Page 15 of Heartbeat Highway (Love Along Route 14)

B o

Too much happens at once for me to have time to think. We settle up our bill at the karaoke bar, and leaving behind a spluttering K. We pause by the garage to pick up Lily’s suitcase and exchange information for Leroy and the car’s owner so they can communicate directly.

Through it all, Lily holds my hand.

On the bus en route to Chattanooga, the driver speeding more than a little, Lily sits beside me, not saying anything, our fingers entwined.

“Not to be the asshole here, but we no longer have a lead singer,” Maxim says, picking through a takeout container of food from the Sing Note. “Unless Bo wants to break out the pipes, but there are some deep daddy issues he should work through.”

“Thanks,” I say drily.

Maxim shrugs it off. “I know my voice is pretty good, but Dan’s a baritone. He can’t hit those notes.”

Dan shrugs. “Maybe we shouldn’t even play all the covers tonight. Why not introduce some of Maxim’s songs?”

“I love Maxim’s songs,” Lily says wistfully. She rests her chin against my shoulder, and all sorts of happy feelings bubble inside me.

Scrolling through his tablet, Dan at first doesn’t respond. “I mean, girl fronts often play well for the audience. Look at No Doubt.”

“The Pretenders,” Maxim chimes in. “Or the Vendetta. Halestorm.”

Lily stiffens beside me. “What are you talking about?”

“You, Lil.” I wrap an arm around her waist, and it’s something I’ve done a thousand times through our friendship, though now it all feels new. “I agree. Lily will be great.”

“Awesome.” Maxim claps his hands together, the metal bracelets on his wrist jangling. “I’ll get my sheet music. We’ll put in maybe one, two new numbers?”

“Stop.” She doesn’t stand—the bus is moving and she’s not a fool—but she trembles. “I’m not Chrissie Hynde. Why can’t Maxim do it?”

“This is a good idea,” I say. She glances at me and softens. “Really, Lil. You’re an amazing singer, and I know you can do this.”

“What if I get stage fright?” Her voice is so quiet it’s barely a whisper.

“We’ll be right there with you,” I reply. I kiss the side of her head. “You have a team, Lily. You’re not alone.”

“And we believe in you.” To prove it, Maxim hands her the take out box from Sing Note and she plucks a sweet potato fry from it. “You’ve got an amazing voice, and you’re smart. Our set isn’t that long, either.”

“Plus, you’ve been to all the rehearsals, so you know the blocking.” Dan nods, as though this is the barest requirement to front Howl.

“We’re here for you. I’m here for you.” I lean over and kiss Lily’s cheek, marveling at how easy this is. There are moments here and there where it doesn’t feel real. But then she looks at me and my gut swings wildly, and I know it is.

“Okay,” Lily says softly. “I’ll do it.”