Page 34 of The Publicity Stunt

She does, and he takes her hand. "If this is what you think you need to do, I'm not going to argue or fight you. It's your life, and I just wanted to make sure you were sure. You mentioned how you have a hard time trusting people."

"I trust her with my life. She could have sold me out and made thousands ten times over, but she never has. Not once. And she never asks for help outside of what you'd expect from normal friends. Like listening when a boy breaks her heart and badmouthing his new girlfriend. The things that don't cost money."

"You know, I don't think being your friend is as terrible as you think it is. Not when people get to see the real side of you. The side who will get a manager fired for being a shit person while also paying for a little girl's birthday after taking pictures and signing autographs. After making her entire year probably, you noticed her father looking distressed, and you wanted to help."

The way he sees her makes her feel like she's on top of the world. Aside from Tessa and her team, the only person to do that is Mr. Hanks, her choir teacher. "I have a soft spot for parents trying to do the best for their children."

"You've mentioned your family before. I'm guessing things with your parents aren't great?"

It's been so long since Bri's had anyone to share the story with because she hates opening up and risking herself, but Bri really wants to tell him. Kace makes her want to open up and let him in. "My childhood was normal until about the age of fourteen. My parents were normal, but part of me wonders how much I can trust my memories."

"Can I ask what happened?"

"We discovered I was musically inclined. They got me into a studio to make a demo, and I got signed with a record company at fifteen. And from that moment on, they did everything they could to exploit me."

His brows furrow, and he juts his chin out. "Excuse me?"

"I was a cash cow. That's all I was to them once I got signed. I was the third child with two older brothers and one younger one, so I was also the only girl. I brought in the money to pay for everything, and just before I turned eighteen, they started working towards putting me into a conservatorship. I was touring with Cooper Scott at that time, and he helped me find a lawyer to work with to fix it. In order to do so, I had to end all working relationships with my parents, and he made it so all contracts they signed on my behalf were also severed. Which meant I needed to find a new management team and record deal."

"They didn't take it well, did they?"

Shaking her head, she looks at the ground. "When the working relationship ended, which meant the open bank closed, they cut me off. Same with my brothers. They take the chance to try and smear my name every few years when a fresh reporter thinks they've uncovered gold by finding my long-lost parents, but they've toned it down after the gag orders and civil suits my team filed over the years."

"I'm sorry, Bri."

"They've tried twice to get back into my life, but it's all about money. I fired my last manager because he let them trick him into arranging a meeting. He knew where I stood with everything, and I walked out of that restaurant both parentless and newly agent-less."

Reaching out, Kace pulls Bri against his side and hugs her. "That sucks. I don't know what else to say."

"Mr. Hanks is the only father-figure I have in my life. He supports me and does what he can to show up for me. He's been to two concerts so far this tour, and I always make sure he's moved up to VIP when I know he's there. He helped save me a few times when I thought I might drown and wanted to throw in the towel. He's also the reason I want to keep the arts in schools. Music heals my soul more than anything else I've ever found."

"That's how I feel about hockey," Kace says and rests his cheek on the top of her head. "My mom died when I was seven, and it's just been me and Dad ever since. Dad poured himself into me after Mom passed, and he's never thought once about moving on with anyone else. He's only focused on me and supporting my dream. He also won't let me pay him back for it."

She sighs and tightens her arms around his waist. "Does he come to a lot of your games?"

"Usually the ones in Texas. He refuses to let me pay for his flights to Moose Jaw, so he only comes to one or two home games a season when he can save enough to pay for it."

"It must be nice to have him there and wanting only to support you and nothing else. You must be close with him."

"I am. And my extended family. He has six brothers and sisters, and they all have kids who started having kids. Holidays are crazy and so much fun. I love when we all get together in one place."

"Do you plan to have a family one day?" she asks, unsure where the question came from.

He hums and runs his large hand on her arm as he thinks. "Yeah, I think so. I never really think too much about it, but yeah, I want one. With at least two kids, but I'd take a houseful if the woman I marry decides to let me. I also only plan to ever marry once. The love my parents had for each other sets the bar as high as it can possibly go."

"That's a nice plan. I'd like a family one day, too, but I'd have to find the right man. One who doesn't see having kids as an opportunity to secure money from me. Someone who treats me the way I'm always told I should be treated. And when that happens, I think I might step back from the spotlight."

"Really?"

"I want a happy, quiet life. I'll probably never leave music because I'd go absolutely crazy without it, but I think I could be content writing songs for other artists. And it brings in decent money, too."

The way Kace caresses her arm makes Bri smile. "You need to find someone who just wants to see you happy."

"I sometimes wonder what happy even looks like anymore. God, listen to me. I'm so privileged in so many ways, and I'm talking about how terrible my life is. I know what I have is special, but my family tainted it. It used to be fun and thrilling and what I loved. I hate how they turned something I loved into something so ugly."

"I think you have a right to feel any way you want about what you want. But maybe part of it is because you have yet to slow down."

Pulling back, she looks up at him. "I've been thinking about that lately, and I think the reason I stay so busy and gone all the time is because I don't have anywhere to call home. I have nowhere to go home to. Not anymore."

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