“So . . . the competition?”
“We don’t have much time to rehearse, and Robyn and I have to get the nursery ready, but it’s two songs in round one, one song in round two, and an original if we make it to the final round.”
“And you really want to do this? What if you get a better offer as Dallas Walker?”
“Dallas Walker was a joke, Dix. You know me. I belong with the band . . . and honestly, so do you. But there’s more I need to tell you about the competition. Details I’d hoped Gavin would discuss with you,” Dallas adds. “And I don’t want you to feel pressured, but I’ve seen a few of the other bands performing and I think we have a decent shot.”
“Spit it out, D.”
“The contest is sponsored by Rock the Republic Records. First prize is a recording contract and a significant amount of cash.”
My chest aches at the idea of ruining this for him. This is why Robyn wanted me to know he might be a little nuts and why she mentioned that his label released him. The tabloids have had a field day with the Country Music Crooner Dallas Walker Walks Away from It All for Love headline and they’ve already sold the exclusive rights to the baby announcement and first photos, but like everything else in this life, that money will run out eventually.
Turns out babies are expensive.
I’ve told him repeatedly that even after the renovations to the house and the money I spent on equipment and licensing needed for starting Over the Rainbow, I still have royalties leftover from what Capitol paid for Better to Burn. But we are Larks and Larks are stubborn.
I want to be ready for this. I want to stand up there with my band and own it like I should’ve done in Nashville instead of letting a bitchy manager get in my head. But so much is still uncertain. This life, in this house, my meager existence, it’s safe. Safer than the road, than hotel rooms with Gavin and nights of watching groupies fall all over him. And truth be told, I like giving music lessons. I look forward to it and it makes me happy.
“It sounds like a huge opportunity, Dallas. I’m interested, but you know I have a lot going on with Over the Rainbow and—”
“Dixie, if we win this thing, you can have half the money to incorporate OTR and hire more instructors. If we tour, you could visit inner-city schools during downtime and give group lessons. I have thought about this and I don’t want to take anything away from you. I swear. I don’t even care about the money at this point. We’ll survive. What I want is our band back. I never should’ve walked away from it, never should’ve left you when you were hurting. I should’ve been there for you.”
Tears well in my eyes because I can hear them in his voice. “Well, shit, Dallas. Now you’re making me cry. Stop that.”
“Sorry. I’m not trying to upset you or manipulate you. I really will love you just the same if you say you’re not into this at all. But I had to ask. Technically, Gavin was supposed to ask but I’m getting used to him chickening out when it comes to you.”
Maybe he’s right. Or maybe Gavin was going to play another hand—the “I know you want me” hand. Was he going to screw with me like that? Pretend he wanted to be with me, eventually, when he’s done with the blonde, to get me to go along with this?
My emotions twist into an intricate knot in the pit of my stomach.
“I need some time to think about it. Either way, we can still do the warm-up gig. Go ahead and confirm.”
My brother barely suppresses a yelp of joy. Gavin says we don’t have poker faces. He’s right. We don’t. But he sure as hell does.
“Awesome. I’m so glad you’re on board,” he tells me on a huge sigh that sounds like relief. “I’ll text you all the details and the competition info with my thoughts on the songs we should play as soon as we hang up.”
“ ’Kay. Love you, big brother.”