Page 25 of July's Bad Boy: Blaze

"Funny thing about getting what you want," Shane says, staring out at his land. "Sometimes you realize it's not what you need."

I could sell out arenas. I could disappear into another string of cities, hotel rooms, and backstage passes. I could slide back into the comfortable anonymity of being recognized by everyone but known by no one.

But none of it would mean a damn thing without her.

"I need to think," I mutter, standing up.

"Don't think too long," Shane replies. "Some choices don't wait around."

Main Street is busier than I've ever seen it. Cars with unfamiliar license plates line both sides of the road, and people with professional cameras mill about, snapping photos of storefronts, locals, and the surrounding mountains.

I pull my hat lower and duck into the Mercantile, where Ruby greets me with a harried expression.

"There he is," she says, waving me over to the counter. "The man who put Mustang Mountain on the map."

"What's happening out there?"

"What's happening is our little road mishap went viral." She slides her tablet across the counter. "rock star Stranded in Mountain Town," "Road Sabotage Traps Famous Musician," "Singer Finds Refuge in Dying Community."

"Jesus," I mutter, scrolling through the headlines.

"The phone's been ringing off the hook. Three different news stations want interviews. The mayor's secretary is about to have a stroke trying to coordinate with state officials about the road situation."

"I'm sorry, Ruby. I didn't--"

"Don't apologize." She takes the tablet back. "This is the most attention this town has gotten since the eighties. Road crews have been working around the clock, and there is now one lane open on the road to get in and out."

Well, that explains how all the reporters got here.

"How’s Orville?" I ask.

"Stable. He kicked me out of his room this morning when he heard the road was open, and told me to come check on everyone. He's had so many visitors, so I doubt he notices I'm even gone," Ruby says with a forced smile.

The bell above the door jingles, and Shane walks in, nodding at us both.

"Quite the circus out there," he says.

Ruby gestures for us to follow her to the back room, away from curious ears. Once the door closes behind us, she turns to me, eyes intense.

"You have a voice, Blaze. People listen when you speak. You can use it to help us."

I blink. "Help how?"

"The state's been ignoring our infrastructure problems for years," Shane explains. "The road issue was just bad luck. We’ve been worried about landslides for years. The hillsides need to be reinforced, and we need another way in and out of town."

"And now everyone's paying attention," Ruby adds. "But they'll forget as soon as you leave."

Shane crosses his arms. "You walk now, you'll regret it. You stay, you'll matter here."

The weight of their words settles on me. For years, I've sung to faceless crowds, written songs that meant everything to me and nothing to those around me but a paycheck. I've been important without being essential.

"What are you suggesting?" I ask.

Ruby's eyes light up. "A benefit concert. Right here in Mustang Mountain."

"Use your platform," Shane adds. "Make some noise they can't ignore."

I think about Grace, about her fierce protection of this town and its people. About how she's poured her life into keeping it alive.

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