Page 190 of Changed for You

Fucking lovesick chump.

I, on the other hand, am no better, as I type out a message to Fia, sending it the moment we sit down.

On my way, baby girl. Go crush it. I’ll be watching.

I’ve waited for weeks to see her perform. I’m probably more nervous than she is right now.

Tapping away on my phone, a last-ditch attempt to occupy my mind, a message pops across my screen, but not from who I’d like.

ARTHUR HOLLAND

I can’t apologize for my decisions, but I can take accountability for not being there.

I have a client meeting at The Grand Hotel tomorrow at lunch.

I’ll save my last thirty minutes for you. I’ll be at the red booth in the back.

Just one shot, Jett. That’s all I ask.

I close out my phone, storing it back in my pocket, thinking about my conversation with Ivan. Maybe seeing him will clear my head, give me a different reason behind the trapped feelings I’m having.

Mr. Holland is a smart businessman; he’s got good qualities, I’m sure. Ones that we probably share.

I keep my decision pending until after the show. Tapping my leg furiously, I watch the cars pile to a standstill outside of the arena.

Hundreds of girls, young and old, gather in pink feathers and sparkles, holding signs that read, We love you, Haven.

My girl is really about to be on the big stage.

Pride swells my chest, and suddenly the nerves I just had morph into excitement. I love watching her dance and am so fucking proud to know what all of the work behind her impending success looks like.

“Let’s go, let’s go!” Sienna shouts, shooing all of us out of the car.

Raul got us right to the front entrance, so in only a few steps, we’re past security, making our way to the friends-and-family tent.

Just as we step inside, the opening act begins. The crowd thickens with every song.

“God, I wish Lincoln was here. She would love this!” Sienna yells to Duke, and Ivan tenses beside me, his shoulders rising to his ears at the mention of her name.

“Still nothing?” I ask under my breath.

“I thought I saw her when I picked the twins up from school last week, but when I texted to see if it was her, I got no response. I don’t know what else to do.”

“Just keep trying.”

I stare out at the stage, knowing for once the advice I gave fucking works.

A few songs later, the lights dim, and Haven appears on a lift. Her fans go fucking insane. Tears, screeches, and lights brighter than the gates of heaven beam down on her, giving her an angelic glow.

“Why hello, Nashville! Welcome to the Heaven Sent Tour,” Haven announces, waving to all sides of the arena. All of them going crazy, including my brother’s girlfriend. Looking back in my direction, his eyes go wide, and I give him a brotherly shrug.

This is so out of our element.

Though we’re not the typically demographic for a Haven Rivers’ concert, I’m not embarrassed to say all three of us guys are fucking loving it.

By the time the first half of the show ends, this place is electric. A melodic interlude plays on the large screen, the lights dim just slightly, and shadows move their way onto the stage.