Page 69 of Busted Dreams

“They want to meet in person. I’ve seen some of those videos, and they generate a ton of views. More than they get on their own.”

Nodding his head vigorously, he kept rolling like I hadn’t said anything at all. “But that’s not even the best part. I received a message from a recording studio that asked if I had any original songs. Can you believe that?”

My jaw dropped. I hadn’t even recovered from the shock of the video going viral, and he was hitting me with one amazing thing after another. It was a wonder I could speak at all.

“You’re lying,” I accused him in the best way possible.

Gasping, he backed up with a hand pressed to his chest. “That’s strong words from someone so godly.”

Rolling my eyes, I grinned and slapped his thigh. “Stop. I resent that.”

Scooting closer, he nuzzled my temple. “I thought it was a scam at first. I researched the hell out of this guy, and he seems legit. He’s posted tons of videos of some up and coming artists, and some of the huge stars of TikTok are on his page too. His website is well done, and no scam reviews online. I think it’s real.”

Two videos, and Beck was already getting offers. I knew he was too good for this small town. I knew it. And I was part of helping him get out. A shiver worked its way down my spine from realizing exactly what was happening.

He was going to make it out.

“Did you message him back?” I nearly screamed at him.

“Yes!” he yelled back, laughing. “I sent him a couple videos from practice where I’ve played an original song or two. So now I wait. But even if nothing else happens with this guy, I feel blessed. Thank you,” he whispered the last words and pressed another kiss to the corner of my mouth.

Breathless and speechless, I turned my head away from Beck’s intense gaze to look right into Jonah’s eyes.

Oh hell. I’d completely forgotten he was here.

How could I have been so insensitive? Especially on a day when he’d just had a hard blow. Add in Beck’s good fortune, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he headed right back to Mollie.

“Congrats, Beck. I’m happy for you,” Jonah reached a hand across the table to fist bump his brother.

“Thanks, man.” Beck grinned, but it slowly died. “Is everything all right? How was that letter this morning?”

“Yeah, everything’s good. It wasn’t what I thought it would be, so nothing exciting like this to report.” He said the perfect thing and smiled the perfect smile. But a distracted child could have seen how hard this was for him.

I gave him a hard stare, willing him to open up to Beck. It didn’t matter that great things were happening for him right now, he would be sympathetic to Jonah’s let down and be another highly-needed person in his support network.

Jonah gave one slight shake of his head before smiling bigger. “Okay, I have to see what this video was all about.” He reached across the table, palm up expectantly.

I’d let it slide for now. How could you want to drop bad news on someone right when they were at the peak of success? That was completely understandable. But I wouldn’t let him isolate himself like before.

By his glance between us, Beck must have realized that something was up, but didn’t comment. Handing over his phone, he set it on the video so Jonah only had to watch.

Jonah’s eyebrows slowly climbed his forehead as he watched Beck sing to me, then walk me backwards and push me on the couch. When he did flick his gaze my way, I wanted to burn up on the spot. The entire thing spoke of a man who liked the woman behind the camera. For the rest of the world, that person was anonymous, but Jonah knew exactly who it was. And there was an added element of fire for him to watch me while he watched the video.

“That was pretty powerful,” Jonah said quietly as he handed the phone back to Beck. He focused on Beck, and now it felt as if he was purposely avoiding me. What was he thinking? And why did I care so much?

“I know! I have to admit, Astrid, I was skeptical when you first brought this up. Now I’ll eat all the crow you throw my way. And anything else for that matter.” He winked as the waitress sat down our drinks and took our food orders.

Jonah coughed as soon as she scurried away, and I refused to look at Beck while his innuendo was on a constant loop through my head. It just made it easier that way.

“So, there’s a cookout this weekend. We’re all going,” I told Jonah, changing the subject.

“We are?” he asked as he opened his straw.

“I might have forgotten to mention that.” Beck made a face as he scratched the back of his head. “Angel called last weekend and invited us. All of us.” Then he pulled out his phone, typing furiously. “There. Now Rhys and Thatcher know too.”

“At the compound?” Jonah wasn’t happy in the least, and it bled through his entire demeanor as he slumped in the seat.

“Come on, little brother. We’ve both treated them shitty, and they didn’t deserve it. Not Angel or his dad. Don’t you think we owe it to them to at least give them a shot?” Jonah tried to speak, but Beck held up a hand. “Maybe we try it, and they’re the assholes we always knew they were. Maybe we get to know them, and they turn out to be the family neither of us had. How would we know if we don’t get to know them?”

---