“Did you seriously just say that I can get married anytime?”
“That’s not what I meant. I—”
“Understand this, marrying the man I love is the chance of a lifetime. I’d walk away from everything for him. He’s more important than a song, streaming numbers, or going on Good Morning America for a five-minute appearance.”
Static crackled through the line. No way would I change my mind.
Eventually, Conrad blew out a breath. “You’re right. I got carried away. I’ll see you and Colt tomorrow.”
I hung up and opened my YouTube channel. The views were up to twenty-two million. A number my mind couldn’t fathom. The video wasn’t anything special, just me sitting in a barn singing my song and playing my guitar.
People were calling me the new Montana Chambers. To think, at one time I would have taken that as a compliment. I was nothing like her, but as far as the world was concerned, she was as wholesome as American Pie on July 4th.
Soon after the whole Montana debacle at the bar, I’d signed a five-album deal with Conrad and Missy’s record label. We’d discussed going on a countrywide tour when we released the album, then maybe Europe and Asia. My dreams were coming true at breakneck speed, but if my success ever interfered with my relationship with Colt, I would slam my foot on the breaks.
Enticed by the scent of bacon floating upstairs and encouraged by my rumbling stomach, I threw on some clothes and went in search of food.
Tricia’s spacious kitchen with its stainless-steel appliances and marble countertops would make The Pioneer Woman green with envy.
“Morning, sunshine. Coffee?”
At the mention of coffee, my stomach somersaulted, and all thoughts of food fled my mind. “Think I’ll have some water for now.”
Her forehead furrowed, and she looked at me with concern. “Something you’re not telling me? You got a little birdie in the nest?”
Instinctively, I moved my hands to my belly and shook my head. I couldn’t be, could I? I was neurotic about taking my pill at the same time every day. “God, no. Probably just nerves.”
She didn’t look convinced. “You have nothing to be nervous about. That boy loves you from head to toe. We all do.” She sat down at the dinner table and gestured for me to do the same. “We’re lucky to have you join our family.”
“I’m the lucky one.”
The sound of a phone vibrating incessantly came from behind me, and I looked over my shoulder.
“That darn thing’s been buzzing like a porn star’s vibrator for the past thirty minutes. Colt said he didn’t want to be disturbed and left it here.” Tricia gave a disgruntled shake of her head. “Guess it’s all right if I’m disturbed.”
“Maybe something’s up at the bar. “I went over to the countertop where Colt’s phone sat.
My throat constricted, and I did all I could to rein in my rapidly rising rage.
A stream of texts and missed calls from Montana flashed up on the screen.
The first text said: I need you.
Colt
When I got back to the kitchen after a few hours of working in the paddock, both my mom and Nat sat at the kitchen table lost in conversation.
“You both look like someone died,” I commented, pouring myself a steaming cup of coffee.
Nat slid my phone across the table. “Your ex.”
“My what?”
“Montana’s been blowing up your phone,” she explained, her voice sounding strained.
Annoyance flared through me. The last time I’d seen her was when she walked out of my apartment flanked by her bodyguards. Hadn’t heard a peep since then, which suited me just fine. The cynical part of me thought it coincidental that she was texting me the day before my wedding.
I picked up my phone and swiped through the messages, each one more desperate than the last. “Jesus. There’s a video?”
“Yup,” Nat confirmed. “Shows her as drunk as a skunk yelling at two little girls to get the fuck out of her life. She ripped their homemade poster in two and threw it in their faces.”
Tricia tutted. “Shameful behavior. That girl could piss off the pope.”
“You’d better call her,” Natalie said wearily.
“You sure you want me to do that?”
She gave an uneven laugh. “There’s nothing more I want than for my fiancé to call his ex-girlfriend on the eve of our wedding. But if you don’t talk to her, then I have a feeling she’ll turn up here tomorrow and cause a drunken scene. I trust you with my heart and soul, but I don’t trust her one iota.”
I dialed her number, and she picked up immediately. “What the fuck, Montana?”
She sniffed loudly. “My career’s over. Did you see the video?”
“Didn’t watch it. Heard about it.”
“I’m in a whole heap of trouble. The little girls’ parents are going to sue me. My drink was spiked with something. I’m a lot of things, but I would never do anything to hurt my fans. I need to hide out at the ranch.”
What she needed was some tough love and a lengthy stint in rehab. “You have to get sober and help from people who know what they’re doing. My family ranch isn’t the place to get the help you need.”
“Please, Colt. There’s no one else I trust. Everyone is out for blood. If I go to rehab, the paparazzi will camp outside. I’m afraid the employees will sell stories.”
As much as I wanted to throw her to the wolves, I also felt sorry for her. She sounded terrified and lost. “I’ll get back to you,” I said before hanging up.
My mom and Nat looked at me expectantly. “She wants to take me up on the offer of staying here for a while.”
“Over my dead body.” My mom pushed away from the table and began
