Two days after the tour ended, I showed up at Twin Souls for the first time since I’d returned to Austin.

Logan hadn’t called. I tried not to read too much into his radio silence. After all, I told him we’d talk when he got back.

Sometime before ten, Taryn popped her head into my office. “The receptionist just buzzed … they’re here.”

Heart racing, I stood before the mirror putting the finishing touches on my makeup. “Thanks.”

She slipped inside, shutting the door behind her. “Do you want me to tell Logan to come back first?”

Meeting her gaze in the reflection, I raised a brow. “Because that wouldn’t look suspicious at all.” Her scowl did nothing to help my shaky fingers and sweaty palms. I took a deep breath. “Logan isn’t a solo artist, T-Rex.” Not yet, anyway. “I can’t just invite him into my office for a chat without including the other guys.”

Taking a seat on the arm of the couch, Taryn crossed her arms over her chest. “So you’re going to keep up this charade? Logan’s ‘only a client.’ I thought that was just something you were playing out for the press.”

It would be easier to tell Taryn about the contract with Mac. She’d understand then. But I couldn’t trust her to keep the details to herself. Whatever Logan’s choice, it was his to make. And I didn’t want this to be any harder than it had to be. Because I loved him. Enough to let him go if I had to.

“Look,” I said as I turned to face my best friend’s frown. “Let me talk to Logan after the meeting is over. I don’t even know what he’s told the guys about us.”

She chuffed out a breath, a response on the tip of her tongue, but I shook my head. “Taryn, please. He’s got a lot to consider. How it would affect the band to come out publicly … with me. Maybe he doesn’t want the hassle.”

Anger flashed in her stormy blue eyes. Indignation on my behalf.

Smiling at the gesture, I shifted my gaze to the window overlooking Sixth where a few reporters milled around on the sidewalk. “You can’t blame him, T-Rex. It’s not all unicorns and rainbows down there.”

And it was about to get worse. The minute Twin Souls announced the upcoming concert, the press would go into hyperdrive. A Damaged reunion at Zilker Park. Even floating the possibility would be like pouring gasoline on an open flame. I knew I couldn’t live under the media scrutiny for very long, which is why I’d opted for a very short window. Two and a half weeks. And then I’d give Miles what he’d asked for without asking. One last show. A final ride. And wherever Rhenn was, he’d finally get to see how it ended.

The butterflies in my stomach took a nosedive when I walked into the conference room. Christian, Cameron, and Sean sat on one side of the table, but Logan was nowhere in sight.

It was one thing to prepare for some far-off eventuality—a worst-case scenario. Isn’t that why people bought raincoats? And had car insurance?

But it was quite another to face it head on.

Still, a tiny spark of hope lingered. So I forced a smile and took a seat.

“Hey, y’all. Glad you’re back.” I poured a glass of water just to have something to do with my hands. “Where’s Logan?”

In the silence, I fanned the flame, hoping the tiny spark would catch fire. That by sheer will alone, I could change my fate. Change our fate.

But when Cameron’s eyes found mine, I knew. Dammit, I did.

“He’s in Los Angeles.”

I tried to hide my shock. Because now it was real. Mac. The contract. The unwavering notion that Logan had betrayed me. Or he would, very shortly.

When Taryn walked in with the folder containing the agreements that Trevor had drawn up for Caged, I popped out of my seat, smile so tight, I thought my face would crack. “I just dropped in to say ‘hi.’ Taryn’s got a business opportunity she wants to discuss with y’all. We’ll talk soon.”

My best friend’s confused gaze followed me as I headed for the door. “Where are you going?”

But I didn’t stop. In fact, I picked up speed, my Angel Caller chiming louder with each step. But that was a lie too. There were no guardian angels. And no happily ever afters. And sometimes a beast wasn’t a prince in disguise. Sometimes he was just a man.