The shock of what’s just happened has rendered me speechless, so I let Mae walk me to the elevator. A thousand questions crash through my head in a suffocating, tangling rush.
Is my life about to change again?
Yes.
Am I in over my head?
Also yes, but I’ve got this.
3 Years Later
Chapter 1
Raleigh
“I GAVE HER A COPY of the run-of-show. She signed off on the script, but I don’t want another incident like last month.” I don’t try to hide the annoyance in my tone as the manager on the other end of the line tries to disguise his bullshit as surprise. He starts to mumble excuses, and my temper starts to flare. Dealing with this clown is the worst part of my job. Well, him and his client.
Trenton Travers and his team have been a thorn in my side since almost the moment I started as Mae’s manager. The two country stars have been on again and off again since the start and, in my opinion, the dynamic has deteriorated over time. Despite my advice, the label thinks it’s great for business. Don’t get me wrong, the relationship cleans house when it comes to the media, but I just want Mae to be the best she can be. Finding the balance between being overly supportive and doing my job has been one of the hardest challenges. It doesn’t help that the low life in jeans-that-are too-tight-for-boots is holding her back.It doesn’t help that she claims she loves him every other day and then writes a scornful revenge ballad about him the next. It’s a whole George and Tammy situation that I don’t see ending well.
The man on the line is still spewing his excuses, and I’m still annoyed so I cut him off. “Just make sure Trenton stays on track,” I say with a sharp razor’s edge to my voice.
As soon as the call ends, I right myself and shift the packet in my hands. Tonight is the Luminate Ball—a gala that’s been raising money for children’s music programs in the area annually for years. Mae has been a part of it since she signed her record deal, but she’s recently talked Trenton into joining her. They’re speaking jointly tonight, and the last time that happened, he didn’t let Mae get a single word in.
Shifting the schedule into the crook of my left arm, I pinch and lift my dress so I can ascend the stairs. Days like these see me dressed in full makeup before the lunch hour. It’s the easiest way to make sure everything is picture perfect by the time Mae is ready to depart for the venue.
I quietly slip into her room where her glam team is busy curling and primping her hair. In the past year, Mae has transformed from a naive teenager into an absolute bombshell worthy of all the looks she gets. We took that downhome vibe and ran with it; a modern Kitty Wells. She’s become exactly what I’d imagined for her. The one of-a-kind vintage Dior gown hanging in the corner confirms that it’s working.
“Everything okay?” Mae asks as she turns her head over her left shoulder. Her makeup artist gently guides her chin back to forward without a word. Mae’s eyes dart to the side to find mine in the mirror.
“Everything’s good. They assure me that Trenton’s on board.” I notice Mae tense up, and I suck in a breath. How could things have gone south already? They were fine this morning.
“Is there something I should know?” I ask stepping up to her free shoulder.
“Just a usual spat,” she says with a cool sigh. “I told him we could work it out before the show.”
I suck in another heavy breath and wait for her to give me some evening altering information. Conversations before an event usually lead to one of them storming off or stunts that aim to overshadow the other out of spite. What usually follows is a meeting between me and Trenton’s agent and then a meeting with our clients about how the media would view a breakup. I usually throw in a private meeting with Mae, as well, encouraging her that a breakup wouldn’t be bad at all if that’s what she wants.
The relationship between Mae and me has been one with differing opinions and strategies, but it’s also one of mutual respect that has never wavered. Mae accomplished the dream I always thought I wanted but never achieved, and I’ve had her back through thick and thin. I’ve helped her become a worldwide phenomenon, and in the process, she’s given me an opportunity to make something of myself. All of this considered, I know I need to advise her against having a meeting before their performance.
“Maybe it would be best to wait until after so nothing else surprising happens.”
“He wants to talk,” she says with a tight lip. “So I'm going to talk.”
Knowing not to push the issue further, I take a step back and look down at my timesheet. We’re right on schedule, but despite this heartening news, I just know that my work will be cut out for me tonight.
Chapter 2
Dalton
THE DOOR AT MY back should muffle the roaring argument happening inside, but unfortunately for me, it’s no match for the professional screamers inside. “Why can’t you just listen for one damn second?” a man’s voice demands.`
“Maybe if you actually took anything I ever say to heart, I would want to!” The woman’s voice outdoes the male’s, picking up more desperation.
It’s a rehash of this morning’s dispute, and I can honestly say that nothing has been improved upon since Mae Evans stormed out of the townhouse at 8 a.m. She's a nice girl, but Trenton brings out the worst in her. I cross my arms and try not to cringe as other guests pass by on their way down to the ballroom. I keep my gaze straight down the hallway, arms stuck at my chest, trying to seem unbothered.
“You’re too damn childish sometimes, Mae!” I lose the battle and flinch. Me and the boys have been taking bets on when thetwo of them will end the misery and finally call it quits on each other. I’ve been out of the running since a week after I started the job, not believing anyone could live with a relationship like that. I would say I’m wrong, but am I really? How much life are they actually living when they treat each other in the way that they do?
“Oh, I’m the childish one?” Mae retorts. “You know what–” I hear a stomp before she continues, “It doesn’t matter. We’re going to go out there tonight, you’re going to respect me on stage, and we are going to make this gala run perfectly. My team has done too much work to not make it happen.”
