A tour.
That’d be huge. It could launch my career. The kind of opportunity that might not come along again. But the cost is sitting beside me, fingers laced with mine, while strangers talk about me like I’m some pawn on their board.
“Let me guess,” Cash interjects. “This offer is contingent on them playing along. Signing on the dotted line.”
“Cash,” Paula warns.
“This is your decision, Summer.” Spencer lifts his hands, palms up.
“Sure it is,” Cash mutters.
Spencer keeps going, “Here’s the plan: you head to LA with Cash. You’ll do a few interviews to support the release and build buzz for your debut album. You’ll go out to dinner once or twice. The paps won’t need much more than that. Then you lie low until the tour starts.”
He and Paula lean back in their chairs, as if it’s already decided.
I look at Miles once more. His fingers drum on the glass tabletop.
“When do I need to decide?” My gaze darts around the room. Each of them stares at me with varying expressions, but one thing is consistent—they’re eager for me to agree.
Paula checks her watch. “Our jet leaves in two hours.”
My stomach drops. Miles’s fingers go still.
Two hours means I’m getting on a plane with Cash today, or I’m not going at all. I don’t get to sleep on it, or call my mama, or even take a breath and figure out whatIactually want. They want an answer now.
My every instinct is telling me to run as far from this mess as I can get… But a spot on Cash’s tour? Is it worth the risk of getting wrapped up in whatever’s going on here? Because something isdefinitelygoing on.
Maybe I could help him? We are friends now?—
“Summer?” Kendra prompts.
“So soon? What about all my stuff? I need to pack. I mean, how long will I be there?”
“We’ll work out getting your stuff there.” Kendra smiles, but it’s not as exuberant as her usual one.
“Rehearsals are scheduled for a month.” Paula checks her phone. “Then the tour starts.”
Okay. Chicago to LA isn’t the end of the world. It’s a few hours on a plane. People do long distance all the time. Relationships survive worse.
“It’s going to be a grueling month, though.” She doesn’t soften it. “Our timelines are condensed. Expect very little time off.”
So much for that, then.
A month without Miles sounds impossible, but he’ll be busy, too. He’s in the middle of the playoffs. By the time rehearsals wrap, he’ll be closing in on the Finals. Maybe there’s a version of this where we make it work. Where he meets me on the road once the season ends. The rumor about Cash and me will fizzle out by then.
And Cash doesn’t look thrilled about any of this, either—he’ll want out as soon as possible.
This tour is the kind of opportunity I came to Chicago for. A chance most artists wait years for. One I’ve been working toward for so long.
Five months ago, I would’ve said yes before they finished talking. But back then, I didn’t know what it felt like to be loved. To have someone steady me without asking me to shrink. To want to stay just as much as I want to go.
His knee brushes against mine under the table.
“Hey.” Miles lifts his chin toward the others. “Would you mind giving us a minute?”
Spencer glances at Paula. Then they both turn to Kendra.
“Make it quick.” Spencer stands, already moving toward the door. “The car will be here soon.”
