Willow Valley (Frank Adler AU) 18+

15

Frank had left two of the ranch workers to carry on with the campfire activity while he went to check on Mary. He knew she was ok as she was with Earl and Etta - but that didn't stop him from wanting to know that she wasn't getting up to mischief. 

Heading into the farmhouse, Etta was in the kitchen washing up from dinner. "You want a slice of apple pie, Frank? I expect all you've had are s'mores". 

He smirked. "I'm all s'more'd out, the pie would be a bonus - thanks". He said as she went to cut him a slice, regardless of whether he said no. "How's Mary been?" 

"Practicing with her guitar, she wanted to watch the Keaton Slade show that's happening, and as much as I don't like him, I put it on so she could see Hassie". 

"That makes two of us then". Frank replied and thanked Etta as she passed him the plate. 2You heard from Hassie today?" 

She shook her head. "Nah, it's only one day - different if it was a world tour. Then she'd be checking in most days". 

Leaning back against the kitchen counter, he swallow a chunk of pie. Much like Roberta, he could never turn down something either she or Etta had made. "You must've missed her when she was away". 

"I did, I always miss her even when she's just at home taking a break. I worry for her though - about Keaton and whether she'll be drawn back into him. I thought so highly of him before he went and did what he did to her". 

"I know you warned her off getting married early". 

"But she was too in love and still went ahead. I didn't wanna argue with that. She's been keeping him at arms length but just won't let go fully. Of course Earl and I tried talking to her, even after the divorce, but this damn management of hers and her contract just has her in a chokehold". 

Frank, if he was honest, felt a little nauseous talking about Hassie and Keaton. He knew that drunk him had said the wrong words to her the other night, and when he'd seen her in the coffee shop he'd wanted to apologise - but under Roberta's stare it wasn't that easy. She'd avoided him since and now was in Nashville. He couldn't leave her a voicemail, she'd take one look and see his name, then delete it. 

"Can't she get outta it?" 

"Not really. She's got so much stuff coming up, and she's so excited about it. When things got bad between her and Keaton she got shit from the media. Her management sorted it. She's got a good team but...I don't know -this is all she's ever wanted. She won't leave them, and I don't think she's gonna leave Keaton either". 

Frank put the plate down. "Do you really believe that he's still in love with her?" 

"Probably, he realised what he lost. I'm surprised she's lasted out six years without giving into him. She may only be 27, but she's still my baby". 

"Hassie's on!" Mary ran in and saw Frank, "Come on!", pulling him into the living room where the TV was now showing Hassie and Keaton on stage. "Everyone screamed so loud when she came out". Mary said over the top of the music. "She looks so pretty, doesn't she Frank?" 

Frank bit the inside of his cheek, knowing Etta was in the doorway watching as she dried a glass. "Yeah, she does". 

She looked animated, genuinely happy that she was up there - even if it was with her ex. He knew she had to put on a front to convince people they were just friends, however the more Frank watched them now, the more he could see that it was more than that. 

They performed the song that they'd released which was when they'd first met, Hassie finally taking her bow to everyone and then waving as she ran off, Keaton watching with a big grin plastered on his face. "Y'all know how amazing she is, Miss Hassie Rockford everyone". He then turned back to everyone. "So this is one that's been a favourite with everyone for a while. I wrote it about my wife, and - awkwardly she's not that anymore but the words are still true. Everyone sing along so she can hear, this is 'Still'". 

"Now that's cute, I wonder if Hassie can hear it?" Mary stared in awe, swaying along as the stadium began to sing loudly. 

Frank soon realised that he was all but glaring at the screen. "Oh believe me, she can hear it". Getting up, he was annoyed that this was irritating him and made his excuses to Etta about getting back to work, thanking her for the pie and telling Mary to be good. A stiff drink of whiskey would have been better, and so he headed to the saloon to grab one before going around and making sure everything was in place and locking down for the evening. 

If he thought the whiskey would've made him forget about Hassie, then he was wrong. Her damn face was embedded in his mind all night long, and he hated the fact that he liked it. 

**

Keaton found Hassie after the show in the dressing room. "Hass, you were amazing, thanks again for doing that tonight, they loved you". Now hugging her. 

She smiled and pulled away. "Getting me for two songs instead of the intended one? Naughty", now scolding him. 

"Couldn't resist, and we ain't played that live in years". 

"Nope, we ain't..." She trailed off, "So, you played my song..."

Keaton nodded, taking off his hat and running his hand through his hair. "I always play your song, Hass. Tonight I just wanted it extra loud though, because I mean it. Friends or not, exes or not, I'll always mean it". 

She nodded silently, everything replaying over in her mind. Her and Keaton, her and Frank (there wasn't any and never had been now she thought about it),how no one could really understand or accept her hectic schedule or even her lie. Only one could though, and then she finally looked at him. "So...are you gonna buy me a room service dinner or what?"