Trevor pulled over behind the line of cars to park, revving his engine like an asshole at some girls strutting by in bikinis. Benji shook the back of my seat. “All the titties, bro. All the titties.”

“You’re both dicks,” I said.

“Thanks.” Trevor grinned.

I shoved open the door. Within five seconds of climbing out of the car, the muggy Alabama heat had my skin slicked. The whir of bottle rockets whizzed through the air followed by the pop and crackle of the fireworks shimmering in the sky.

Trevor grabbed the case of beer from the back seat, tossing me and Benji one each. “Shit, this is our boy’s last night.”

Benji sniffed, pretending to wipe tears from his eyes. “Don’t talk like that, Trev. I’m never gonna be the same. I ain’t gonna have nobody to draw cocks on when he passes out like a pussy at a party.”

“Shut up.” I shoved Benji hard enough that he stumbled.

“Come on, man, you leave for Nashville tomorrow.” He caught his footing and smacked me on the back. “You just better not forget us. I expect the royal treatment at your first CMA. First class flight, front row seat, some hot blonde to pose as my arm candy. And hey, hey,” he grinned wide. “Make sure she’s got one of them coochie piercings.”

I glared at him.

Trevor tucked the case of beer under his arm, popping the tab to his Coors and taking a gulp. “I can’t believe this shit.” He took another sip, then burped. “This fucker’s about to be a big damn deal.”

“Hell, we don’t even know if the album’ll get picked up.”

“Brice-fucking-Taylor, bitch!” Trevor shook his head. “He said it’s golden, right?”

I shrugged, and he stopped, turning to face me as he placed a hand on my shoulder. “I’m proud of you.” He smiled before walking off. “Now, you won’t ever hear some sappy shit like that come outta my mouth again.” The music from the dock boomed through the air accompanied by the shouts and screams of people jumping into the lake.

The pier was covered with people dancing, drinking, kissing. And as we made our way down the slope to the lake, it felt like every person we passed stared. Assholes I didn’t like stopped me to take a picture, and I started to wonder if maybe I wasn’t cut out for this shit. I mean, I hadn’t even recorded the album, but, for that little town, the fact that I was going to Nashville—the fact that I had met Brice Taylor and sang on one track for his next release, well, that was enough. I was famous to them.

“Shit,” Trevor said. “This is nuts!”

“Yeah.”

When we reached the pier, Benji climbed up onto one of the picnic tables, cupped his hands over his mouth, and shouted: “Hey, fuckwads!” The crowd didn’t quiet down. “Hey! Hey!”

“What the hell is he doing,” I asked Trevor. He just shook his head and tipped his beer back.

“Hey!” Benji clapped his hands, then whistled. Most everybody turned and looked at him. “Fucking finally!” He cleared his throat before pointing at me. “You all know Noah Greyson, right?”

Everyone glanced in my direction.

“Well, tonight’s his last night in little ole’ Rockford, Alabama, in case you didn’t know. He’s getting the fuck outta here!” He raised his beer, and everyone followed suit. “So, cheers, fucker. Do us all proud.” He grinned. Everyone shouted before gulping down their drinks. Benji jumped off the table, and just like flies on shit, everyone crowded around me. Somehow, through the throngs of people, I caught sight of Hannah standing on the end of the pier with her eyes locked on me. Damn, I should go talk to her… But people grabbed me, taking selfies, telling me how amazing it was that my dreams were coming true. Those people didn’t fucking know me, I’d never dreamed of becoming famous because I’d never believed in myself enough to dream up bullshit like that. I just thanked them and nodded, then took the beers and shots they shoved in my direction. An hour later, I was shitfaced and signing some girl’s tits while I tried to look through my blurred vision for Hannah somewhere in the crowd.

“Man.” Trevor slapped me on the back while the topless girl threw her arm over my shoulder. “This is the fucking life!” he slurred. “The life.” He reached over and pinched the girl’s nipple.

Flashes from phones went off, and the girl leaned in to my ear. “I want to fuck you so bad.” She rubbed over the front of my jeans.

Smiling, I pulled away a little. “Nah, you don’t.”

“I do.” Her tongue trailed over my throat, and a group of guys standing in front of me stepped away, revealing Hannah watching from across the yard. Our eyes locked. Another set of fireworks exploded, the red color dancing over her face. Her nostrils flared, and she rolled her eyes.

“Alright, alright,” I said, shrugging out of the girl’s hold. I took a few steps, stumbling as I fought to maintain my balance. For a second, I thought I should go after Hannah. Grab her hand and spin her around. Kiss her. Hell, maybe tell her that I hadn’t washed the pillow she slept on because it still smelled like her.

But I didn’t. I just stared at her until she turned away and headed toward one of the houses.

I told Hannah when we first met that she would end up hating me, and by the look she’d just given me, I was pretty sure she did.