*Ophelia*The screaming patrons of the concert hall cause the backstage area to rumble under my feet. That, mixed with my nerves, has me quivering. All my work has brought me to this moment. But I can’t help the ache in my heart not having Asher here but know there’s no time to wallow. Tomorrow is the championship game, and the team can’t go anywhere, even if they want to.I take in a deep breath, shuddering as it exits my lungs. I shake out my hands next and start pacing back and forth.“You okay, Ophelia?” Daphne appears by my side, her phone in hand as always. She’s dressed in a t-shirt with my name printed across it and a pair of jeans, with a blazer thrown on over the ensemble.She reminds me of Carolanne, and I’ve dubbed her my older sister. She’s been so attentive, helpful, and even kind to me. I’ve cherished her advice and compassion, so I know I can share my anxieties.“I’m nervous as hell, Daph. I don’t need to be. I’ve been rehearsing for months and know nothing impedes
*Ophelia*"Miss Lane!" a voice bellows.I don’t stop to check over my shoulder at the stout man with a wiry mustache pursuing me. "Don't you dare run!" he snaps, the threat hanging heavy in the air. His companion is close behind him as they follow me through the busy bar. They are after me for my debt, and these particular collectors are a nasty breed…I finally find my way to the restroom hallway. As I glanced over my shoulder again, I pushed the door open without checking the gender on the door. Inside, a man stands at the urinal, his mind focused on the task at hand. But his concentration shatters as I burst through the door, and with a frantic gesture, I implored him to keep silent."Get out," he hisses, his voice a mixture of annoyance and disbelief.“Please,” I beg quietly. “I need help!” "No, you shouldn’t even be in here," he declares, his tone firm as he turns away from me, determined to wash his hands of the situation.Before I can respond, voices sound from out
*Ophelia*I stretch myself out on my stool backstage, sighing deeply. My back cracks into place, and I lean forward, sighing. I’m glad I convinced the bartenders to leave me a stool. My feet have been killing me all day from work.I look towards the clock across the way, signaling the end of the set—another performance, another crowd that will never know me. I can’t help but sneak a peek between the gap in the curtains at Camila Monroe, taking in the applause and bows. She blows kisses and winks to those in the crowd.I let out a quiet huff of air, watching her. It must be a dream, having all the people in a room stop everything they’re doing and face you, knowing you are talented beyond a doubt.I can imagine the warmth of the spotlight shining down on me like the sun. The conversation would pause when they heard my name announced, and their hearts would stop at the sound of my voice. It’s my dream. But I know better. Those cheers, the applause, the fans she’s collected? No matt
*Ophelia*The steady beeping from the heart monitor has become a white noise. My hand has grown numb while holding onto my mom’s, cold to the touch. She’s been breathing gradually, as usual—just a small sigh of air exiting her mouth. She sleeps more than she’s awake these days. Dark circles protrude under her closed eyes, indicating her exhaustion.Susan Lane, my mother, is the strongest woman I’ve ever met. When Dad died, she took over the family farm, and no single complaint left her lips. How can that fierce, independent, diligent woman be the same one I watch lie in this hospital bed? I sniff, wiping away the tears that I’ve let fall down my cheeks. It’s hard trying to convince myself that everything will be okay. Even when Mom’s the one smiling up at me, touches my cheek, and tells me she’s a fighter, it doesn’t hurt any less.“Hey, girl,” there’s a knock at the door behind me, and I look up to see Skylar Leigh, my best friend and roommate. She offers me a kind smile and take
*Asher*I can’t help but stare at the young woman as she walks away from me. I’m usually not taken with many people’s beauty. It’s a habit I’ve clung to for many years after past relationships tore me down. However, those deep blue eyes and her dimples are impossible to miss. I don’t know the last time I saw someone with genuine dimples, which is wild.A plate clatters somewhere in the tavern, and my mind returns to its original thought. Is this woman not at all impressed with the accolades we’ve accomplished? We’ve won four championships since I joined the team. I’m a three-time MVP. I’m a famous and adored quarterback.That’s astounding to me. I don’t always like girls who gawk when I’m nearby. But not even being an Ozarks fan? That, to me, is amusing, and a smile slips onto my face. She may tease and call us nemeses, but that doesn’t automatically make us real enemies.My thoughts are interrupted as the door to the entrance of the building swings open. In the doorway stands a be
*Ophelia*After dropping some plates in the kitchen sink, I grab a towel to wipe my hands, growling at what I saw once again. Fuck! Every time my brain wanders for a second, I see Camila entering the tavern. And then hearing the quarterback talk about how much he loves her voice?“What the hell was that?” I hear from the entrance to the kitchen. Skylar storms in, grabbing me by my wrist. “Are you absolutely insane?”I shake my head. “What are you talking about?”Skylar waves her arms emphatically in the air. “Um? Hello? The sexy football quarterback that's sitting out there? Asher Slater?! The one that just asked you out?”“What about him?” I question, pulling my wrist back from her grasp. “He's sexy as fuck! Every woman in the world with half a brain can see what a catch Asher is. And he was talking to you, smiling at you! I saw him, you can't hide that, O.”I shrug. I can't tell Skylar the truth. So instead, I end up mumbling, “He's just some playboy jock.”“Do I need to rem
*Asher*As promised, Camila Monroe is wearing her gorgeous red dress as she stands outside the restaurant. The steakhouse, oddly named Big Steaks, has a neon red light surrounding each letter above the door.“There he is,” Camila croons as she makes eye contact. “My my, Mr. Slater, you clean up nice.”I didn’t know what to wear and didn’t have anything elegant with me. Mark, with no interest in shopping, went to the arcade next to the mall. I rushed in, and without going overboard, I decided a nice jacket would suffice. Paired with a white T-shirt and jeans I’d already brought with me, I added a new pair of dress shoes.It’s rare that I find myself nervous in front of someone so talented. But I break into a large grin, looking forward to my date with Camila and giving myself a break from my annoying memories of Courtney.My mouth is still dry, so Camila huffs out a quiet laugh. “Seems like someone’s a bit smitten.”Instead of answering, I open the door to Big Steaks, and Camila n
*Ophelia*I keep pushing Jake down the street until we’re out of Asher’s sight. Sighing, I bend over to catch my breath, my heart screaming inside my chest from the close call we just encountered.“What the fuck was all that?” Jake asks, breaking the silence between us. “Why did you just lie to the dude?”I look up. “The ‘dude’ in question is a person in the spotlight, Jake. He doesn’t need to know my personal business.”“But you could tell me,” he challenges. “You just stood there and sang in front of me, and then all of a sudden, you shut down and start lying about your voice? Like, what’s to lie about?”I feel myself cracking, but I try to stand my ground. “You wouldn’t understand, Jake. It’s no big deal.”He turns and looks back to where we came from. “Is he harassing you?” He returns his gaze to me. “Did he touch you?”“What?” I nearly shout. “How the hell did you jump to that as a conclusion?”“Because you just ran away from him and lied about singing, when none of that a