“River? Settled?” Lynch scoffed. “I never would’ve thought it a year ago—his future was wrapped around white picket fences, not wrapped around a little girl’s finger.”
A jolt of shock ripped through her. Was Lynch joking about River’s DUI accident? He’d almost been killed. Lacy Lynch mustdefinitelybe one of those “friends.”
“He’s probably bored stiff,” Lynch said. “If he ever wants a break from the dull life, he knows where to find me.”
Watching Lynch’s sneer, Emily fumed. The man was heartless. And to laugh at River’s pain? It hadn’t been that long ago that the spark that had guided River’s music was fading into darkness. When River’s bad behavior started to get him banned by the top leaders of the music industry, the uncaring friends who had enticed him to join the party scene in the first place had abandoned him, including West Slade. His music manager was just as guilty of starting him down that road by flaunting his tainted reputation until it was no longer “acceptable,” and then he’d threatened to cut River off while simultaneously running her brother into the ground.
That left the one whoactuallyloved him to pick up the pieces with hands that felt incapable of the task.
And Emily’s critics thought she didn’t know pain?
Much of her grief and raw tumult of emotion from that time fueled her lyrics now, not that she could show anyone how she truly felt. Some things were just too private.
Emily cleared her throat. “I doubt my brother will take you up on the offer, Lynch. River is happier than he’s ever been.”
Lynch’s brown eyes burned into hers like hot coals. Apparently, implying that marital bliss was doing her brother good was an insult to his bachelorhood.
Emily licked her lips. Maybe her tone was just harsher than she’d intended. Mia let out an overly bright laugh. “You’ll have to pardon my friend’s bluntness,” her manager said. “Emily is deeply devoted to her brother. She’s thesweetestthing.”
“Indeed,” Lynch said, his voice condescending. Judging by the slow smile crawling across his lips, he was one of those fools who mixed up “sweetness” with stupidity. “What a coincidence,” he said. “I’m blunt too. You realize I only invited you to perform because your brother owes me a favor.” He watched Emily like a lean tiger would his next meal, and she braced herself. “I look forward to seeing you pay up, Emily.”
Her fingers dug into the gold chain of her silver Bartonia designer purse. That sounded sinister. Was it? She really wished River were here to help her navigate these trickier waters. She hadn’t expected the ones who’d tried to ruin him to come after her too.
Why would any of River’s rich and famous friends want anything to do with #LittleMissHarvestRanch anyway? Lacy Lynch was a powerful CEO of a thriving company. He’d have his choice of beautiful socialites vying for his attention. But then again, she’d always been horribly naïve. Did this guy have a reputation for going after desperate young women who hoped to make it big in Nashville? She hadn’t even asked around about him before taking the job. At the very least, Mia should’ve given her the head’s up. Her manager must’ve had some idea since she’d been in the music industry for many years.
Feeling out of her element, Emily put on a braver face than what she was feeling. “I’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to my brother,” she said.
By now, Mia’s eyes were bright—with concern or embarrassment, Emily couldn’t tell. Her manager’s arm wound around Lynch’s like a pale vine in a strange type of distraction as the redhead pressed herself against him. “I need you to introduce me to Eva Trout,” Mia said. “Youdidsay she’d be here? And her father too?” Mia glanced over at Emily. “Why don’t you get ready? I’ll join you on the stage soon. I’ll send your security to meet you there, too.”
Emily was more than happy to oblige, though she had a sense that she’d failed her first attempt at networking somehow. #LittleMissHarvestRanch felt very fitting now.
And she hadn’t even performed yet!