"Where the hell is my brother and Babs?" Holden asked, pacing the backstage area.

"I don't know, I thought I saw them go towards the back of that building over there," Maggie replied with a shrug, pointing towards the alleyway behind the stage setup on the street.

Celia shivers, rubbing her arms together underneath her coat as she approaches. "I swear, if Benedict treats me like an assistant again I'm walking out."

"You can't, I need you here, Ceil," Holden pleaded, putting his guitar on the stand. "Help me look for Babs and Jazz. We're on any minute now."

Celia sighs. "Fine, I'll go check the hot chocolate stand. I recall Barb saying something about warming up."

Holden salutes Celia and they part ways, Holden walking down the alleyway that Magie pointed out. As he turns around the corner, he halts when he catches Jasper pinning Barbara against the wall and kissing down her neck.

"What the hell is goin' on here?" Holden growled, startling the two out of their make-out session.

Barbara's face reddens and Jasper sheepishly looks at the ground. "Uh, we can explain—"

"Can it, Jasper. We're on in less than a minute. Get your asses on stage. We'll discuss this later," Holden interrupted, pointing toward the alleyway he came from. The two nod and scurry away, leaving Holden alone to rub his face.

"Holden, I just saw them walk by. You ready?" Celia asked, walking around the corner. She pauses when she takes notice of his tense shoulders. "Denny, do ya have stage jitters again?"

"No it's... It's nothin'. I'm comin'," Holden replied, keeping his head down to avoid Celia's worried glance.

×××

The show is a success, yet Holden feels worse than he ever has after a show. Typically he'd be buzzing with the adrenaline, but he just can't feel it now, not after what he witnessed beforehand.

Holden startles when a hand slaps on his shoulder and he turns to see Benedict. "Jesus, Benny. Given' me a heart attack."

"Sorry, Holden. Just congratulating you on another successful show. The kids love the original material, and I'm sure they'll love this new album comin' out next year," Benedict praised. "I actually have some great news for you, son. Remember when you said you wanted to be in the movies?"

Holden's smile grew crooked. "Yeah, but that was a long time ago?"

"Well, what if I told you I've got a deal lined up for you to star in an upcoming comedy with Jaquline Harris?"

Holden gapes at Benedict. "Seriously?"

Benedict grins wide, slapping Holden's shoulder good-naturedly. "Damn right. Look, I think this will help boost your carrer. The fans will love seeing you in a leading romantic comedy with one of the best actresses on the silver screen. And you said yourself you wanted a break from touring so many times—so why not work on a major motion picture, hmm?"

Holden's smile falters as his gaze locks on his bandmates, all conversing and laughing about something. He watches Celia fluster at Travis' teasing and giving him a good shove. He turns back to Benedict and frowns. "I'll have to think on it, Benny."

"Of course," Benedict pulls his hand away and taps his cane on the gravel. "Don't float for too long. The river's always flowing, kid."

Holden nods before patting Benedict's arm and sauntering off towards his people.

"Celia, there's a man here claiming he knows you?" A security guard asked as Holden approached the group.

Celia tilts her head, still laughing from something Travis said. "What's his name?"

"Elijah Turner," the security guard replied. "Sound familiar?"

"Oh! Eli? Yeah, I know him—let him in," Celia said with a smile.

"The one that fixed the car a few weeks ago?" Barbara whispers. Celia rolls her eyes, nodding.

Maggie, Ruth, and Barbara giggle as Eli struts in carrying a goddamned bouquet of flowers and a sheepish grin on his stupid face. Holden scowls and Preston bumps into him with a chuckle under his breath.

"Hi," Eli said.

"Hi," Celia replied, grinning. "What're you doin' here?"

"Well, when I heard Holden Beauregard was playin' at the Santa Parade, I had to come by, knowin' I'd find you again," Eli answered with rosy cheeks.

The girls giggle and Holden's head is about ready to steam like a kettle.

"You came to see me?" Celia said, accepting the flowers. "How kind of you. Thank you."

"I mostly wanted to, uh, ask if you'd like to join me for dinner tomorrow evening? If you're still in Nashville, that is."

"I am. We're almost done working on our album," Celia replied quickly. "I mean, I'd love to!"

"Wonderful. I'll pick you up at six."

"I'll give you the address of my hotel," Celia replied, walking off with Eli to grab a pen and paper from the stage-hand.

Holden rolls his eyes and looks away, only to see Travis and Preston giving him a hard look. He shoves them away, frustrated, and stomps towards the back alley. He spots his brother walking by and snarls, gripping his brother's elbow and dragging him someplace quiet, shoving him against the wall.

"What the hell were you thinkin'?" Holden hissed under his breath. "Were you even thinkin' when you shoved your tongue down Barb's throat?"

"You're one to talk, brother," Jasper spat, his brows furrowed. "You cycle through girls like a revolving door in a hotel lobby."

"You have Polly, jackass. I don't got a girl at home waitin' for me like you do," Holden said with gritted teeth. "You oughta tell Polly or I will."

Jasper shoves Holden into the opposite wall, pressing his arm against his chest and snarling like a wolf. "If you tell Polly about this, I'll—"

"You'll what? Hmm? You've got nothin' over me," Holden growled.

Jasper grinned wickedly. "I'll tell Celia you're in love with her," Jasper whispered.

Holden raised an inquisitive brow. "What? I'm not in love with—"

"Get over yourself, Denny. You've got it bad for her," Jasper said, backing away. "I saw the way you were grumblin' over that man askin' her out on a date."

"Eli is just a stranger and I worry about her is all," Holden replied. "Besides, that has nothin' to do with you and Polly and Barb. You oughta do right by those girls, got it?"

Jasper sighs, backing off and scratching his neck. "Yeah, okay. I got it..."

"I mean it. Fix this before it becomes an even bigger issue," Holden said with narrowed eyes.