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I prop one boot up on the railing. “It’s fine. What’s up?”
“Jason Martin died yesterday.”
A rock lands in my gut. He opened for me on tour a couple of years ago.
“Fuck.”
“Yeah. He was twenty-two.”
I exhale. “When’s the service?”
“I don’t know yet. But Empire is putting on a benefit concert this weekend. A fundraiser with all the proceeds going to an organization that works to prevent drunk driving. Offering free rides home, training for bartenders, distributing breathalyzers, stuff like that.”
“He was drunk?”
“No. The other driver was.”
“Damn.”
“Look, I know things are tense with Empire right now and that you’ve made your thoughts on it all clear. But it’s a good cause, and consideringwhatcause it is, I wanted to make sure you had a chance to participate, if you want to. They’re asking for a three-song set.”
“This weekend?”
“Yeah. Plan is to hold it outdoors in a park. Trying to make it a big festival with major headliners. Sutton Everett is already confirmed, and they’ve got a bunch of other big names lined up.”
“In New York?”
“Yes.”
I think about it. Then decide faster than I expected to.
“Okay. I’ll perform.”
“You will?” Brayden doesn’t try to hide the surprise in his voice. Or if he does, he doesn’t manage to do so very well.
“Yeah.”
“Okay. I’ll make the arrangements.”
We say our goodbyes.
And instead of heading inside, I continue sitting there, staring at nothing.
CHAPTERTHIRTY
PIPER
“Mom, IpromiseI will be there.”
“You’d better be, Piper. Wells and Norah said they have a big surprise!”
“Yeah, I heard you the first time. And I got all five of your texts.”
I’m assuming Norah is expecting, and so is everyone else. Which is why I’m going to have to cram everything that I need to get done today into normal working hours so I can book it to my mother’s house in Brooklyn in time for family dinner and the announcement.
If they are having a baby, I’m thrilled for my second oldest brother and sister-in-law. I’m also expecting I’ll have to answer lots of questions about my trip to Texas, which I’m much less enthused about. I’ve done plenty of that this week with my coworkers.
Thankfully, everyone has been so busy preparing for the benefit tomorrow that all of the interrogations have been brief. Harper arrived yesterday, but aside from a quick lunch that was mostly centered around Mia’s engagement, we haven’t had the chance to talk. Which is a relief since she’s the one person who has any clue there was more to my trip than an unsigned contract.
