sh

e stands outside the restaurant. The steakhouse, oddly named Big S

she makes eye contact. "My my,

t to the arcade next to the mall. I rushed in, and without going overboard, I decided a nice jacket would su

. But I break into a large grin, looking forward to my date with Cam

a huffs out a quiet laugh. "See

door to Big Steaks, and Camila no

ully, they'd had one cancellation to accommodate us. B

, and it's just the two of us, surrounded by empty tables and c

man feel fancy," Camila says as the wa

ives. But as we do so, something doesn't sit right with me. She's got

ities, comes off somewhat bitter, and twice, she's rude to the waitstaff. The first is when they've taken five m

ow one of them at someone.

e she's had a rough day and needs

family, and any friends. But everything I bri

ously music, but I'm nowhere near as famous as Asher Slater is. I can ju

know you must get what that's like-leaving behind a pathetic life for stardom. There's

meals, I'm running ou

just told me a different story that now doesn't

ryone away. I let Camila talk about whatever she's going on about, b

chance to jump in and finally talk to her about somet

want to bring up again that your voice

"You're not the first man to recognize my immense talents. You're just the first

up my back. What does

sing for me now? I know it's odd since we're in

r to the left and then right, and she clams up, not speaking or compliment

y, I could risk hurting my vocal cords." She flips her hair over her shoulder.

she's serious. "I'm sure your voice wi

you deserve it? I told you, my voice is a finely tuned instrument and must be treated as such. I was sure you, of all pe

ng and know how to communicate with my bo

u're scared

op it? God, learn to

cions. What's to lie about or even not sing for

. I narrow my brows but wave down the waiter, wanting to get t

ought this would go,

I leave the money on the table and give a half-hearted apology to

to do. Frankly, I need som

*

e game, and I'm so nervous that he's going to get upset with me. I may look up to my brother, but a loss is a loss in f

s me through the speaker. I rub

y?" I'm quic

r the nerves in your voice. You

a

to speak it into existence. "Ash, look. Rest assured, I'm so proud of you and

feeling a boatload of nerves coming o

change the call to video. The girls w

been a few weeks since I've

t daughter, Payton. I laugh, the s

y, using her fa

little hazel eyes growing wi

Are you down here wit

shes into the camera, platinum blonde hair cov

sing-song. "What are you two

enee cheers, h

e," AJ's mock-serious voice

No, Daddy, it's our tea p

d where is she

all hand in her mouth

hing fun while your

game! You beat Daddy a

ll, tell him not to ma

s up to show off her tiny biceps. "

ere. "Okay, that's it. Let me talk to

rls chorus, running off,

also have no idea where Brooke is, so that'll be a fun find." He looks a

k about Camila, the horrid date, and how AJ

y,

e concern lace h

happy

Where's that

is beautiful family that you get to return home to, and everythi

ve this one day. I'm serious. Look, you know that you're young and that there's so much time left

ll is a

sports, Ash. Just take it slowly. Your career or love life isn't going anywhere." His s

ve never had such a failed date with someone before, but Camila made it

probably isn't the one for you. Come on. You know that eventually, this will all b

e pops into my head

ess from

He's still not done his mini vacation and doesn't feel like waiting around for me. I was supposed to be his ride. The tw

football plays and the sounds of traffic. It's not until a sweet voice a

. I know t

tead, the waitress from the tavern stands on the sidewalk. She looks different outside of her apro

h me and looks shocked and a little fearful. As I approach

n." I stammer through the sente

l stare

turns around, holding a ca

heard?" I ask with a

nce she is in because she shakes her head

ad at Ophelia, seemi

m over here," I say, pointing from my car back to the c

g her head again. "Sorry, no, i

's going to say something. But Ophelia must notice his con

t's nice to see you again,

rom the two of us. Who looks

pit in the botto

of...j