Live, Laugh, and Love

Hot Sun and Fun

POV Austin
We landed in Texas. Rich picked us up from the airport.
We get to his house. The kids are running around playing.
R: So, what's new?
A: I'm looking for a new manager.
R: Why?
A: He hasn't had my best interest in mind for a while now. He sent an email to Charlotte everyday body shaming her. He told her she had to lose 5+ pounds or he would drop her. He would send her pictures taken at bad angles and tell her she needed to cover up her fat. Dad she isn't fat. She had stopped eating and taking her meds trying to lose weight. Then we had a party with friends in Colorado. She was wearing a short black dress. She looked so good in it. Damn. So when he came in he didn't realize it was her and wanted me to introduce him. I walked up behind her, wrapped my arms around her and kissed her. I told him this was the same girl you said needed to lose weight and cover up. He started telling her he didn't approve of her clothes and she needed to go change. I told her to get him and she did. I was proud of her for standing up for herself.
R: I'm proud of you son. Who are you looking at?
A: I have a few meetings coming up.
R: Good.
A: She still feels bad about us leaving. She thinks everything was good and she messed it up. Dre blames her for it too.
R: That says something about both of them. He is an ass hole and she is more worried about you, and your happiness is her own.
A: I know. She stood up to him. She told him to go fuck himself.
R: She said Fuck?
I laughed.
R: I have never heard her cuss.
A: She doesn't often.

We went back to the house.
A: Where is Charlotte?
Jodie: I'm not sure.

I walk around, and the kids are playing board games in the living room.
I keep looking. I sent her a text, nothing.
Where did she go?
I find her in the garage looking at dad's cars.
A: Want to take one out?
C: Yes please.
We drove the mustang around.

A: Do you want to drive?
C: I'm afraid I'll wreck it.
I pull into an empty parking lot.
A: You're driving this car.
C: Yes Sir.
She looks so happy driving. I sometimes forget that she loves cars.

I text Pat.
A: Find a 70-75 Nova. Send me what you find.
P: I will.

She drives around in circles for a while.

A: Dad just text me the food is ready.
She stops, parks the car, and starts to get out.
A: Drive us back.

While we are eating.
R: Where did you two go?
A: We drove your mustang around. Charlotte loves cars.
R: Really?
C: Yes. I grew up in a garage. My dad has done paint and body work pretty much my entire life. My first car was a 1972 Nova.
A: What color?
C: British Racing Green.
R: Did you ever race?
C: No. my dad wouldn't let me. I'm too competitive when it comes to racing. He was afraid that I would get hurt.
R: Can you drive a stick?
A: Yes I can.
R: Austin why didn't you ever tell me all of this?
A: It just never came up.
R: I have a project car. I'm starting to want to take a look after dinner.
C: Yes. What is it?
R: A 1969 Mustang.
C: Are you going back to the original?
R: Yes. It had the original motor and transmission in it. I pulled it out and sent it to a mechanic who is still working on it.
C: Do you do your own body work?
R: Some.
We walk out and look at the car. J comes with us Lily stays with Jodie. Poppa has a 1967 Camaro.
R: That is a rare find.
C: He has had it for over 20 years. He has a few classic trucks too.
R: Austin when are we going back to Tennessee?
C: You and dad would get along well.
A: How does next month sound?
R: I look at my schedule.

Charlotte looks at her phone and walks out. I excuse myself and follow her.

A: Everything ok princess?
C: Yes my dad just called wanting the address for here.
A: Your parents and brother are here.
She jumped with joy.

Everyone came in and dad invited Jack to come look at his cars.

I went with them.

I pulled Jack to the side.
A: We had some stuff go down with our manager. Did Charlotte tell you?
J: Yes I was hoping that he would be close.
A: He isn't. We are leaving there. I know you put her back into focus. I'm looking at buying her a Nova.
J: Come get her car.
A: I forgot that she still had that. Is there another car she likes?
J: Stop buying her stuff to make her feel better. That doesn't work. You can't buy her. Although she does love cars. Lol.
A: I will. I'm not sure what to do to snap her out of this fog that she is in.
J: Do they have drag races around here?
A: Yes, do you want to go?
J: Yes and take her too.

I bought tickets for tomorrow's races. We all go and have a blast.
She is screaming. Team Force. Why have I never thought of this?

J: Don't feel bad I raised her. She isn't exactly a normal girl.
A: I'm still learning after all of these years.

We have a small cookout at dad's house for my birthday. I finished eating. Everyone is having fun. I find Charlotte isn't eating. I fix her plate and walk over to her.

A: Hey princess, I fixed you a plate.
C: Thank you. Sorry I was in another world for a minute.
She starts eating.
C: Where is your plate?
A: I already ate. What is on your mind?
C: Nothing, I think jet lag has caught up with me.
A: I know she is lying. I just kiss her forehead and sit beside her.

After everyone is asleep I grab Charlotte's phone. I look through text messages. Nothing sticks out. I look through emails.
I see one from Dre

Subject: Austin

You are going to ruin his career. I can't believe you are so selfish.

That fucker.

I blocked his email and number from her phone.

The next morning I waited for her to wake up.
A: Has Dre' reached out to you?
C: Yes. He sent an email yesterday. I was waiting to tell you about it.

She hands me her phone. I acted like I had never seen it before.

A: You know this isn't true right.

She looks down.

A: It's not. Your career will just make me more successful.

I pull her into my lap and hold her.
Don't listen to him.

A:I will be right back princess.

I call Dre'
D: I knew you would come crawling back.
A: Why are you so mean to her?
D: The industry is rough, I'm just honest.
A: Really? So why haven't you ever talked to any of your other clients like that? What no response?
D: She is going to ruin your career.
A: Do not contact her. You can contact me or our attorney.

I hung up.

She comes out dressed.

C: I'm hungry, has everyone eaten?
A: Probably. Let's go get breakfast princess.

We pick up some fast food and have a picnic.

C: I'm not sure I am cut out for the music industry.
A: Why?
C: I can't take someone constantly telling me how awful I am.
A: Dre is an asshole. We will get a management team and it will be different.

She didn't look at me.

A: Give them a year.
C: Ok.

Everyone boards the jet to Tennessee.

C: Aren't we going to Utah?
A: No, we need a break after everything that has happened.

The next day.

We all got up and drove to her dad's house. J and Lily want to stay there for a night.

A: Why don't we drive your Nova?
C: Let's go.

She drives around showing me different parts and sharing stories of her past. I am so happy she looks so comfortable.

A: We have meetings for the next 2 days. There are some teams we are meeting with that are in Tennessee.
Your dad is keeping the kids tomorrow. We need to stay the night in Nashville.

I see a smile.
A: I already called Dolly and she recommended these teams.

C: Dre is going to tell them I'm difficult.
A: I don't give a shit what he tells them.
Dolly already told them what happened.
C: I love her.
A: I know I do too.
C: Where are we staying?
A: Pat set it up.

We ate dinner in Nashville and settled into our suite.
We went to their office the next morning and discussed options.
Do you have questions?
C: Do you think I need to lose weight?

They looked at me nervously.

M: No ma'am. The way we do imaging is different here. If you sign with us we will meet and discuss what our plans and ideas are regarding your image. You have final say.

A: Thank you.

The next team said the same thing about image.

A: I told you that he was just an ass.
She laughed and loosened up.