Dreams

4

A/N: The song I've shamelessly used in this and the last chapter is "Shell" by Charlotte OC if you'd like to be inspired.

TW: light mentions and implication of verbal and physical abuse.

Carolina.

"Jax, come on. I have to go," Carolina tugs her arm out of his grip and grabs for her purse. They've been fighting for hours. She doesn't even want to go to rehearsal. She looks like shit, her voice is going to sound like shit, Stevie will probably kick her out again.

"I should go with you," Jackson snaps, "trying to fucking do this without me. What happened to oh we're a pair, baby. We'll climb together. You sold out the fucking minute you could, Caro. The minute you could."

"Jackson, I have to go," Carolina sighs as she bites back a fresh wave of tears. He can be such an asshole sometimes. "Look. I'll talk to her, ok. Tonight - l promise, but you have to let me go!" She jerks herself back out of his arms, stumbling when he lets her go on purpose just to watch her fall. She'll deal with whatever that means later. George is going to have to drive like a bat out of hell to get her across town on time.

"Caro," George nods, then sighs as she climbs into the back of the car and sobs. "If you would just let me at him..."

"I care for you too much to see you in prison over him," Carolina sighs as she grabs the tissue he's holding out and dabs at her eyes. "I'm fine, George. I'm just tired."

They ride the rest of the way in silence, Carolina staring out the window, hiding her face behind her thick black hair as she tries to pull it together. She will not falter in front of Stevie. She knows she'd sense her weakness immediately and pounce on her.

"I'll text you when we're wrapping up," Carolina does her best to smile as she lays her token $50 bill down. "Dinners on me."

"Caro," George smiles as he grabs her hand, "in case you haven't heard it from anyone, I'm real proud of you, kid. Go knock her dead."

The gesture threatens to make her cry again and so she squeezes his hand silently and steps out of the car, steeling herself against the hell waiting for her inside.

"Hello Carolina," Karen smiles as she swings the door open before she has a chance to knock. Karen gives her a once over, noticing her red rimmed eyes and the bruising on her neck. It could be a hickey, she guesses, but why would she be so upset? "Stevie is in the studio. Would you like a cup of tea?" Karen feels sorry for her. She's seen Stevie in this state a million times.

"Ah, no thank you, I've got some in my bag," Carolina smiles softly as she follows Karen through the house. She likes Karen. It's not that she's particularly fun, but she's a far cry nicer to her than Stevie is.

"Carolina," Stevie mispronounces her name as she stands at the piano, Lindsey behind her with a guitar in his hands.

"Hello, Stevie," Carolina nods, "Mr. Buckingham."

"Lindsey," Stevie corrects her as she leans over and pecks him on the lips. Carolina gives her a hint of a smile and sets her bag down. "Did you do your homework?"

"Yes," Carolina nods as she stands at the other end of the piano, arms crossed over her rib cage like she's protecting herself. "I have five."

"And they are?" Stevie raises both her eyebrows and turns her head to the right, looking at her with wide eyes.

"CPE Bach, Joni Mitchell, Rufus Wainwright, Lori McKenna, and Dolly Parton." Carolina stares at the ground like she's embarrassed,  refusing to look Stevie nor Lindsey in the eye.