Page 113 of Heartbreaker

JADE: Thank you. You’ve been a wonderful friend.

BRIAR: Been? That sounds like you’re breaking up with me.

JADE: No, of course not. But it’s going to be awkward for us to hang out now that Royal and I aren’t together. And no matter what you say, or how upset you are with him, you know you still love him.

BRIAR: Yes, of course, but he doesn’t get to dictate who my friends are. And I consider you one of them.

JADE: I appreciate that. Truly. Listen, I’m going to perform a few songs with Lily tonight, so I have to get going, but I’ll check in once I’m back in Nashville.

BRIAR: You’d better!

JADE: Don’t worry, I will. Talk soon.

I put the phone down and go back to my makeup.

“Okay, so I’ve got the pink corset or the black fringe or the red velvet tank.” Lily is standing in the doorway holding up three tops.

I shrug. “You pick.”

“You’ve got a bad case of the blues,” she says softly. “I wish I could help.”

“The only help for me will be time.” I reach for the pink corset she holds up. “And work. The harder I work, the less time I’ll have to miss him.”

“Okay, then work it is. You want to do ‘Forever in Rewind’ together? Or is that too much of a reminder of him?”

“No, it’s fine.” I say the words even though I’m screaming in protest on the inside. “And my fans will expect it on Saturday, so let’s do it.”

“Done. Now try on these tops while I text the band, let them know we’re adding a new song to the set.” She’s gone before I can say anything, and I rest my hands on the counter, letting my head fall forward.

I’m mentally and physically exhausted, my chest is tight, and I look like death warmed over.

But the first rule in show business is that the show goes on.

No matter what.

Even when the love of your life shatters your world.

Damn you, Royal.

I fight back a fresh wave of tears and slowly lift my head.

I don’t know how I’m going to survive this, but I’ve been through worse.

Somehow, some way, Iwillmove forward.

I just don’t know who I’ll be when I come out the other side.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Royal

“Christ,”I growl, tossing my phone onto the island at Briar’s house.

I’ve called in every fucking favor I’ve had, trying to find out where Jade is, and I’ve struck out with everything.

And now I see that she’s performed a couple of surprise songs in Vegas with Lily Maxwell.

Less than an hour’s flight from me, and I can’t get there.

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