HARLOWE

Wow Lex, I know it's different for girls when their hearts get broke. They can't tape it back together with a whiskey and Coke. They don't take someone home and act like it's nothing, but did you see what I saw?" I ask her, astonished. "What's Maya thinking?"

"She has some explaining to do..." She answers me with wide eyes, like my own.

"That's a curveball."

Thought I knew my friend. Guess she has some saucy secrets left!

"No, ladies. That's not a curveball. That's synergy. And the reason you're standing here with us, so you're not the mess with it. Otherwise, I'll report you for trespassing and retract my apology!" Trace barks into our aura.

"I have an invitation Mr. Ellis." Alexa retorts.

"It's true." Maurin admits quietly.

"Before you think about retracting or reporting anything Mr. Ellis, certainly you'll want to keep me as an ally. Or your precious Deacon will be in hot water with my father even before the meeting you asked for. Don't be sanctimonious. It's not becoming of you to apologize to and threaten someone in the same breath."

A breath Alexa and Maurin both seem to be holding.

"And besides, isn't Deacon old enough to pull his own chestnuts out of the fire?! He scurried away as soon as he saw the three of us joining your wife. You're both cowards." My glass hits the bar as an exclamation point.

"Oh shit. Music City's Sweetheart shows her claws." Alexa utters loud enough for our group.

That's not even half of it. But, I can't put Lex' trust on the line. I don't have to reveal all my cards yet. Not without answers.

"Harlowe, I asked DJ to relieve Tabby on stage. I'm sor..."

"Mrs. Ellis. Maurin, please," I turn to her. "Don't stoop to their level. I can understand you want the best, no confrontation. For Deacon, for tonight. The Grand Lobby and the atmosphere are majestic. This masquerade ball is arranged to perfection. Even if Maya and I had to sneak in handing over Alexa's invitation each time, it's clear you don't play around. I admire you for your keen eye and the handling of these men."

She bumps my shoulder. "That means a lot, Harlowe. Don't ever be afraid to speak up about your convictions. Try to enjoy the rest of your night. In peace. I'll see to it. Bye girls."

Eat rocks, Trace Ellis. Your wife gave us her seal of approval.

"What was that?" Alexa chuckles when we're out of earshot.

"The truth, Lex. The truth. People may have convinced themselves I'm a dimwit. Doesn't mean I've to live up to it."

"Amen, sister. Now, help me in the ladies' room or we'll miss Deacon's gig."

Dismayed, I glance at her. "Again and why do you suddenly care about the Prince of Country?"

"Oh shush, Negative Nancy, I held both your effin' dresses when you and Mimi needed a hand when we came in and other than that, I've heard through the grapevine he might become my frenemy at Nickel. Last I heard I'm still a Crossover Princess."

"You've got me there. On both counts," I concur. "Stop flipping your hair, diva and let's go powder our noses."

Choose your battles wisely. If I'm honest with myself, I too want to hear Deacon sing.

—

"Get your lips unlocked, missy and help Lexie tinkle." I press a manicured finger in Quentin's back for emphasis. He groans and Maya lets out a yelp out of fright. Quentin swallows it for her. He seems to take it in stride.

"Looks like we're busted, Jinjit," he smiles shyly. His cheeks get as red as Maya's hair.

"It was bound to happen. Hi girls," she throws a wink in the direction of the door. Where Alexa is still clutching the handle and my shoulder so we stay upright and don't collide with the lovebirds.

"Before I throw you out of here, kiss me like you mean it, Handsome," Maya demands, holding handfuls of pink fabric so Q can get even closer and deliver. He's immediately engulfed by her dress without a care in the world. Quentin bites her earlobe as a parting gift. I have no clue what he whispers to her, but I can't wonder. Alexa cuts in.

"I'm calling a violation of the Girl Toilet Code. Shoo! Deacon is looking for you," she tells a white lie for good measure.

"Really, Wright?" We all ask her in unison.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures!"

Quentin laughs, shakes his head and leaves.

Was that necessary? Maya asks Alexa.

You're one to talk, Sneaky Snog!" I lightly scold Mimi, pointing my head to the door that Quentin just closed. "Was that necessary to keep hidden, is he the one that broke your heart?"

"No mamacitas, I broke both our hearts. If I'm honest with y'all, there's a whole story behind it, but tonight is not the time or place."

I catch Maya's glance over a squatting Alexa and the copious clumps of teal we're holding out of her way.

"Oh what a relief!' Alexa states.

I'm not so sure, scanning my best friend on the other side.

"Later?" I mouth to Maya. She nods. I follow up with a mouthed "I love you."

Mimi pouts her lips into a kiss quickly.

Friendship is that simple sometimes.

Exiting the ladies' room, the first few bars of Definite Scar can be heard throughout the Grand Lobby. "Come on, let's enjoy the party," Maya links her arms with mine and Alexa's. "We're here now."

"That you are," Quentin ushers into what seems to be the VIP area. "You two are insufferable," I tell the lovebirds. "Was that what you whispered in Mimi's ear, that you'd hold a place for us here?"

"Partly. Maya knows I'll always hold a place for her in a VIP section. Or in my heart," he tells me.

"God, what's in the water tonight? We're going through a rollercoaster of emotions with everyone." Alexa observes. It thaws her somewhat icy demeanor, standing close to Quentin. I'm guessing that seeing this side of him is new since she must have experienced mostly less favorable parts of his character. Surely Quentin knows about Deacon and Alexa's backstory and the NDA that came from it.

"I need to know what all the veiled secrecy is about. This is crazy," I mumble to myself.

"Hmm?" Quetin indicates that he heard me.

Shit.

"Oh sorry," I mutter. "To me, it's crazy that Deacon's voice is a near blend of Dierks Bentley's perfect tone and Penn Badgley's cadence and warmth."

Good save.

Three pairs of eyes are on me, but neither one says a thing. We listen to Deacon close out his newest hit. I'm not above admitting; I'm entranced.

I'm sitting on the tailgate of my Chevy '64
Ashamed and defeated
Painted by lingering doubt
Wondering how my single life was before

Looking back, strumming my guitar
Let me tell you about my definite scar

Like I told Daddy, Deacon would boost Nickel to new heights. I stand by that. His voice is as mysterious as his personality. That his whole being affects me, irks me. To no end. Lucky for me, he behaves like a cowardly dick at all times. I can hold on to that. When I scroll through my phone just looking for a Band-Aid, he definitely ain't it. His Royal Badness in a purple suit.

My apologies, Prince. For borrowing your nickname, fly with the angels, Maestro.

"Hey Lowie, you alright? You zoned out for a beat." Maya checks in on me.

"I know, don't mean to worry you, Mimi. I'm good, but all the veiled secrecy is driving me up the wall. Most people aren't any the wiser. At the same time, the seismic shift that's brewing in Music City is making me restless and anxious."

"You need a raspberry lemon drop, what works for me, works for you. Bar it is."

"Err, I had a spat with Trace at the bar and besides, can we leave Lex and Quentin alone?" I inquire.

"I'm not sure where your musings took you honey, but Lexie saw someone she wanted to say hi to and the whole Ellis family is on stage to bid everybody goodnight." Maya grabs my chin, turning my head to the stage so I can see.

"I'll be damned. Isn't he getting a present?" I ask aloud. Don't really know why. "What do you even get a Country Hotshot?"

"They'll have people make donations to a charity in Deacon's name. Secondly, Quentin bought Definite Scar from under Merle Corbin so I'm convinced Deac's mighty grateful for that selfless gift."

"That's why he could perform it. Quentin is a loyal, true friend." I share with Mimi, who again gets heart eyes when I mention Mr. Hix.

"That's my Cholmi," she says while she signals one of the barkeepers.

"You really have to tell me your backstory, Maya Tamar." I urge her once again.

She innocently smiles at me, "We agreed on later. I will tomorrow, Harlowe Jasmine. When we're going to dig for Deacon's. Bottom's up!"

I shake my head to ease the burn in my throat. "Yay! Road trip!" I toast with my empty glass.

"Babe, you're dad gave us the jet for tomorrow," Maya deadpans.

"I'm for it, we're on business after all." I answer coolly.

Two new drinks appear. "Love the dress, Miss Nichols. Valentino suits you as well as Hayley Paige. You're a vision. The mask frames the story within your eyes."

Cool one minute, warm all over the other. I take my eyes off of Maya to let them register Kris' face behind the bar. "Kristoffer! You're working this shindig?!" I lean over the bar kissing his cheek.

When I'm back on my feet, I realize what I've done. It makes my own cheeks tinge a little.

"I'll gladly take it." Kris rubs the spot of the peck. "I'll do any job that pays the bills."

"You're a man of many talents." I retort without thinking.

"You remember that, doll," he scans me from head to toe, smiling broadly. Leaving me to settle the dust for Mimi, because he resumes his duties slinging drinks for others.

"Lowie Nichols! Do we need to have another toilet visit to hash this out? Third time's a charm, you know?" she pinches my still reddened right cheek mockingly.

"Absolutely not, silly! That's Kris, the courier that picked up my dress at the label."

"Well, excuse me. He knows you're wearing Valentino by just looking at you so I'm thinking he isn't a general's dog body. Speaking of body, hubba hubba..."

"Tonight I found out, painfully clear, that you already have your own, missy."

"Touché," Maya bashfully admits with her hands held high. "Maybe Patsy Cline was right, you're a bit crazy for trying to resist such a prime specimen like Kristoffer."

"Please girl, don't state the obvious!" I exclaim a tad too loud. Not in the slightest caring who might have overheard. We both burst into giggles.

Tipsy on the mere two raspberry lemon drops I drank, I barely pay attention to my surroundings. Only a few lights and candles are left burning, because the party ended a while ago. Maya is no help. Quentin squeezed his way between us out of nowhere, soaking her up into their own bubble.

When did they all come off the stage?

"I don't care what your relationship status is, here's an extra key to my room. I expect you in it within ten minutes..."

Woah.

I feel a featherlight caress across my midriff, leaving goosebumps in its wake. The key is on the bar top, an indecent proposal hangs thick in the air, my suitor gone. Slithering somewhere in the encompassing darkness. In this moment, it's the final push over my edge.

"Jesus.Take.The.Wheel."

Take it from my hands, 'cause I can't do this on my own. I'm letting go...