31. Thirty-One

Thirty-One

Kendrick

The low hum of conversation fills the hotel lobby as I step off the elevator. My flight doesn’t leave until later today. I thought maybe a quiet lunch would clear my head when a familiar voice calls out to me.

“Kendrick!”

I turn to see Sam leaning casually against the marble counter of the concierge desk. He’s wearing his usual laid-back grin, a baseball cap pulled low over his hair. Despite his easy grin and relaxed demeanor, there’s a sharpness in his gaze and a quiet watchfulness, as if he takes things more seriously than he lets on.

“Hey, Sam,” I say, smiling back. “What brings you down here?”

He lifts the coffee cup as if it’s an answer. “Rough night. I thought I’d grab some caffeine before I get back to it. What about you?”

“Cass left, and my flight’s not until later,” I say with a shrug. “So, I have some time to kill.”

Sam chuckles. “I’m sure Derrick was chomping at the bit to get Cass moving. Derrick is a good manager, but he’s a force to be reckoned with.” He nods toward the hotel restaurant. “Have you eaten yet? I could use some company.”

I hesitate for a second before nodding. “Sure, why not? Lunch sounds good.”

We settle into a corner booth in the restaurant. The muted clinking of dishes and low hum of music create a comforting backdrop. Sam orders a burger while I stick to a salad, and the conversation begins light. We talk about the whirlwind of the awards season, the chaos of touring, and the inevitable mishaps that come with the territory.

But as the conversation shifts, the air between us grows more serious.

“You know,” Sam says, leaning back in his seat, “when you and Cass first got together, I used to joke that I’d never seen him or you act like that. You both were completely smitten.”

His words catch me off guard, and I look down at my glass of water, swirling the straw absently. “I was young,” I say softly. “We both were.”

“Maybe,” Sam says, his tone thoughtful. His gaze sharpens as he studies me. “But I’ll tell you what surprised me more than anything—how fast you left. One day, you’re all in, and the next, you’re gone. No explanation. It didn’t add up then, and it doesn’t add up now.”

Looking away, I say carefully. “That was before I knew what was at stake.”

Sam waits for me to say more, and when I don’t, he nods. “You weren’t just some fling, Kendrick. I don’t think you realize how deeply Cass cared for you back then—or how much he still does.”

I glance up at him, my chest tightening. “I didn’t leave because I didn’t care,” I say, my voice defensive. “I left because I thought it was the best thing to do. For him. I didn’t want to be the person to destroy his dreams of making it big.”

Sam’s expression softens, and he nods slowly. “Yeah, I get it. You thought having you and a baby would hold him back. But Kendrick, you have to know… when you left, it tore him apart. For years, he was restless, like he was searching for something he could never find. And fame sure as hell couldn’t fill the void you left in his heart.”

The weight of his words settles over me, bittersweet and heavy. I take a deep breath, willing myself to stay composed.

“Has he… has he really been that dissatisfied all these years?” I ask hesitantly.

Sam shakes his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “No. I think the heartbreak actually helped deepen his music. Then, for a while, becoming a superstar was enough. Making it big with his music–that was his dream. Not the fame. It was never the fame.” His eyes meet mine. “He’s been different since you came back. Grounded. Like he’s finally found the piece of himself, he’s been searching for all these years.”

Feeling a flicker of guilt for the years we lost, I state firmly, “Sam, I’m not going anywhere. I won’t walk away again. No matter what. Not from Cass.”

Sam studies me for a moment, his gaze steady. “Good. Because he deserves that, and so do you.”

The conversation shifts, grows lighter, and we laugh over memories from the past—stories about our earlier days on the road. But as we finish our meal, a question that’s been nagging at me rises to the surface.

“Sam,” I begin carefully, “what’s going on with you and Emily?”

The easygoing smile drops from his face and his entire posture changes. He straightens in his seat, his jaw tightening.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” he says curtly, reaching for his drink.

I raise an eyebrow, taken aback by the sudden shift in his demeanor. “Nothing? Because it sure seems like there’s something between you two.”

He shakes his head, his tone final. “Drop it, Kendrick.”

Realizing I’ve hit a nerve I decide not to push further for now. But as Sam signals for the check, I can’t help but think that whatever’s going on between him and Cass’s sister is far from resolved.

As we stand to leave, Sam glances at me, and his expression lightens. “Thanks for lunch,” he says gruffly.

“Anytime,” I reply with a small smile.

We make our way back toward the lobby, and just as we’re about to part ways, a voice interrupts us.

“Excuse me, Mr. Ryder!”

We both turn to see a woman approaching—a reporter, judging by the notebook and pen in her hand. She looks eager, her eyes darting between Sam and me with thinly veiled curiosity.

Sam stiffens beside me, his body coiled like a spring, while my pulse quickens in response.

“Care to comment on Cass Wild’s recent award speech?” she asks, her gaze locking on mine. “Aren’t you the woman who’s been spotted with him lately?”

My pulse quickens. Before I can respond, Sam steps forward, his posture tense. “No comment,” he says firmly.

The reporter’s smile doesn’t waver. “You used to open for Cass Wild, right? Kendrick Cash? And there’s been talk about a young girl traveling with you both. Could she be Cass’s daughter?”

My steps falter, and Sam and I both stop, turning around to face the relentless reporter.

Sam speaks before I can find my voice, his tone clipped and firm. “Again, no comment. Walk away now.”

But the reporter doesn’t flinch, her gaze locked on me. “It’s a simple question, Ms. Cash,” the reporter presses, her tone razor-sharp. “The public would eat up a story like this—star-crossed lovers, a secret pregnancy, a rekindled romance. Is that what this is?”

I steel myself, forcing my voice to remain calm, but inside I’m shaking. “There’s nothing to say,” I reply evenly, forcing a polite smile. “Goodbye.”

Turning on my heel, I stride toward the elevator bank, my heart pounding in my chest. Sam follows closely, his steps heavy with frustration. The reporter doesn’t pursue us, but her questions trail behind, loud and unspoken.

As the elevator doors slide shut, I finally let out a shaky breath, leaning against the cool metal wall. Sam watches me with concern etched across his face.

“She was out of line,” he says, his voice softer now. “Are you okay?”

I nod, though my hands are trembling. “I should’ve expected this. It was only a matter of time.”

Sam leans back against the opposite wall, crossing his arms. “It’s not fair to you—or Cassidy. But you handled it well.”

I manage a faint smile. “Thanks for stepping in. I wasn’t sure what to say.”

“That’s what I’m here for,” he replies, his tone light but his eyes serious. “I know I have a reputation for joking around, but you can count on me.”

The elevator dings, and we step out into the hallway. Sam hesitates as we approach my room, his hand resting on the doorframe.

“Listen,” he begins, his voice low. “I know Cass, and I know you. He’s solid, Kendrick, and you’re tougher than you think. But if this kind of stuff ever gets to be too much, don’t feel like you have to face it alone. You’ve got people in your corner—Cass, Emily… and me.”

His words touch something deep inside me, and I nod, grateful for his support. “Thanks, Sam. That means a lot.”

As I start to turn away, I hesitate, and my eyes go to Sam. “What… what about Derrick?” But I already know that Derrick is only concerned with one person. Himself. He may act like he cares about Cass, but deep down, I know Derrick only ever cared about money. If only I knew then what I know now.

“You hoping for a miracle?” He says jokingly, and then his expression turns serious. Sam shakes his head regretfully, and his eyes hold an apology. “No help there, unfortunately, Kendrick. He’s been there for Cass since day one after the first contract was signed. He was Cass’s first agent and now he’s the manager. That’s a long time in this business.”

Nodding, I grimace. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.” Reaching up, I give Sam a brief but heartfelt hug. “Thank you, Sam.”

He gives me a small smile before stepping back. “Have a safe trip. I’ll see you around.”

As the door clicks shut behind me, I sink onto the edge of the bed, my mind racing. The reporter’s questions replay in my head. The thought of Cassidy being dragged into this media circus twists my stomach, a sharp pang of protectiveness surging through me.

I glance at my phone, my finger hovering over Cass’s name. I know I should tell him what happened, but part of me hesitates. He already has so much on his plate; I don’t want to add to his stress.

Instead, I take a deep breath and head to the balcony. The city sprawls before me. The noise of the world feels distant here, muffled by the open air. For a brief moment, I let myself imagine a simpler life—one where there are no agents, reporters, or rumors, just us.

But reality intrudes, as it always does. This is the life I wanted for Cass. A life he fought for, the life he’s built through years of sacrifice and dedication. And now, it’s the life I’ve entered, willingly but not without fear. Knowing the challenges, but determined to shield our daughter from its harsher edges.

My phone buzzes, breaking the silence. It’s a text from Cass: ‘How’s everything? Miss you already. Not looking forward to sleeping alone. I’ll text you tomorrow night.’

A secret smile tugs at my lips, and I type back: ‘Miss you too. Isn’t that what they call sexting?’

Holding my breath, I wait as he types. ‘Hell, yeah! Sexting tomorrow. Be ready!’

I let out a small, determined breath. If I’m going to embrace this life with Cass fully, I need to embrace all of it—the glamour, the spotlight, and, yes, even a little boldness. Starting now.

My smile widens, spreading across my face, and heat flows through me. I’ve never sexted anyone before, but with Cass, I know it will be fun and a little dirty. I suddenly know what to do with my time left in the city. I walk outside onto the brisk city sidewalk. The doorman offers his assistance and hails me a cab.

As the cab pulls into the traffic flow, I sit straighter, glancing out the window at the blur of towering buildings. My heart is racing with a daring kind of confidence.

“Where to?” The cabby asks in an abrupt, bored voice.

“The closest Victoria’s Secret store, please,” I state firmly, despite my warm cheeks.

The cabby’s eyebrows go up as he meets my gaze in the rearview mirror. “You got it, lady,” he responds, giving me a knowing wink.