Logan stuffed his hands in his pockets, brows raised at her outburst.

She blinked, cheeks flushing. “Sorry,” she mumbled. “Why did they do that?”

“Why wouldn’t they? I’ve got the show, after all.” Logan explained, his tone careful. The unspoken words hung heavy between them.I’ve got the show, and you don’t.

Heat rose to her cheeks, embarrassment welling behind her eyes. She was not going to let him see her cry. She nodded. “Got it.”

She shouldered past him, heading toward her apartment. The light fixtures would have to wait.

“Daisy, wait.”

She didn’t wait. She didn’t slow down.

She heard footsteps running after her, and then he was in front of her, blocking the sidewalk.

“What do you want, Logan?” she asked, her voice tight.

“You’ve got a lot of eyes on your channel right now. It’s really a clever thing you two have got going. I’d forgotten about Hunter.” He paused, a smirk touching his lips. “How’d you dig him up, anyway?”

“What do you want?” Daisy asked again, changing the subject.

“I thought maybe we could collaborate.”

Daisy recoiled. “Collaborate? With you?”

Her eyes darted for an exit, and she turned, stepping onto the snowy street.

“I can get you your show back.”

Daisy froze, just for a moment, and Logan seized the opportunity, stepping up beside her. “I talked to Lino. We think we could pull some strings, get you back on the show.”

“I didn’t ask you to do that,” she whispered.

“I miss working with you. Please. Let me help you.”

Her eyes stung.

She risked a glance up and found him staring down at her, those blue eyes imploring her to see reason.

“I have a show.” She stepped past him, walked away, and didn’t stop until her apartment door shut behind her.

* * *

He couldn’t keep this up.

The door creaked open, well past dark, and Hunter stumbled in, exhaustion etched into every muscle of his body. He barely made it to the couch before collapsing, sinking face-first into the worn cushions with a heavy sigh.

Waylen emerged from his room, his police uniform slightly rumpled, the top button undone. “Oof, you’ve seen better days, my man.”

Hunter let out a grunt in response, his eyes already sealed shut for the night. There was no way he was making it to his bed.

“How’s Dad?” Waylen asked, crossing to the studio kitchen.

Hunter rolled over, his eyes still shut. “He’s sick of turkey and he misses salt.”

“So, not liking the heart-healthy diet Doc put him on?” he said over the sound of the fridge opening, followed by the clink of glass.

“Not liking it at all…Today, when I stopped by, I caught him red-handed, eating shredded cheese straight from the bag.” Hunter dragged a hand over his face, wiping at the exhaustion. “Guy’s lost it.”