Page 91 of Pink and Country

“When I heard Carter was filling in for Sam Stevens tonight, I truly hoped he’d be stupid enough to bring you along. I’m glad I get to size you up myself.”

Savannah’s sight darkened, and she towered over me, leaning forward to whisper in my ear so no one around us would catch a word.

I tried to keep my face neutral. Knots tied my stomach so tight I wanted to curl up in a ball on the floor to ease the pain. I dug my fingernails in my thigh to avoid shaking. While keeping my smile intact, I sipped on my champagne as if Savannah’s presence wasn’t affecting me. After everything Carter confessed about their relationship, I knew I couldn’t trust her. She had evil written all over her plastic face. How could anybody be so blind to her manipulative ways? Tonight, she went straight for the jugular. She didn’t lead me on. Savannah showed me her true colors right from the start.

She must’ve had a sweet side. After all, Carter had liked her at some point.

The thought of them together sent a burning pain down my chest. It choked me.

Savannah’s high-pitched voice stopped my train of panic. “Carter will never be yours. Soon, he’ll get tired of this little game you’re both playing, and he’ll come running after me.”

She gave me a slow once-over, her face scrunched up with disgust. I looked around, trying to find Taylor. In vain.

“Don’t expect him to stick around, girl. You’re so not his type. And you’re too childish for him. Why are you even pretending to play grown-up for a night? Get real. You know you don’t belong on the arm of a man like Carter Hills. He’s like a rock star God, and you’re just an—a horrible elf.” Her shriek-like laugher resonated between us. “Carter found a distraction. Were you a cartoon character in a previous life? You’re worth nothing in his world. Don’t overestimate yourself, girl.” She took a sip of her champagne and offered me a warm smile, like she’d just complimented me. “Don’t mess with my man, or you’ll be sorry,” she warned between clenched teeth. Usually, I would’ve had a retort ready. But this wasn’t my world, and I had no intention of creating a scene here.

I lifted my chin up and stared into her eyes.

“Savannah, I’m sorry you’re so insecure around me. However, I hope you’re having a great night. Now, excuse me, I won’t stay here and give you a chance to insult me furthermore.” I sidestepped on wobbly legs, turned on my heels, and padded away, my heart jack-hammering in my chest, my breathing itching in my lungs, the back of my eyes burning from unshed tears threatening to spill out and ruin my makeup.

…I still feel your lips on mine

Even after all this time

Babe, you’re it, yes you’re it

Now all I want is make you mine…

Amid my confrontation with Savannah Prince, I hadn’t noticed Carter taking the stage.

And he was singing my song.

My hand cupped my pounding heart. My song. Not Savannah’s.

I missed his performance because his ex-girlfriend chose this time to stalk me.

Fisting my silvery feather dress to lift it up from the floor, I ran away, all my insecurities taking centerstage in my mind.

20

Carter

I walked onstage with my guitar in hand and took a seat on the lone stool in the middle. I adjusted the height of the mike and cleared my throat.

The presenter spoke a few words to the crowd and left as cheers and applause filled the room. I barely registered them.

My eyes searched for the woman wearing the feathery silver dress. My eyes worked hard to spot her, all the people in front of the stage blanketed in shadow due to the lighting. I chose to sing her song tonight, and I hadn’t told her, wanting to surprise her.

After the show in Nashville last weekend, someone posted a video of it on the web, and it became so viral, I planned to record an acoustic version of it and make it my new single. Would April agree to be on the cover with me? I was thinking about something simple but romantic.

Scanning the room, my gaze finally found her. Discussing something with—wait, what the fuck—Savannah Prince.

All the air left my lungs, and I coughed. Some guy dressed in all black with stretched earlobes brought me a water bottle. “Thanks,” I said, my voice croaky, before taking a sip.

My gaze returned to the nightmare playing in front of me. Why didn’t I bring April backstage? Oh yeah, I wanted to surprise her. Damn it. How could I forget about Savannah being here tonight? The sight of her sent a wave of nausea down my throat. It burned like fire. Blazing-hot red fire. The devil always left a path of destruction in her wake. Savannah would do anything to destroy April if she put her mind to it. Shaming people was second nature to her. Another thing I learned the hard way. Savannah fought with no rules, bullied with no shame, and manipulated like no other. One day, I walked in on her insulting her assistant, telling her to lose a few pounds because she looked fat, her pants too tight on her. Yeah, shaming bitch.

Her bad vibes reached me even from where I sat on the stage. Pearls of sweat blossomed on my nape. April was looking for a way out. Her eyes traveled around. Where was Taylor? He was supposed to watch over her. All. The. Fucking. Time. The room closed on me. Breathe in. Breathe out. I couldn’t risk a panic attack here. My racing thoughts swirled around in my head.

I hadn’t prepared April enough for a face-off with Satan and her medicine of choice, poison and hatred. I scratched my forehead with my thumb.