hell else he's into."
"What if he doesn't come back?" Rayna asked tearing up again
"Honey, he'll be back. He just need to cool off, and so do I. I'm ready to kill him." Deacon sighed
Mason's 11pm weekend curfew came and went. By 1am Rayna was ready to call the police to report him missing. She tried Mason's cell phone first only to hear it ring up in his bedroom. She called Maddie. Scarlett was with Maddie and Colt at their apartment. None of them had heard from him. She tried Jake Arnold, who used to be Mason's best friend, but Jake told her since he'd been dating Kiera they hadn't hung out.
"I'm calling the police, Deacon!"
"Yes, I need to report my 15 year old son missing. He's been gone for several hours. His curfew was over 2 hours ago." Rayna told the dispatcher
"Rayna Claybourne. Yes, that address is correct."
"He left here around 6:45pm. Yes, he was upset. He'd been fighting with me and his dad."
"He's 5'5", about 110 lbs, wearing blue school uniform pants, a white polo shirt. He has dark brown hair and blue eyes, full name is Mason Jaymes Claybourne."
"Yes, I have current pictures of him. OK, well be waiting for the officer. Thank you." Rayna said as she hung up and collapsed into Deacons arms crying
"What if something happens to him?" she sobbed worried out of her mind
"Shhhh…He's gonna be fine." Deacon said as he stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head not so sure himself
Mason sauntered in before the police arrived around 1:22am. He didn't speak to Deacon or Rayna as he headed for the stairs.
"NOT SO FAST! WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN? IT IS AFTER 1AM! LAST I CHECKED YOUR CURFEW WAS 11PM! NOT TO MENTION, YOU'RE GROUNDED AND NOT SUPPOSED TO BE LEAVIN THE DAMN HOUSE!" Deacon yelled
"GET OFF MY BACK, DAD!" Mason yelled back
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU? DO YOU NOT SEE HOW UPSET YOUR MOTHER IS? I DON'T KNOW WHAT KINDA GAME YOU THINK YOU'RE PLAYIN HERE, BUT IT STOPS TONIGHT, MASON!"
"…OR WHAT,DAD?" Mason yelled back as he stomped up the steps and slammed his bedroom door
Deacon was pissed. He started to go after him, but Rayna grabbed his shirt.
"Deacon, just let him go for tonight. He's home. He's safe. You're too mad to deal with him. You're gonna end up doing something you'll regret later. Let's just go to bed, OK?" Rayna begged as she held on to Deacon's shirt
"OK, you're right. You better call the police back, and tell 'em we don't need that officer to come out. I'm gonna take a hot shower and try to relax a little." He said as he pulled away from her grasp
"How you doin? You better knowing he's home and safe?" Deacon asked as he slipped his arms around Rayna in bed half an hour later
"Yeah, but worried. This isn't like him, Deacon. Something is seriously wrong. Do you think he's into drugs?" she asked holding Deacon tight with her head on his shoulder close to tears again
"I dunno, Ray. It's gonna be OK though. I promise. We'll get him straightened out one way or another. Maybe I should cancel the rest of the tour?" he suggested
"No, Deacon. It's your last couple months. I know how much it means to you, and I hope I can be there with you."
"Me too. We'll see how things go over the next few weeks and decided later. Night sweetheart. I love you." Deacon kissed her one last time before rolling to his side
"Are you feeling any better?" she asked surprised he'd just rolled over that way and didn't want sex
"I'm just tired, Ray. I'm fine."
"OK, I love you too. Night." She replied not sure she believed him
Deacon was already up, drinking coffee as he read the Saturday paper at the kitchen table when Rayna came in for her coffee.
"Good morning, babe." She said as she kissed his cheek
"Where are you off to this morning, up and dressed already?" he asked
"Maddie has her final dress fitting at 9, and then Bucky wants to go to Knoxville to scout some talent at a music festival. Why don't you go to Knoxville with us? I think Tandy might go. We can make it a double date. Find somewhere nice for dinner later?" Rayna asked
"What about Mason? You sure you wanna leave him here alone all day?" Deacon asked
"He'll just sulk in his room all day wheather you're here or not. Come with us. I could use another set of ears, especially these." She nibbled his left earlobe
"Talked me into it. What time you wanna leave?" he smiled and returned a few nibbles
"Probably 11, noon at the latest."
"OK, I'll be ready. You just gonna swing by and pick me up, or you want me to meet you at the office?"
"We're takin a limo. We'll just pick you up." She said kissing him goodbye
"Hey, mom. We're just about ready. Scarlett's getting dressed. Colt's gonna babysit Clay." Maddie said as Rayna entered the apartment
"You've really takin a liking to my grandson I see." Rayna smiled as she kissed Clay in Colt's arms
"Yeah, we're buds now. I was up with him most of the night." Colt said
"He is quite the night owl!" Rayna agreed
"Is someone else coming." Rayna asked when there was a knock at the door
"Colt's mom is stopping by to see him. I was gonna ask her to go, but I wasn't sure if that would be too awkward for you?" Maddie asked
"Maddie, this is all for your day. You can invite whoever you want. Besides, we're all gonna be family soon. We need to learn to deal with the past and move forward." Rayna said as Maddie let Stephanie Wheeler in
"Nice to finally meet you, Stephanie." Rayna said
"Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Jaymes. I'm a big fan."
"Well, thank you, but it's Rayna Claybourne. Jaymes is just my stage name." Rayna said feeling a bit awkward with Luke's wife
"Stephanie, we're going to my final dress fitting. I was wondering if you'd like to go?" Maddie asked
"Thank you, honey. It means a lot that you asked, but I think I wanna spend some time with my son. I haven't seen him in months. Who's this little guy?" Stephanie asked grabbing Clays chubby hand
"My nephew, Clay. He's my sister Scarlett's son. Colt's babysitting today. So you can get to know Clay while we're gone." Maddie smiled
"Getting in some practice, huh son?" Stephanie asked
"Yeah, maybe this baby thing isn't gonna be so bad after all." Colt smiled
"I can't believe our babies are havin a baby." Stephanie said to Rayna
"Yeah, second grandbaby for us. You're gonna love being grandparents." Rayna told Stephanie
"Luke is so excited. He missed most of the baby years with Colt and Sage. He was always so busy touring, but since his accident he's pretty much been homebound." Stephanie told Rayna
"Yeah, I had heard about that. How is he doing?" Rayna awkwardly asked not sure how to handle the subject of Luke, and not really knowing what he may, or may not, have told Stephanie about his relationship with Rayna.
"Good most of the time. He still has bad days. He was so used to going full speed all the time, and he can't now. It's hard for him sometimes. Hard for me sometimes to see him struggle."
"I can relate. Deacon had a bad car accident years ago. His recovery was extremely hard on both of us."
Rayna was aware that Luke had been in a riding accident several years ago, but all she really knew was what was reported in the media and rumors that circulated. She figured most of it was true. Luke Wheeler's career had ended with the accident.
He had been home for a month long break from touring. He was breaking in a new horse he'd bought. The animal got spooked and threw Luke off. He suffered a spinal cord injury. Rayna had heard he was in a wheelchair for more than a year, but was now able to walk with a cane.
Luke was divorced from Stephanie at the time. He had married Sadie Stone. After Rayna left the Wine and Moonshine tour 15 years ago, Sadie had taken her place. She and Luke connected well and ended up married within after the tour.
They had been happy as a country power couple often appearing together onstage, but behind closed doors things weren't so great. Luke had the attitude that he'd made Sadie's career in country music, and without him she wouldn't have come as far.
Once his career ended with the accident and Sadie continued to tour and be successful without him, he became unbearable at home. He felt she should quit her career and stay home to care for him. He was completely dependent on help at the time and wheelchair bound. He made her time at home hell, and eventually she left him.
Somehow he and his first wife, and the mother of his children Stephanie, had reconnected. She'd never really gotten over him, and still loved him. Their issues had mostly been about Luke never being home and always being busy touring. The accident forced Luke into a quieter life at home. His days of dancing around a stage and being Luke Wheeler were over.
Stephanie and the kids had moved back to the ranch so she could care for Luke 24/7. Eventually he'd remarried her and settled into a life together again. Deep down he'd always loved her too, but when he was touring and she was stuck at home with the kids things just didn't work. His accident gave her the homebound husband she wanted, with the man she loved.
"You are gonna be the most beautiful bride. I can't wait for Dad to see you in this dress." Rayna said with tears in her eyes as Maddie came out of the dressing room in her wedding dress
"Wow, that dress is gorgeous, Maddie" Scarlett agreed
"Thanks, I can't believe the wedding is 2 weeks from today." Maddie said
"It's gonna go quick. Are you sure there's nothing else I can help with?" Rayna asked
"I could use some help with the "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." Maddie said looking at Rayna and Scarlett
Back at home, Deacon was working on some lyrics in the home studio waiting for Rayna. Mason hadn't been out of his room since coming home way past his curfew the night before. Deacon was still pissed, but doing his best to stay busy and keep his mind on other things. He'd been struggling with new lyrics all morning. He finally gave up and went to the kitchen for more coffee.
"You wanna talk about last night?" Deacon asked, finding Mason eating cereal at the kitchen table
"Nope, not really." Mason coldly responded
"Where were you?" Deacon asked sitting across from Mason
"Does it matter, Dad?"
"Mason, your mother and I are worried about you. I'm sorry you're takin this break up with Kiera so hard, but that's no reason to dump on us."
"Just leave me alone, Dad. I don't wanna talk about it or her. Just drop it, OK?"
"Alright, look, I really don't wanna get all pissed off again and have this out right now. Eventually we need to discuss what's goin on with you. Your mom and I are goin to Knoxville for the rest of the day. You think you can behave yourself here alone?"
"Yeah, whatever. Can you please turn the router back on?" Mason asked
"OK, I'll turn it back on for today, but we need to set some ground rules. You're not to leave this house today. No guests. I want you available by phone. I'll be callin to check in. You damn well better answer. Got it?" Deacon asked
"Yeah, fine. Anything else?" Mason asked
"Lose the attitude, Mace! I'm tryin to be patient and understand where you're comin from here. I don't get why you're actin this way. You like makin your mother cry?" Deacon asked
"No." Mason quietly answered
"Then why the hell won't you talk to her? You two were close not that long ago. She loves you, and misses the relationship you had. Don't you get that?"
"I don't wanna talk, Dad! OK? She makes such a big deal out of everything."
"SHE'S WORRIED ABOUT YOU, MASON! JESUS, DON'T YOU GET THAT?" Deacon asked exasperated, glancing at his phone as a text came in
(I'm here, babe. Ready?)
"Your mother's here to pick me up. Remember what I said about today? …MASON?"
"Yeah, I got it. Don't leave, no guests, and answer your calls…FINE!"
"Alright! We'll be back tonight. I love you." Deacon said tousling Mason's unruly dark hair
"Love you too. Internet, Dad?" Mason reminded Deacon as he got up to leave
"Oh, right…Here…" Deacon said handing Mason a set of keys from his pocket to unlock the home office door
"Just leave the keys on my desk." Deacon said as he walked out the front door
"Hey, baby. How did the final dress fitting go? Any pictures?" Deacon asked as he climbed into the limo and kissed Rayna
"There are, but I think you can wait with the groom to see it on the big day." Rayna smirked
"Not even a peek?" Deacon pouted pulling her in for another kiss
"Seriously, get a room…" Tandy quipped from the other side of the limo
"Hey, Tandy and Buck. How are you guys?" Deacon said finally averting his attention from Rayna
"Good morning, Deacon. We're great. How are you?"
"Can't complain so I won't."
"How's Mason this morning? Did he even come out of his room?" Rayna asked
"Yeah, he came down for cereal. I gave back the internet, but told him not to leave the house, no guests, and I'll be calling so he better answer the damn phone."
The day went by quickly. Rayna noticed Deacon seemed tired, but he didn't say anything. She and Bucky got some names of bands to look into further for possible HighWay 65 contracts. On the way home they stopped and had dinner at a nice steakhouse.
Deacon called and texted Mason several times throughout the day. Mason was irritated, but answered or replied quickly each time, leaving no indication that he was doing anything other than sulking at home.
"So, today was pretty productive. What did you think of the 3 bands we're scouting?" Rayna asked as she climbed into bed later that night
"They're good. The all women band was different, but it might work. You don't see that often." Deacon commented
"Are you feelin OK, Deacon?"
"I'm great, baby. Happy to be home and next to you every night for a while." He lied. He hadn't been feeling well all day.
"Are you sure?" Rayna asked kissing his warm forehead
"Yeah, I could be a little better with some lovin from my baby though." He started gentle kisses down Rayna's chest as he ran his hands under her lace nightgown, slowly removed her panties and inserted himself for a slow, gentle lovemaking session
"Well, you seem OK enough for this." Rayna smirked running her fingers through his thick, dark locks as he planted kisses down her belly
"That feels so good, babe." Rayna said as Deacon kissed her inner thighs slowly building towards oral sex driving her crazy
When he finished he flopped back to his side of the bed.
"You don't wanna…" Rayna asked confused when he didn't reinsert himself to finish
"I'm good, Ray. I'm just tired." Deacon said as he gently kissed her lips before closing his eyes
"I made you a doctor's appointment for Tue, Deacon. Something is not right. You say you're fine and just tired, but I know you're lying."
"Ahhh, hell, Ray! I don't need to see a damn doctor." He argued
"For me, Deacon, please? If he says you're fine, I'll leave you alone about this, OK?" he was already sound asleep and didn't answer
Rayna watched him sleep for a while before drifting off herself. He seemed restless, and his breathing seemed a little labored. She was happy she'd made the doctor's appointment even it meant she'd be dragging Deacon to it.
Deacon was already up and in the shower as Rayna woke to the sun streaming into the bedroom on a beautiful June morning. She scowled remembering they had a charity event to attend for Vince Gill. It was his annual golf outing at the country club. Rayna had always hated snooty events there. It reminded her of the days her father dragged her there as a kid with the whole family. She loved Vince and Amy so she'd agreed to it.
"Mornin, baby." Deacon smiled as he came out of the bathroom in only a towel
"You feelin better?" Rayna asked
"Pretty good. Not thrilled about a day at the country club, but it's for Vince sooo…"
"Yeah, not exactly how I wanna spend my Sunday either." She responded as she watched Deacon pick through his closet
"What the hell do ya wear to a golf outing, anyway?" he asked
"Are you planning to golf?" she laughed knowing Deacon had never held a golf club
"Hell no."
"Then wear what you normally wear…nice jeans, black boots, maybe a crisp white shirt. I think there are a couple pressed shirts in that dry cleaning bag hanging in the back."
"You about ready, baby?" Deacon yelled from the kitchen after his 3rd cup of coffee and 45 minutes of waiting for Rayna to get ready
"Yeah, I'm just gonna check on Mason. I'll be right there."
"Hey, Dad and I are leavin. We'll be back for dinner. What sounds good? We'll probably just pick something up on the way home." She asked a sleepy Mason as he layed in bed
"I don't care. Anything's fine." He responded with little interest
"OK, same as yesterday…Don't leave this house, no guests, and keep your phone close. We'll be checking in often." Rayna reminded him
"Whatever. You don't have to call every hour like dad did yesterday." He sighed
"We'll decide how often to call, Mason. Love you."
"Great, love you too!" Mason quipped as Rayna shut the bedroom door
Deacon was already in the truck a Rayna sauntered out to the garage in her sun dress and hat. He was adjusting his seat and the mirrors as she climbed into the passenger seat.
"Has someone been drivin my truck?" he asked
"Not that I know of, babe."
They only made it a block from the house when the truck sputtered and died.
"Dammit!" Deacon cussed as he pulled over and tried to restart it a couple times
"What do you think is wrong? It's practically brand new. You've barely been home to drive it." Rayna asked as she watched him try to start it a couple more times
"Damn thing's outta gas!" Deacon sniped looking at the gas gage and leaning back against the seat
"Did you forget to put some in?" Rayna laughed
"NO, RAYNA! It had a quarter tank left after I took Mason to school Friday. Someone's been drivin it."
"The girls and Colt were at the house all day Friday. Maybe one of them borrowed it?" Rayna suggested
"Why the hell would they take it? They all have cars." Deacon snapped
"Calm down, babe. I'm sure there's a logical explanation." Rayna said rubbing his shoulder as he opened the driver's side door
"Where are you going?" Rayna asked
"I'm gonna walk back to the house. I have some extra mower gas. That'll get us to a gas station." He said slamming the door
"Deacon, just relax before you do anything you'll regret. We don't know for sure who took the truck." Rayna chased him down and tried to calm Deacon. She knew he was pissed and she knew who he blamed.
"What other explanation is there, Rayna, huh?" his face getting redder by the second as he continued to walk
"Deacon, please…"
"Go back to the truck, Ray. I'll be back in 10 minutes."
Deacon picked up the half full gas can from the garage floor near the riding lawn mower.
He was about to turn and go back to the truck when Mason came out to the garage.
"Oh, it's you, Dad. I wasn't sure who was out here. I heard the overhead door." Mason said as he turned to go back inside
"Not so fast! I just left your mother sittin on the side of the road in a truck that's outta gas. There was a quarter tank in it last time I drove it. You wouldn't happen to know how that quarter tank disappeared would you?" Deacon asked accusingly
"Nope." Mason replied not willing to look Deacon in the eye
"You sure about that?"
"I said No, Dad! Get off my back!" Mason sniped and slammed the door on his way back in
"HEY…I FIND OUT YOU'RE LYIN, THIS IS GONNA BE A LOT WORSE! I CAN MAKE YOUR SUMMER VACATION HELL, BOY! YOU JUST REMEMBER THAT! YOU KNOW DAMN WELL THIS CONVERSATION ISN'T OVER!" Deacon yelled as Mason stomped up the stairs and slammed his bedroom door
Deacon tried to cool off as he walked the block back to the truck. He poured the gas into the tank, and threw the empty gas can into the truck bed. He slammed the driver's side door as he climbed in.
"Did you ask him?" Rayna questioned as Deacon tried again to start the truck
"Yeah, HE LIED!" Deacon snapped as he tried again and finally got the truck to start
"Maybe he didn't take it?" Rayna was hopeful
"Well, we're about to find out." Deacon said as he pulled over at the main neighborhood gate, climbed out and went into the guards office
"Hey, Mike. I need a favor. Can you pull up yesterday's log? I need time stamps for when my truck came and went. That new computer system and the chips in the window stickers tracks that stuff, right?" Deacon asked entering the office
"Sure does, Deacon. It even snaps a picture of the driver."
"Perfect. Can you print that report out for me?" Deacon asked
"Now what do you think?" Deacon asked as he climbed back into the truck and threw the report on Rayna's lap. The clear picture of Mason in the truck stamped at 1:04pm the day before while they were in Knoxville said it all. Deacon was furious!