Pecan Pie and Deadly Lies (An Adams Grove Novel) Read Online Free

know. That girl Jackie with the horse farm. She lived up near DC, didn’t she? Up near Pete’s folks.”
    “You never give up.”
    “Fine. Don’t tell me, but I’ll go on record. Don’t do it, Cody—you know it’s never wise to go backward. You could have any woman in the world.”
    “That’s a total line of BS and you know it.”
    “Why are you barking up an old tree? If you want to settle down, find someone new. Find someone who is on your level.”
    “My level? You know I don’t think that way.”
    “Well, you should. Let me set you up with someone. I know lots of nice gals in the business.”
    Cody laughed aloud at that comment. “You don’t know any nice girls.”
    “I know people who know nice girls.”
    “That’s more like it, but no thanks. I think I can handle this on my own.”
    “Well, fine, but don’t come crying to me when it blows up on you and expect me to forgo the pleasure of a good told-you-so. But then again, you
have
written some of your best hits after breakups. On second thought, this could just work to both our benefits.”
    “It’s not going to be like last time.”
    “Oh really? What makes you so sure?”
    “I’m older now. I’m in a different place.”
    “Haven’t you heard the saying that you can’t go back home?”
    “This is different.”
    Pete pounded on the door as he stepped up into the bus. “You ready, Cody?”
    “Sure, yeah,” Cody said. “Look, I’ve got to run. Good to see you.”
    “Well, if you change your mind, head on up to the estate. It’s going to be a helluva party and Johnny G. will be there. You know he’s been talking about doing a remake of that movie. It could be your part. Come up and make it happen.”
    “Tempting, but I’m ready for some downtime. Besides, I’ve got that album to get out before spring and I can’t possibly put something else on my plate right now.”
    “Never thought I’d hear you pass up an opportunity like this.”
    “Maybe my priorities are shifting.”
    “I don’t think I like the sound of that.”
    “You’ll be fine.” Cody walked to the back of the bus to change shirts, then grabbed a handful of permanent ink markers, black and silver, and tucked them in his back pocket. He cuffed Arty’s shoulder as he headed down the stairs. Cameras flashed as Cody exited the bus, and Arty slipped out behind him.
    For an hour Cody shook hands and posed for pictures with fans and street team members. By the time he’d said good-bye to the last person, the guys had everything packed up and ready to go. Cody was barely settled in the front lounge area of the bus when the wheels started to spin.
    Pete gave a nod to Cody as he strummed his guitar. He was tinkering with a melody they’d been working on the last couple of weeks off and on. “I think I got it figured out.” He played the chords.
    Cody bobbed his head to the beat and then smiled wide. “Yeah. That’s it. Perfect.” He grabbed his guitar and they played it again together until it was just right. Then they hunkered down over the table and reworked the lyrics for about the hundredth time.
    Pete laid down his guitar. “Want something to eat?” He opened the door of the full-size Sub-Zero fridge and took out a tray of deli meats. “I’m going to make a sandwich.”
    “No thanks. I’m going to hit the shower.” Cody went back to his room, finally able to slow down a little now that the adrenaline of meeting all those people had worn off. He pressed the button that closed the door behind him. This bus was his home for over half of the year. Even when he flew in, he chose to sleep here on his own bus ratherthan the hotel rooms they were given. Some people might think that was hard, but it wasn’t so bad. He had the best of the best amenities on this bus. More than most musicians ever had the chance to enjoy, much less own like he did. Besides, he liked being on the road, and that had always been more than enough, until lately. Lately, he’d found