Page 35 of Tempting the President

“No time for that,” Dan said. My dad’s voice was brisk as he took Ashton from me. “We need to go there earlier, someone from ABC wants to talk to you.”

“But it’s time for his nap—-”

“He can sleep in the car,” Dan said impatiently. “Stop fussing over him. It’s just going to make him gay.”

My lips tightened, but I knew better than to argue when Dan was like this. Only one thing could have put him in a bad mood, and I wondered how much debt he had acquired this time. Grabbing my bag from the floor, I thought about how much tips I could make tonight. My gig was at a B-list club, but it should still have a couple of VIPs. Maybe...maybe if I make a thousand dollars in tips, maybe Dan wouldn’t be so nasty and Ashton could enjoy a day at the park tomorrow?

Inside the car, we were all silent, even Ashton. Sometimes, I felt like his condition made him more sensitive, more mature than his tender three years. And I hated that. I really hated that because it meant Ashton would be aware of how shitty his life was.

“You’ve practiced your songs?” Dan was looking at me through the car’s rearview mirror.

“Yup.” I bit my lip hard, knowing that warning him about looking away from the road would only make him nastier.Godwas too good, I thought. Dan and Amelie shouldn’t have been blessed with someone as sweet as Ashton.

When we reached the club, I shook my head when Amelie started to step out of the car as well. “I can handle myself inside, promise. I’ll only be nervous if you two are gonna watch.” It was my favorite lie these days, one I used to feed their egos and make sure both of them stayed with Ashton while I was working. If it was just Dan, he might end up losing his temper. But if it was just Amelie, she might end up losing Ashton himself. She was that much of a ditz.

Amelie was pouting. “Oh, honey, you know how we’re so proud of you.”

“I know, but seriously, you’re just gonna make me too self-conscious. Maybe you two could go to a nice resto or go shopping while waiting?”

Amelie’s eyes sparkled. They reminded me of how Ashton’s eyes would sparkle, minus the avarice.

“Are you sure?” Amelie was visibly doing her best to contain her excitement.

“Totally.”

“Well, okay, if that’s what you think will help...”

It took everything not to roll my eyes. I glanced at Ashton. His eyes were drooping now. I bit my lip hard. “Be a good boy, k?” I whispered.

He nodded, sleepily.

I got out of the car and waved at them. “See you later, I’ll send a text when I’m done.”

Ashton managed to wave at me. “I love you.”

I blew him a kiss. “I love you.”

If I had known that was the last time I’d see him alive, I would have...I would have...I would have...

I KNEW SOMETHING WASwrong when neither Dan nor Amelie were there to greet me backstage. They were no stage parents, but they considered my singing serious business. Seriousmoney-makingbusiness, and they wanted to make sure that every gig went smoothly.

Instead of my parents, the club’s owner was there. Mr. Prescott was a nice man, probably the only nice club owner I had ever met, with the way he treated me like a daughter. Most others came on to me, thinking I was either too young to know they were halfway to molesting me – or too desperate for money.

Mr. Prescott was not smiling.

Another cold shiver swept over me and my heart started to race. My palms were sweating.

“Mr. Prescott?”

It took him a while to speak, and when he did, his voice was shaking. “I’m afraid I have bad news...”

No. Please God, no.

Only one thing in this world could make me this afraid.

I covered my ears. If I didn’t hear the news, I could pretend nothing had happened. That I would—-

But Mr. Prescott had started to talk again and no matter how much I tried to block his voice, it reached me, deafened me, killed me.