The morning has been pure hell. Everything that could go wrong has. It’s probably a good thing that I’m going out of town for a few days for the label. My thoughts are constantly wandering to Beau and how I feel about him in such a short time. I just need to get away from everyone and clear my head, I think. So lost in my thoughts, it’s gotten to the point where I told Nelle I’m going home before the whole damn building comes tumbling down. Now two hours later I'm covered in sweat after running three miles around Lady Bird Lake. If it weren't so damn hot I'd gladly go three more. Pulling the buds from my ears as I walk into my building, I forgo the elevator and hit the stairs. Might as well get all the steps in I can.

The moment I walk into my apartment, the phone starts ringing. I pick it up off the counter and am barely able to suppress a groan when I see that it's Jimmy Don. I'm sure he wants to know if I’m going to the concert tonight. I’ve been avoiding them both for a few days now after my talk with Willow. Plus, Beau hasn’t really gone out of his way to call me either. So I’ve just been working on more studio time and publicity. I’ve had Nelle send them the details so that I didn’t have to. I needed to put just a bit of space between myself and Beau. Before I think on that for too long, I answer the phone.

“Hey, Jimmy Don.” With my head in the fridge I yank out a cold water and twist the cap, drinking deeply.

“I know you're probably getting tired of this, but I need a favor. I was supposed to be at the school concert with Beau, but there's an emergency with one of my other clients that I can't delegate. I just left there and now I’m walking through the airport right this minute, hopping a plane to Nashville. Is there any way you can go?” At my silence he continues hurriedly, “Addy, someone has to be there to represent him.”

He’s right. I just hadn’t planned on it being me. “Of course. What time do I need to be there?” I look at the clock on the microwave hoping I have time to shower.

Jimmy Don sighs in relief. “It starts at seven. You’ll have to be there at about six to make sure everything is set up and that Beau is in place.” In place? Where the hell would he be? Cutting through my thoughts, Jimmy goes on, “I’m going to send Beau’s brother Sealy to come get you so that you don’t have any problems getting onto the field. Nice fella—”

“I know, we’ve met. He did the build with us, remember?” I’m already walking into the bathroom and stripping down. I don’t have a ton of time.

“Oh, that’s right. Good. That makes it easier. I’m texting him your address now. You’re still in the same apartments over by Lady Bird, right?”

“Yeah, the penthouse now though.” I’m standing at the opening to my shower, ready to hang up.

“He’ll be there around four I’m guessing. It’ll take some time to get out of downtown on a Friday night.”

“That’s fine. Good luck with whatever you have going on. I’ll take care of everything.”

“I owe ya, darlin’.”

“Yeah, yeah. Safe travels.” I disconnect and put the phone on the counter before jumping into the shower. I have no time at all to wash this sweat or the feelings of excitement over seeing Beau again away. Good thing Willow’s not here to call me out on it.

* * *

Forty-five minutes later and Sealy is helping me into his truck. Buckled up and heading into Georgetown, I turn to him. “Thanks for coming to get me, I could've driven.”

“This was easier. I have your little badge thing to get you onto the field where they have the stage set up. They're taking it pretty seriously down there. You'd think Beau was George Strait or somethin' the way they're actin.'“ He chuckles, switching lanes.

“Who’s there with him now? Jimmy Don had this all set up on his own. I honestly don't even know what's what,” I admit, hating that feeling of not being in control. Sealy reaches for a folder on the dash and hands it to me. “He's got his boys with him and my parents. Everything you need is in there. Jimmy said you'd want it.” I sigh relieved making him laugh at me. “Control issues, darlin'?”

“Just a bit.” I open the portfolio and am so happy to see that Jimmy Don is as organized as I am. Scanning over it quickly, I'm confident that he's covered all the bases. Stage and light rental, security, house band, breakdown, and clean up. Everything. Damn, he's good.

Once we hit the city limits, we're stuck in traffic. “Where in the world did this come from?” I mutter.

“Beau. They're all waitin’ to get into the parking lot of the school,” Sealy says, pointing ahead to where the police are directing traffic.

Glancing at my watch, I ask, “Are we gonna be able to get in there on time?”

He grins a devilish grin so like his brother’s. “I've got us covered.” Pressing the call button on the steering wheel of his massive truck, the cab is filled with ringing.

“Sealy? Where you at, buddy?”

“Coming up on the school now, stuck back a ways though.”

“Ride the shoulder to the entrance. They stop you, tell ‘em I said it was fine.”

“Thanks, Davey. See you in a few.” He disconnects and cranks the truck out of traffic and starts driving down the side of the road. People honking and cussing as we pass.

“We're gonna get lynched.”

He smiles. “Probably.”

I’m finally able to see the school when a police officer waves Sealy down, and I start chanting to myself “Please don’t let it be the Sheriff” over and over.

“Boy, what in the hell do you think you're doin'?”

“Sealy McCrae, sir. Davey's my cousin, he's waiting for me up at the entrance.”

I lean past him, “We're with the band.” I don't know why I said that. Sealy swivels his head my way, mirth swimming in his eyes.

The older officer just shakes his head like we're a lost cause. “Go on then. Davey's right up thatta way.”

“Thank you.” We both say as Sealy continues on.

“We're with the band?” He tries to smother his laugh but can't. “Smooth, Addy Mae. Reaaaal smooth.”

“Shut up!” I laugh. “I have a problem with authority figures, I go into panic mode. Just ask your brother.” I think about that for a second and recant, “On second thought, do not ask him anything.”

Sealy throws his head back and laughs richly. “Oh, you know I’m asking now. I can just imagine.”

Navigating the crowd in the lot he parks the dually next to Beau’s tour bus and hurries out to help me. “Come on, sis. I’m sure my parents are drivin’ him crazy by now.”

I slip the badge around my neck and slide the portfolio from Jimmy Don under my arm, following after Sealy. About as tall as Beau, his strides somehow aren’t as long making it easier for me to keep up. The crowd shifts and I fall a bit behind. Sealy reaches back and grabs hold of my hand and pulls me through the crowd with him. We’re stopped at the stage by three huge guys sporting security shirts and cowboy hats similar to Sealy’s. Flashing our badges they let us through, smiling at me briefly before going back to looking like they’d kill anyone dumb enough to try to get past them.

As soon as we’re through, I see Beau standing with his mama and dad. My heart doubles in time as I take a second to appreciate the fine man he is. Black baseball cap pulled low shields the top portion of his face from me, but I love that he hasn’t shaved in a few days and is sportin’ a beard that on him looks all kinds of right. I’ve never met a man who could be handsome in so many ways. But Beau could. There’s not a woman alive who isn’t beside herself over the arms this man has. Showcased tonight in his black cutoff shirt. I let my gaze wander lower, hovering over his butt in his whitewashed denim, all the way down to his black lace-up boots. And then up again. Because, damn. Only this time when I get to his face I notice two things. One: the black baseball cap he’s wearing is my Arrow’s hat that I must have left at his place. And two: he’s looking right at me and therefore saw me ogling him. The smirk splitting his lips confirms it. Unfortunately the frown on his mama’s means she also caught me. And then his smirk turns into a frown that mirrors his mama’s, a muscle ticking in his jaw. Confused, I see that his gaze is on mine and Sealy’s still-locked hands. He better not be acting jealous over something like that. Dropping Sealy’s hand, I walk over to the small group.

“Hey y’all.” I smile a little self-consciously. Nobody looks particularly pleased to see me other than Mr. McCrae, and that’s pushing it because he’s a pretty even-keeled guy. “Mrs. McCrae, happy belated birthday.”

“Thank you,” she says. And then I notice her husband give her a small nudge. “And thank you for your help picking my gifts out. Everythin’ was lovely.” That had to be painful for her. It sure does look like it was. Bless her heart.

“You are so welcome. We had a lot of fun.”

Beau lets out a little snort, and I glare at him. Just then someone from the crew comes over to ask Beau if he’s ready to do a sound check. I excuse myself to go with to make sure everything is as it should be. This has always been one of my favorite parts of the job. I love the energy of a live show, making sure all the cogs are in working order so everything runs smoothly.

“You don’t have to be over here you know, Addy. You can go hang out with Sealy if you want,” he says blandly. So he is jealous.

“Why, Beau McCrae I do believe you’re jealous.” I can’t help but tease him. It’s about damn time I made him lose his head a little since it always seems to be me.

He’s standing there, arms crossed over his chest looking out over the field looking hotter than the hot summer night. “Not jealous, Sugar. Just never did like to share with anyone. Especially my little brother.” His gaze lands on me for the briefest of moments before he goes back to looking out at the stadium transformed into a concert venue.

He’s not his usual flirty, smooth Beau McCrae self. I try not to dwell on it or let it bother me too much. Maybe this is how he is before a live show? Probably nerves and all that.

“I’m not big on sharin’ either, so you don’t have to worry about that,” I try to reassure him. He gives a barely noticeable nod, not saying anything. Okay, I don’t like this Beau much. Note to self to not come to any more of his shows in a work capacity.

After everything checks out with the sound, I leave Beau to get ready while I go and touch base with the rest of the crew, making sure they’re in place and aware of what their job entails today. And staying far away from Beau’s ornery ass.

I manage to keep myself busy until it’s time for him to go on. I walk over to the left wing of the stage where he’s drinking a bottle of water, the corded muscles in his throat making me want to run my tongue down them. So much for Willow being my voice of reason. I can’t remember a single reason why I shouldn’t fall for Beau. Even if he’s not himself today.

He’s standing with the band that travels with him, his bass player the only constant, the rest of them rotating out from what Jimmy Don and Stone explained to me. His parents are sitting in the other wing on lawn chairs, Sealy standing behind them smiling at something their dad is saying. I love that they’re all here for him.

Deciding that I’ve avoided him long enough, I go and stand beside him, silently slipping my hand in his in an effort to comfort him, soothe whatever storm he has brewing. He glances down at me and I see that there’s something going on behind those pretty hazel eyes of his. Now’s not the time to push though. I just want to show him that I can be there for him without asking for anything in return. The stadium is so loud with the school’s very own a capella group opening up for Beau, there’s no use trying to talk to him right now anyhow.

We stand and listen to the group do a mashup of current pop and country songs, and when they finish they file off stage to ear-piercing applause. “They’re so good!” I shout. Just to engage him.

He nods in agreement, and yells, “They didn’t have anything that cool when I went here.” Just a few words but I’ll take them.

The music director, who is acting as emcee tonight, takes the stage adjusting the mic. “Thank you so much to Pitch Please.” I can’t help but snicker at that.

“I don’t want to keep y’all waitin’ any longer. Heck, I don’t want to wait any longer. Please welcome to the stage Georgetown’s very own Beau McCrae.” Her final syllables are drowned out by the welcoming roar of the hometown crowd.

I’m just about to wish him luck when he takes me by complete surprise. He presses a kiss to my temple and gives my hand a squeeze before letting go and jogging onto the stage, arm raised in the air in greeting, biceps bunching and flexing as he adjusts the mic stand. He gives the band a second to get into position.

“Hey now, Georgetown!” he bellows into the mic, a Texas-sized grin on his face. Watching him work the crowd, seeing and hearing how they respond and how that makes me respond, I’m not sure how I ever thought I could fall into bed with him without falling in love with him. I remember back to him telling me that he won’t let me get attached and how even then I knew it was a lie, but I let myself believe it because I wanted to know what it felt like to be wanted by a man like Beau. Not because of his status, but because of him. Even then I was drawn to him.

Almost immediately, he launches into an upbeat song, the crowd singing along, jumping up and down as he moves across the stage, pointing and singling out people as he does. His smile is infectious, his energy the type of stuff that should be bottled and sold, and his presence there on stage the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Until he looks my way and winks.

After about an hour he wraps the show up, standing at the edge of the stage singing his last song, taking outstretched phones and snapping selfies with them. The man is a born entertainer. I’ve never seen him play football, but I can’t fathom him being better at anything else. Watching as he strides off stage, sweat glistening across every bit of exposed skin, dampening the front of his tank, I’m about half a second away from becoming a groupie.

The moment he reaches me, I launch myself at him, never once wondering if he’ll catch me or worrying that his parents and his brother are waving and hollering from their side of the stage. When his arms wrap around me, I press my lips to his, my face-swallowing smile not making for much of a kiss. The band walking past us pats him on the back and catcalls.

“You were amazing! I can’t believe how amazing you were!” I yell over the crowd losing their ever-loving minds out there.

He’s about to say something when the principal steps to the stage and raises his hands to quiet everyone down. Beau lets me slide down the front of him, and all of a sudden what he had to say doesn’t seem so important. Lord have mercy, this man has put a spell on me. I’m convinced. Back on my feet, I move to his side and take his hand, doing my best to give my attention to the man on stage still trying to get the attention of the audience.

Once the principal finally has everyone quieted down, he thanks them for being here and tells a little bit about why they’re here and going on about what good the ten-dollar ticket sales were going to do for the school and community, and then he pulls the rug from under me, bringing me back to reality.

“And as many of you already know, just a few months ago we lost one of our own. Jenny Holmes was a shining star during her time here.” Beau’s hand tightens around mine, but I’m not sure if it’s meant to reassure me or if he’s looking for an anchor.

“Cheerleader, honor student, Prom queen just to name a few memories. In fact, she held court with the man you all came to see tonight. So many of the pictures hanging in our halls are of the two of them from their time here.”

I’m standing rigid, staring straight ahead but not actually seeing anything. All of a sudden I’m hyper aware of Beau standing next to me with his hand in mine while people remember the life he had with their golden girl. To everyone who knows Beau, he belongs to Jenny. His mama, all these people standing here with tears in their eyes and sadness marring their faces that just moments ago were beaming with happiness and pride. Then there’s me. The fill-in. The imposter. Just hoping to be something to him one day. Talk about being doused with a bucket of cold water. All that’s missing is a slide show.

“Her life will always be celebrated here in Georgetown. And to help us do that, the Women’s Guild has put together a slide show.”

The high I was on just moments ago watching Beau perform is nothing compared to the low I feel now.