I slowly turn my gaze from Melanie to find the bachelorette herself, two friends gathered on either side of her. Their faces could only be described as starstruck.
“In the flesh,” I say, grinning. “This is Melanie.”
The woman gives Mel the once over before turning her attention back to me. “I’m Maddie and I’m getting married next week. I cannot believe I’m seeing Josh Cote on my bachelorette weekend!”
A chuckle escapes me, and I wave my hand dismissively. “Trust me, I’m nobody.”
“He’s humble,” Melanie chimes in.
“We’re huge fans. We’re here from Tennessee!” another girl chimes in. “We’ve seen you play on Broadway a whole bunch.”
“This is April,” Maddie juts her thumb in the direction of the girl who spoke last. “And this is Olivia.” She gestures to her other friend.
“Can we take a selfie?” Olivia asks, eagerly.
I sling my arm over Melanie’s shoulder and give her a reassuring smile. “Of course,” I say. The girls turn and crouch in front of us, Maddie holding up her arm in an effort to get the shot. It’s not lost on me that Mel’s face gets cut out.
“So, are you guys a duo now?” Maddie asks eagerly.
“Something like that,” I say, planting a kiss on the side of Mel’s head. She looks uncomfortable, but she wasn’t until these girls showed up.
Maddie and her friends start to move away. “Thanks for the photo. You made my weekend!”
“You’re welcome.” I grin with a nod.
“Oh, and I was really sorry to hear about you and Keira. I thought you made such a cute couple,” she whines. “I saw she’s engaged now.” Maddie makes a face as if she’s trying to poke the bear.
I don’t take the bait. “Wasn’t meant to be.” I shrug, sensing this conversation going in a different direction than I’d like. Standing, I move to put my guitar back in its bag, still feeling the women’s eyes on me. I turn back to them. “It was nice meeting you girls—have fun.” Then I turn to Melanie who has gone still, caving into herself. “Ready, baby?” I murmur, tipping her chin to meet my gaze. I hope she gets my message:It’s you and me.
This seems to snap Melanie out of it. “Yeah,” she says, standing, wiping her hands on her shorts. “It was nice meeting you girls.”
* * *
“You good?”I ask Mel on our walk back, concern laced in my voice.
Melanie gives me an almost sad smile. “Yeah, I’m good,” she says. “I just…sometimes forget you’re Josh Cote. You’ll always be just Josh to me.”
My chest constricts. “I will always be just Josh,” I say, stopping to look at her.
“You don’t know that,” Mel says, shaking her head. “You have star power.”
I suck in a breath and reach to tuck a hair behind her ear. I’m not sure what to say. She’s right, Idon’tknow that for sure. But all it has taken is half a summer with Melanie for me to realize that fame and fortune may not be what I want anymore.
Then
Josh –
I’m sorry I had to bail tonight. I know you’re disappointed. An under 21 open mic night doesn’t come around often, but I know it’ll be successful and they will do it again. I just don’t feel well at all and I’m afraid I’d get up on the stage and puke. Please say you aren’t mad at me??? I know you’ll do great. Tell Cara to take pictures for me. I’m so sorry again.
I love you. I mean it.
Mel
Mel –
It was so awesome. The only thing missing was you. It made me realize I definitely have to go to Nashville. There’s no other way around it. Maybe I can take a gap year and try to make it down there before my parents force me to go to college. I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life. This is it for me.
I’m sorry you weren’t there. I hope you’re feeling better now.
