Page 31 of One Last Verse

“Do you know where he is right now?”

“No, and I don’t care.” Her expression was full of worry. “What’s gotten into you? Don’t tell me you want to see him?”

“No, it’s not that. We just never talk about him.”

“There’s nothing to talk about. He left.”

The urge to scream and bang my head against the steering wheel was so sudden, my solar plexus convulsed. Drawing a deep breath, I slid the key in the ignition and started the car.

“Good riddance.” My mother scoffed, fighting the seatbelt. “We’re better off anyway.”

She wasn’t wrong. Between living without a father or living with a money-sucking body, the choice was obvious.

Next, we made a stop at another dealership. Our fifth for the day. I was fixing myself a coffee at the refreshment station when my phone began to buzz. The texter was persistent.

“How about that Mini Cooper, sweetheart?” my mother called from across the room, motioning at the bright red car that sat outside in the yard. “It’s only eight thousand.”

My phone continued to ping. “For Ashton? Are you out of your mind?”

“It’s got low mileage.” She rushed over, a brochure in her hand.

“Trust me, he will not get behind the wheel of this car, Mom. Even if it’s free.”

“You think?”

“I’m pretty sure.” I pulled out my phone and checked the incoming messages.

Levi: Just got the word from Maria. Frankie’s coming.

Levi: Get your ass here. Pronto.

Butterflies fluttered in my stomach. I didn’t think Frank was still on board emotionally and mentally. Especially after last night. With everything going on, it seemed as if Isabella’s album was the last thing he’d be interested in.

“Mom?” I tore my gaze from my phone. “I have to be somewhere. Can we resume tomorrow?”

“What’s the rush?” my mother questioned as I ushered her outside. “Is it your boyfriend? Are you ever going to introduce him to me?”

“Probably. Eventually.” I opened the Uber app. “I’m going to get you a car, okay?”

“Where are you going? Did something happen?”

“Everything’s fine. It’s just work.”

Another string of messages attacked my phone.

Levi: You need to be here!

Levi: Right now!

Levi: You’re going to miss it!

It sounded so end-of-the-world serious, I almost ran a red light on my way to the studio. Roman stood outside when I pulled upto the building. A couple of kids were hanging around the parking lot and my gut told me they were here for Frank. I cut the engine and grabbed my phone. Isabella’s Instagram story featured my boyfriend. It was a two-second snippet of him and her band in the studio. For a man who had every intention of keeping all his affairs and charitable causes private, he wasn’t very careful with this one.

I heard a tap. Roman’s face swam into focus as I rolled down the window.

“Ms. Evans, it’s best you go around and use the back entrance,” he said, his sharp gaze dancing across the lot.

I tossed my phone aside and surveyed my surroundings. What do you know? In a car two rows over sat a guy with a telephoto lens. Panic took over me. Squeezing out a meek smile, I gave Roman a nod and slid up my window.

---