Page 123 of Cougar

“Em!” Marcus shouted as he rushed through the front door.

“I’m in the office,” I called back. I was in the middle of a homework assignment.

The sound of his boots hitting the stairs echoed from the hallway. Then he was standing in the doorway, breathless, and grinning from ear to ear.

“We did it!” He threw his arms in the air.

I didn’t know what he was talking about, but his excitement had me standing from my seat and rounding the desk.

“What?”

He took two strides forward, wrapped his arms around my waist, and spun me in a circle. “The Grammys! Not one but three nominations. Best New Artist, Best Rock Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. Can you believe it?”

“Of course I can believe it, Marcus. You’ve worked hard and you deserve it. You all do. This is your time to shine, my love.”

“Emerson, it’s Chandler.”

“Hey, what’s up?” I tuck the phone between my shoulder and my ear as I finish packing to return to Heritage Bay.

“Two things. As you know, LAW was nominated for a Grammy as ‘Best New Artist.’”

“I know.” I smile. “I’m so proud of my boy. He deserves it.”

“He does.” Chandler clears his throat. “I got a call from Simon Neil, one of the producers of the Grammys, and it turns out the Dirty Boys backed out as presenters and they’d like Royal Mayhem to fill in. The only catch is they want Jayla.”

“Crap.” I heave in a deep breath and drop down onto the edge of the bed. “You know what? If she thinks she’s ready, then let’s do it.”

“Great. I’ll give her a call. Talk soon.”

“Okay. Bye.”

* * *

The limo rolls to a stop at the curb. Levi steps out first, then Bass.

“Listen up,” I say as the limo idles at the curb. “Evangeline, I know this isn’t your first rodeo, and Jayla, we’ve been over this a million times, but I’m gonna say it anyway. Smile pretty for the cameras and move on. Don’t answer any personal questions. Stick to who you’re wearing and the award you’re presenting tonight. That’s it.”

She gives a single nod. “Got it.”

I smile fondly when Marcus’s bandmates, Andrew, Tommy, and Chaz line up next to our limo. Beside them are Lucas, Ace, and Wes. “Stay with Lucas. We’ll be right behind you.”

“I see my parents,” Evangeline says, looking out the window. “Come on, Va-jay-jay, let’s make this red carpet our bitch.”

I shake my head before tapping on the window to let Bass and Levi know we’re ready.

Lucas grabs Jay’s hand and he, Ace and Wes head for the bleachers where fans are screaming.

“Jaybird, Jaybird, Jaybird,” the crowd chants over and over. My feelings are torn between excitement that they love her and fear that they’ll love her too much.

Don’t cry, Emerson. Don’t fucking do it.

After taking a few pics with fans and signing autographs, the four of them make their way back to the red carpet. Alex moves beside Jay and hooks his arm around her shoulders before kissing the top of her head.

Andrew leans over. “The kid is a spitting image of his father. It’s only a matter of time before they figure it out.”

“I was thinking Alex and I could tell her tomorrow.”

“Good plan.”

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