An hour later, she finally walked across the wet grass toward the barn; twilight had settled over the water.The scent of sawdust and sea air mixed inside, familiar and grounding.Jami stood near the mixing table in the studio, guitar slung over his shoulder, eyes lifting when she entered.
“You look exhausted,” he said softly.
“Flattering,” she said, forcing a smile.“You heard about the leak?”
“Yeah.I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
He took a step closer.“Still feels like I should.”
For a long moment, they stood in silence.The tension between them hummed like the amps in the corner; quiet, constant, impossible to ignore.
“Tomorrow,” she said finally, “we issue the statement.I’ll take responsibility for the confusion and clear you of everything.”
“That’s not fair to you.”
“It’s not about fair.It’s about control.It's also my job.”
"Aren't you worried how that will look to the next company that considers hiring you?"
She took a deep breath."All I care about right now is how this is affecting you.Hart & The Hurricanes.That's my job right now, and I'm deeply disturbed that my former company brought you into this vendetta."
He studied her face.“And afterward?”
She hesitated, unsure whether he meant the campaign or whatever this was between them.
“We regroup,” she said softly.“And we keep fighting.”
He nodded, but his gaze lingered on her mouth before he looked away.“Then let’s make sure they don’t win.”
She turned to set her laptop on the table near the mixing board and opened the new draft statement.Her hands were steady again, but her heart wasn’t.Because as much as she wanted to win this war, part of her already knew the battle she couldn’t afford to lose was the one she was fighting with herself.
ChapterFifteen
Jami hadn’t slept much.Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Carlene standing in the glow of the barn lights, her expression a mix of strength and something softer.That look in her beautiful brown eyes when she said she would take responsibility had stayed with him.It wasn’t right.She hadn’t done anything wrong, yet she was willing to take the blame to protect him.
By morning, he gave up on sleep entirely.The barn was quiet except for the steady rhythm of the waves hitting the rocks below.He poured coffee and scrolled through his phone, news alerts flashing one after another.
The statement had gone live.
Her words were perfect, like always.Honest, precise, and measured enough to keep the fire from spreading.Still, it made his stomach twist to see her name attached to something that should have never touched her.
Tony’s name appeared on his screen.“The label’s happy,” Tony said.“Carlene’s release worked.We’re back on track.”
Jami leaned against the counter.“How’s she holding up?”
“She’s exhausted.They’ve lined up a follow-up interview for this morning.They want you there, too.United front and all that.”
He rubbed a hand over his jaw.“Send me the details.”
After the call, he walked outside.The air was clean and sharp, carrying the scent of salt and pine.He told himself to focus on the band, the tour, the music, and that song that lingered at the back of his mind, but wouldn't fully reveal itself to him.Anything but the memory of how it had felt to have her in his arms.She would likely leave soon after they fully implemented the marketing plan and cleared up this mess.And he'd be on tour.One of her purposes was to bring his spark back, which she did, but he suspected, not in the way she meant to.He enjoyed having her around.She had a sharp mind, and she was focused and professional.They had that in common.But he felt she held herself away from him.Invisible walls built more solidly around her heart than any military base walls.
By the time the media team arrived at the barn, he had his stage face back in place.Cameras, lighting rigs, wires, and the low buzz of professionals doing their work.He knew this routine, but today it felt heavier.
Carlene arrived just before nine, hair pulled back, expression calm but tight around the edges.She wore the look of someone who had been up all night thinking instead of sleeping.He knew it because he felt the same.And because he was beginning to know her.She wasn't one to let a problem go to bed with her.She'd beat it into submission before laying her head down to sleep.
She gave him a brief nod.“You ready for this?”
