“Oh, Liam, no.”
“I was playing a concert in St. Louis. Some radio station gig. I went out with a few guys after the show but wasn’t really feeling it, so I headed back to my hotel.” My vision blurred as I lost myself in the memory. “When I got to my room, I found her passed out on my bed. She’d slit her wrists.”
Taylor sucked in an audible breath.
“There was blood everywhere. Never seen so much in my life. I called 9-1-1 and, thankfully, they got there in time, but they almost didn’t. Fuck, Taylor. What if I had stayed out just thirty minutes later?” I would never forget the feel of limp wrists in my hands as I’d tried to slow the bleeding.
“No one knows what happened yet, but it’s only a matter of time.” I tilted my head back to search the sky. “The media is going to crucify me. The fact that I was there when it happened? They’ll twist it into something it’s not and rake me over the coals. And to be honest, I’m just not sure I want to be a part of that world anymore. I love music, but I hate everything that comes with it.”
Fame was this insidious double-edged sword. It made you feel powerful, special, your words being sung back to you by thousands of voices, people telling you your message got them through their darkest days. But everything could turn on a dime. Suddenly, you were a selfish asshole because you didn’t stop for a photo. Every piece of your life was up for dissection on entertainment news shows. And now there were potentially deadly ramifications.
I fisted the guitar pick, the edge of the plastic digging into my palm. “I don’t want to be the reason someone thinks about taking their life. I don’t want that kind of responsibility.”
Taylor reached out a hand to grasp my forearm. “This is not your fault.” I wanted to believe her, but I wasn’t quite sure where the responsibility lay. “It’s not. She’s sick, Liam. If it wasn’t you, it would have been someone else.”
“But maybe that someone else would have taken five minutes to write her back personally.”
Taylor squeezed my arm. “But that would have only been good enough for a day. Then, she would have wanted another letter and another. She would have wanted phone calls and then in-person meetings. It would have been more and more. Surely, you see that?”
I let out a sigh. “I don’t know what I see. All I do know is that I need a break.”
Taylor released my arm. “Well, you’ve come to the right place.”
I gave her a small grin. I was staying at a guest cabin on Taylor’s boyfriend’s ranch—well, hisfamily’sproperty. “I think you’re right.”
She pushed to her feet. “I’m always right.” I scoffed, but she kept right on talking. “What we need now are baked goods. Treats make everything better and more manageable.” My grin widened. “We’ll eat and sort all this out.”
Taylor knew the promise of food was my kryptonite. “Let’s go.”
* * *
My steps falteredas I realized where Taylor was leading me. “I don’t even like tea.”
Taylor slipped her arm through mine. “Come on, you big baby. You won’t lose your man card just because you ventured inside a tea shop.” I huffed. “They have the best scones you’ve ever tasted.”
Scones were girlie food. Taylor pressed on. “Even a ham and cheddar one.” My eyes lifted as my stomach rumbled. Taylor let out a chuckle. “You’re so easily won over. I could get you to do anything with the right food as incentive.”
I ruffled her hair. “What? I’m a growing boy.”
I pulled open the door, letting Taylor pass in front of me. As we walked in, a wave of delicious smells filled my senses. Maybe Taylor hadn’t steered me wrong.
“Hey, kids. What brings you in?” Jensen, Walker’s sister, stood behind the counter.
Taylor strode forward. “We come in search of treats.”
Jensen stepped back to eye the bakery case. “Well, you have perfect timing. Tessa just restocked our supplies.”
Taylor rubbed her hands together with child-like glee, and I couldn’t hold in my laugh. She elbowed me in the gut. “Like you’re any better.”
She had a point. I took in all the offerings, mentally planning at least three choices. A throat clearing had my attention drifting away from my upcoming meal. My gaze met a tall blonde done up to the nines. Her stilettos and pencil skirt didn’t seem to fit in a town that was all jeans and boots. “Hey, Liam.”
I forced a smile. “Hey…” Had I met this girl? I searched my brain for a name but came up with nothing.
She extended a perfectly manicured hand. “I’m Bridgette.”
“Nice to meet you.” I wasn’t sure what else to say. She didn’t have the true-fan vibe, but I couldn’t quite get a bead on her.
Bridgette gave me a sultry smile, and the picture got clearer. “I just wanted to introduce myself and offer to show you around. I know all the best restaurants and shops in the area for people with discerning tastes like ourselves.”
