Page 18 of The Break Out

“Good, I’ve got some songs I’m excited about and now going to have the emotions for sad ones while Jared is gone,” even though she says that she chuckles.

“Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out,” I tell her while sitting on her soft couch that threatens to suck me in. I may never leave.

“What about you? What’s new in my outside life?”

“Things have been surprisingly quiet since Kenneth pulled that BS on the last day of your tour,” I shrug.

She groans, dropping down onto the couch next to me. “I’m so glad Jared is understanding because I know not everyone is as lucky as I am when it comes to drama like this.”

I nod. “He’s amazing and you deserve it. I can’t believe you put up with Kenneth for two years.”

Cringing, she replies, “Don’t remind me.”

“The label is wanting a tentative date that you’ll be finished recording just as a heads up,” I tell her. I’m the only one from “work” she’s communicating with right now, so it all has to go through me.

“Igavethem a tentative date; they are just hoping it’ll be sooner. You can tell them nothing has changed.”

“Sounds good, and of course I’m being hounded for interview requests for you but turning them all down.”

“Good, everyone can sweat it out for a bit. Or forget all about me so I can live in peace for the rest of my days.”

I furrow my eyebrows at her. “You really think you might want to retire?”

We’re only twenty-five, but she’s had enough success to never have to worry about anything again. I just figured she would want to do this for a long time, she worked hard to get where she is and I know it’s been insane these last couple of years, but I know she enjoys herself.

She waves me off. “No, not yet. The peace is nice, but I would miss performing. Don’t worry, your job is safe.”

I breathe out a laugh. “I wasn’t even worried about me. I know you would give me a killer recommendation for working with anyone else in the industry. I’ll never be unemployed again.”

She points a finger at me. “You’re not wrong. Now, I’ve heard things through the grapevine about a certain player bothering you.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, Colton getting traded here is horrible for everyone, honestly. He’s doubled his efforts to get into my pants.”

“Don’t do it!”

“Ew, never. You know how I feel about hockey players, and assholes. Since he’s both, there is zero concern to be had.” I’m reminded of the other night; how persistent he was. How I could feel how hard he was pressed against me. How big he felt…nope. Never going to happen.

“What does your brother say about it?”

I burst out laughing. “Brent only knows what I want him to know. Which is nothing.”

“I’m sure he knows more than you think,” she gives me a pointed look.

“He’s seen Colton try to hit on me, but he’s also seen that I can handle myself.”

“Oh, I know you can, but I also know that you’re his baby sister who he’ssuperprotective of.”

I roll my eyes again. “Yeah, yeah. He needs to let me be free. Like a bird that’s flying away and trust that I am okay.Oh,there’s some inspiration for a song. You’re welcome.”

Spencer shakes her head at me. “Thank you. I will write a song called ‘my protective older brother needs to leave me alone.’”

“Perfect, I sense your next smash hit.”

10

Spencer and I hung out the rest of the day because I insisted she needed a break from all the work she’s been doing. To which she told me Jared gives herplentyof breaks. I argued that technically that was inspiration, and she needs a true break, which led to us eating too many snacks, watching dumb movies, and having one of the best days I’ve had in a while.

Which is why I’m in a great mood by the time I get home, overly full from all the snacks and tired from all the talking and laughing we did. It felt nice to hang out with my friend again without the outside pressures of who she is.

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