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“Shit. Is that him?” Pen drops onto the bed next to me. I didn’t know she was stillawake.
I turn up the volume. Then Tyler sings, and I recognize thewords.
Because they’remine.
The words are from our showcase song at first, then another andanother.
Comments from people saying he’s talented, he’s gorgeous, and I stop reading the comments because they’re meaningless. The only thing that matters ishim.
“Pen, I’m in love withTyler.”
The words hang between us. The only backdrop is the music continuing to stream from myphone.
“Well,obvs.”
My chin snaps up as I seek out her gaze in the dark. “What should I…?” I shove a hand through my hair. “I need to tellhim.”
“That might be a good start,” she says with a halfsmile.
I pause the video and open a text window, typing a message to Beck with shakinghands.
Annie: Your vlog exploded. What’s goingon?!
Then I pull up a browserwindow.
“I need to look for flights,” I say under my breath. “Maybe I can get onyours.”
Finding a Monday flight on Sunday night is hit or miss, but there are a few options since it’s a popular route. But before I can book anything, my phone buzzes with an incomingcall.
“Beck,” I saybreathlessly.
“Hey. Ty had a meeting with Zeketoday.”
“On theweekend?”
“Guess they saw the video and decided they couldn’t wait. They put a contract in front of him andeverything.”
Emotions wash over me. There’s pride, overwhelm, happiness. “That’s…wow.”
Pen shakes her head, eyes wide.What?shemouths.
I hold up a finger as Beck continues. “Yeah. I’m sure he’ll want to tell youhimself.”
“I can’twait.”
“But… don’t hurry back to New York, all right?” Beck says, and it sounds like awarning.
What’s going on? Is Tyler doing better without me? Did he say something to Beck about wanting space,too?
I swallow the disappointment that rises up. “Okay. Can you tell him… tell him I’m so happy for him. And if he wants to talk, I’mhere.”
“Ah. Sure. It’s early here, Manatee. I gotta get ready forclass.”
I swallow as I hang up, reminding myself to be thrilled. Tyler’s getting everything he ever wanted, and that’senough.
* * *
The next day,I take Pen to the airport and hug her for ages. “Text me when you get home, okay?” I say when I pull back. “Thank you foreverything.”
