Something in the Water

It Ain't My Fault

"What do you mean she quit?"

"Hunter - there's no other way to say it but she left. And without warning." I reread the letter in my hand, "Can you text Alexis?"

"She went back to Chattanooga." He said, "I don't think she's coming back."

"Ugh," I groaned, "what do we do. Courtney is doing double duty right now and I feel bad."

"You only have a few days left then when you get back we will sort it out." We agreed and hung up. I got dressed for soundcheck and heard Courtney knocking.

"Jenna, Canaan is here, he's excited."

"Thanks. I'll be right there." I tied my hair in a braid and got out to meet up with Canaan. We went over the song a few times before grabbing a bite to eat.

"So she left?" I nodded.

"Just ran away... can't trust anyone these days."

"Tell me about it," Canaan sat back, "but she was your PA, that's someone who knows everything about you. All your information, your kids."

"Hunter and I handle our money. No one has that information. But yeah, like the kids knew her..." I stared out the window until Canaan brought me back to reality and we headed back to the arena to watch the openers. The show went great and I saw a sweet girl in the front row with a sign that said something about cancer. Before going back out for my encore, I asked Courtney to pull that family backstage after the show. She obliged and I got to meet Leanne, a fourteen year old girl who just kicked cancer's butt. I invited her to my dressing room and we took pictures, I signed a CD and poster for her and her friend before Courtney took them back out to meet Dustin and Canaan. I packed up my dressing room and Dustin knocked on the door.

"Hey, you killed it tonight. I'm glad you saw that girl's sign."

"Me too, and thank you. You kill it every night." I headed out to the bus. "See y'all in Memphis!" I thanked Canaan for his visit and he told me we should get together to record and write sometime soon.

J: So excited to see you guys tonight xox travel safe. I love you

H: kids are packed up, they are in for a treat. Love you!

I closed my phone and slid it in my pocket before heading to the first of two radio interviews for the day. After the radio interviews, I headed back to the arena in time to see Hunter pull up in the suburban. He unloaded the kids and they ran as fast as they could into my arms.

"Mom!" Sutton wrapped her arms around me. The kids were ecstatic, catching me up since our last encounter.

"I am so happy you guys are here." Hunter greeted the band and we got down to business. "Let's take it once again." We practiced Rescue and Before You and we decided to do a special encore tonight.

"We can do a few acoustic songs," Hunter said, his smile fixated since he arrived, "Everything Has Changed and Better Than This?" I nodded.

"Did you," I began to ask, before he interjected.

"Yes I brought my guitars." I rolled my eyes, laughing. Hunter looked past me to see the kids occupied playing a game. "Have you talked to Norah?"

"No, have you?" I retorted and in response, he handed me his phone. I scrolled through a lengthy email she sent him two days ago. I muttered under my breath reading things like 'Jenna's unrealistic demands,' and 'unpredictable mood swings."

"This is a joke," I said firmly and loud enough that the kids turned to look, "do you believe this?"

Hunter shook his head, "Jenna, I don't. I've known long enough to know it's not."

"She has all our contacts to radio, magazines.... all it takes is her turning around and contacting someone like TMZ and making me look like a crazy person!" I stood up, "I need a minute." I walked out of the dressing room and Hunter followed me.

"Courtney." He called her over and pointed to the dressing room, "Jenna, babe, come here."

"I'm so frustrated." I sat down on a speaker, Hunter stood in front of me, holding my hands.

"I have known you for what, fourteen years?" He lifted my chin, his eyes meeting mine, "You are the kindest, sweetest and least demanding human being I've ever met. I honestly was hesitant about Norah from the getgo but I thought that was maybe because we had Alexis for so long that I was just nervous to let someone new in. Now I realize I should've spoken up and listened to my gut." He hugged me, reassured me and we went for a quick walk so I could calm down.

"I'm so glad you're here." I laced my fingers through his, "This is going to be a killer show."

The show was perfect. Dustin and I did our duet as planned and then I played another song before talking to the crowd. "Memphis, This has been one of the loudest, most incredible crowds I've seen on this tour." They roared and I continued, "I always love coming here, and you've always been so welcoming. I brought a guest out for you this evening. I am proud to call this next guest not only a dear friend, but my other half, my soulmate and the father to my three incredible children." I paused and took a deep breath, "Memphis, can you please welcome Hunter Hayes to the stage." We played Rescue, Before You and did a few acoustic songs as an encore before calling t a night.

"I love seeing you and dad play together." Sutton said before we turned of the lights. He brothers agreed and I hugged each of them.

"We love being together with you guys. It's the best feeling in the world."