Something I Need (xoxo Nashville Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

the time he returned, she was sitting on the same stool as last night.
    “I’m having a weird case of déjà vu.”
    Ditto . Cash sensed her heart wasn’t in her joke. Last night she’d carried a carefree essence, despite her bad luck, but it had definitely dimmed. This town was not kind to newcomers, especially foreign ones. At this rate, all the determination he’d seen last night would be gone in no time.
    Cash poured her a beer and tried not to think about why he cared. “I’m sorry you’ve had such a rough introduction to Nashville.”
    “Nashville definitely does not love me.” She pursed her lips together and pouted.
    “Wanna talk about it?”
    “Not this time. This afternoon, I’m just gonna sit here, drink my beer, and lick my metaphorical wounds.”
    Cash let out a low chuckle. “Anything I can do to help?”
    “I hate to ask, but do you have a phone I can I use? I still can’t get mine to work and I should probably call my parents.”
    “You haven’t spoken to them since you arrived?”
    She shook her head and flushed. Cash remembered Dolly’s throw-away comment from last night about her having run away. He didn’t think she had actually run away, but guessed her parents were beside themselves. Normal parents cared about their children – not that he had much experience with that.
    “Come with me.” He led her towards the door down the other end of the bar, marked employees only, and held it open. “Excuse the mess.” He gestured for her to take a seat on one of the two padded chairs opposite his own high-backed leather one. She didn’t need to be over on that side of the desk, and he didn’t want her rifling through his stuff. Not that there was anything particularly sensitive on the desk. The point was, he still had some common sense and it was screaming at him to be smart because he didn’t know this woman.
    Cash handed Jonte the cordless phone.
    “You’re a lifesaver.” She took the phone and smiled up at him like he’d just lifted a million pounds off her shoulders.
    “I’ll give you some privacy and wait out there.” He retreated, shutting the door behind him.
    Well, the door was essentially shut. He’d left it open, just a little crack, and may have been standing on the other side. He rationalized that there were thousands of dollars in the safe and keys and all sorts of things in the office, but the truth was he was curious about the Aussie.
    Jonte let out a deep sigh from inside the office. It was a good thing the jukebox wasn’t cranked up too loud yet. He scanned the bar, making sure that the few patrons here were comfortable and Pete was still busy in the kitchen.
    “Hi, Daddy.” Jonte’s voice was cheerier than it had been just before. “Dad, I’m fine.” Her voice spiked on the last word. Total lie. “I’m so sorry for not calling you earlier, but my phone wouldn’t work.”
    There was a lull and then Jonte spoke again. “I’m sorry Mum’s upset. I didn’t do this to hurt either of you. I did this for me.”
    The short breaks in conversation continued. “No, I’m not coming home.”
    Cash felt shitty for listening, but it was like rubberneckers at a car crash – he couldn’t make himself pull away.
    “I don’t care if she’s changed her mind about things now. That’s very convenient, don’t you think?”
    What was the story was with Jonte’s mom?
    “I’m not coming home. No. You’re not coming here to get me. Dad, I’m not a child. I’m an adult, and this is my choice.”
    Cash ran his hands through his hair and blew out a breath. Christ, apparently every family had their own shit to deal with.
    “Dad, I don’t want to go on any of those TV singing shows back home. Besides, I’m already a finalist in something here.”
    A finalist? Now that was new information.
    “It’s in six weeks. For this big Nashville competition, American Country Star.”
    Cash was trying to figure out how in the hell she’d managed to final in that from