Page 25 of The Prodigal Son

We just made it to SLC today.

You have another show tonight?

Tomorrow.

Nice. Busy guy.

Very. But it’s a good busy.

Yeah. I bet it is.

The show really was amazing. You’re a natural.

I promise I’m not just saying that.

“What’s got you smiling like that?” Lola asks from the seat beside me.

“Nothing,” I mutter as I hide my phone from her.

“Wouldn’t happen to be that tall stranger I saw you talking to last night, would it?” She gives me a haughty smirk.

“Maybe,” I mumble quietly.

“Please don’t tell me you’re fucking around with married men.”

I let out a gasp as I turn to her with offense. “When have I ever?”

“Never that I know of, but that girl on his arm looked pretty cozy at his side.”

“They were just friends,” I argue.

“Good,” she says. “And you’re texting him because…”

“Because he was fun to talk to,Mom.”

Without responding, she rests her head on my shoulder. “Just be careful. I happen to love you, and I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

I softly pet her hair and kiss her on the head. “I love you too, but I promise, I’m being careful.”

We arrive at a diner, and Lola and I climb out of the SUV. They seat us at a table in the back, and when I pick up the menu to browse, my phone buzzes again.

God, I was being a neurotic fan, wasn’t I?

Shit, I’m sorry.

Forget I said anything.

I’m actually not a fan at all.

I chuckle to myself.

Thank fuck.

What a relief.

I prefer talking to guys who don’t actually like me.

My cheeks start to burn when I hit send and realize that the last text was far too revealing. Why did I say that? He’s going tofreak out. He’s going to realize I’m not texting him as a friend. He’s going to know everything.

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