Page 82 of Playing With My Heart Strings

“Sure. But I’m not sure which version of them I miss more. Who they are now, or who they used to be,” I admit. “My parents are supportive…as long as I’m doing what they want. If they knew I was here, they probably wouldn’t be very impressed.”

“I’m sorry.”

My brows pinch together. “Why?”

“Support and parental love shouldn’t be conditional. They should be proud of who you are as a person, not the career path you choose.”

“Aren’t they one and the same, though?” I whisper.

“No. God, no. You’re so much more than what you do for a living. You’re brave and empathetic and funny.”

“What about you, then?” I tease, flicking my eyes up to meet his. “Don’t you want people to remember you as a famous country singer?”

He shakes his head. “I’d rather be known as someone who loved the people around him wholeheartedly. As someone thoughtful, who uses their platform for good. Someone genuine…” He pauses then winks. “We’re still working on the last one.”

The media has painted a specific image of him, but the more I get to know Dusty, the more I believe he’s all of the things he mentioned and then some. He’s proven it every time he’s risked his career to sneak out and see me, the way he’s tried to get to know the real me. The music he writes, even if he’s afraid tobring it to the label. How he interacts with the members of his band and his friends.

The real Dusty is so much more than a country singer.

“Shit,” I mutter, halting my steps in the middle of the sidewalk. Katherine and Valerie are up ahead with the producers and crew, and they don’t notice I’ve stopped.

“What’s wrong?” Sage asks as she stops walking for a moment.

“I forgot my bag back at the venue. I have to go back.”

“I’ll go with you,” she offers, but I wave her off.

“No, that’s okay. Go ahead without me. I’ll catch up.” I spin on my heels to head back before a producer decides to tag along. It won’t take long—I know exactly where I forgot it.

When I enter the building, the stage lights are off, leaving most of the venue shrouded in darkness, only a small trickle of moonlight shining through the stained glass windows.

“What are you still doing here?” Dusty calls to me from the stage.

I pick at the loose strands of fabric on my jeans as I walk toward the front row. “I, uh, forgot my bag. I told the others to just go ahead without me and I’d catch up. What are you still doing here?” I parrot back to him.

“It’s peaceful in here, isn’t it?” He ignores my question as he paces around. “Serene.”

I nod as an eerie silence fills the room. “It feels like the calm before the storm.”

He lifts his head, and when his eyes meet mine, his stare burns holes through me. “Come here.” He walks over to the edge and extends a hand.

I take it, letting him help me up.

“I always like to get a feel for the venue before a show outside of soundchecks and rehearsals. It’s easy to get caught up in the motions during a tour, so this helps me slow down. Something about standing in an empty auditorium or arena or stadium helps put everything into perspective. Tomorrow night this place will be packed, but for now it’s just me and the space…and you.”

I take a step back, suddenly self-conscious. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude on your time.”

He steps forward to grab my hand. “That’s not what I meant. I like having you here. It’s nice to let someone in on this routine. No one else knows I do this.”

“I wouldn’t think someone like you would have secrets, what with all the media attention you get.”

He steels his expression. “Everyone has secrets. I’ve just been waiting for the right person to share them with.”

“Tell me a secret, Dusty.” I close the distance, my voice only a whisper hanging between us.

His hand slides up to my jaw, a gentle caress. “I’m terrified of getting to the end of all this and it being the wrong person. I know the label has expectations, and I’m worried the person I want to choose won’t fit their image.”

I place my hand over his and look up at him through my lashes. “I think you just need to follow your heart. As cheesy as that sounds, no one knows you and your career better than you.”

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