Page 28 of Cougar

I smirk. “We knew she would.”

“Has she been working on her music?” Chandler asks.

“I don’t want to push her.”

“You need to push her,” Chaz hedges. “How long has it been since she’s touched an instrument or written a song?”

“Her father died, Chaz,” I snap. “Cut her some fucking slack.”

Chaz lurches forward. “Do you think the fans are gonna care about her feelings when she’s on stage?”

“Isn’t that the whole point of this Project Mayhem class?” Chandler asks.

“Yes,” I say to him, then narrow my eyes at Chaz. “She’ll be practicing five days a week with Alex.”

Chaz nods. “Good. I’m not trying to be a dick, Emerson. I just want her to be everything I know she’s capable of being. She’s extremely talented. If I need to pack my shit and move to Florida, then I’ll come.”

I curl my lip and reply, “No thank you,” and the whole table bursts into laughter. It’s no secret that I’ve had a love-hate relationship with Chaz, and sometimes Tommy, over the years, but they loved Marcus and they love Jay.

“When do you leave?” Tommy asks.

“First week of August. We still have a few loose ends to tie up here. Jay has a modeling job next month and an interview with Miles Townsend after that. Then we still have to meet with her lawyers.”

“Sounds good,” Chandler says. “We’ll talk more before your move.”

Cam

It’s nearly 4:00 a.m. by the time I arrive back in Heritage Bay. Pulling into my driveway, I spot a shadowy figure standing on my porch.

What the—

Instead of pulling into the garage, I slam on the brakes and throw my truck in Park. Grabbing the baseball bat from my back seat, I shove open my door and charge toward the porch. A glow from the person’s cell phone gives me a clear view of her face.

“Chelsea?” She’s my nephew Zach’s childhood friend and the last person I’d expect to find on my porch at this time of night. “What are you doing out here? Where’s Zach?”

“He’s passed out. I called for an Uber, but security wouldn’t let them through the gate.”Good to know I’m getting my money’s worth on security.“As safe as this neighborhood is,” she adds, “I’m not about to walk up there at four in the morning in heels.”

“Why don’t you just stay in the guest room, and Zach can drive you home when he wakes up?”

“I’d rather not.” She looks away.

I roll my eyes.Teen drama. Here we go.“Come on. I’ll take you home.”

I slip back behind the wheel as Chelsea climbs into the passenger seat. I notice she’s wearing a long sequined gown and remember that last night was their high school prom.

“How was prom?” I ask as I back out of the driveway.

“It was fine,” she replies softly as she stares out the window.

“Did you go with Zach? I thought he went with what’s her name.”

“Reagan,” she fills in.Reagan, that’s it.“He did.” It’s obvious she’s not going to tell me anything, so I stop asking questions and we drive to her house in silence.

“Thanks for the ride, Cam.” She reaches for the door.

“Chelsea.” I place my hand on her arm and she looks at me over her shoulder. “Are you okay?”

She lets out a defeated sigh. “Not really.”

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