Lexi and I are staring at him. I’m the one to call it out. “Have you always lived in Atlanta, Hunter?”
He stares at me, expression unreadable, and does not say a word.
Lexi wags a finger at him. He snatches it like he’s going to pull it off. She bends it like he was successful. And they both say at the same time, “Oh!”
They’ve been doing that since we were kids.
I turn toward the pink roses Mom sent, thinking about this strange advice. “I don’t see them face-to-face that often. Maybe once every couple weeks.”
In unison, my siblings say, “Exactly.”
Tugging out the card, I read it again. To the biggest star in Atlanta. Love, Mom.
Do I want to just be the biggest star in Atlanta—which I’m not—or do I want a chance to shine even brighter with audiences three times the size? Maybe four, five, six!
I’ve never been to New York.
What is it like?
There’s a sneaky smile in Lexi’s voice behind me. “She’s thinking about it. See that?”
“I am.”
“What could it hurt? You go. You check it out. If you like it, then you tell them!” I meet her eyes as she shrugs away any implications that this is a terrible idea. “And if you don’t, then you just come back here as if it never happened. Zoe and I will save your room. You have enough money to keep paying rent, right?”
“Yes.”
Three knocks sound on my door. “Places, Samantha!”
"Coming!” I turn to the mirror to check my makeup, running my finger along the edge of my lips for a clean line of pale pink lipstick. I’m supposed to look like I sprung from his dreams, a cloud he can’t catch hold of.
Hunter says, “You’re too tied to the family, Sam. Live a little.”
I roll my eyes and stand up, locking eyes with him in the reflection. “If Max and Caden knew what we were talking about right now, we would be in such trouble.”
Their laughs are so mischievous that a smile cracks through my concern. I spin around, the decision made.
She hugs me, “Have a fantastic last show in Georgia, Broadway star!”
“Knock ‘em dead, Sam,” Hunter smirks, skipping the hug to vanish out of my dressing room door.
Lexi whispers to me, “He has lived outside of the city, hasn’t he?!”
“It’s so weird!”
“I bet if I look outside he will be gone.” She snaps, jumps over, peeks out, looks over her shoulder and hisses, “I knew it!”
I flip the switch, sending shadows flying in. “How did he get to be so cool?”
Chapter Twenty-One
LOGAN
We knew it was sold out, but we didn’t expect four standing ovations. Looks like we’ll be missed. It bodes well for the reception New York will give us. That’s the prognosis.
Backstage is packed with family and friends congratulating us on a successful preview run. Approximately half of the singers and background dancers are not coming with us. Some look depressed even as they accept roses from those who came to see them.
But there are a few others who don’t seem to mind, who are riding high after a great ride, even if it was a little short. My sister, Hope, shrugs, “I don’t see what the big deal is.”
Mom ignores her, “You were amazing, Logan. I didn’t realize what a great voice you’ve grown into!”
But Dad isn’t as kind to Hope. “I don’t know why we gave you that name. Because you certainly never have any, or give any.”
“Dad!” I snap, protective of her by instinct. He’s never lost it that severely before. It must be the ghost of his dancer-past. Seeing me onstage like this has got to give him and Mom memories.
She’s rubbing her face, and says nothing.
He claps a hand on my shoulder, struggling to contain his unprecedented rage at Hope. “I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud.” He looks at his hand, stretching it. “Your mother kept squeezing my fingers every time you hit one of those high notes. I know you got the dance skills from us, but that voice! Where did you get that from?”
I shake my head once, not great at accepting compliments. Over their shoulders I see Samantha with her family further down, taking up the biggest area onstage. The techs opened the curtains once the house cleared to give this farewell some room. Down below are empty rows of seats with a few stragglers around them. The orchestra has gone home, the pit silent.
“It really is the end, isn’t it? I might not ever come back here.”
Hope frowns, and my mom bursts into my arms. “Oh Logan!” Dad huffs through his nose, gaze dropping as she says, “You’re coming to our place for dinner one more night before you leave, promise me! You’re all packed?”
We separate and I rake my hair. “Yes to both. Since we have a lot of new cast members that have to be trained, rehearsals start day after tomorrow.”
“Oh no! We know how it is, but please don’t go out with the rest of the cast tonight! Can’t you come and spend one last night with us, since you’ll be with them from now on, every day, every night—”
“—Yeah, Mom. I don’t want to go out with the cast tonight.” My gaze cuts to Samantha’s smile. “I’d rather be with you guys.”
Dad asks, “You already buy your ticket? Because I wouldn’t mind—”
“I bought it. I’m all set. Hope, you coming for dinner?”
She grumbles, “I have plans.”
“Okay, but can I talk to you a second alone, then?”
Her blue eyes flicker. “Sure, yeah. I have a second.”
Mom and Dad say their temporary goodbyes, the awkwardness palpable as they walk off and she whispers something to him. He swats her away.
Hope watches them and warily turns to me. “This is new.”
“I have to ask you something. You’ll give it
