Chapter 145 Devoted Fans
Since it was past lunchtime already, there was lots of time to kill. Luckily, the city provided a lot of distractions.
“We could go to the country music museum,” Emily suggested.
“Sounds like a plan,” Byron said.
They walked down the sunlit streets, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of the city, and the fact that it wasn’t raining.
“Any more thoughts on how to convince Quinn that you’re not crazy?” Emily asked.
“I’ll improvise.” Byron’s face had the same focused look as when he was thinking of business deals. “When I see him, I’ll know what to say.”
“Is that how you get the ladies to like you too?” Emily asked, feeling flirty.
“That’s right,” he said, one side of his mouth curling up in a lop-sided smile. “It worked for you, didn’t it?”
“I’d say it did.”
The next day, they made their way over to the Outback Buffet long before noon, trying to make sure not to miss Quinn.
“I understand Quinn Faines has lunch here sometimes?” Emily asked their server.
“Oh yes he does,” the young man replied. “Almost every day. Though I haven’t seen him in a few days… but he’s bound to come back.”
This was a little unsettling, but it made Emily think that maybe something had changed in Quinn’s life and that this was the reason he didn’t want to perform.
“Maybe he doesn’t hate us…” she suggested after the server left.
They had huge sandwiches and fries for lunch and waited around for another couple of hours, trying to drag out their time in the restaurant by ordering drinks and desserts.
The serving staff understood their predicament and never rushed them. It seemed everyone here was a fan of Quinn, and they sympathized with a couple of fans who wanted to see him.
Emily felt like she could not eat any more pie or drink any more coffee… It was about one thirty when she spotted a slim middle-aged man in jeans and a simple yet expensive shirt walking through the wrought iron doors.
“There he is!” she whispered excitedly.
The country music star looked as handsome as ever. The restaurant was nearly empty at this time, but there were a couple of young ladies who approached Quinn as soon as he entered, asking for autographs and selfies.
Emily and Byron waited while Quinn talked amiably with his fans. Despite his attempts to smile, it seemed like there was something weighing him down.
“I think we should go,” Emily found herself saying, “he’s already overwhelmed with fans.” She had a feeling his reluctance to tour had nothing to do with his opinion of Byron, and that he had bigger problems in his life.
Byron was already making his way over to the booth where Quinn sat down. “Can I get a selfie too?” he asked with a subtle grin.
Quinn looked up wearily, but his eyes brightened when he realized who the man in front of him was. “Byron Pomeroy! And Emily! What are y’all doing out here?”
“We’re here to see you!” Byron replied as Quinn gave them each a hug. Clearly, he didn’t hate them, and Byron’s suspicions were unfounded.
“You tracked me down,” Quinn said, “Impressive!”
“Well, our wedding is coming up, and we wanted to invite you,” Emily said, “Also, if you could sing a few songs, it would make it the perfect wedding for us.”
“Y’all are engaged,” Quinn said, again trying to smile but not quite succeeding, “That’s wonderful.”
“I was always nervous about Emily running off with you, to be honest,” Byron joked, “but I finally got her to agree to marry me.”
“Sweet Emily wouldn’t do that,” Quinn said gallantly, but then he muttered under his breath, “unlike some women I know.”
A shadow came over his face again. His wife was a well-known country star too, and by all accounts, they had the perfect marriage. Maybe something had recently changed? Emily also noted he didn’t actually say yes or no to their invitation.
While Quinn consumed an enormous chicken sandwich, they had a lovely talk just like old times. At the end, Byron repeated the invitation to come to their wedding.
“I just don’t know if I can,” Quinn said, shaking his head sadly. “I would love to be there, but the timing is really bad for me now.”
“And I thought it was something about me that put you off,” Byron said.
“No, why would you think that?” Quinn exclaimed. “It’s all me. I don’t have the wherewithal to do much singing these days.”
“Maybe it’s something we can help with?” Byron suggested.
Quinn smiled with a sad look in his blue eyes. “I don’t think so. But it’s sure great to see y’all. Come over for dinner tonight, and I’ll treat you to a real Tennessee barbecue.”
They had already eaten enough to last the whole day, but the invitation was too tempting. Maybe they would finally learn what got Quinn so down.
