“So, uh, did I interrupt something last night? I know I’ve been kind of a shitty friend lately, but sometimes I think it might be best if everyone else just got out of the way and let you and Corbin fight to the death.”
“Not really. I mean, kind of. But it was for the best. Sometimes things escalate quickly between me and him, even though neither of us would be ready for the fallout.”
“You still have feelings for him?” Steven didn’t look hurt or worried. He looked mildly amused and intrigued by what was probably a ridiculous concept in his mind. “Even after everything?”
Kylie shrugged. “It never really felt optional, you know?”
“Ah. Well, in that case, I’m going to go see if I can find a Tailgate Twin to ease my wounded pride. And maybe I’ll go try on some nut huggers and shake my ass around town a bit. See if that works for me as well as it does for him.”
“You’re an idiot.” Kylie was still laughing when he left. Despite the residual pain she felt from Darla’s talk show media circus, she was excited about tonight’s show. She hoped Rae and Claire Ann were coming so she could finally talk to them about everything. Especially Rae.
After the Lily Taite Cell-Phone-Gate scandal, Hannah had gotten Kylie a new number. She hadn’t had time to let everyone know the new number yet. Kylie had ignored all of Rae’s messages, mostly because she never knew what to say. And it hurt, talking to Trace’s sister. It reminded her of a future and of a family she’d wanted so badly and would never have.
But Steven’s honesty had reminded her of the person she used to be. The girl who spoke her mind no matter what. She had to find a way to stop avoiding people and her feelings. She knew the dangers. Loving people meant risking letting them destroy you. She knew. She’d been destroyed a time or two.
But keeping them out, shutting herself off from everyone and pretending not to care, well, that just wasn’t really working so well for her either.
She went back to her room and perused some of the lyrics she and Steven had written the night before. She was halfway through reading the words to a song she knew she’d never sing when she realized what she’d done.
After getting all emotional about Trace having a woman in his room, which turned out not to be his room—or his woman for that matter—she’d let Steven sleep in hers. Granted, nothing had happened. But the door had been shut and there was no way Trace could’ve known for sure either way.
And he’d been the one to comfort her about the whole Darla thing. Her stomach sank and the nausea hit. There was no denying it.
She owed Trace Corbin an apology.
“CLAIRE ANN, I need to get on back to Encore Park. Kylie gets a little crazed if I’m late for soundcheck.”
The coffee shop where they’d met for breakfast was crowded. His sister propped her elbows on the table and sighed. “Oh, so we’re worried about what makes Kylie happy now, are we?”
“Come on, Claire Bear. You know I’ve always been worried about that. Just like I worry about what makes you and Rae happy.” He shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. But it was the first time in a long time he’d admitted how he felt about her out loud.
“Trace, do you ever stop to think about what makes you happy?”
He didn’t answer right away. He stared down into his half-empty cup. He didn’t even like the taste of coffee really. Just used it for the much needed caffeine.
“Music makes me happy,” he finally answered. “Knowing the people I care about are taken care of makes me happy. Is that so wrong?”
“No, I just worry—”
“We’ve been over this. Stop worrying about me. I’m fine.” He pulled his worn- out trucker hat off of the table, glanced at the faded Yeti logo, and slid it back on his head. “Tour’s going as good as can be expected. No one’s died. No one’s been arrested. And no one’s pregnant—that I know of.” He winked at his sister who returned his grin with an annoyed sigh.
“Well, in that case, I kind of need to talk to you about something. Two somethings actually. One is kind of…er, not good. But the other one makes me happy. I’m just worried it’s going to make you unhappy.”
“Let’s hear it. Whatever it is, get it out. I’m personally about to explode from holding things in all the time. So go for it.” He had an uneasy feeling about both things she was about to tell him. Her forehead was creased and her eyes looked tired. Too tired for a happy, healthy thirty-year-old woman.
His sister ran her finger around the rim of the empty coffee cup in her hands several times before meeting his gaze. She took a deep breath and spoke in a hurried rush.