Page 21 of Her Rock Star's Dark Secret

“I do, but only to you. I’d appreciate it if you kept that information confidential. I don’t like to announce my spending habits to the world.”

“I can respect that,” Lauren said. “So, what do we do with all this money now?”

“We set up the Whitmore House and turn it into a prom, a.k.a. charity ball.”

“Why do you want to put so much extra work into it? Aren’t you busy with your music?” Lauren asked. She really didn’t understand why he seemed to care about Maisy so much when he never hung out with them in high school. But she wasn’t going to turn his help away either. Not when it was for Maisy.

“I’m in between albums,” Chase said. “So I’m taking a break for a week before I go back to hitting it hard. I literally have nothing else to do.”

“What about your parents? Do you have anything planned with them?” Lauren asked.

“Now there’s a sticky topic,” Chase said. “I haven’t seen my parents since I left Maple Creek ten years ago.”

“Why?” Lauren already knew that from talking to Mrs. Remington during her hair appointments, but she wanted to hear the story from Chase. His mom had never explained why Chase never saw them.

“They wanted me to take a more traditional route after high school, and I chose my music instead.”

“I can see why they might struggle with you not going to college, but you’d think they’d be proud of you now. You’ve proven yourself and then some.”

Chase’s eyes softened at her words, and Lauren felt her cheeks heat up. Had she just complimented him? Impossible. He was supposed to be the enemy. But somehow, that didn’t feel right anymore.

“The day I got my recording contract, I texted them to let them know the good news. I thought they would finally be proud of me because I’d made it. But they didn’t even bother to respond. So I stopped trying to reach out to them. And they never did respond or ask me how I was doing.”

They sounded too stubborn for their own good, but Lauren didn’t bother to voice that opinion. It usually didn’t go over so well when one insulted other people’s parents. “I’m sure they’re proud of you, Chase.”

“I don’t know. I have no way to know.”

“Have you thought about just dropping by to see how they’re doing?” Lauren asked.

Chase’s face paled at the suggestion, and a muscle twitched in his jaw. “I haven’t. And I’m not planning to do that.”

Lauren could tell it was a sensitive topic for Chase. She couldn’t imagine what it must be like for him to be back in Maple Creek after ten years and not see his parents. Her parents were a huge part of her life. She wouldn’t have gotten through her divorce and life as a single mom without her family. They had always backed her up one hundred percent.

Just looking at Chase, she could see a gaping hole in him where his parents should have been, and her heart went out to him. She reached out and put her hand over his. Immediately, electricity shot up her arm. “I’m sorry about your parents. I can tell it’s hard for you.”

Chase smiled faintly back at her. “It has been hard,” he admitted. “I appreciate that, Lauren. But that’s life, right? We all have our stuff.”

“Yes, we do,” Lauren agreed. “I certainly have my fair share.”

“For what it’s worth, I think you’re doing a great job with Penny. I don’t know anything about being a parent, but I know I see a healthy, happy girl who loves her mom with all her heart. And that’s what matters.”

“I hadn’t really thought about it that way,” Lauren said. “I spend most of my time beating myself up for not putting Penny in ballet or for staying home with her.”

“You wish you could stay home with Penny?”

“Yes and no. I love my salon, but Penny is so young. I wish I could spend more time with her while she’s little.”

“I can’t even fathom how hard that must be for you.” Chase sipped his latte.

The last ten years of his life had been vastly different from hers. He’d spent his life basking in fame and wealth. He’d even grown up wealthy. She remembered him coming to school in the nicest car on the lot.

“What does your dad do?” Lauren said.

“Why do you ask?” Chase said.

His response caught her off guard, and she felt her cheeks heat up. How awkward. “I’m, uh, just trying to understand how you grew up.”

“My dad is a lawyer.”

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