A tornado of activity is backstage as technicians battle cables, props, curtains, and lights, while dancers, singers, and cast fend off family members sneaking a peek of the action and wishing us good luck.

Two words you never say to a performer are good luck.

Never ever ever.

It means its opposite.

We always say break a leg.

Nobody will be saying that tonight.

“No, Mom, don’t say it!” I keep hearing as I make my way to Sam’s dressing room.

From sharing one with twelve other girls to having her own, is amazing. But oh, what a price.

Her voice is muffled as she asks, “Who is it?”

“It’s me, Logan.”

“I can’t talk right now. I’ll see you out there.”

Blinking at the wood, I mutter, “Okay, sure, I’ll let you focus.”

Glancing to movement in my peripheral left, I see Jason and Sarah Cocker hurrying up, an enormous bouquet for their daughter in his hands. “Hey Logan, this her room?”

“Yeah, but she said she can’t—”

“—Hogwash,” Sarah mutters, turning the knob. Nobody stops Samantha’s mom from doing something when her face is like that.

Inside, Asher steps back from kissing Samantha. She blushes, glancing from her parents to me and back to him as she nervously licks her lips. “Mom, Dad!”

My jaw is tight, heart pounding as I stare at the flowers I sent this morning. They’re on the dresser with my note out of its envelope. Jason glances to me and I turn and walk away.

I can no longer hear the tornado. Like a robot I’m stepping around people. Numb, I’m not sure where I’m going. But I have to get away from the worst thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

She kissed him?

That’s why she wouldn’t open the door?

Asher was inside?

How can that be true?

Am I in some sort of nightmare, about to wake up any second?

Alfredo, the man who plays our father, bumps into me on his way out of our dressing room. I’m sharing one with him since I’m not the lead. In more ways than one, turns out.

“Sorry Logan! Shit, I need a smoke. And I quit twenty years ago! You think she can pull it off?”

I blink at him. “I don’t know what she’s capable of.”

“You hear from Marion? I heard…”

I cross to my chair, the mirror well lit for the application of stage makeup we all have to wear or we disappear under the harsh spotlights. I don’t hear another word Alfredo says. My fingers reach for thick foundation and I go to work.

“Logan, I’m talking to you.”

“Huh?” I glance over and see Jason Cocker has taken Alfredo’s place. Even though I’m staring at a mirror, I didn’t see him walk in. Didn’t see Alfredo leave. Their reflections blended into a blur of who cares.

Jason sits down, long legs spreading as pale green eyes narrow on me with interest. “I asked if you’re okay.”

“Why wouldn’t I be okay, Mr. Cocker?”

He bites his lip and rakes his white-blonde hair with his left hand, wedding ring winking in the warm light. “Did you know Sam and Asher were…”

My stomach does another nosedive as I grimace, “You’ve met him?”

“Never heard of him before tonight.” Her dad stares at me like he hopes that makes me feel better.

“I don’t care what she does. If she’s into him, no big deal.” My dead gaze returns to the mirror, but in it I’m seeing that New York fuckhead pull back from her lips. The glimmer of excitement that was in her beautiful brown eyes twisted the blade though. She wanted his kiss.

She wanted it.

“Logan, if it makes you feel better, Sam is really young.”

I frown, “We’re the same age.”

“Yeah but, and I know it’s hard for people in their twenties to hear this, but life is long, not short. We change over the years, if we’re doing things right.” He exhales, glances over as Sarah walks up. With a shake of his head Mr. Cocker tells her he needs more time. She nods, glances to me, and disappears. His voice is deep and sincere as he explains, “Samantha’s our baby. I know Hunter is the youngest but he was born older. Not my Sam. She’s our innocent. She’s lived in Lexi’s wild shadow all these years. And with Max and Caden being the over-protective brothers that they are, well, she’s young. She needs to sow her oats a little. That’s what Cockers need to do.”

“So?”

He bites his lip in thought, rising and clasping my shoulder. He’s been a second father to me, and there’s love in his firm grip as he holds my eyes. “I’m just saying, don’t give up hope.”

He disappears in the direction of his wife.

Staring at the empty doorway, I snort, pick up the powder and toss it down, disgusted. “If he thinks I’m waiting around for her, he’s nuts.” Covering my face in my hands I groan and take a few deep breaths, dropping them down to find Asher in the reflection. He’s leaning on the doorframe. “Hey Logan. How’s it going?”

“I’m ready. You?”

He eyes me, amused. “Totally.”