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I set my jaw and scroll back a few months in Six String Justice’s timeline, to the end of July, until I find what I’m looking for.
6StringJustice:
Someone got too big for his britches. IYKYK.
6StringJustice:
Pro tip—know when to trim the fat.
6StringJustice:
We’re leaner, meaner, and our sound is much cleaner. Check out our new song!
Yikes!
Based on the biting tone of these posts, Kash was dumped from the band.
I don’t feel as much satisfaction as I thought I would at the discovery. Even though I’m not a fan of any of the members, breakups always suck, especially when you’re the one getting your feelings hurt. And being kicked out of a band you helped found…that definitely has to hurt.
The tone of the posts hasn’t changed since he left in July, so I guess that means Kash probably wasn’t running their social media account. How involved was he with that stuff when he was in the band? Are his personal posts snarky and cutting, too?
I search for Kash’s social media account.
Interesting. It was first created in July and there are only two posts.
Kash$Murray:
Six String Justice and I have decided to part ways. I’ll always be grateful for the good times we shared. Wishing them all the best.
And then a few months later:
Kash$Murray:
Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement with @Exit12SRecords.
November 5
Some people have a sixth sense about things.
Before my grandparents moved to Arizona, Grandpa always knew when it was going to snow by the way his knee ached.
Mom has something we like to call deer-dar. She can sense Bambi by the side of the road before anyone sees him, which is a useful skill to have when you’re driving out here on the back roads of Tennessee.
Apparently, my secret superpower is sensing when Kash is nearby.
What a letdown.
I’m scooping some reindeer feed from a bin in the barn when something compels me to look up. Just then, Kash passes by the open barn door, his head hanging low and his guitar bouncing against his side. The two times I’ve seen him, he’s always seemed so sure of himself. But now, with his shoulders sagging, all he looks is dejected.
What is he doing here?
That question’s been running nonstop through my mind since our conversation in the gift shop. Initially, I felt like an idiot that I hadn’t realized Murray and Kash were the same person. But why would I even make the connection in the first place? As far as I knew, Kash Murray was in Six String Justice and Barry was talking about some new solo artist he signed. In my avoidance of all things social media, how was I supposed to know the band had given him the boot?
Kash glances my way, and what used to be a delicious sparkle in his eyes has faded into weariness. He nods and gives me a polite smile. Before I can decide whether to return it or not, he looks away and continues on, the soft sound of boots on gravel disappearing as he heads toward the Hideaway.
November 6
I hear him playing before I see him, dressed in black jeans and a black jacket, leaning back against the trunk of a red oak tree. Kash stands with his boots crossed at the ankles, guitar in hand, a cowboy hat dipped down over his face. I refuse to admit how good he looks. Standing there, he resembles one of those leaning cowboy shadow silhouettes that people affix to their fences. Except the effect is so much sexier when it’s captured in three-dimensional flesh and blood.
