Another message from her mom arrived.You need to come home. Right away. It’s Gran.Adrenaline started to course through her veins. She looked up. “Listen, Cruz, I really need to—”
“What you need to do is listen to what I’m about to say to you.” He gripped her arm a little too tightly and she realized with a sinking feeling that moments before, Cruz had asked her if her relationship with Max was fake—and she hadn’t denied it.
“Wait,” she said. “Max and I are together!”
Cruz just laughed. “Yeah, yeah, save it for the tabloids, Sadie. The truth is written all over your face. But Max doesn’t matter. What matters is that I want to work withyou, Sadie Hunter. I can deal with Max this year, we can record an album, since we’re obligated to do so—but once the dust settles from this big win of yours, I want us to have a meeting, just the two of us. Okay? I want to be the one to record the solo Sadie Hunter album—because I have a feeling that’s where the real action is going to be. And my gut”—he pointed to the slight paunch above his huge belt buckle in the shape of Tennessee—“is never, ever wrong.”
Sadie agreed, wanting nothing more than to end this conversation.
“Max doesn’t have half of the talent you do, doesn’t want it like you do—can’t be counted on to do what needs to be done to take his career to the next level. Know what I mean?”
Another message popped up on her screen.Sadie. Please.Tell me you’re getting these. Gran isn’t well. I hate to tell you this way, but she doesn’t have much time left.
She couldn’t focus on what Cruz was saying now. “So, what do you think?” he asked her, a big grin on his face.
Sadie shook her head and started to back away. “Sounds great. I’ll call you, I promise,” she said. “We can set something up. But I really have to go now.”
Then she spun around and rushed out of the room, pushing through the crowd and ignoring Max when he called out her name.
11
Max
Nashville, Tennessee
December 30
Where in the hell is she going?
“Sadie!” Max caught up to her in a few quick strides, her five-foot-seven frame no match for his six-foot one.
It was quieter away from the stage, but the hum of the partygoers stretched into the hallway, creating a celebratory feel in the air. There was a loud cacophony of cheering voices, and both Sadie and Max glanced back toward the stage, but neither of them said anything.
Sadie was clearly upset, Max could see that. As tears streamed down her cheeks, he felt like someone had punched him in the stomach.
“Sadie. What’s wrong?” He touched her elbow and she turned to fully face him. Max ducked to look into her eyes, butshe wouldn’t meet his gaze. Then he thought about Cruz—he had seen them in the corner, tête-à-tête, only moments before she’d bolted.
“What did Cruz do? What did he say to you?” Max’s jaw tightened.
“Nothing. I have to go, Max,” was all Sadie said, the tears continuing to fall.
If this wasn’t about Cruz, then what was going on?They had just won the whole dang thing. So why did Sadie look like she’d lost everything?
“Is this about the proposal?” He lowered his voice at the end, glancing around before he said it to make sure they were truly alone.
Sadie shook her head, looking more distraught. “Max, I really have to go. I can’t talk now.”
“Look, I’m sorry. Let me explain, okay?” he said, stepping a foot closer to her so they were only inches apart. Without even thinking about what he was doing, he reached up to wipe away her tears. “I know we agreed and I promise you I had every—”
She caught his hand, holding it firmly. “I can’t do this. I have to go.”
Max took a step back and let go of her hand. He was frustrated and confused about how upset she was. All he wanted to do was to take her in his arms.
“I’m lost here, Sadie. What’s going on?”
She gave him a look—he couldn’t read her face,Is that sadness, disappointment, regret?—and then turned toward the exit door, moving at a good clip in her white cowboy boots, despite the fabric and weight of the ball gown that encased her.
“Sadie! Goddamn it.” Max let out a frustrated groan andjogged after her again. “Let me help you. Whatever it is. I’m sorry about the proposal, I didn’t think—”
