Willow Valley (Frank Adler AU) 18+

14

"Hey sweetheart". Keaton kissed Hassie's cheek as she arrived at the stadium with her security, finding him in his dressing room. "Thanks for coming and doing this".

"It's the last time, ok. This is only a favour".

"Yeah I know, and I appreciate it - really I do". He smiled, "the fans are gonna love it, they're gonna go insane".

They're all camped out outside, not sure if they saw me coming in, I don't think that they did". She replied and sat down, "So, televised eh - you'd better not fuck up".

He chuckled and offered her some water. "Don't you worry, I ain't planning on doing that, especially with you".

"I mean you did it once already". She thew back flippantly, knowing that humour was the only way to deal with it. 

Keaton smiled weakly. "I know Hass...and I know I fucked up, ruined something great. I'll always regret losing you", now he looked at her. "You already know I still love you". 

"Really? I'd have never guessed". 

"Hassie...please, even though I know you won't take me back, can we at least be friends? I gotta have something". 

She sighed. "I need to think about it. Appearing together every so often is pretty much enough for me at the moment. You fucked another girl without even thinking about what it would do to us. I know it was stressful, being away from one another, trying to have a family..." 

"It was. Hell I hated being away from you every damn minute. I hated that it was causing arguments. I went and drowned my sorrows in another girl because I wasn't thinking straight. I take accountability for what I did, and I never meant for you to be targeted by the media or the trolls". 

"But you still said nothing". She looked at him feeling the tears prick her eyes. 

"Because I was told not to". He stressed. 

Of course he was told not to, just like she was told the same by her publicist and management. She was told she couldn't record the song she'd written about him, because it would only escalate things. People had blamed her for what Keaton had done, saying that she deserved it, that she was controlling, that she was too young and immature for him. 

Even now the song still sat on a file in a computer at the recording studio. 

"Hass...please". 

She nodded. "Let me think seriously about it. Please?" 

"Ok, that's enough for me". 

"Thanks - now, can we talk about what the plan is for tonight?" 

He smiled again. "You come on stage with me, play a song or maybe two, and if it's not too much, perhaps dinner after the show?" 

"I think that would probably be too much, for now anyway". 

"Noted". He nodded. "The song I want you to come on for is 'Ain't No Love In Oklahoma', I want you to sing second verse, figured we could run through it before going and trying it out for sound check". 

Ever the professional, Hassie agreed. She'd heard the song enough times on the radio to the point where she felt like it was constantly being rammed down her throat. It was only because Keaton was appearing in the film that it was being used as part of the soundtrack for - hence the heavy promotion. 

They headed to the stage where Keaton's band were already sound checking, going through the song as well as when she'd come out. The doors would be opening in a couple of hours, the show starting around 7:30pm. So into hair and makeup it was. Her outfit had been brought with her by her stylist  - a fringed top with some denim shorts and knee high boots - not forgetting her signature hat of course. Even as she got ready a couple of hours later, she took a look at herself in the mirror, seeing someone different staring back. 

Someone who Frank would never date. Would never take the risk with. 

Well fuck him. 

A small whistle sounded from the doorway as Keaton leant there, watching her. "You look great Hass, you always have". 

She smiled at this. "Thanks Kea". 

Pushing himself off the doorframe he looked at her seriously. "The cowboy who was at the ranch the other week...there something going on between you and him". 

"You already asked this and no. There's not. Besides, Frank wouldn't date me anyway". 

"Why not?" 

"It's complicated". 

"His loss". Keaton said and checked the time. "I gotta go get mic'd up. I'll see you on stage soon". 

Hassie ran her fingers through the length of her hair. "Yeah, cya soon", noting him leave before she turned back to look at her reflection again. Her phone buzzed on the side and she picked it up, the number unknown. "Hello?" 

"Hassie!" Mary's voice sounded.

"Hey kiddo, how's things?" 

"Ok - I miss you, I can't wait to watch you on TV later". 

Hassie smirked to herself. "Frank's letting you then". 

"Nuh-uh. Etta said I could, Frank's working late with the campfire activity anyway". 

Typical that her mother would let her do that. "Then I'll blow you a kiss, look out for it - anyway I've gotta get ready, I'll see you when I'm back". 

"Ok! Bye!" Mary said in her upbeat tone and then hung up. 

Hassie took a swig of water and then went to get mic'd up. 

Showtime...