“Allie,” Ace says, snagging my attention.
I glance up from my phone.
He’s rubbing a hand down his jaw,
leaning back in his chair, exhaling.
“I’m about to do the old-man thing and give you advice you didn’t ask for.”
“Okay,” I say, cautiously.
Ace spins in his chair, facing me fully now.
“You know I’ve been in this scene since your dad was building it from scratch.”
I nod.
He yanks the headphones off his head,
drapes them across his neck.
“Corey was one of the real ones.
“Didn’t just sign folks—he raised ‘em.
“Changed my life, Allie. Straight up.
“I owe that man a lot.”
The mention of my dad claws at my lungs.
I don’t move. I don’t say anything.
Just spit it out, Ace.
You’re scaring me.
“I know Raymond’s your stepdad.
“Not tryin’ to step on anything personal.”
He leans forward,
elbows on knees,
eyes steady.
“But your dad—Corey—he was my brother.
“And that means you’re family.
“And I’m tellin’ you straight?—”
He rubs the back of his neck, glancing at me.
“Raymond’s not someone to trust.”
I stiffen, thumbs freezing on the phone.
