“She’s coming tonight, isn’t she?She’s giving you a second chance, even after your bonehead comment.”
After constant harassment, I’d finally broken down and told my sister about the offensive remark that led to Grace kicking me out on my ass, which meant she also knew we’d slept together.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean?—”
“It means she likes you, Taz.She.Likes.You.”
I let that sink in.“I guess, but a hell of a lot could go wrong.I could make another dumb comment or get jealous and go off because her ex won’t leave her alone or, hell, take your pick.There are so many ways I could screw this up.”
“Then why bother?”
“Excuse me?”
“Why even bother pursuing her, if you’re so sure it’s not going to go your way?”
“I didn’t say I was sure, just that it was a possibility I could screw it up.”
“And how would you feel if you did screw it up?Better question, how did you feel last time you said the wrong thing and lost your chance with her?”
“Like shit.”
“Right, so why would you do it again?Just to sabotage yourself?”
“What?No!Why the hell would I do that?”I hated it when my sister talked in circles, which she did too often.
“Because you think Grace is too good for you.You’re sure you don’t deserve her.And you say or do something stupid to push her away, you’ll assume life is just kicking you in the teeth, like it always does.Guys like you don’t get a break.Right, Taz?”
How many times had I said that to her?Clearly, too many.“I hear what you’re saying.”
“No, I don’t think you do.I’m telling you that you have to change.You have to start accepting all the good things that are happening to you, and believe you deserve them.”
“But I don’t!I just got lucky.”
She inhaled deeply before releasing it slowly, and I knew I was trying her patience.“You are not lucky.You’re talented.Do you hear me?You have a God-given talent for singing and songwriting.It’s your job, your obligation, to make use of that talent now that this opportunity has fallen into your lap.”
“Yeah, but it’s still up to the fans to decide if they want to buy my music.”
“Your videos have gotten ten million views, combined, you dumbass!And has Luc Spencer ever signed a dud?”
“I don’t know.Probably not.”
“Then quit assuming you’ll be the first!”
She had a point, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of admitting it.
“As for the girl?You told me she hit on you, and took you home the first night y’all met.You said she’d never done that before.And trust me, girls who look like that don’t have to work to get a guy’s attention.”
“No shit.”
“Yet, she choseyou.She could have had any man in the bar that night, but it was you she wanted.What the hell does that tell you?”
“I hear you, and I appreciate what you’re saying.It’s just going to take me some time to get used to all this.”
“Well, you don’t have time.You’ve already signed the contract with Spencer Records and your fantasy girl is coming to your house for dinner in four hours, so get your shit together and start acting like this is your life now, because it is!”
Grace took my breath away, standing on my front porch with a bottle of wine, wearing a pink halter sundress and strappy gold sandals.
“You made it,” I said, grabbing her free hand to tug her inside.I was trying like hell not to manhandle her, but she didn’t make it easy.She looked and smelled incredible.
