Abby had been asleep by the time I got home later that evening, and she was already gone for class when I woke up at noon the next morning.

I let myself wallow in the messy sheets for about twenty minutes, replaying the previous days’ events over and over in my mind. Then I mentally slapped myself and forced my body to get up out of bed and into the shower.

I nearly teared up again at the scent of my vanilla shampoo, but steeled myself against the memories of Julian’s face buried in my hair. I wasn’t going to let myself fall down that hole of misery. I scrubbed at my face, washing away the last traces of mascara that had smudged under my eyes during the night.

When I stepped out of the shower and into the steamy bathroom, the mirror was fogged over. I wiped it with my hand.

The woman staring back at me was at once a stranger, but also familiar at the same time. My pink hair was hidden, wrapped up in a towel, and my face was free of any makeup. The only things that gave away my old piercings were small closed-over holes in my nose and eyebrow.

I looked like a brand new Everly. I looked like a fresh new start.

And I knew exactly what I was going to do with that start.

Mind made up, I got dressed, grabbed my bag, and drove across town.

Frank greeted me as I walked into Howell’s music store.

“Hey kid,” Frank called out from behind the counter as he rang up a customer. “Didn’t think I’d see you here again so soon. Thought you’d be too busy with your fancy new gig.”

“That’s sort of what I wanted to talk to you about,” I told Frank.

He handed the customer her bag and came around the counter to give me another big bear hug, like he always used to. Maybe it wasn’t strictly how an employer should treat an employee, but Frank was more like the cool older uncle than just a boss.

“Where’s that kid from last time?” I asked looking around and not seeing him.

Frank’s expression turned disgruntled.

“Fired him,” he grunted. “Couldn’t keep his hands out of the cash register, damn punk.”

“Yikes,” I winced.

“That’s my fourth in as many months,” Frank grumbled. “I’ve got another guy helping out, but he’s going to be taking off for school soon, so it’s not a long term solution.”

“Good help is hard to find,” I told him.

He snorted. “Sure is.”

“Actually…” It was the perfect segue. “I came here hoping to ask a favor.”

“Of course,” he said immediately. “Whatever you need.”

“A job.”

Frank blinked. “Job?”

“I spent so many years here as a teenager, it became my second home,” I explained. “I love music. I believe it can change the world. Whether I’m making it, performing it, or just selling instruments to help other people live out their dreams. I’ve rarely been as happy as I was when working here.”

“Being a rock star wasn’t enough to make you happy?” Frank asked, taken aback.

“It did, in a way,” I said. “But it also came with a lot of drama and heartache and—” I cut myself off, shaking my head. “I don’t want to get into it. But you said you’re thinking of retiring soon.” I gave him a hopeful little smile. “And you always used to joke about leaving me the shop in your will. I know it’s been a while since I last worked here, but I was hoping you’d give me a second chance.”

“Shit, kid, you kidding me?” Frank blurted out. “There’s no one else I’d trust with this place more than you. I’d never let some random punk kid take over everything I’d worked so hard for.”

“So…” I trailed off, anticipating his answer. “Is that a yes?”

“Hell yes that’s a yes.” Frank whooped and fist pumped. “Damn, and here I thought I’d have to work until I was a hundred years old.”

“I can’t wait to start,” I said, letting out a small breath of relief. If Frank had said no, I didn’t really have any other back up ideas.

“You know I’ve only got part-time hours for now, though,” he said, looking worried. “Can’t swing full-time yet. I’m not gonna fire that other guy out of the blue. That wouldn’t be fair to him.”

“I’m okay with starting part-time,” I told him. “I’ll get my feet wet again before jumping all in.”

Frank beamed at me and clapped me on the back with enough enthusiasm to almost made me stumble forward.

“Good to have you back, kid,” Frank said.

The shop door jingled, signaling a customer entering. Frank turned toward them. His mouth dropped into an O.

“Isn’t this just a day for surprises,” he said.

I turned and saw who Frank was talking to.

Seth stood in the doorway.

“Hey Frank.” He raised his hand in a small wave and smiled at me nervously. “Hey Ever.”

“Well, look at you!” Frank bellowed out a laugh. “Since when did you start looking like a grown-ass man? Last time I saw you, you were just this gangly little squirt.”

Seth chuckled too, not taking offense.

“Guess that’s what going through puberty does to a guy,” he said easily.

“What have you been up to?” Frank asked. “Aside from living it up with all that fame and fortune.”

“It has been a wild ride,” Seth agreed. “I’ve got about a million stories.”

“I’d love to hear them,” Frank said.

“I’d love to tell you.” Seth grinned at Frank before his smile turned somber. “Right now I need to talk to Ever, though. It’s important.”

I folded my arms across my chest. I should have known Seth was going to show up eventually. Whenever Julian was in hot water or needed help, Seth was there to drag him out of it — or sometimes into it, depending on the situation.

“What do you need to talk about?” I said.

Seth’s expression turned forlorn. I felt a little bad for being so curt with him, but I was still sore over what had happened with me and Julian, and the two of them usually came as a matched set. It was hard to talk to one without thinking about the other.

“I know you’re mad at Julian, but does that also mean you have to be mad at me?” Seth asked.

I heaved a slow sigh through my nose. He was right, as much as I hated to admit it. However Julian had treated me, it had nothing to do with Seth.

I lowered my defensive arms.

“All right,” I said. “I’m listening.”

Seth scanned the music store. There were still a couple customers wandering around, looking at albums and instruments. Frank was scrutinizing the two of us with a careful gaze.

Seth looked back to me and nodded his chin to the front door.

“Let’s go for coffee or something,” Seth said. “I don’t want to get into this in the middle of Frank’s store.”

So Seth didn’t want an audience for what he had to tell me. I didn’t know whether that was going to end up being a good thing for me or a bad thing.

“There’s a coffee shop across the street,” I said.

Seth’s expression eased, looking relieved.

“Thank you,” he said. “I promise, you’re going to want to hear what I have to say.”