It had been over a month since Hayden had seen or even heard from Austin. He hadn’t sent her any funny emails or responded to her texts about her upcoming show in Compton Pass. She’d extended a blanket invite to him, his parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, or anyone else who wanted to come and had even reserved some tickets for them.

It didn’t mean much since it was a small, rural venue, but she’d sold out a show for the very first time. When the club’s entertainment manager had given her the good news, along with a bonus she never thought she’d earn, her gut reaction had been to run and tell Austin. Except she didn’t think he cared anymore.

The stab in her guts following that realization eclipsed her excitement over meeting her next career goal. Which made her wonder if she might have had some of her priorities skewed.

Hayden was starting to wonder if her greatest mistake in her previous relationship had been sticking with a bad decision long after she realized she’d made one. Taking action to put her life back on track in a timely fashion, no matter how hard that might be, seemed like a better plan. It had been scary as fuck, but if she’d done it sooner she’d have been so much better off.

Well, shit. That was easier to see now that she’d gained some independence and started having some success. She might never be a superstar, but she knew she could support herself if she had to.

Hayden took her new cell phone out of her back pocket and opened the messaging app Austin used to chat with the rest of the Compass boys. No more relying on free library internet once or twice a day for her!

It only took a few clicks to find him. Before she could chicken out, she wrote, Hey, not sure if you got my voicemail, but I’m playing a show in Compton Pass tonight. Would love to see you if you’re in town and don’t have anything better to do.

Crickets. Digital fucking crickets.

Despite the green ring around his picture, which indicated he was active right then, Austin said nothing. Had fulfilling one of her dreams cost her another? If she could rewind a few months and only pick one, which one would she choose?

The pain Hayden hadn’t suffered from in months came out of nowhere and exploded in her side. Or maybe that was what it felt like when her heart broke.

Hours later, Hayden couldn’t say how she’d made it through her entire set list without breaking down during every sad song. But here she was, at the end of her show. Despite combing the crowd repeatedly during her performance, she hadn’t seen a single familiar face.

None of the Comptons had come, not even Austin.

Hell, he probably hadn’t even told his family she was in town. She regretted not reaching out to Leah or Hope or…well, any of them who might have put in a good word for her after the show, really. Even if they had been understandably reluctant to interfere, she would have loved to see them again.

Despite her place in the spotlight, surrounded by more than a hundred people giving her their rapt attention, she felt utterly alone. Had she proven she was tough enough to make it on her own, or only that she hadn’t been tough enough to make herself vulnerable again?

“I have one more song for you all tonight.” And though she’d planned something entirely different for her finale, there was only one song on the tip of her tongue. “It’s an acoustic version of a classic. One of my favorites. I hope you enjoy it. And if there’s someone in your life you wish would stay there, make sure you let them know before it’s too late.”

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then performed her rearranged medley of Jackson Browne’s “The Load-Out” and “Stay (Just A Little Bit Longer).” She’d toyed with it every single night since she’d gotten her campervan and Austin had walked away without even coming to look at it.

Hayden had never sung a song so close to her heart before. Everything receded but the music and the conduit to share her feelings with the world. Yes, she loved this moment—the high she got from performing. Every other instant of her day was empty without Austin to share it with.

By the time she got to the “Stay” portion of her arrangement, she realized how badly she’d screwed things up. It horrified her when her voice cracked, full of tears by the final notes she delivered.

When she put down her guitar, there was absolute silence. She wondered if she’d gone deaf for a heartbeat, until the crowd erupted into a cacophony of shouts, cheers, and claps.

Hayden blinked the world back into focus. And right there, dead center in the front row, was Austin. He leapt onstage and strode toward her.

“Did you mean that?” he asked.

She shrieked and flew to him, nearly bowling him over when she hopped so that she would wrap both her arms and legs around him. “You came.”

“But I’m not sure if I should have.” He swallowed so hard she heard it despite the whistles from the audience. Instead of hugging her tight, like he usually did, he barely patted her back. Hayden unwound herself from him and slipped to the ground so she could meet his serious stare. “So tell me, did you mean what you said and what you sang?”

“I did.” She nodded.

That was all it took. Austin scooped her up and carried her from the bar.

He deposited her in the passenger seat of an older pick-up he’d obviously borrowed from the ranch then drove her away.