Meant to Marry Me

The bus had barely stopped when Cat got up from her seat, stalked to the door, and got out, walking several steps away and pulling her phone out of her pocket. Bree assumed she was calling a ride back to the hotel, or maybe she'd take a rideshare all the way back Nashville. Bree didn't care. She'd even pay for it, as long as she was able to get the negative influence out of her band, and out of her life. Cat's erratic behavior made sense now. She'd been doing drugs this whole time! Bree felt dumb for not realizing it, but she didn't know anyone else who did drugs and didn't know the signs.

Following Cat out the door, Bree noted the confused expression on Shawna's face. "Is everything okay?" the girl asked.

"No, not even a little bit," Bree replied with a sigh. The rest of the band got off of the bus, all of them looking morose. "Shawna, how would you like to play with us tonight?"

Shawna's eyes widened. "Are you serious?" she asked, looking over Bree's shoulder to Zach, who was standing a few steps behind Bree.

"Yes, I'm serious," Bree assured her. "It's come to my attention that Cat has been partaking in some illegal activities I don't want my band members participating in, so she's been asked to leave the band."

The woman stared at her for a long time, her mouth agape. "Oh, uh... well, I'd love to play with you. I'm just not sure if...."

"If what?" Zach asked, stepping forward with an encouraging smile. "You know all of the songs don't you?"

"Well, yeah...." Shawna shrugged, a glimpse of a smile starting to appear on her pretty face. "But... are you sure?"

"Positive," Bree said with a sharp nod. "We would love for you to play with us."

Before Shawna had a chance to answer, a car came speeding into the parking lot and pulled up next to Cat. She flipped them all the bird and then got in the vehicle, which Bree assumed was a rideshare car she'd paid to drive extra fast, and then they sped away.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Shawna watched the car leave the parking lot and then said, "I don't want to leave y'all hangin'. I'll have to ask my boss."

"Yes, of course, but Shawna, if this works out, we'd love to have you full-time." Bree heard some of her bandmates' shocked gasps at that comment, but she had a feeling none of them would object once she talked it over with them. Again, the girl was at a loss for words. She stared at Bree for a moment and then said, "That would be amazing. I can't even.... I'll ask."

A grin spread across Bree's face at her reaction, and as Shawna came back down to earth and started to lead them across the parking lot, back to the green room, she had to hope this meant all of her recent problems would be solved. Once Shawna had deposited them into the green room and left to go speak to whomever she needed to in order to get permission to play with them, Chase came over and said, "Hey, Bree... what are you doing?"

"It's perfect, isn't it? We need a keyboard player. Shawna plays keyboard. It's a godsend."

"It seems like maybe you knew that already, though," Griffin noted.

Bree shrugged. "Maybe. But what difference does it make? Cat is the one who has been stirring up trouble for the last few weeks, and now she's gone, and Shawna is so nice." "Didn't you think Cat was nice when you first hired her?" Dominic asked.

"Yes, but I know Shawna is nice. I've spent some time with her. She's great, isn't she Zach?"

Zach looked up as if he was surprised to hear his name. "Oh, uh, yeah. She's awesome. She'll be great to have in the band."

"Are you doing all of this just because Zach went out with her today?" Chase asked, folding his arms.

Bree let her mouth fall open. "What? No! Why would that matter?"

"Because you want him to stay in the band," Griffin said with a grin on his face.

"Don't you want him to stay in the band?" she countered, placing her hands on her hips.

"Of course I do," Griffin said.

"Then... I don't see the problem." Bree had a twinkle in her eye as she smiled at the boys. What could they say to argue with her?

A few seconds later, the door opened, and Shawna popped in. Bree couldn't read her expression, but she prayed it was good news, and the girl would be playing with them that night.