The utter quiet of my house depresses me. With Ryder at Jared’s for the morning, I could hear a mouse fart in this place. I’ve never been lonely in the past. I wear the label of loner proudly, a badge of honor saying I am best friends with myself. But today? Today I regret not having friends besides my mother. Someone I can talk to.

I punch Mama’s cell phone number and wait.

“Hello,” she answers.

“Hey Mama. You busy? I thought maybe you’d like to come over and help me sort through some of Ryder’s old clothes to donate to the shelter. He’s growing so fast that—”

“Honey, I’d love to, but I can’t. I have to finish some spreadsheet projections for a client and then I have a lunch date with Judy.”

“Oh. Sure. Have fun.”

“Is everything all right? You sound a little down.”

“I’m fine. I thought you might be bored,” I say, inflecting some pep into my voice. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye. Tell Aiden ‘hello’ for me.”

“Yeah. Talk later. Bye.” A tight cord of sudden grief wraps around my throat. Aiden is so finished with me.

And why wouldn’t he be? I told him I wanted some time apart and then I spend every moment wishing he’d call. No. It’s time to quit thinking about myself. He’s so much better off without me—someone too scared to take chances and who’s undependable and selfish. So selfish that I haven’t told him all my secrets, because I don’t want to see the judgment on his face.

I wipe a tear from the corner of my eye with a shaky finger. Get. A. Grip. I check my cell for missed calls once more.

This is exactly how it ended with Jared. When it was over, there were no more calls. No acknowledgement that we’d ever felt anything for one another. Cold turkey.

Distraction is the only solution. I run out to Angel’s Haven and work in the storeroom until lunchtime. Then I drive to Jared’s to pick up Ryder. It’s a gorgeous day, warm with the dogwood trees threatening to bloom. Tiny buds tip the ends of the thin branches and I imagine how beautiful it will be along Jared’s driveway.

I’m able to go without a heavy coat and the freedom of less clothing seems to signal something inside me I can’t identify. A need to shed some layers that have bound me in the past.

Hopping out, I jog up the steps to the door and ring the bell. It’s not going to be a pleasant visit after reading the e-mail from my agent this morning.

Jared opens the door on the second ring. “Hello, hello. Come on in.” He steps back, his boots thumping against the tile entrance.

“Hey. Has he been good?”

Jared smiles. “The best. He’s playing with the new laptop I bought him.”

I freeze. “Laptop? He’s too—”

“It’s one that’s durable. Meant for a kid with those learning games. He’ll be fine.”

Rolling my eyes, I say, “That’s nice. But really, Jared. He has too much stuff. He’d play inside a box.”

“Who needs a box when I can give him everything?”

“He doesn’t want your stuff. He wants a guy who’ll love him. Someone who will listen to him.” I raise my brows.

“I can do that. We are bros already. We love to hang out and shoot the breeze.”

I huff an exasperated sigh. Bros. Ryder’s a kid, not a drinking buddy. But arguing with Jared is like laundry, a never-ending task. “Listen. Before Ryder hears me, can we talk about the proposal you sent my agent?”

“Sure. Let’s go in the kitchen. I have the papers printed if you want to sign now.”

Such a bulldozer to get his way…

“I’m not signing anything. That’s what I want to talk about.” I follow Jared to the back of his house. “Will we be able to hear Ryder from here?”

Jared points to a panel on his wall. “Intercom is on. We can hear and see him now.”

The black and white display shows a widescreen view of Ryder playing with his cars.

“Oh,” I say with a smile. “Nice.”

“You want something changed in the contract?” Jared asks.

“Listen. I appreciate the work. And I’d love to write your next album. Really. But that part about singing the duet with you? And tour dates? That has to go. There’s no way.”

Jared looks at me like I’m a strange new animal he can’t quite figure out. “But it would be great. Ryder would love being on the road. A personal assistant would take care of him and you’d be free to do the concert nights with me, just for that one duet. It could be a breakout for you. I’m giving you the chance of a lifetime.”

“So, just let somebody else take care of Ryder and I get to hang out with you on stage.”

“Yeah. I mean no. You’ll still get to take care of him a lot.”

Figures. He said he was done touring and off the tour circuit for a while. Boredom must’ve hit quickly. Mr. Off-the-Road certainly can’t stay off. I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly, but sometimes I’m stupid that way.

As if I’d drag Ryder around the country so I could have five minutes on stage, and Jared could spend another five stolen minutes here and there to see him.

I get my emotions in check. I can be an adult about this. “Still, the answer is no. We have a stable home life and my mom and—”

“So, your reason for not signing is Dee?”

I frown at him.

“Hell, bring your mama.” He says this with a certain amount of disdain he doesn’t quite hide.

“No. She’s only part of the reason. I like my house. I like my routine and the stability.”

Jared strolls to the Keurig and pops a coffee pod into place. “I thought you might argue.”

“Really?” I say with a heavy dose of sarcasm. Crap. I was going to stay calm and civil.

“Have a seat at the bar,” he says over his shoulder. “I’m making your favorite coffee, that mocha stuff. I have a second document for us to talk about. Just printed it this morning.”

He starts the coffee and taps his foot pleasantly while I stare at his back. He glances over his shoulder. “Are you staring at my butt?” he asks.

I smirk at that. “No.”

“I’m sure you were. I caught you.”

“Jared.” I shift on the bar stool and wish he’d hurry with that coffee. “I stopped staring at your butt a long, long time ago.”

“You did say you loved it.”

“I think what I said was you’re a real ass—not I love your ass.”

He strolls across the space and slides the coffee cup across the bar. “Remember the first time we tried to pitch a song to String Man Records? We were so green back then. Oh, and that time I made you get on stage and sing with me on my birthday? We had some good times.”

He doesn’t mention the nights he stayed out all night and didn’t call me or the rumors I heard about him.

I smile. Not a big, wishful smile, but a reminiscent one. “They were good.”

“You write damn good songs. We make a great team. A hit-making duo.”

“It works for us,” I say.

He turns and goes back to the coffee maker to start a second cup for himself. I take a drink and look down at the contract in print. It’s the same one my agent sent.

Jared thought he could change my mind by supplying me with coffee and a memory or two.

He makes his coffee and then stands across the bar from me. “I don’t drink like I used to.”

“Good.”

“I’m not going to lie. I drink with friends some. But not rip-roaring drunk after a show. Nothing like the old days.”

“I’m glad. And I knew that. I wouldn’t let you visit with Ryder if I thought you had a problem.”

“You’d like being on tour. It’s different now. Why won’t you even consider it?”

And I should consider getting a lobotomy while I’m at it. “I did. I read the e-mail this morning and made a firm decision.”

“It’s because of him. Aiden.” Jared sips his coffee. He sets the mug on the counter. “Not a good reason.”

I narrow my eyes. “It’s because of our child. A little boy doesn’t belong on tour. But even if that weren’t the case, my dating life isn’t your concern.”

“It is when that guy has moved in your house and is around my kid.”

“He hasn’t moved in. His grandmother—”

“Who cares about the reason. He’s living there.”

“He’s not. But what makes you think so?” I narrow my eyes at him and my pissed-off meter ratchets to a very large number. “Are you watching my house?”

He doesn’t answer.

“Are you?” I demand.

“Yes. You have a problem with that? Again, I’m famous and my kid lives there.”

I jump off the bar stool. “You ass,” I yell. “You obnoxious, pompous—”

“That’s not all,” he cuts me off. “I think you need to listen.”

My chest hurts and I suck in air. “What?”

“I know about your boyfriend’s night in jail. The drug charge. I know.”

Drugs? Not Aiden. He’s Mr. Fitness. He’d never be involved in anything like drugs. No. Jared’s wrong. It takes me a full minute to respond, my brain trying to recover from such a ludicrous accusation. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I wondered if you knew. Because my buddy Aldo said some guy bailed him out last night and then my attorney sent me the police report.”

The intercom system lights up, and I look automatically for Ryder’s room. Thankfully, he’s still playing. He lies on the floor drawing on an electronic pad.

The system announces robotically, “Visitor on grounds.” A vehicle shows on the screen, then returns to the view of Ryder’s bedroom.

Jared slides a second document in front of me.

“What’s this?” I fidget and close my eyes. Breathe. Open my eyes. Ryder does not need to see me this upset.

“You can see for yourself. Aiden Alesini. His name’s right there.”

“Maybe there’s someone with the same name.”

“Your boyfriend had almost an ounce of cocaine on him. He’s charged with possession. Intent to distribute. He’s a dealer. I can’t have him around Ryder. I’ll take you to court and have full custody. I have the money to win.”

“No.” I shake my head. “You’re crazy. You’ve been spying on me and…” My thoughts jumble in my head. Can he really do that? Can he take away my baby?

But I’m being an idiot, because Jared can’t be trusted. I trust Aiden. I do. I glance over to the intercom screen. Ryder’s voice plays over the sound system as he sings to himself.

Ryder—the most important person in my world.

“I’m calling my attorney when I get home.”

Jared runs around to my side and gathers me to him. “We can work this out. You and I. We don’t need to bring attorneys into this, because I’m willing to cut you a deal.”

I put my palms on his chest. “Back off.”

But Jared doesn’t. “You need to give us a chance. Ryder needs me. You need me. You can’t take care of yourself. Doesn’t this prove it?”

If I were a man, I’d deck him. Shoot. I still may do it.

I grind my teeth, still in his embrace. A good knee to smash the family jewels would be in order now. “Let. Go. You’re about to be very sorry.”

“No. I’m not.” He ducks his head and kisses me.

I snap my teeth together at his entreating tongue. He pulls back an inch with a smile.

“Dammit, Jared. Have you lost your mind?”

Past his shoulder, Aiden stands frozen at the back door, the one leading to the fitness room. He stares through the glass for an instant, making eye contact with me, then jiggles the handle of the French door. Locked.

I ram my knee into Jared’s leg. “What the hell? Let go.” How is Aiden even here?

Jared doesn’t release me. “I’m going to let you go in one minute. For now, you should think about Ryder. I don’t need your junkie hanging around my son. Because no matter what you think about me, I do love my son. And if that’s not enough to sway you, keep in mind that I have enough money and influence to ruin your boyfriend. I’ll make sure he never works in this town again. If drugs don’t ruin his future, I will.”

“Let. Me. Go.”

The sonic boom of breaking glass stops me from struggling further.