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Sadie waved away her words. “Forget it. It’s nothing but a dream, anyway. One that died when Lauren did.”

The fire snapped and popped as silence shrouded them.

Asher joined her, his arm brushing hers. He bent his head low to her ear. “You okay?”

She nodded but didn’t say anything more.

“That day in Hetty’s garage—were those your journals that Dani just mentioned?”

“That was a long time ago. Ramblings from a starry-eyed dreamer, who thought she could change the music world.”

Asher nudged her shoulder. “I once heard a quote that’s stayed with me, but I don’t remember who said it: ‘Every greatdream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.’”

“You’re very kind, but I’m not a star reacher or a world changer.”

“If you want to write music, do it. You never know whose life you will impact.”

Sadie allowed his words to roll around in her head. On the other side of the fire, Dani snuggled deeper in her blanket and rested her head on Liam’s shoulder. Her phone, still streaming, started playing a song that turned Sadie’s veins to ice.

Next to her, Asher stiffened.

Throwing off the blanket, Dani jumped to her feet and fumbled for the phone but ended up knocking it on the ground. She snatched it and ended the song.

Liam reached for Dani’s phone, but she tucked it in the back pocket of her jeans. “Hey, why’d you turn it off? I love that song. And the band. Whatever happened to the lead singer of Phoenix anyway? After the accident, he fell off the planet.”

Sadie ground her jaw as she kept her eyes riveted to the red and blue flames licking the log, darkening it and turning it to ash. She shivered, despite the heat radiating off the fire.

“So, what songs do you think Ariel and Dahlia will sing at the con…”

Her words trailed off as Asher skirted the fire and stalked toward the woods at the edge of the beach.

“Asher.” She frowned and started after him, but Dani jumped to her feet and caught her arm.

“Give him a minute.” Dani looked at her, then glanced away, focusing on the inky-black water.

“Dani, what’s going on?”

“Nothing’s going on.” Her voice hitched as she smiled widely and jerked her thumb toward the building near the edge of thewoods, but Sadie knew when her friend was faking it. “Maybe he needs to use the restroom.”

“Dani…” Sadie’s stomach tightened. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Dani waved a hand toward the trees. “Apparently, Asher needs a moment.”

“But why?”

That question plagued her as he retreated into darkness.

She wasn’t an idiot. Dani knew more than what she let on. And Sadie couldn’t shake the feeling she wouldn’t like what it was.

Chapter Eleven

Asher gripped the edge of the sink and splashed cool water on his clammy skin. He glanced in the mirror and found his face drained of color. Water dripped off his wet beard and rolled down his scarred neck.

The scent of campfire smoke mingled with the industrial solution used to clean the public beach restroom sent another wave of nausea rolling up his throat. He swallowed several times as his eyes burned.

The door pushed open. Asher turned away and reached for a rough paper towel. He ran the sandpaper-like material over his face.

“Hey, man. You okay?”