Page 54 of Until the End

I raise an eyebrow at her, which makes her blush. “It’s nice to meet you, too. I can’t say she’s told me much about you, but I do know she respects your creativity.”

“That’s good. I respect hers just the same.”

“Can we stop talking about me like I’m not here, please?” Ginny presses her palms into her cheeks.

Henry and I grin at each other before he gets down to business. They start talking shop, and Ginny pulls out a notebook from her tote bag. I sit on the couch and watch the two of them work. I’m basically invisible at this point, and I couldn’t care less.

Ginny’s eyes sparkle with excitement when they get a lyric shaped how they want. They parse out everything from single words to full lines and melodies. I don’t understand how any of it works, but I’ve never seen Ginny this animated. Even when we were in high school, she never seemed this passionate about anything.

I thought when she came home after running away from her wedding that maybe music wasn’t what she needed to be happy, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. This is exactly where she needs to be. This is what feeds her soul, and I finally understand that my purpose in her life is to pave the way for her to fulfill every dream she has.

Chapter 32

Ginny

Carson’s heavy hand on the back of my neck is the only thing holding me steady. My LA house looms above me like a dark shadow, seeking to swallow me whole. I have to go inside. There’s no getting around it, but part of me just wants to tear it down to the studs and leave the rubble behind. I have a house in Sonoma that I love. I can afford a new wardrobe. There’s no reason to hold on to this monstrosity.

I don’t even like it all that much. Cecelia and Wesley pushed me to buy it.

“This is some house, Goose.”

I snort. “It’s ugly as hell.”

Carson barks out a laugh. “Yeah, it’s pretty awful.”

All the sleek, modern lines scream harsh and cold. The inside isn’t much better, but I did my best to find furniture that would soften the severity. Wesley thought my choices were ugly, but he also didn’t care enough to send them back and buy what he wanted.

“Do I have to go in there?” I ask Carson.

“Nope. We can hire movers to pack your stuff and ship it home. Then you can sell thehouse.”

“I can’t do that. I have to go through all my stuff.”

“Is any of it the Weasel’s?”

“No, I bought everything. Wesley had his own place, but we spent most of our time here.”

Carson sneers but quickly schools his features. “Then we can sort through it later.”

I mull over the suggestion. There are so many awful memories in this house. Between the way Wesley took over my life and the stalker, I don’t want a single thing in there except my photos. “Okay. I’ll ask Chelsea to help me hire someone to pack my stuff.”

“What are the chances you’ve got private access to the beach over there?” Carson points at the fence.

“It’s not private, but there is a small trail that leads to a lookout.”

“That’ll work.”

Daren comes up behind us, holding out a brown paper bag to Carson. I give him a questioning look.

“I thought we could have a picnic tonight for dinner. Daren helped me get the stuff together while you were working with Henry.”

I melt into Carson’s side. “Thank you. I love this idea.” I’m mentally and physically exhausted after working today. It’s the best kind of tired, though. It’s been a while since I felt this good about an upcoming album. Henry and I were both digging the vibes of the songs. It’s turned into a breakup album, there’s no doubt, but it’s also full of women’s empowerment and self-love. I’m excited to piece it all together.

“Will you lead the way?”

With a smile, I take Carson’s hand and head for the trail. Daren and another one of his guys follow behind us. Everyone asks how I can deal with having security around twenty-four seven. My answer is always, “Because it gives me peace ofmind.” Without them, who knows what would happen to me?

My fans are amazing, but they can get overzealous to the point of putting me in danger. All it takes is one person making the wrong choice, and I could end up injured…or worse.

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