“No way.”
“Have you been online today at all?”
I lie.“Um, no.Why?”
“Your video with Frisco iseverywhere.I mean, we’re talking almost a quarter of a million hits, and it’s not stopping there.”
I know you can’t technically tell when all the blood drains from your face, but the tingling sensation in my cheeks leads me to believe that’s exactly what’s happening.Or maybe it’s the way my stomach is flopping like a fish.
I drop onto the futon, a second from putting my head between my legs.“No way.”
“Yes, way.Girl, your whole life might’ve just changed.I know you said you didn’t know what you wanted to do, but this might have decided that for you.”
“That’s impossible.I mean, I ...I can’t.That’s not—”
“Calm down, Rip.It’s only if you want it.You know these things build for a while, and then they die out eventually if nothing else comes of it ...but you need to give it some serious thought before you dismiss it.This could be huge.A chance to live that dream you’ve buried.For you and ...”She trails off, but I know what she wants to say.
For me and my mama.
My response is to stay silent, because words have deserted me.
“Think about it, Rip.This might be life handing you exactly what you need, when you need it.”
My grip on the phone tightens.“Thank you for telling me.I’ll think about it.”
I can tell she wants to say more, but instead she whispers, “Love you, girl.”
“Love you too.”
When we hang up, I open my browser again and search forZane Frisco duet.
The results load in a half second.
Holy Jesus.It’s on dozens of sites, and Hope’s right.The YouTube hits are still steadily climbing.
Oh God.This is really happening.
Then another thought slams into me.How long until they connect it to the girl who supposedly broke up Boone’s engagement?
I groan and flop back onto the futon.I need coffee.A whole boatload of coffee.
After sneakingdown to the corner coffee shop the next morning in a baseball cap and sunglasses to hide the dark circles under my eyes from a restless night and the rat’s nest of my hair, I see a handful of people gathered in small groups in the seating area.
No one looks at me twice, and for that I’m thankful, because I’m being nosy and see the video of the duet on at least one screen.
I get my coffee and get the hell out of there.I’m halfway up the stairs to Hope’s apartment when my cell phone rings.Balancing my coffee and muffin in one hand, I pull my phone out of my pocket.
Zane Frisco.
I answer by saying, “Oh my God.What the hell did you do?”
“Me?You were part of it too, girl.And everyone’s going crazy over this shit.I was trying to sleep in, but my phone wouldn’t stop.My agent’s already looking into what needs to happen to get us into the studio together to record the cover.”
I lose my grip on the muffin and it bounces down the stairs.“What are you talking about?You told him I don’t sing, didn’t you?”
Frisco laughs.“It’s kinda hard to tell him that when he saw the video.”
“You know what I mean.I don’t sing likethat.It was just a one-time deal.I’m a bartender, not a wannabe country star.”