“I’m thinking more of an IOU once you’re mayor.” She saluted back.
He’d created a monster. But as long as the monster was funny…“Deal. Go!” Cade texted the schedule change to Owen. Hopefully his ringmaster would be desperate enough to check his phone.
He slipped his cell back into his pocket. Then…oops. “Miley!” He trotted after her, reaching into his other pants pocket.
She turned, her dark eyes narrowed. “Whatnow? I need to babysit some hobbits too?”
“Gum.” Cade held out a tissue.
She leaned forward and spat her gum into his hand. “Happy?”
He folded the tissue. “Break a leg.”
She glared. “I could only hope.” Then she strode into the ring.
At least they’d bought a little bit of time. As Cade tossed the tissue, Owen announced Miley over the speaker.
Miley snatched the mic. “What a night, huh? I imagine you’re confused. First there were pink poodles. Then a Tim Burton character appeared.” She patted Owen’s shoulder, who had yet to walk away. She gently pushed him along, raising a chuckle from the audience. “And now you expected to see an amazing performer fly through the air on beautiful silks, but instead, you’re getting some weird girl with a nose ring making fun of people. It can only mean one thing.”
She paused and the audience quieted to hear.
“That’s right. You’re in a fever dream.”
A few chuckles spread through the crowd.
Miley paced slowly in the spotlight, one hand shoved in her back pocket. “Actually, you’re in Magnolia Bay, but that’s basically the same thing.”
More laughter, louder this time. Those who had been standing took their seats again. Cade released his breath. Maybe this would work.
“I can’t believe I’m here either, trust me.” Miley switched the mic to her other hand. “Did you know statistically, people are more afraid of public speaking than dying?”
The crowd murmured.
“Yeah, I’m glad giving the eulogy at your own funeral isn’t possible. I mean, talk about the worst dayever.”
The audience roared.
Cade brushed a piece of popcorn off his shoulder. Crisis averted.
Now to find Rosalyn and hope there wasn’t a new one.
twenty-five
“I’m here.” Rosalyn hurried into the back of the ring and stood next to Owen, her heart rate skyrocketing. Her hands shook. Save her life? What had Blaine meant?
The colored stripes on the tent blurred into a solid sheet of red. Was Miley doing stand-up comedy? Or maybe she was hallucinating. She blinked and swayed a little.
“Rosalyn!” Owen turned and gestured for Miley to wrap it up. He touched Rosalyn’s arm, slick with sweat. Oh no. She needed more rosin.
He peered into her eyes with his overly made-up ones. “Are you okay?”
She tried to nod in the affirmative.No. Blaine had gotten in her head.If they can’t find you, they’ll find someone you care about.He’d snorted.At least now I know that won’t be me.
Then he’d walked away. A power move meant to make her run after him. And she’d wanted to. Was the Mafiahere? Had he not cleared it for her to have more time on her payments?
Had he set her up again?
Her stomach roiled. What if they found her parents? Put them in danger…or Cade. Or any of her friends here she’d been seen around the Bay with the past few weeks.
