hel

at what I saw once again. Fuck! Every time my brain wanders for a second, I see Camila ent

ance to the kitchen. Skylar storms in, grabbin

. "What are you

llo? The sexy football quarterback that's sitting out

estion, pulling my wri

brain can see what a catch Asher is. And he was talking t

truth. So instead, I end up mumbl

remind you he

like a lovesick puppy. It was hard to ignore the

lling my eyes. "He's a playboy

questions me. "Just because he's slept ar

ask, annoyed. She shakes her head. "Asher was

idn't I know this? I thought I wa

y know because he's an Ozark.

exy playboy? Whose fanfiction h

e destroyed her heart one day and just ended things wit

o have their heartbroken, but even less so to be dumpe

g he'd cheated, slept around, and wanted threesomes with Courtney and anothe

I want from him anyway. Besides, he's interested in someone else. I wou

"You know they lost last night?" Sky asks,

s. And all because of that p

ush of excitement at this time of night, knowing I'll be performing soon. I have the best spot out on one of the busiest streets. The foot traffic can be anyw

perfect way for me to relieve my stress. For even a few hours, I can forge

the back. "Hey, Ophelia, some chick is looking for you. She was kind of mean and insistent. I

e, so I smile. "Thanks for tryin

, running off to fi

ss to see, grab my tips apron and my backpack, and head out the

mi

tands there, arms crossed, wearing a beautiful red dress th

about me. I hear mention of

mila says with a malicious laugh. "I swear her father probably left be

o idea that he passed away from a car accident when I was a kid. But of c

ing my presence known.

od, took long eno

as that

at?" she ans

lking about me to my coworkers. Talking about

ink you can threaten me?" she whispers, her words sending a chill down my spine. "Remember who is helping

ale as I stare

fter the long day I've had. She won't

ret," I say firmly. I mean it

take the opportu

n, the whole city will know it isn't really you s

r stage-bigger than that pathetic honky-tonk," Camila snaps.

in. "That's great, Camila; everything's g

She then points at me. "You b

hand away from me but

formance. I need something f

wanting this conv

laugh. "Good. Now, I have a date. Run along and do whatever it is

r flip before she walks pa

ut Camila's demands. Instead, I check

h

oping I didn't lose my spot. It's been my pr

e. Once I turn the only corner I need to get through, I manage to stop at

hrough a fun song. I can't help but bob my head along with his music, his brown, shaggy hair moving w

ng him again for the first time in a whil

ng rather than being rude o

his eyes. His toothy smile makes me s

he people to come around and st

rows. "Ophelia, l

re busking in my spot, sir. H

his eyebrows. "Oh, I'm SO sorry. I guess I missed

that finders' keepers, then you'd see my name in bright lights out here." I cross my arms

s the back of his head. "You could stay. I mean, two talented performers on a

ongue into m

alk next to him. "I'll eve

of you!" I gush, and

s make some pe