Narrowingmy eyes and curling my lip, I shook my head, working through whether to bedisgusted or confused. “What the hell does that mean?”
Heheld up a palm. “What I mean is, you’re agoodguy, Dev, and aneven more talented man—one of the better ones I’ve worked with—but when I metyou, I thought, talent isn’t always what you need to be successful. Look at theones who go for the shock value—you think they do it because that’s who theyare? Hell no, not in most cases. But, theyhave to,because talent alone doesn’t get them there. You, though? I misjudged you, andI never should’ve pushed to change the fundamentals of your act. I owe you anapology, for screwing this up.”
“Youthink you made a mistake signing me?”
Heshook his head slowly. “Signing you? Absolutely not. That was the right thingto do, but changing you? IknowI made a mistake there. You’re a wizardwith your voice and your guitar. You didn’tneeda band. Youcertainlydidn’t need Robbie White around to influence you with his crap. I fucked thatup.”
“Andyou figured this out, when?”
“WhenKylie left,” he said, and I nodded.
“Wishyou had said something sooner,” I grumbled, wishing I had too.
Witha regretful smile, he nodded. “Yeah, well, I might’ve been a little toopreoccupied with another epiphany.”
“Oh,yeah? And what’s that?” I asked, tapping my fingers against the armrest.
Richardstood up and crossed the room to the mini-fridge. “You want a drink? And if yousay booze, I’m kicking you out of here. You’ve had enough to drink since sheleft.”
Ilaughed. He was right about that. “Sure, grab me one of thoseOranginathings,” I said with a nod and a small bottle wentsailing through the air to my waiting hands. “Thanks.”
Pullingone out for himself, he closed the door and came to sit beside me. “I’ve beenin this business a long time, Devin. I’ve seen a lot of acts come and go. I’vebeen around the globe more times than I cancountandI’ve slept in more hotel rooms than I’ve slept in my own bed, and you knowwhat?”
“What?”I asked, genuinely curious.
“Iamreallyfucking tired.” He twisted the cap off and glanced at me. “Youknow I’ve never been married?”
“Can’tsay I did,” I said, opening myOranginaand bringingit to my lips.
Witha short nod, he said, “I never had time. I didn’t think a relationship couldreally fit into this life.”
Ichewed the inside of my cheek, thinking. “But then, you met Grace.”
Richardnodded, unable to contain his smile. “I did, and completely by accident, too.In line at the grocery store, of all places. I took one look at her and knew Ineeded to get her number before I left.”
Kylie’spurple hair underneath the wagon-wheel chandelier.“Yeah,” I responded with my own nod. “I’ve been there.”
“Itwas my dream to be in the music biz,” he continued, “until I saw her, and thenall I wanted to do was make her smile.” He laughed, turning to me. “I soundlike a cheese-ball, huh?”
Ishook my head. “Nah, man. Not to me.”
Oneof his heavy hands landed on my shoulder and it squeezed gently. “I knew you’dunderstand.”
Ilooked out into the room. “What happens now? Am I done?”
“Withmusic? God no, this is just the beginning for you. But don’t worry about thatright now. We’ll figure it out,” he said, squeezing again. “Important thingsfirst.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Kylie
“Idon’t know howto do this, Mom,” I whisperedinto the phone, choked by the impending tears.
Ithad been four weeks without Devin. Four weeks of ignored phone calls and fourweeks of drunken voicemails that I’d so foolishly allowed myself to listen to.Those updates he felt the need to give me and the way he ended every messagewith another “I love you.” The pleas to call him back, to text him, to tell himI was okay. That’s all he ever wanted to know—that I was okay.
Itold myself I didn’t care, but goddammit ... I couldn’t stand the pain in mysoul every time I dared to take a fucking breath.
“Kylie,what’s—”
