this part.”
We were in Nash’s house, sitting out back with lights glowing all around.
The walkway glowed every few blocks. There were also lights under the railing of the balcony.
Behind me I heard the door open and shut.
When I turned my head, I saw Liv coming outside.
“Hey,” I called out. “How’s the writing?”
“Great,” she said.
“When are we going to hook up, Liv? You and me. I’ll tell you all my filthy secrets. Now that’s a book everyone wants to read.”
“I think that would be considered a horror novel,” she said.
She settled on Nash’s lap.
The way he looked at her was something else. He wasn’t even aware of the way he was looking at her.
That’s what made that shit real.
And to think, Liv had been following us around, writing semi-fake stories to keep Nash’s reputation decent enough so that we could keep touring.
“I thought you didn’t want everyone to know your secrets, Reed?” Nash asked me.
“True,” I said. “But have you seen Liv?”
She laughed.
Nash looked pissed.
The rest of the guys came outside.
They had plenty to drink. Plenty of other stuff too.
Liz kissed Nash like the world was ending and then she stood up.
She gently patted between Nash’s legs.
“Did I wake him?”
“You always do,” Nash said to her.
Jay stepped away from the table.
Nash jumped up and pointed to him. “She’s not touching your dick!”
Jay showed his hands. “Whoa, Nash…”
“You were going to say it,” Nash said.
“Your point?” Jay asked.
“Goodnight, boys,” Liv called out. “Don’t make too much noise.”
“Only when I think of you,” I called out.
Nash lunged at me.
He grabbed my shirt.
I smiled.
He shook his head.
“You know it’s out of love, right?” I asked. “Liv is beautiful. But she’s all yours.”
Nash pushed away from me.
We started listening to the auditions.
The process was weird.
Here we were, just a group of rock stars, judging the voices of random women.
We took a vote on each voice.
We marked down the names that got the highest votes.
“Here’s the next one,” Nash said.
When I heard the voice, I stood up.
I walked away from the table.
I knew Abby’s voice from anyone in the world.
She was by far the best singer I had ever met in my life.
“That’s a definite,” Sab said. “No question about it.”
“I agree,” Jay said. “That’s skill.”
“That’s familiar,” Dex said. “There’s something…”
“Reed, what about you?” Nash called out.
“There’s others,” I said. “We don’t need someone to outshine us.”
“That won’t happen,” Jay said. “It’s just for the song.”
“Well, maybe we can take them with us,” Sab said. “Three singers. Play some shows. Right?”
“No,” I said. “Skip that one.”
“That’s the best voice we’ve heard,” Jay said.
“Wait a second,” Dex said. He stood up and pointed to me.
“Don’t do it,” I said.
“What is it?” Nash asked.
“We know that voice,” Dex said. “That’s why Reed took off from the studio…”
“We know…,” Jay said as he played Abby’s recording again.
“Dex is right,” Nash said. “We do know that voice.”
“I’m not doing this,” I said.
“I am,” Dex said.
“You really want to do this?” I asked. “Bring her into the studio? That’s what you want?”
“We’re supposed to pick the best singers,” Sab said. “Who is it?”
“It’s Abby,” I said. I walked back to the table.
“Abby,” Nash said.
“Abby,” I said.
Jay snapped his fingers. “That’s the one…”
“That’s the one,” I said. “And you want to bring her into the studio with me?”
“She’s the best singer in the auditions,” Sab said.
I looked around the table.
They all stared at me.
They all understood what had happened earlier in the studio.
We were all about the music. Creating something that could live forever.
But we were also a bunch of dickhead rock stars.
That meant they would love to see me suffer a little too.
“Want me to replay it again?” Jay asked.
“No,” I said. “I know what her voice sounds like.”
“It’s pretty awesome,” Sab said.
“It’s the best voice I’ve ever heard. No offense, Nash.”
“None taken,” Nash said.
“So what’s the plan?” Dex asked.
I looked away from the guys.
I licked my lip where Abby had hit me.
I shook my head.
“Reed?” Jay asked.
“I guess I should tell Abby in person she’s got the gig.”
6
ABBY
“Are you going to tell me the truth now?”
We sat outside a cozy little bar that was near the beach.
Music with twangy guitars and steel drums played through the speakers.
The night was perfect.
Except for Sasha never giving up on what happened back at the studio.
The four of us met for drinks.
Jess went to have a cigarette.
Rae went to the restroom.
And Sasha pounced on me.
I looked at her and shook my head.
“I’m not going to force you to tell me,” she said. “But I’m