Chapter 3

The day Ethan turned twenty-one was a monument.

He' d saved money. He bought a new shirt.

He had the perfect song ready, his masterpiece for Ava.

The Continental Club. Tonight.

He called Ava. Her voice was bright, a little rushed.

"Ethan! Happy birthday! So, big plans?"

"I was hoping to take you to The Continental Club. Like you said."

A pause. "Oh! Right! Um, tonight' s tricky, sweetie. It' s my pre-birthday bash! You' re invited, of course! Everyone' s coming!"

His heart sank a little, but he rallied. Her party. Even better.

He arrived at the lavish house, music thumping.

He clutched his guitar case.

He looked for Ava.

He found her near the patio, talking animatedly with her friend Sophia Bellweather.

He approached, ready to tell her about his song, his plans.

Then he heard Sophia' s laugh.

"So, the big proposal is tonight? At your party?"

Ava' s voice, conspiratorial. "Yes! Julian finally agreed. It' s the perfect way to make it official. And," she giggled, "it' s a great way to finally shut down little Ethan. He' s actually turning 21 today, can you believe it? Still chasing that silly promise about The Continental Club."

Ethan stopped. The world tilted.

"He' ll be here," Ava continued, "Probably with a song. I' ll just have to be gentle when I tell him he' s a little too late."

Gentle. Shut down. Little Ethan.

The guitar felt like lead in his hand.

Later, the music stopped. Ava was on a makeshift stage, beaming.

Julian beside her, looking smug.

"Thank you all for coming to my early birthday!" Ava announced. "And Julian has a little surprise for me!"

Julian knelt. A diamond flashed. Gasps, applause.

Ava turned, her eyes scanning the crowd, landing on Ethan.

A perfectly painted, pitying smile.

"Oh, Ethan! You made it! Finally 21, huh? Sweet, but as you can see, a little too late."

Laughter rippled through her friends.

Humiliation burned through him.

Then, chaos. A shout. A crash.

A heavy piece of lighting rig, poorly secured, tilted, then fell.

Ava screamed, yanking Julian sideways.

Ethan was close. He tried to jump back.

Pain exploded in his leg, his shoulder. Darkness.

He woke up in a hospital. Chloe was there, her face pale and furious.

"Ava?" he managed.

"She was here," Chloe said, her voice tight. "For about five minutes. Asked if you were okay. Then Julian said he was in shock, and she fluttered around him. They left."

Dismissed. Again.

His phone buzzed. A text from Ava.

"Heard you' re okay, thank god! So crazy, right? Anyway, Julian and I are SO happy! #EngagedLife."

He stared at the message. The casual cruelty.

He blocked her number.

He looked at Chloe. "I' m leaving Austin."

Back in his small apartment, he saw the guitar. The one he' d written all those songs for Ava on.

He picked it up.

And smashed it against the wall, again and again, until it was just splintered wood and broken strings.

Nashville. He' d go to Nashville.

Start over. Or try to.