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He finally makes eye contact with me, the surprise clear in his eyes.
“I didn’t want to miss you playing, but I didn’t really have a choice.”
“Oh.”
“That’s all you have to say?Oh?”
“Fine, I overreacted.”
I close my eyes and exhale. “Why didn’t you tell me about the song?”
When I open my eyes again, he’s studying me closely. “Thought you’d missed my performance.”
“Harper showed me a clip.” With a staggering number of views.
The news about Kyle Spencer’s secret love and his mother’s death was plastered across the magazines I walked past in the airport this morning, but I don’t mention that.
“I told you I’d write a song about something besides beer, trucks, or heartbreak.”
I scoff-slash-laugh. “Yeah, but that’s different from actually doing it.Releasingit.”
“What does it matter?”
“Dammit, Kyle.” I step closer, hoping it’ll impact the wall it feels like was erected between us. “I flew all this fucking way, and you’re asking me why it matters?”
“I flew all the way to New York!”
“For the concert, not for me.”
“Of courseit was for you, Piper.” He shakes his head, like he can’t believe I’m being this dense. “I could have written a check, and I did. I went to see you because I can’t get you out of my head.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that?”
“Because I haveno cluewhat you’re thinking. No idea where things stand between us. This is my life right now.” He waves at our surroundings, the huge barn and the open land.
“You want a long-distance relationship? I was on the road for a decade. I want roots. I want to see Hudson propose to Morgan. I want to be able to go out without getting mobbed. There’s nothing in New York for me, exceptyou. So, where does that leave us?”
I swallow thickly. “I didn’t know what you were thinking either.”
“I know. Which is why I went out onstage and poured my fucking heart out.”
My step forward is hesitant, but my words are sure. “I’m going to quit.”
Kyle’s startled eyes flash to me. “What?”
“On Monday, I’m giving two weeks’ notice.”
“Why would you do that? You just got the promotion to A&R.”
“Because I don’t like Fiona very much. Because I’m not sure if I’ll be any happier in A&R than I was in Artist Development. And because I can’t work for Carl. He was…upset last night because I hadn’t told him about your mom. He pulled me away as soon as I got to the after-party, wondering why I hadn’t shared that as the reason you weren’t re-signing.”
Kyle’s jaw tightens. “None of his damn business.”
“I agree, and I told him that.” I hesitate. “Hetold me he’s your father.”
“Hewhat?”
I nod. “Your biological father. I have no idea if it’s true. He didn’t give me any details, and he told me not to tell anyone. Obviously, he doesn’t know about…” I gesture between us.
