Back then, she’d felt tossed about in a dangerous sea, unable to keep her head out of the water, let alone her brother’s. That’s when she’d realized that if she ever brought another man into her life that she’d need a strong swimmer, so to speak—an equal partner that she could count on when the elements turned rough, a man who was so much of a straight arrow that he madeherlook like the wild one.
She was too fragile to handle anything else.
No matter how fun the “bad boys” were, she had to safeguard that vulnerable heart of hers, even if Nash made it feel as light as a bird when he was around. His fingers caressed hers. “Howareyou doing?” he asked. “This place is crawling with loose screws.”
“You’re one of them,” she shot back with a tremulous smile, but he’d called it. She was terrified of performing as it was. She wondered if it showed on her face.
“I’d feel much better if your brother was here to keep an eye out for you,” he said.
How adorably protective. She squeezed his hand in return, but he didn’t have to worry… if that’s what he was doing and not teasing her like he always did. Sometimes she couldn’t tell. She pointed out some of her security and agents in the crowd. “There’s security, Miles and Freddy, and my agents, Toby and Gina. And,” she pointed out her music manager who was taking care of last minute business to the side of her. “That’s Mia Hart over there!”
“That’s a whole lot of people managing you, young lady. You know, all you really need is a good man for that.”
“Ha! You interviewing for the position?” she joked back.
“Maybe.” His eyes ran over the bare stage and he brought her to his side so that they could survey her stage together. “And maybe you could use someone to add a little flair to your show. You’re really just using this stool? Where are you putting the backup dancers?”
She let out a snort of derision. “It’s an acoustic performance.”
His nose wrinkled. “C’mon, you at least need some fireworks. It’s almost the Fourth. I just saw some rockets at the ‘Light ’em up’ stand on my way over here. We’ll set some cold fireworks off inside.”
She shook her head, thinking of the disaster that would cause. “Don’t even think about it!”
“I’m serious! Haven’t you seen anyone do cold fireworks at their weddings? You’ve got big shoes to fill. Your brother released a hot air balloon and asked Liv to marry him at our Harvest Ranch concert, so I think we need to seriously brainstorm what you should do forme.”
She snorted out a laugh. “This is about you, huh?” Just because she wanted a more serious relationship someday didn’t mean that she couldn’t enjoy a refreshing dose of Nash every once in a while. He was making her feel a ton better. “Well, you know I’m performing at Harvest Ranch in a couple of weeks.” She bumped him with her hip. “What do you have in mind?”
“Hmm. I’m thinking some Roman candles; we could even get some fountains. Get ready to explode things, woman.”
Emily laughed, getting into the spirit of his teasing. “Well, how about you do that at my rodeo performance and drown out my singing. Do a girl a favor.”
“Rodeo?”
“Yes!” She rolled her eyes. “I’m doing ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ at the Bully Bowl Rodeo in a few days at the start of the fireworks.” It actually terrified her to say it aloud.
“What do you know? I’ll be there, too.”
She called him out. “Liar!”
“No, I will. I’m giving investors a bull tour. Trout owns the fairgrounds,” he said as way of explanation. “He owns a lot more here than you’d think. It’s kinda…” he stopped himself and licked his lips like he was trying to get a bad taste out of his mouth. “Doesn’t matter. Now that I’m here, honey, we’re gonna step up your game. You need something to spice things up.”
“I agree.”
That voice was deeper than Nash’s, more jaded. Emily jumped back to see West smirking behind Nash’s shoulder. She stiffened. Nash was worlds better than his brother, but for some reason the devil had gotten his claws into Nash.
Nash rolled his eyes at his brother. “Youagree with me?”
“Definitely.” West studied the bare stage with a more discerning eye before turning to Emily with even closer scrutiny that made her cheeks flush. “Little Miss Mackenzie Jr.” She flinched at his play on words with her online nickname. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it—you could do with a little stain on your reputation.”
Of course, he’d suggest that—he’d done the same thing to her brother and almost ruined him. She took a deep breath.
“Hey,” West said with a shrug. “Just some friendly advice.”
“Nobody asked for it,” Nash returned, looking down at his brother. He was a full two heads taller, though what West lacked in height, he made up for in confidence. He tilted his head, a storm in his expression when he glared up at his younger brother. The Slade men were definitely on the outs since the last time she’d seen them planning their trip to Nashville together.
“Well, if it isn’t West Slade.” Mia Hart came up behind them with flashing eyes. The tall redhead sized up West like she was facing down a stray cat going after her milk. “Are you still hanging around these parts?”
“More than hanging, darling, I’m dominating the scene. It’s better than I can say for what you’re doing with your client.” Ouch. West categorically undid every bit of good that his brother had done in a matter of seconds. West glanced over at Emily. “Maybe you should hire me for consulting. Better yet, dump this excess baggage and hire me to take over your entire career. I’d make you number one in the charts in a week… in my spare time.”
She stiffened, even as Mia gaped at him. He had to be joking, right? She knew what had happened to her brother under his care. “Mia is doing a fabulous job.”
Not an absolutelyseamlessjob, but Emily had her soul to consider. She’d never go with West, even if he could do exactly what he’d said. And she had no doubt that he could. His boss, Trout, had been drowning in scandal until he’d come around.
She caught Nash glaring at his brother and mouthing at him to shut up.
Her heart warmed. At leasthehad her back.