Page 25 of False Promises

“June, don’t stress over it.”

“It’s easy for you to tell.” She paused. “Sorry, that was a shitty thing to say. You and I, we’re very much in dead-end situations. Anyway, I’ll let you know what I choose for the wedding. I’m sorry I’m a mess about it.”

Juniper Stewards didn’t do emotions. In our professional and personal relationships, I was the one ruled by feelings. She was driven by logic and facts. Except when it concerned her ex. Then she became agitated and could barely think straight.

Of all the people she knew, if someone could understand her, it was me. Not that her story was similar to mine, but in a way, it was too.

“Hey, are you okay?”

Her voice was a low whisper. “I will be. Sorry for the almost-breakdown just about now. My mother called and spewed all this information on me, and I panicked. And you’re the only one who knows the whole story. The truth about my…situation. Okay, I’m done complaining. I’m back to being the cutthroat business badass you all know me to be. If you tell anyone about this conversation, I’ll deny it ever happened. Nobody in the industry is allowed to be aware I have a soft side.”

“Wouldn’t pretend otherwise.”

“Enjoy Germany, Carter. Eat a slice of Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte thinking of me. You know how Black Forest cake is my favorite.”

“I’ll get you one for your birthday this year.”

“Carter Hills, we have a deal. Call me tomorrow. We have a few things to go over in your schedule for the next two weeks.”

“Perfect. Gotta go. The guys won’t be happy I’m late for sound check.”

“Go. Have fun tonight.”

We hung up, and I hurried to the stadium I’d be playing tonight.

My conversation with June replayed in my head as I sat in the car. You and I, we’re very much in dead-end situations. I ran my palm over my face. Every time I thought I was doing better, something—or someone—reopened the wounds of my heart. And reminded me I was alone. And that my heartbreak scars were still fresh and friable.

Discomfort stirred my insides. Guess we all had secrets keeping us up at night.

Stretching my neck, I tried to return to my previous state of bliss. In vain. Agitation spread through me.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

My finger hovered above Dahlia’s name on my phone for seconds before I pressed the video chat button.

“Hey Dah.”

“Carter, are you in Frankfurt already?”

“Yeah. Got here early this morning. Is Jack around?”

“Huh, sure. Everything okay?”

“Just need to see his face and talk to him. Won’t be long. I’m on my way to sound check right now.”

As if on cue, we passed the Frankfurt Cathedral, and my gaze lingered there for a beat. I wasn’t a fan of architecture, but I enjoyed its old European charm. There was just something about the traditional timbered German houses I found inviting.

“Let me get him. He just woke up from his nap. Your timing is impeccable.”

Dahlia came back with the dark-haired baby. His big eyes locked on me through the screen, his tiny fingers tapping the camera as he babbled, drool covering his chin. And the sight of him silenced the battle rising inside me.

8

CARTER

“Dah, if you wanna move, there will be enough place on my land for you to build a home. Or a cabin. Or whatever you like. And the view is majestic. You can see the entire valley below and the mountaintops in the distance. Imagine how beautiful it will be in the wintertime.” I had come home from the last leg of my tour and had decided to get a permanent residence in Green Mountain so that I could be around Dahlia and Jack every time I had some time off.

The lot I bought was surrounded by wood areas, and on cloudy days, it appeared as if we could touch the sky if we rose to our tiptoes and stretched our arms over our heads. It offered the most spectacular view of the town and valley. My house would be built on the western mountainside to never miss one of the breathtaking sunsets Green Mountain was famous for.