“Thank you, thank you, thank you for making Memphis the first stop on your Hartbreak Tour!” The venue manager holds my hand in a death grip as she pumps it up and down. I manage to extricate it without breaking any of my fingers.

“I’m glad to be here,” I say, giving her my biggest smile. Enthusiasm like this reminds me why I forgo sleep for six weeks. “Do you mind if I take a look at the stage? I always like to check the setup before a show.”

“Of course!” The manager vibrates with excitement as she leads my little group through a network of hallways. “Your guy got here hours ago and checked over the set himself, so I can promise you that everything is up to your standards.”

“I’m sure it is.”

I’m about to follow the manager backstage when Bryce inserts himself between me and the door. His head swivels back and forth as he takes in every detail. “I haven’t checked this area yet. Wait here.”

I’m about to protest when Bryce gives me a firm look. I shut my mouth and nod my head. “Sorry. Just impatient to see the stage.”

“I understand. This won’t take long.” And then he’s gone, sliding through the door and disappearing into the dimly light warren of equipment, ropes, and tables.

Cody pointedly checks his watch. “Is this guy going to do this shit every time you walk into a room?”

Zoe snorts behind us.

I give Cody a calm smile. “It’s his job. I don’t get on your case for packing my downtime with signings and events.”

“But those are important. This—” he waves his hand at the door “—is a time killer. No one’s back there waiting to jump you, babe.”

“Which I’m sure Bryce knows,” I say testily. Boyfriend or not, I don’t let anyone rail on my best friend. “But he’d never forgive himself if I did come to harm, and he’d never half-ass his job.”

Cody’s rebuttal is severed by Bryce easing back the door. His gaze glides over each of us before resting on me. “All clear.”

My team follows me up the stairs while Bryce brings up the rear. I hear the shuffle of Cody’s leather loafers, the clack of Zoe’s wedges, and the muted thud of my own boots on the wooden steps, but nothing from Bryce. It’s always amazed me how he manages to move without making a sound.

“This way, Ms. Hart.” The manager pulls back the curtain and motions us through. It takes my eyes a moment to adjust to the glare of the stage lights, but when they do, I let out a muffled shout.

Bryce is at my side in an instant, every muscle in his body taut and poised for action. “What’s wrong?”

“Everything!”

The muscles in his neck jump and twist as he glances around the quiet stage. “I don’t understand.”

I sweep my arm out in front of me. “The setup. It’s—”

“Like it?” Cody sidles up next to me with a pleased look on his face. “Worked it out myself with some help from our friend Rhonda.”

“Sunny Records did this?” I look at the empty spot next to the microphone where my guitars should be. “Why?”

“So you can dance!” Cody throws an arm around my shoulders as he gestures toward the empty seats lining the floor. “Picture this: you, holding the mic, no guitar, moving that body of yours…”

I can feel Bryce tensing next to me.

“It’s what pop stars do,” Cody continues. “They put on a show!”

I shrug off his arm. “I do give a show, a damn good show based on the million or so fans that bought tickets to my sold-out tour.”

He tries to grab my arm, but I step away. “Come on, Autumn, you were supposed to be open to these changes.”

“And you were supposed to run these ‘changes’ by me.”

Cody draws himself up. “I thought you were trusting me with all this.”

“But this is not a small change! I’m known for my double act as a singer and guitarist. How do you expect me to give my fans what they want when I leave my guitar backstage?”

“Autumn,” Bryce murmurs behind me, “maybe you could finish this discussion offstage?”

That’s when I realize Cody and I are having it out in front of my team, the venue’s team, and every person in between, including the custodial staff weaving through the aisles. Heat flares up my neck to my cheeks as I turn on my heel and stride backstage. Cody follows but doesn’t stop when I pause at the top of the stairs. “Where are you going?”

“To get some air. Nobody appreciates all the hard work I do around here.”

“Stop, Cody, I’m serious.” He throws me a dirty look before shoving open the exit door. My patience evaporates. “If you leave now, then you’re fired!”

That stops him. Cody slowly turns around. “Are you serious?”

“Unfortunately, if it’ll get you to listen—for once.”

The corners of his lips tighten. “I thought you wanted this.”

“What I want is to be involved. I want to know what’s going on in my own show.” I point toward the stage. “You assumed I wanted to dance without even asking me, and that’s what bothers me.”

“So you don’t want to dance?”

“I…I don’t know. It’s so sudden. I can’t wrap my head around it right now.” I look up and meet his eyes. “What I do know is that you overstepped today, big time, and I won’t stand for that.”

“Then I guess I owe you an apology.” Cody draws himself up. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

He gives me a terse nod, and then disappears through the door. I watch him go with a mixture of frustration and nervousness. I have no idea what’s gotten into him lately. First he sprang the record deal on me, now this setup change. Not to mention his attitude toward Bryce, a member of my team.

All I know is Cody better shape up and quick. This isn’t the first time he’s gone behind my back like this, but it better be the last.