Page 56 of Unguarded

MONROE

“You know, after Amsterdam, you’ll have a two-week break,” Ember says.

I nod. We’re in Switzerland right now. Their snow-capped mountains might be my favorite view on the tour so far. Once again, I’m blown away by the experiences I’m getting to have that I never thought would be possible as a child. I lift my phone to snap a picture of the scene, sending it as a text to my mother. I know waiting for her to reach out is futile. She’s busy, enjoying her life as the widow of a childless millionaire. Last time we spoke on the phone, a month before the tour, she was getting ready for an Alaskan cruise. My chest squeezes when I see her like the message and text back.

Mom

Wow! So beautiful.

Monroe

I miss you.

Miss you too. Looking forward to the CMAs!

I sigh, tucking the phone away in my pocket. The feeling of loneliness only grows. I’m glad she’s still planning to attend the Country Music Awards with me.

“We planned for you to stay in Europe with a small security detail, but if you’ve changed your mind, we can always make accommodations to go back to the US,” Ember continues.

I shake my head, messing up Sergio’s brushstroke. “Sorry, Serg.”

“No worries, love.” He smiles, adjusting his hold on the eye-shadow brush. He’s my favorite stylist on the team.

I’ve been in hair and makeup for over an hour now. The break coming up after this is so needed. I’m not burned out. I’m just … in a funk.

It’s been twelve days since Cash left without saying goodbye.

And good riddance.

I thought we were closer than that. At the very least, I thought we were friends.

Apparently, this was just a job to him.

I close my eyes, releasing an exhale and resisting the urge to cry. I tap on my phone, reading the text from Zade. He wants my hotel information in case he gets free to drop in for another visit. I’m starting to think my image is good for his career. I don’t want to see him. He makes me feel even more isolated than when I actually am alone.

I start mindlessly scrolling through the comments on my Instagram. The fans are still ravenous for content of me andCash. There hasn’t been anything new of the two of us in weeks, but the older stuff is still circulating.

These two are endgame. Please date him and make singing cowboy babies.

If she doesn’t want him, I’ll climb that man and ride him into the sunset.

Hottest couple on the planet. The way he looks at her? SWOON.

Do we still not know who he is? How is that possible? Someone find him!

The next comment steals my breath.

His name is Cash Redford. I went to high school with him in La Pradera, Texas. He has three brothers who are all just as hot.

I clap my hand over my mouth. The comment was posted twelve hours ago and has a hundred thousand likes.

“What is it?” Ember asks, her brows pinching together.

I hand her the phone and watch her eyes scan over the screen.

She gasps. “Should we give him a heads-up?”

I shrug. “He knew this was coming.”

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