Page 13 of Second Sets Omnibus

"I'm sorry, what?" Callum grumbles through the biggest frown ever, still listening to our conversation, not his music. "You want us to seduce her?" His brows furrow, but he looks to Ash for more direction.

"Then it's settled," Ash says, rubbing his hands together with a cocky-as-hell grin. No one could stop him now if they tried. "Operation seduce our meal ticket is underway. Start planningthose dates. How long do you think before she caves? A week? Two? Flash some cash, and her panties will fall?" He chuckles, throwing open the passenger's side door with zest. "Hello, Gloria!" he shouts gleefully at two in the fucking morning, waving toward the window.

She scowls again, giving a small wave before stomping away from the window. That's right, and she won't say shit to Asher. But me? I'll get an earful.

Callum mutters solemnly to himself and pushes out the backdoor with a frown, shutting it behind him. He follows Ash around to the back of the Tahoe, talking to him in a low voice. His arms wave and I can tell his conscience is eating away at him at the idea. But ultimately, Asher will win this fight, and we'll be helpless to do whatever he says. He always does.

Rad's face pinches when he leans forward. "Are we doing that?" he asks in a hushed tone. "Dude, I mean, I'm down for talking to her and getting to know her. But love? That seems kinda…" His lips press together in a tight line, and he shakes his head.

"Demented?" I murmur, throwing my head back into the seat.

This plan is so fucking stupid, but it might just work. We've worked our asses off getting into venues around the big city and building a small following. We only have four hundred followers on social media and a group of people who follow us from venue to venue, buying all our tickets. But if we can get to the venue of our dreams, then we're set. No more parents with expectations. Just music, the road, booze, fame, and River by my fucking side at last. And freedom, the one thing we've craved. No matter the cost, we’ll get there.

"Exactly," Rad says, pointing at me.

"You know Ash," I say, swiping a hand down my face.

"Fucker takes it too far," Rad agrees with a sharp nod. "Too fucking extreme."

"Help me watch him," I say, turning to Rad with pleading eyes and curling my fists. "We can't let him take it too far." Not that he'll be able to. River won't have a choice in the matter now. She'll pick me and only me at the end of our time together.

"I'll try.” He shrugs, hurrying toward the door. "Who knows, though, this could be fun, right? The four of us, one ballsy chick?" He shrugs and gestures toward my pocket. "How much did we make tonight? It better be a shit ton with all the girls we brought in. Imagine the look on Gloria's face when we make a profit." He's right. We've never managed to make a considerable profit, but with Callum negotiating through email correspondence with River. We got ourselves a golden opportunity with a good chunk of change.

I snort, digging into my pocket and pulling out the check. I flatten it along the center console and turn on the overhead light.

Rad scrunches his face. "Errr, what?" I motion at the check, laughing my ass off. "Dude, she wrote 'To the Whispered Words, you sack of shits, here’s the money I owe you.' What the fuck is that?" He groans, shoving himself back. "She didn't even sign it!"

I sigh, staring at the perfect cursive, and rub my jaw. "Well, River gave us the perfect excuse to stalk her." I shrug, shoving the check into my pocket. A thrill of excitement shoots through me at the prospect of seeing her again. Maybe she and I could pick up where we left off.

"Right, dude! She still owes us! Sick!" He chuckles, piles out of the car, and heads to the back of the vehicle.

Huddling together, we plan for the next few months, including what we need to do and how we'll reel her like a fish on a hook.

I frown,fixing my hair in the long mirror attached to the closed office door. Since Kieran walked out with that possessive look sparkling on his face, I haven't been able to move. Twenty minutes and counting since the last time I laid eyes on him. My mind reels from our encounter, producing more conflicting emotions in my gut. Do I hate him? Like him? Want to smother him? Shit, I don't know.

Eleven years ago, he left a cavernous hole in my chest when he disappeared without a trace. It took me years to close the gap and return to myself. Even after that night, which changed me. And now? Now, he's reopening the wound one word at a time.

I can't do this again. I can't let Kieran waltz back into my life like I mean something to him, to waltz back out.

It was one fuck, and that's it. It meant nothing.

Closing my eyes, I count to ten and release my breath. Chances are, Kieran got precisely what he wanted, and I'll never see his handsome face again. Hopefully. Maybe. Shit.

"We are far from fucking done," he hisses, snapping his gaze to me. "None of this is over," he gestures between us. "I'll be seeing you, River Blue West."

His words replay over and over. He promised never to leave me at one point in our young lives. And yet, within a month of his words, he was gone. So, what will it be this time?

I shake my head. Screw these thoughts. How can one guy shake up my entire existence in a matter of ten minutes?

I flip myself off in the mirror and fix my screwed-up ponytail. Shivers run down my spine at the phantom feel of his fist locking around my hair and directing me to where he wanted me. Shit. Stop it. No more self-pity. It is what it is. If he comes back, then I'll deal with him.

Trailing a finger up and down the outside of my pocket, I feel for my pocket knife, the last gift he ever gave me.

"Take this," he said, sitting beside me on the grass.

"Knight!" I gasp, holding the colossal pocketknife in my hand. "It's a… I can't!" I squeak, closing it and throwing it back to him like it has a disease.

Kieran laughs, throwing his head back. "It's okay, River Blue," he reassures me, flicking open the blade. The bright full moon shines on the reflective blade. "If you look hard enough, your name is here. River Blue," he murmurs, running a finger over the wooden grip where my name sits.