New Tune, Old Vinyl by Ember Davis

Author:Ember Davis [Davis, Ember]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-04-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

TALLULAH

Everything hurts. My feet ache. My cheeks feel like they’re about to fall off because of the fake as hell smile that I’ve had plastered on my face from the moment I opened the doors this morning. Hell, even my hands are sore from all the shaking and squeezing I’ve been doing.

It’s been a constant reminder of my parents’ lives today. I cherish it just as much as I wish it would stop. I’ve loved hearing so many stories about my parents and what music they introduced to someone or how they helped someone in the community in need. That’s where the squeezing has come in. I’m not sure how else to convey my gratitude at this point.

But it’s also been a hard pill to swallow because everyone coming out to share a story centered on this record store is also saying goodbye to it.

I wish it weren’t the case. Maybe I should have fought harder. Maybe I should have continued to sink money into the business while knowing full-well it wasn’t going to change anything.

Maybe.

Maybe.

Maybe.

I take a step to help someone else who is looking around the store with fondness plastered across their face and I’m reminded of another place that I’m sore. Yeah. Down there.

Now that ache is one that I can’t find it in me to regret. Not even a little bit.

Jensen has been a bright spot in my day, even if the gloom is something that only I can see and feel. He’s checked in on me so many times that in any other circumstance it would be annoying. He’s made sure I’ve eaten. He even steered some customers away from me when he saw I was getting too overwhelmed by their heartfelt stories.

I had no idea I needed him by my side today, but I’m eternally grateful for him.

The sound of the bell above the door has me looking toward it to find Jack walking into the store. He has a sad smile on his face when his eyes lock with mine. I have no doubt that he has a million stories and memories to share with me.

Dad and Jack did a lot of repairs around the place. I remember watching them talk about tools, materials, and put a plan together when I was younger. It wasn’t something I was interested in paying attention to at the time, but it was like a background track for my life.

Everything in me wants to run in the other direction as Jack makes his way toward me. The moment he’s close enough, his arms engulf me, and I’m pulled against his chest. Even though I find comfort in it, it’s not as good as Jensen’s hugs.

I look across the store and find Jensen’s gaze boring into me. His hands clench as if he’s stopping himself from striding across the room and pulling me out of Jack’s grasp. The thought makes me chuckle softly as I pat Jack’s back and take a step away.

When I look back at Jensen, Crosby is standing next to him and whispering something in his ear.

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