Page 88 of Cherish

Jaxon levels a glare on the promoter that has the man shuffling his feet to get to the other side of Hudson. “Do not speak to me again, should you wish to keep your head,” he bites out, then turns a goofy grin back on Hudson like the concert promoter is already forgotten. “It’s more than the hair, bro, and we both know it.”

Aspero nods over and over, and I’m honestly not sure which of Jaxon’s statements he’s agreeing with. At least until he says, “But Hudson has his bravery and courage giving him additional sexy points.”

Even Macy laughs at that, calling out to Eden. “Hey, you hear that? They give out sexy points for bravery in Vegaville.”

“I always wanted to be rich,” Eden jokes back, and Heather joins in the laughter.

None of it is said to make fun of the promoter, but I doubt he’d notice any rudeness anyway. He seems completely focused on Hudson and convincing him to put on a repeat performance.

“Come on, man,” Aspero urges. “Just imagine the fans going wild.” He moves a hand in front of us to emphasize each word: “One. Night. Only.” He drops his hand and grins. “We’ll make history!”

Hudson’s teeth snap together with an audible click. “We don’t have time for that.”

Jaxon addresses the rest of the gang. “What do you think, everyone? Because I’m certain we could make time if it means giving Hudson a chance to connect with hisfan base, right?” He turns back to Hudson. “You could sign their arms and everything.”

“Oh, I definitely think he should do it. It would give me something to live for,” Eden answers.

Flint guffaws. “Well, then, now you’ve got to do it, Hudson.”

“I’m not interested.” My mate deliberately speeds up his walk in an effort to shake the concert promoter.

But he’s obviously underestimated Aspero’s determination, because it isn’t long before the man is running full-out behind Hudson in an effort to keep up, the rest of us trailing behind. “You haven’t…even heard…my pitch.”

He’s breathing heavily, but he’s managing to hold his own as Hudson turns the corner and gets even faster.

“I don’t need to hear your pitch to know I have no desire to get up on a stage in front of who knows how many people—”

“Thousands!” Aspero pants. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. Give me…five minutes…I know I…can change…your mind.”

“I don’t want you to change my mind. And I don’t want to give a concert,” Hudson replies in a strained voice that I know means he’s at the end of his patience. Aspero, however, definitely hasn’t clued in to that fact yet.

“But your fans would go wild! A little publicity, a brilliant album—which you’re already on your way to composing, I have no doubt. A little fan baiting. You’ll be rich before you know it.”

“Iamrich,” Hudson answers as he steers me around the next corner.

“No such thing as beingtoorich,” the promoter encourages. “I can double your fame and your fortune with just a few days of prep work.”

“Aww, come on, Hudson,” Jaxon taunts. “Everyone knows you want fame and fortune!”

This time, Hudson doesn’t even bother answering. He just fades away—which is an answer in and of itself, I suppose.

Aspero finally figures out he’s not going to be able to keep up and yells after him, “Call me before you sign with anyone else,” and then disappears as suddenly as he appeared.

Thank God.

Of course, his disappearance gives Jaxon and the rest of the gang a golden opportunity to catch up to Hudson and rib him mercilessly about his fan base and touring schedule. All of which Hudson does his best to ignore as we get closer and closer to Adarie’s—I mean Vegaville’s—downtown.

As we finally make the turn onto the main street, my own excitement gets the better of me and I rush ahead, anxious to see the town square without Artelya and Asuga in it. Anxious to prove to myself that me getting written out of the timeline isn’t the only thing that’s changed.

Intellectually, I know it’s not.

I’ve met Artelya at the Gargoyle Court.

Fought beside her in the final battle against Cyrus.

Consulted her several times on matters regarding the Court since I’ve become queen.

And I watched her question a hunter in Ireland two days ago.

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