by Rayne, Piper
She drops the papers onto the float that’s set up with two microphones. I guess someone didn’t get the memo that Kingston wouldn’t be here. “Listen, no hard feelings, but I really need to focus on this song right now.”
She seems nervous and I have no idea why. She has killer vocals and I know she’s going to blow this crowd away.
My attention is drawn to the huge float behind this one where Rome is trying to wrestle Calista. It’s then that I realize I don’t even know her family. I mean, I thought Calista was Holly’s, based on our interaction at the bakery.
“Excuse me,” I say, walking away from her.
I approach Holly’s husband first, because if I’m correct, he’s Austin, the oldest and the kind-of dad figure to the rest of them.
“Austin?” I ask.
He swivels around. When Holly spots me, she appears embarrassed. I want to call her out on it, but I give her cool points for helping Phoenix that day in the bakery.
“Yeah, Griffin?” He holds out his hand, and I shake it.
“I just wanted to introduce myself since Phoenix was watching my son. I’ll be taking Kingston’s place on her float today.”
He nods and looks over my shoulder to where I imagine Phoenix is staring at us. “Nice to meet you and… thanks. This is my wife—”
“Hi, Holly.” I put out my hand.
She bites her lip, staring at Austin while she shakes it.
“You two already know one another?” he asks.
Holly laughs. “We ran into one another at the bakery.”
Austin protectively secures his arm around Holly’s waist and nods.
No worries from me. I suddenly became exclusive to a specific brunette only moments ago when I wanted to rip someone limb by limb.
“What are you doing?” Phoenix says behind me through gritted teeth.
I circle around, hearing Austin asking Holly about the bakery. “I never met your family. Now that everything is out in the open, I figured I should.”
She grabs my hand and tugs me away from everyone until we’re secluded in the vestibule of a store entrance. “This isn’t a game. My family already knows I’m a fuckup, so if your idea is to tell them what I did, don’t bother. They probably all know already, and they won’t be surprised.”
“That wasn’t what I was doing. Listen, I acted like an asshole and I wanted to apologize, but you wouldn’t take my calls, so I had to track you down here. And to make it up to you, I’m going to embarrass myself on that float today and sing with you.”
“Why would you do that? I’m not going to sleep with you no matter how guilty I feel about lying.”
I inhale deeply. “I overreacted, but if you would’ve let me explain a few minutes ago, I would’ve told you that I used to trust easily before I moved to LA. My wife cheated on me numerous times, artists backstabbed me more than I care to admit, and almost everyone in my life was after something from me. Add on the pressure of the media and the microscope every little decision I ever made was under, and it all ruined my ability to trust. So when you told me you lied, I didn’t think, I just reacted.”
“I’m sorry. I really am. You have every right to be upset with me. I shouldn’t have done that to you and Maverick.”
I shove my hands into my pockets to stop myself from touching her. “Now that I’ve had some time to think about it, I get it. I did some crazy shit when I got to LA. I should’ve remembered that before firing you.”
I step closer, but she steps back so that her back hits the glass door. She puts up her hand. “I probably gave you the wrong impression, but I’m not a casual fling type of girl.”
“I was callous in my approach to the whole thing, and then after you told me the truth, I snapped. I shouldn’t have treated you like that.”
She looks out at the crowd where it seems as though everyone is taking their places. “I have to get going and do my vocal exercises before it starts. You don’t have to sing in the parade. I can handle myself.” Leaving the vestibule, she walks toward the float.
“I want to help.”
She turns right before she’s about to step on and smiles at me. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m good.”
I watch her step onto the float and position the microphone to her height. She doesn’t bother to look at me again while she runs through her vocal exercises. Glancing back at her family on the other float, I see them all talking and laughing and arguing about who’s going to stand where. Grandma Dori sits higher than the rest of them on a chair, like a queen presiding over her subjects.
Screw this. Phoenix’s not going to be by herself. I jump up on the float.
“What are you doing?” she asks.
“I’m on your side now. This is where I need to be.” I position the second microphone in front of my mouth.
“Griffin,” she says.
“I’m not getting off the float without you.”
A small smile creases her lips. “Okay.”
Then the float jolts forward and I almost fall on my ass, but the music plays. Time to do what I can to show Phoenix that I meant it when I said I was on her side.
Twenty-One
Phoenix
I did not need another reason to like Griffin Thorne. I needed him to be the asshole he was at his house. To stay in that box and not pop out with apologies and eyes so genuine I think I actually believe him.
Truth is, I was really nervous about being up here by myself today, so Griffin’s presence is welcome. Before LA, it wouldn’t have even fazed me. But it’s hard to feel like a winner and like I’m fulfilling my life’s calling after falling flat on my face.
The music starts and the usual butterflies fill my stomach.
“Remember, put yourself in the song. Connect to the lyrics,” Griffin whispers. “And please cover up my awful voice.”
I chuckle as the float rounds the corner onto Main Street. My eyes scour the crowd to find what Griffin’s talking about. My love-hate relationship isn’t going to be what gets me through this song. It’s the memories I’ve made with my sisters and brothers and their growing families. Along with the few I’ve made with Maverick and Griffin. I don’t dare examine why those are even on my radar.
My hand falls to my stomach and I inhale before the first line leaves my mouth, sounding a little scratchy. Griffin smiles at me without an ounce of worry that I’m about to fail. He nods at me to continue, and I allow myself to look at the road. People are lined up on either side of the street. People who know me. People who knew my parents. People who have cheered with us and grieved with us.
To my left, Maverick stands on the curb with Kayla Gregory, and watching them triggers memories of Kingston and Stella before Owen entered the picture. Their whole relationship flashes through my mind. With him only one year older than me, I witnessed all their good and bad. Channeling why Kingston picked this song, why the words mean so much to him, why he chose to take a job that keeps him out of this town for half the year, I find the heart of the song in me.
As though I need any other triggers to keep me in his frame of mind, Stella appears on my right, next to her mom, Selene. The two frantically wave with hands full of kettle corn.
Griffin holds his own with his vocals. I had no idea he had the voice he does. He should have the lead, not me. We gravitate together, moving closer as our voices grow louder, more comfortable and more confident that we’re pulling this off.
Watching him, I realize that this song might ring true for me in a couple months. Griffin has the capability to do to me what Stella did to Kingston—to block out the good with a shit-ton of bad memories.
Finally, after I have no idea how many times of singing the same song over and over, we round Main Street and the music stops at the same time the float does.
Griffin wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me to him before I can escape. “You did awesome. Where did all that come from?”
I shrug. “I kind of channeled my brother and why he wanted this song.”
/> He smiles so big you’d think… well, that we didn’t have a huge fight only days ago. “You were so damn good.”
“Thanks.”
“Come back. Be Maverick’s nanny. Let me help you, get you ready for the big leagues. I won’t touch you. I won’t overstep. But let me help you get to where you wanna be.”
His conviction slams into me, and I can only ask the one question that’s on my mind. “Why?”
“Because I see something in you. I get what it’s like to want to get somewhere but feel like you’re tied to a chair no one will free you from. And to be honest, I selfishly want to. You’re the first artist I’ve wanted to work with in a long time. You’re giving me a high I haven’t had in a while.”
“No sleeping together?” I ask.
He inhales but shakes his head. “Agreed…” He shakes his head again as though convincing himself.
I step back and his hands fall from my body. Hopping off the float, I dodge my family who are leaving their own float and congregating on the sidewalk. Instead, I head out of town.
“Are you going to answer me?” he asks, catching up to walk beside me.
I’m silent for a couple blocks while I think it over. “Okay.”
“Okay to what?” His brown eyes light up.
“Let’s work together.”
His tongue slides out of his mouth and runs along his bottom lip.
“Dad! Phoenix!” Maverick’s shouts pull us from our conversation. He’s running toward us with… you’ve got to be kidding me. How did I forget that Van Brewton and Trey Galger were going to be here?
“Oh my God.” My face heats with embarrassment or nerves or I don’t know what.
Griffin slides his hand across my lower back. “Let me introduce you.”
I swallow past the dryness that has taken over my mouth as Maverick walks up with a brown bag.
“The parade was cool. I got all this candy.” He holds up the brown bag.
Props to Griffin for being organized enough to bring a bag.
“Thankfully, that Francie woman had an extra bag. We were putting it all in my hat,” Trey Galger says, laughing.
I stand there dumbfounded that I’m in a circle with music producer Griffin Thorne, who just asked me to work with him on my career, and the two men who own one of the biggest record labels in the country.
“I’m Van. Phoenix, right?” His V-neck T-shirt and leather jacket echo every magazine picture or television interview I’ve seen him do. He and Trey are opposites in their outward appearances.
“Yeah. Phoenix Bailey.” I shake his hand and he smiles widely. It seems genuine.
“Trey Galger.” The other man takes his hand out of his sweatshirt. He looks as if he just came from the skate park.
I shift my hand into his. His gaze roams my body once, and Griffin clears his throat.
“Can we go to the carnival?” Maverick asks.
“Yeah, you know Uncle Van loves the Ferris wheel, right?” Griffin says with a grin.
Trey punches Van in the shoulder. “Wimp.”
Van looks at me. “I’m afraid of heights and these”—his eyes fall to Maverick, looking at him with rapt interest—“jerks like to make jokes.”
“I don’t like heights either,” Maverick says.
Van picks him up, circling him around until he’s on Van’s back. “Let’s go play some games and win stuff for girls.”
Maverick looks at me. “I’ll win something for Phoenix.”
My heart warms, and Griffin’s hand lands on the small of my back again. “I need to talk to my family, but I’ll catch up to you guys.”
Trey follows Van and Maverick, but Griffin stays back. “Are you really going to meet us?”
I nod. “I’m a Bailey. I have to show my face the entire day.” I force my biggest smile. It’s not really true—I usually leave midway through, no matter what Grandma Dori says.
“Okay. Are you going to move back in tonight?” There’s that hopeful gleam in his dark eyes again.
“I’ll wait until your friends leave. Monday morning, I’ll come pick up Maverick for school then move my few boxes back in.”
He nods and stuffs his hands into his pockets. “So we’ll see you over there?” He signals with his head toward the carnival area.
“Yeah.”
His expression says he has a million other things he wants to say, but he turns around and heads down the street. I watch until he’s swallowed up by the crowd.
“So?” Sedona practically skips over to me she’s so giddy, which I know has to do with Jamison.
“Where’s Jamison?” I ask. It’s nice to have her to myself though.
“He’s with his host family at the carnival.” She puts her arm through mine. “What happened? You two looked good from where I could see on the float.”
Juno tears away from Holly and Austin and joins us. “What did she say?”
“She’s being tight-lipped so far,” Sedona says.
“What are you two talking about?” I ask.
“Since we didn’t have to sing this year, we spent the float ride dissecting what was happening between you and Griffin in front of us,” Sedona fills me in. “Come on. I’m dying for a crab rangoon from Wok For U.”
The three of us walk down the street that’s now thinning out of people since the parade is over and the carnival is in full swing. Grandma Dori walks with Austin and Holly to the library, a tradition that started five years ago when they started dating.
“How are things going?” I leave my question vague, and since they’re my sisters, they know what I’m asking.
“Nothing more to report other than they’re trying in vitro now.” Juno tightens her arm around mine, and my gaze shoots to Harley and Rome. Calista and Dion are being pulled in a wagon by Rome and swapping candy while Phoebe is in her wrap on Harley’s chest. “I have a good feeling this time.”
“I hope so,” Sedona and I say in unison.
“Where’s Colton?” I ask once we reach the library parking lot where the rides are all set up.
“He’s manning Dr. Murray’s booth, handing out pizza cutters with their logo on it like everyone with a pet in Lake Starlight doesn’t already go to them.” Juno rolls her eyes.
“You should’ve opened a booth,” Sedona says. “There’s got to be a lot of single people looking on a day like today.”
“I do the farmer’s markets, but Founder’s Day is for us to remember our family.”
Juno’s always been the most sentimental one of us.
“Stop dodging our interrogation. Now what’s going on?” Juno asks, tugging on my arm.
“He hired me back, and he wants to produce a demo for me.”
Their feet stop, which means I have to stop unless I want to fall flat on my face.
“You said yes, right?” Sedona asks.
“I did, though I’m not so sure. What if something almost happens between us again? It could screw everything up.” Just the thought of spending time with him where I’m his sole focus makes my stomach flip.
“Don’t overthink it,” Juno says.
I look up and find Griffin standing with Van and Trey while Maverick is on a ride. Our eyes lock and he smiles at me. I can’t deny there’s something between us.
“Hey.” Sedona turns me toward her. “Don’t be afraid to have everything, okay? I know you’ve been going through a shit-time these last few years, but if he’s willing to help you, do what Phoenix does best.”
I wrinkle my forehead. “What’s that?”
“Go full throttle without a care. That’s you. You’re the girl who moved to LA all on your own. You didn’t know anyone. You were just on a mission. Find that girl and make her go after what’s hers.”
I bite my lip, looking across the parking lot again. Griffin has Maverick on his back now and they’re smiling. My body yearns to head over to them. “I just—”
Sedona covers my mouth with her hand. “Wrong answer.” She takes her hand from my mouth.
“Now… go!” She pushes me forward. “Juno, take me to get crab rangoon.”
I head toward Griffin, knowing my sister is right. I need to be the girl who takes life by the balls and lives it to its fullest. When did I stop being her?
Twenty-Two
Griffin
Maverick rides the spinning ride with the Kayla girl, and I’m amazed by how he seems younger than we first moved here. He was excited about collecting candy from a float. He didn’t bring his phone today. Dare I say he’s becoming more childlike? I love it.
“So we wanna sign her.” Van slaps my shoulder as he and Trey come to stand on either side of me.
“What?” My head whips in his direction then Trey’s.
“Phoenix,” Trey says, shoving his hands into his sweatshirt. “It’s seriously so cold up here. Isn’t it spring?”
I ignore his question. The state name Alaska should tell him to layer up. “You can’t be serious. You heard her sing one song.”
“Over and over again. She got better each time she sang it.” Van looks around as if someone’s about to overhear him and pluck her away from his grasp. “We followed the float down Main Street for a bit.” He shrugs.
I blow out a breath. “She’s raw. I understand why you like her. She’s got that magic someone is either born with or not, but she’s not ready to be signed yet.”
Van crosses his arms and gives me a look that suggests I’m being deliberately difficult. The same look he gave me with Cammie, but what happened with Cammie isn’t going to happen with Phoenix. I’ll never allow it.
“What?” I ask.
“I think you want to make sure she stays here,” he says.
Trey attempts and fails to bite back his laughter.
“I just told her I’d work with her. I’m willing to give you first listen once we’re finished, but I’m telling you she’s not ready. You sign her now and she’ll fail.”
Van huffs.
Trey diverts eye contact.
This is the way they do the business. Van is the hard-ass, Trey is the… well, Trey avoids confrontation. But what Trey lacks in aggression he makes up for in talent. Everyone knows Van is the businessman behind Aces High Records, while Trey is the visionary and the creative genius.