Losing to Win Read Online Free Page A

night when he was sneaking out the back door with his suitcase, his guitar, and that month’s rent money, my mother decided she’d had enough. She told him to leave an address where she could forward the divorce papers and bolted the normally unlocked door behind him. I was five years old at the time.
    Since then, Blue tended to visit when his funds got low or he was looking for some sort of an ego stroke. Most of the town thought that Blue had hit the big time in Nashville, playing on records for B. B. King and Bobby Bland. What they didn’t know was that he usually spent more than he made. Blue Wayne spent the majority of his adult life on the road playing gig after gig just to make ends meet. As far as I knew, he’d never remarried, owned a home, or settled down. Just imagining his reaction to actual Hollywood camera crews in Belle Haven and an opportunity for a payday was enough to make me want to scrap the whole thing.
    Eloise tilted her chin upward with dignity. “Don’t you worry about Stacy Wayne. If he shows up, I’m ready for him.”
    Ruby Ann and I exchanged glances. That could mean anything. And none of it good. I changed the subject. “Fine. But really no one could tell me? I look a hot mess and I would have appreciated a little heads-up before seeing Mal again.” What I really could’ve used was a four-day head start to get the hell out of town, but that was neither here nor there.
    Mac shot me a look. “Say I came to you two days ago and told you about all this? Where would you be right now?”
    â€œAs far away as my Visa balance would allow,” I snapped.
    â€œI believe you answered your own question,” Mac finished.
    Ruby Ann rolled her eyes. “It’s a few months of your life. Suck it up.”
    Middle Mike added quietly, “Sorry, cuz. We couldn’t think of any other way. You didn’t do bad up there, though.”
    I shrugged. “What options did I have?” They all fell silent. I shook my head. “Well, what’s next? I’m sure you all have plotted and schemed how you want the next few months to go? I assume visits to each of your establishments with camera crews following? Basically be a walking commercial for the great town of Belle Haven?”
    Sugar clapped her hands. “See now? That’s the kind of love I’m looking for.”
    They all looked at me expectantly. After a deep sigh, I gave in. “Fine.”
    A collective sigh of relief was heard.
    Taylor stepped forward and gave me a hug. “Sorry about springing Mal on you. But maybe this is for the best. Give you a chance to get some closure. Put the past in the past?”
    My mother snorted. “Or to pick things back up again and put them right, if you ask me.”
    I crossed my arms and tapped my foot. “Respectfully, Mama—did I ask you?” Sometimes my mother drove me crazy with her unsolicited remarks.
    â€œNo.” Eloise sniffed and smoothed her hands down her silk and linen suit. “But I’m telling it anyway.”
    â€œMama, don’t start in on her,” Ruby Ann admonished, with another roll of the eyes.
    â€œSince when is telling the truth not allowed? Carissa Melody Wayne and Malachi Henry Knight belong together. Everybody in this town has known that since they were in junior high school!”
    â€œI don’t think Malachi got that memo, Mother,” I said in a quiet voice that indicated I was done talking about it. In fact, the whole wretched morning was starting to catch up with me.
    Mac caught my eye and nodded. “Why don’t we clear out and let you, uh . . . marinate on the morning?”
    The door to the office swung open and a tall skinny kid with thick-rimmed glasses, skinny jeans, and a nervous expression stepped inside. “Hey, Carissa, I’m Ren, your production assistant. Is now a good time?”
    â€œFor what?” I said in not my friendliest