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I wondered idly if any of the older stars and industry professionals could tell he was freshly eighteen, then decided it was none of my business.
At least he was here.
My goal with Tylerwas simple: make him fall in love with the work I did so he would stop hanging out with such a rough crowd. Laney’s crew was in need of a new roadie, and snagging the job for Tyler was the only thing I could think of to keep him close—and out of trouble.
Well, the only thing that wouldn’t cause me to lose my new job as a music manager for one of country music’s biggest stars. I couldn’t exactly throw it all away tomove back home to Texas and babysit him.
My brother was at a crossroads, and every wrong turn could lead him farther away from me, into some dark pit I couldn’t dig him out of.He wasn’t a juvie anymore, and if he wasn’t careful,he’d wind up in trouble for real instead of being escorted home with a slap on the wrist.
And speaking of trouble, the annoying big sister side of me decidedit was time for an actualcheck-in, and not just a wave from across the room.
“Havin’ fun yet?” I asked when I reached him, bumping his arm with mine.
“Oh, you know it. No one can tell how young I am in this getup.”?
“I wondered about that, and I can’t tell if it’s a good thing or a bad thing.”
He wagged his brows. “It’s a good thing, considerin’ how many numbers I’ve gotten already. You got any green Skittles on ya, by the way? I could use some good luck right about now.”
“Ew, hush. Don’t be a fool, tonight, Ty. Remember, this isn’t just a party. It’s a job interview.”
“So, you’re sayin’ I shouldn’t go through with the prank I’m plannin’ for Little Miss Sunshine over there?”
I bit back a gasp as Tyler tipped his chin in the direction of Carissa Matthews. She was the only one at the party who wasn’t wearing a mask that disguised who she was.
But of course she wasn’t. Why would Carissa Matthews want to be anyone else? Laney couldn’t stand her, but that woman liked herself enough for it not to matter who else didn’t.
“Tyler, for the love...” I trailed off, shaking my head. “Please. No pranks.”
“Oh, Pais, come on. It’s too easy. Look at her?—”
I held up a hand. “Promise me.”
“What? No!”
Promises were a big deal. Tyler and Ididn’t make promises willy-nilly. We understood the importance of standing by each other, of being there through thick and thin, no matter what obstacles came upalong the way.
And promises? Promiseswere sacred. Ourthing.
Well, promises and our tradition with the Skittles, but there wasn’t a Skittle for a time like this. Only a promise would do.
But before Tyler could agree, my phone buzzed in the pocket I’d added to my crimson gown for this exact reason. I pulled it out, scanning the urgent message from the caterers that glared up at me from the illuminated screen.
“Dang it,” I muttered under my breath. I scanned the attached photos of the problem with the food, frowning deeply from behind my own masquerade mask.
Tyler glanced at me, his playful grin fading a bit. “What’s wrong?”
I forced a smile onto my face and gave him a light pat on the arm. “Nothin’ I can’t handle.”
“Whatcan’tyou handle?”
Humming, I looked at the ceiling, then winked at my baby bro. “I’ll get back to you on that.”
His laughter followed me as I wove toward the kitchen, hoping with every step that it’d be an easy fix so I could get back to Tyler and make him finish that promise.
Thankfully, I’d only needed to spend about five minutes doing damage control in the kitchen while simultaneously hoping my brother would stay away from Clarissa Matthews. But when I made it back to the seating area where I’d left him, Tyler was gone.
“You’re doin’ a great job with this party,” a low voice murmured in my ear.
