Page 32 of Rush

“What how?”

“Her opener is pulling out of a few dates for health reasons. It’s only for a few dates—she’s on the final leg—but it’s gonna be huge. First show’s in two weeks. Rehearsals start tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“It’s tight. So prepare for some long days—you’ve got press, meet-and-greets. The whole deal.”

My mouth goes dry. “Ava Edwards?”

“The one and only.” I can hear him grinning. “So take today, but then it’s go-time, Elena. This is your second chance sodon’tblow it.”

My second chance.

He was right. I can’t mess this up again.

“Okay,” I whisper in disbelief.

“And Elena?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re gonna kill it out there.”

The line clicks off before I can say anything else, and I’m left sitting there—phone still pressed to my ear, heart pounding.

It’s happening.It’s actually happening.

The words echo through me. I don’t quite believe them—perhaps this is fever dream I’ll wake up from.

You deserve this.

The thought takes me by surprise. Do I?

Well no matter the circumstances. No matter how much it hurt to get here. There was no stopping a moving train and perhaps I owed it to myself to actually embrace this moment for what is instead of wallowing and punishing myself for someone else’s mistakes.

I made a promise to my mother. To live. So I needed to start doing that—not for someone else, but for myself.

Tour.

Ava Edwards.

Opening act.

The start of everything I’ve ever wanted.

And with a renewed focus, something dangerously close to hope flickers in my heart.

I set up a group chatText in the Citywith Philippa, Andrew, Riley, and Broderick.

Elena

Guess who’s going on tour?

Philippa

No way

Riley