“Oh shit, he’s coming over,” Hannah whispers.
Logan chuckles. “I’m not sure how I feel about another man making you curse, Sunshine.” She pets his chest reassuringly.
“C’mon, Ry,” Mia chides. “Exceptions can be made for famous celebrities. Everyone gets a hall pass.”
“You donothave a hall pass, la mia fiamma.” Fox pulls her closer, and Mia blushes.
“Still so weird,” Logan mutters.
“Hey, Hockey Boy.” Cash pulls me into an equally enthusiastic hug, just like the one he gave Summer.
“Can I get one of those?” Hannah whispers at my side.
Cash laughs, having heard it, and pulls Hannah into his arms.
Logan rolls his eyes, but looks more amused than annoyed. “Nice to meet you, man.” He shakes his hand.
A similar round of greetings happens, some more colorful than others—Lexi asks him to sign her shirt, Hannah and Ada get a picture with him, and Cash obliges them all before things settle down.
Cash is easier to talk to and more charming than I’d like him to be. He wins over all our friends, and Tara.
I should be annoyed, but I’m not. He’s genuine and funny. Good to Summer. That’s what matters, right? That the people in her new world are good people.
Her new worldsits heavy in my chest.
It’s close to midnight when the guests start to filter out. Kettler and Lexi leave first since they’ve got the kids and an early morning. Then the other veterans, one by one, until only the younger guys remain. The music is turned down, and conversation is winding into that end-of-party lull.
Summer, Cash, and I end up alone on the back patio, the string lights casting everything in warm yellow that fades to black in the yard. The night air has a chill, but it’s not unbearable.
We’ve all got a beer in hand. Budweiser for Summer, of course, something more palatable for Cash and me.
“Summer says this is your last night in town?” I ask Cash, trying to make conversation. “You’re happy with the song?”
I already know the answer. Summer’s given me a play-by-play of the whole recording experience. But I want to make an effort. Whether I like the guy or not—and admittedly, he’s easy to like—I know he’s given Summer a huge opportunity. That her association with him could take her a long way. Like all things, connections matter as much, if not more than, skill or talent.
“It’s gonna be a hit.” Cash tips his beer toward Summer. “This one’s goin’ places. She’s talented.”
“She is.” My lips quirk up at Summer, huddled against my side.
“I mean,reallytalented. The stuff we’ve been working on…” He shakes his head. “It’s going to be something.”
“Yeah. I know.” The words scrape out. Wanting something so badly for someone while hating that it’ll take them away from you is a line I’m still learning to walk. “When’s the single coming out?” I ask, despite knowing the answer to that, too.
“Couple of weeks.” He takes a swig of his drink. “Same day as the CMAs.”
I nod.
“Was actually thinking…” he continues, looking at Summer. “I’m scheduled to perform. What do ya think about performing our song? Come as my date—management suggested it, not a real date or anything.” He darts a look at me.
My stomach drops. Iknowit’s not an actual date, more networking than anything else, but my body doesn’t seem to know the difference.
“Oh.” Summer stiffens slightly. “I don’t know. I mean, Kendra hasn’t said anything.”
“It was just presented to me this morning, so I’m sure your invitation is comin’.”
“Is this something I can choose? Or more of a ‘this is what we’re doing’ thing?”
Cash makes a sound that’s not quite a laugh or a scoff. “When you find a way to say no to the record execs, let me know.”
