Cherished - By Kim Cash Tate Page 0,101

the noise and mingling ratcheted up again, two people from Brian’s label pulled Jackson aside to talk, and the three of them left. Logan walked over and took a seat beside Brian, who hadn’t strayed far from his current posture since he’d arrived—elbows on the table, head resting in clasped hands, shooting up intermittent prayers. So much was riding on this night.

In a matter of minutes he would premiere an album he’d been excited about when first completed, but over the last two months had begun to wonder whether it was too hastily done and not up to par. Plus, he would premiere a video that revealed his darkest secret and receive instant feedback—the good, the bad, and the ugly. And that was only part of the weight he was carrying.

Logan eyed him. “How’s it going? You ready?”

Brian blew out a breath. “I don’t know if I could ever be ready. Tonight could go so many ways.” He glanced toward the door. “Kelli’s not even here yet. What am I supposed to make of that?”

Logan glanced that way himself. “You know she’ll be here. But you would’ve made things easier for yourself if you hadn’t pulled back from communicating with her.”

“I’ve talked to her.”

“About the video, stuff related to the album . . .”

“I know.” Brian had already been second-guessing himself. “I felt like I had to be sure I wasn’t running on emotion. I needed the space to pray and be sure”—he winced—“if that makes sense.” He sighed. “I’m about to make a fool of myself in front of everybody.”

Logan smiled at him. “But if it works out . . . what a moment.”

“That doesn’t exactly make me feel better.”

Phyllis and Hayes’s son Cole brought over a paper plate with two slices of sausage and mushroom pizza. Surprised, Brian looked and saw Hayes had come in with a carryout box.

“Thank you, buddy, I appreciate that,” Brian told Cole. Then he called over to Hayes with a smile. “I thought it was settled. I told you I was fine with pepperoni and mushroom.”

Pizza delivery had botched the order.

“It was the least I could do,” Hayes said. “You should have your favorite on your big night. You deserve it.”

Brian looked at him, at a loss for words. “Thank you,” he said.

He took a bite, turning back to Logan. “Have you talked to Heather? How’s that going?”

“Talked to her last night. She really wishes she could be here. But she’s committed to that youth group, and they’ve got a retreat this weekend.”

Brian kept eyeing him. “That’s not what I was asking about. Unload, brother.”

Logan clasped his hands behind his head. “It’s weird. She’s been gone, what, a month and a half? I feel more drawn to her now than when she was here. Can’t wait to talk to her to find out how she’s doing or to tell her about a song I wrote.” He paused, a smile lighting his face. “Sometimes on Thursdays, she likes me to play a song for her over the phone.”

“Pretty special stuff, man.”

“Pretty scary stuff.”

“Why scary? You thought a woman would never capture your heart?”

Logan narrowed his gaze, tilting his head a little. “I don’t think I’ve wanted to step back and analyze it, but maybe that’s it. She’s captured my heart.”

Brian paused before another bite. “Did it really take ‘analysis’ for you to see that?”

“You got a point. I almost wish that Florida position had come through. Then I would’ve been gone anyway. Being here without her is hard.”

“Dude. She’s two hours away. Not like you can’t make a road trip.”

Logan seemed to ponder that. “Maybe I should. I’d love to meet her family.”

The door opened again and Brian looked, hoping it was Kelli. But Stephanie and Lindell breezed in, a look of bewilderment in Stephanie’s eyes.

“What in the world?” she asked, looking back at the door after it closed. She and Lindell headed for Brian. “Two girls saw us headed down the hall,” she told him, “and one of them whispered, ‘I bet they know where Alien is.’ They started following us!”

Lindell laughed. “I told them you’d be in the activity center shortly, but they said it was so crowded that this was the only chance they’d get to see you up close. For what it’s worth, they said they’re camping outside the door till you come out.”

“I forget you’re so popular,” Stephanie said. “They’re wearing shirts that say I’m an alien too . . . not of this world. What’s up with that?