Page 6 of Heartbeat Highway

“I would. Really. But I have finals.”

“Maybe you can meet us,” I say, and it feels like the entire band swivels to look at me. Shit. This is why I’m a drummer and not a lead singer. I can’t stand the weight of attention on me. “Your finals are over after this week, right? I can send you a ticket to Nashville. Then a road trip with us to Georgia.”

“Great idea,” K says through tight lips. “I’llsend you a ticket, baby girl.”

I don’t miss Lily’s almost imperceptible wince at the nickname. We got drunk two months ago while watchingBridgerton—huge mistake, by the way, I didn't realize there was quite that much nudity; I had to watch with a damned pillow over my lap the whole time—and she confessed how much she hates it when he calls her that.

In true K fashion, I doubt he listened when she told him.

Ifshe told him.

I swallow, reminding myself that it is not my relationship. I just wish that truth didn’t sting so much.

“Okay.” She flushes, her round cheeks almost as pink as the donut box. “I’ll meet you there. Love you.”

“Love you too, babes.” K subtly hands Maxim the donut box behind his back. “I’m going to read your texts every day. Every hour, if you send them.”

She flushes harder. “I mean, I’m in the middle of exams—”

“I know.” He kisses her forehead like she’s a toddler and I try not to retch. “But it’s because we love each other.”

“Okay.” There’s a flash of exhaustion in her gaze, but then she forces a smile. “Absolutely.”

He gives her a huge hug while still somehow holding up a hand in farewell to our fans. The guy in the Britney shirt screams his name. “Parting is sweet sorrow, baby girl.” He pats her on the head then spins and climbs the stairs onto the tour bus. Dan clucks nervously, and Maxim follows him onto the bus.

I wait for a moment, rocking back on my heels. “How’d your study group go this morning?”

“Okay.” She blows a stray lock of hair off her forehead. “I’m as prepared as I’m going to be. Tort law sucks.”

“It’s not about chocolate tortes?”

“I’d like it better if it were.” She smiles softly at me. “Are you excited?”

“Sort of.” I shrug, moving imperceptibly closer to her. She smells like coffee and freshly sharpened pencils. “I’ll miss you. Who am I going to watch slutty TV with?”

Lily eyes the groupies circling the tour bus. “I’m sure you’ll find someone.”

“Not like you.” I bump her shoulder with mine and a warm flush spreads down my side.

“Bo!” Dan barks at me. “Time to go.” He points at his watch.

I jab a thumb toward the bus. “I gotta jet. Good luck on your exams, Lily. You’re going to do great.”

“Thanks, Bo.” She gives me a one-arm hug and I like it way more than I want to admit. “Good luck on the tour. I’ll be watching it online. Howl on forever.”

I wince unintentionally. My dad provided that little soundbite when he was interviewed about my rising success. Yet another way he enjoys stealing my limelight.

“Bye, Lil.” Then I tear myself away from the girl who isn’t mine and get on the bus to do the job that is.

CHAPTER 2

Lily—one week later

“Ugh, that was brutal.”Lianna Richardson tosses her long black hair over her shoulder and sets her Burberry backpack over her shoulders. It’s too small to hold her laptop, so she has a matching computer bag over the other.

“Definitely.” I swallow, slipping my computer and water bottle into the discount tote I found at Marshalls last year when shopping with Bo. Spending time with people like Lianna—who is rich and good at everything—was a huge culture shock for me when I first moved out to LA for law school. I’m from this tiny town in Door County, Wisconsin. At first, people were fascinated by it.You have goat races? You mix cranberries and wine?The allure of it wore off quickly. Without money and status, I quickly faded to the C list.

It’s a good thing I have Bo. And K, of course, though he doesn’t really like hearing about my hometown, either. He went home with me this past winter break, and he was bored after a day and a half. Which I know because he talked about how boredhe was for the rest of the week, until he got an Emergency Band Text and left early.

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