Her fists clenched at her sides. “You know, that’s funny, considering all Trace has ever had in his life, thanks to you, is disappointment.”
She pulled in as much air as she could in preparation for letting this woman have it. The love she felt for Trace surged in her chest, and she was overcome by an intense urge to hit something. The emotions rushing through her were too much to contain.
“I bet he was disappointed that his mother subjected him and his sisters to someone who was violent and vile and abusive. And I bet he was really disappointed when that same mother couldn’t support his dream and his decision to move to Nashville. Especially since he’d given up the whole first part of his life to protect everyone else. And you know, I happen to know firsthand from personal experience that he was pretty damn disappointed when the same woman who couldn’t support his dream didn’t waste a minute cashing in on his success by airing his personal nightmare in her very own tell-all book. So pardon me if I don’t give a single solitary damn about your opinion of how well Trace handles disappointment.”
Trace’s mom’s eyes were wide as Kylie bore down on her. She opened her mouth to speak, but Kylie didn’t much care what she had to say. So she continued on with her speech.
“And if you think loving Trace is a mistake, I suggest you keep it to yourself or save it for your next book. Feel free to mention my daddy issues. Because, yes, I do love Trace even more because he reminds me of the absolute best man I’ve ever known.” She pulled in a breath. “Trace is a lot like my father was, in that he’s loving and kind and selfless and strong. He’s the kind of man who would give up everything he had for the people he loves. And a man who gets help when he needs it. And he is nothing like his father.” She shook her head, unable to process how Trace’s mom could even think there was any comparison. “Trace would walk through fire before he hurt me or Claire Ann or Rae. Hell, probably even you. So for future reference, if your opinion of Trace is anything other than that you are damn fortunate to even exist on the same planet as him, I suggest you refrain from sharing it in my presence. And you can quote me on that.”
“Okay, Hothead. I think she gets it.”
Kylie turned around to see Trace fighting back a grin.
He held up her cell phone. “You forgot this.”
Her face began to burn as she realized he’d probably caught the majority of her outburst. But for the first time in a long time, she felt like herself again.
A sheepish smile snuck across her face and she bit her lip. “Um, your mom and I were just—”
“About to duke it out in the hospital parking lot?”
Kylie shrugged and took another step toward him. “Something like that.”
Neither of them even looked up as his mom passed them and disappeared through the hospital doors.
“You really believe all that stuff you said?”
“Of course I do. It was all the truth.” She kissed him softly on the lips. “I’m sorry I lost my temper. She just said some really ugly things and I couldn’t—”
“It’s okay, darlin’. I’m well versed in her lack of faith in me. I read the book.” He wrapped his arms around her and she pulled him even closer.
“Well, I have enough faith in you for everyone. To hell with her.”
His lips crashed down on hers and she felt her knees go weak. It took all of her self-control to let him go when the shuttle arrived to take her to her truck.
“Come home soon, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
AFTER A long, hot shower—one in which she found herself assaulted by the sensual memories of Trace making love to her in the very same shower—Kylie felt slightly more human. She’d gotten to talk to Rae on the phone, and hearing that she still sounded like herself, albeit a very tired and slightly medicated version of herself, made her feel somewhat better.
She snuggled down in Trace’s bed in hopes that he would be home soon. The past few days and then the run-in with his mom had left her feeling bereft and alone in the great big farmhouse. She needed him. Needed him badly.
It felt selfish, considering she knew that his family needed him just as much, if not more. But every time she glanced at her phone and saw the many messages and demands of the outside world, a clawing ache began to gnaw at her insides.
She’d spent the majority of the evening on the phone with Jane and Hannah and Chaz. Like it or not, she had one more day until she had to be in Oklahoma to resume the tour. It was either that or lose the label’s support on her next album and all the credibility she’d worked so hard to get.