Page 32 of Edge of Forever

“Of course. That’s why we’re having this conversation privately. I didn’t even mention it to Ford yet. Sasha knows, but I explained that I wanted to run it past you before we did anything else.”

“Okay.” Kirsten looks to me. “What do you think?”

“Babe, you know nothing would make me happier than getting to spend more time with you. But you have to do what’s right for you—and your future. Going to college is important to you.”

“Here’s another thing,” Lexi interjects. “Sasha said there’s a possibility of playing Madison Square Garden in mid-November. Technically, the tour would be over by then, and I’ll be late in my pregnancy, but you’ll already be in Manhattan, so you wouldn’t even have to miss school if I’m not up for it. And then there’s a New Year’s Eve show in Edinburgh…”

THIRTEEN

Kirsten

Shock doesn’t come closeto describing what I feel.

An opportunity like this isn’t supposed to be my life.

Not yet.

I’m supposed to go off to college like any other high school graduate.

That’s always been the plan.

It’s also the deal Sydney and I made.

She would support anything I wanted to do as long as I promised to get my degree.

And I’ve been fine with it.

College sounds fun.

College in New York City is like a dream-come-true.

Except the real dream is singing and going on tour.

Making musicandmoney.

This is an incredible opportunity that I don’t want to say no to.

I also don’t want to disappoint Sydney.

“You okay?” Sam asks softly.

“Yeah. It’s just… a lot.”

“Nothing is written in stone,” Lexi says quickly. “That damn reporter who posted that article about you replacing me got me thinking. We were mad about it at first, but the more I thought about it, the more sense it made. The first step was to find out if you were interested. If you are, we schedule a meeting with both bands to discuss the logistics. But take some time to think, talk to your sister, whatever you have to do. It’s a big ask. I know that. But I also know how much you love performing. Plus you’d get to spend more time with Sam. And if that’s not enough, you’ll also get paid.”

“I will?” That catches me off-guard. I hadn’t even considered the financial part of this.

“Of course. I wouldn’t ask you to do something like this without paying you. Sasha already said the record company will cover the cost. Like their personal little insurance policy since this pregnancy was so unexpected.” Lexi had a bout with cancer in her teens and was told it would be difficult for her to get pregnant without medical intervention. Apparently, nature had other ideas.

“I really appreciate this,” I whisper. “Can you just give me a day or two to talk to Sydney and wrap my head around everything?”

“Do what you need to do, but I’ll need an answer sooner rather than later. There’s a lot to arrange if you’re coming with us.”

“Give me a day,” I say. “I’ll call you tomorrow with my answer.”

“Perfect.” She squeezes my arm and walks out of the office.

I turn to Sam in frustration. “What do I do?” I ask bluntly. “I have my summer all planned out and this just throws a wrench into everything!”

---