“A Christmas in July event,” Wylder explained.
“At your house?”
“Yes.” Wylder was getting frustrated.
“You know we do home decor and party planning here.”
“Really? I can just tell you what I want, and you can make it happen?”
“Yes ma’am. Er… depending on your budget. But if you’re looking to buy a three thousand dollar tree, then I think party planning might be the way to go for you.”
“Three thousand? Dollars?” Wylder’s eyes widened.
“That’s on our summer sale.”
“Hi, I’m Sebastian.” Bash leaned in to shake the girl’s hand. “This is Wylder Anderson, Beckett Anderson’s sister. She’s looking to surprise her brother before he goes out on tour again.”
“Oh!” The girl’s eyes popped out of her head. “Oh, yes, Ms. Anderson, why don’t you come with me upstairs to the VIP room, and one of our event planners will see to everything for you. Consider this your tree. We’ll mark it as sold until you’re ready for it.”
Wylder rolled her eyes as her brother’s name paved the way for her to the VIP lounge.
“Sorry, hope you don’t mind, but I thought we might need to speed this along so we can get to the ferris wheel part of the afternoon,” Sebastian said.
“Good call. This won’t take long at all. I already know what I want.” Wylder and Sebastian followed behind the elf sales girl, chattering away about her favorite Beckett Anderson songs.
“I forget sometimes how people act when they know who my brother is.”
“I didn’t think you’d mind trading on his name this one time.”
“Heck yeah, he’s paying for it.”
An hour later, Becks had his big Christmas in July bash planned and booked. He just didn’t know it yet.
“I believe I owe you a ride on the ferris wheel before I have to get back to Becks.” Wylder linked her arm through Sebastian’s.
“A deal is a deal.” Sebastian guided them across the village to the enormous ride.
The sun was just beginning to set when it was their turn to board the big fancy gondola pod at the ferris wheel. They scored a private pod when the family behind them didn’t want to split up. Wylder could feel her phone buzzing in her pocket, but Becks could take a chill pill for another hour. Especially after the party she’d just planned for him.
“Sorry I turned our escape date into shopping.” Wylder slid into the seat beside Sebastian, nerves rising in her. They were close now, too close. But also, not close enough. Wylder wasn’t well-versed in guys, but when he reached for her hand, she smiled.
“Are you kidding? That was fun. I love Christmas. But I do have one question.” He released her hand and draped his arm around her shoulders.
“What’s that?” She nestled against him as they started to move up.
“Do I get an invite to this thing?”
“Sure, you can be my plus one. But my brother will probably give you the third degree. Just ignore him if he tries to be pushy or intimidating. He just likes to be ridiculous.”
“I’m great with families. He’ll love me once he gets to know me.”
Wylder thought Becks might prove him wrong. In his mind, she was still his baby sister in high school. Which made her second guess her invite. Bash could never know she was still in high school. The party was still weeks away. They probably wouldn’t even be together by then. Wylder was good at screwing things up. Especially things she enjoyed. And she really enjoyed being with Bash.
“Who knew it was so beautiful up here?” She gazed out at the Nashville skyline just coming to life under the blazing sunset.
“I really hated Nashville when I first got here,” Sebastian said.
“Me too,” she agreed. “Everything is about music in this town.” She turned toward him. “But what about now?”
“Now?” He leaned forward. “It’s growing on me.” His warm lips tasted of strawberries and coffee as he pressed them against hers. She wanted to stay up here in this bubble with him for the rest of the night, but… Becks and Steak Club would not be ignored.
Chapter 7
“Remind me again why I have to go to your stuffy label party?” Wylder folded her arms across her chest in the back of the limo. She hated her dress, and her hair looked stupid, but Becks had insisted she “clean up” for “his” party.
“Because you are my sister,” Becks insisted. “And it’s not a stuffy party.” He reached to straighten her hair, and she smacked his hand away.
“Leave her alone, Becks.” Nicky gave her a rueful smile.
“You look beautiful.” Becks nudged her, trying to get her to smile.
“You put me in a grandma funeral dress,” she fumed. It was too long and too “classy” for her. She looked stupid. Wylder had wanted to stay home from this party so she and Bash could have a real date. A normal night out with zero obligations to anyone else. But neither of them had been able to shirk their sibling duties tonight, which meant she’d spend the whole night trying to keep Becks from meeting her maybe boyfriend.
“These parties aren’t so bad,” Nari offered.
“Yeah, the food’s usually good.” Avery shrugged. “And they give away those cool gift bags too. Last time I got an Apple watch and some Air Pods. That right there makes it worth suffering through the fancy clothes.”
“Good point.” Wylder sighed. She loved having her old friends all together again, but ever since they’d coupled up, she felt like the fifth wheel.
“I have a surprise for you too, little sis.” Becks shot her a wink. “Call it an early Christmas in July gift.”
“Are we really doing this Christmas in July thing?” Nari asked.
“Yes,” Becks said the same time Avery and Nicky said “no.”
“It’s not a thing, babe,” Nicky said.
“It’s definitely a thing. We’re having a big Christmas party so we can celebrate as a family. I won’t get to see you guys much during the holidays, and this will be a way to make it up to you.”
“Fine, we’ll figure something out,” Nari sighed. “I’ll call Skye this week, and we’ll schedule a date.”
“Thank you Nars.” Becks grinned, happy he got his way.
Wylder smiled. Catching Nari’s eye, she shook her head. “I’m way ahead of you on this,” she whispered. She’d already talked to Skye and found a date that would work for Becks’ crazy schedule. The Christmas in July party was a go.
“If I’ve failed to mention it lately, I love you, and I’m so glad you’re here.” Nari nudged her playfully. “Try to have some fun tonight, you deserve it.”
“What’s his surprise for me?” Wylder asked while the boys had Becks distracted.
“I’m sworn to secrecy, but you will love it.”
“He makes me nervous when he plans unsupervised surprises.”
“I made him promise not to embarrass you.”
Wylder didn’t believe for a second that Becks would be able to keep that promise.
“This is my sister, Wylder.” Becks introduced her to yet another label executive. “She’s staying with me for the summer before her senior year.”
Wylder craned her neck to make sure Sebastian wasn’t nearby, not that he could have heard anything over the live music. The label had their top performers as guests, but their junior and up-and-coming talent were on stage tonight.
“Nice to meet you,” Wylder murmured, eyeing a tray of champagne as it passed. She didn’t drink. She never wanted to end up like her birth mom. But sometimes she understood her mother’s need for escape.
Becks kept a tight grip on her arm, refusing to let her wander off on her own. So, she smiled and nodded at the people who made her brother’s career possible.
“Stop tugging.” Becks held her arm tighter in his.
“Are you trying to put me on a leash tonight?” She pulled her arm free.
“You’ve had a bad habit of disappearing lately, so I want to keep my eye on you
tonight so you don’t miss your surprise.
“Just tell me what it is now so I can get some breathing room.”
“All right, follow me. I want to introduce you to one more person.” Becks took her hand lightly in his and guided her across the crowded rooftop. The evening was mild, and the breeze coming off the river was cool. Intimate seating areas lay scattered in the far corners of the venue and high top tables surrounded the tiled dance floor. Linen drapes billowed in the breeze, and fairy lights twinkled in the topiary bushes.
“Oh, try these.” Becks handed her a champagne flute with a pearl bead floating in the drink. It blinked on and off in time to the music. “Nonalcoholic mocktails. It’s called the Beckett-Blue-bosa.”
“The what?”
“It’s like a mimosa. They made it for me because I don’t drink. It’s club soda and blueberry juice. It’s delicious.”
“You’re just too precious for normal things like Coke and Sprite, aren’t you?” She patted his arm.
“Oooh, I should tell them to make it with Sprite next time.”
“My surprise?” she reminded him.
“Oh right.” They made their way through the crowd as she took a sip. It was good, but she wouldn’t admit it to her brother in a million years. She nearly spit out her drink when she caught sight of Sebastian looking incredibly handsome in a black tux. He seemed comfortable in his fancy clothes, but she felt like a fraud. Wylder had her own sense of style that worked for her. The little black dress she was sporting tonight wasn’t her. Though from the look on Sebastian’s face, it wasn’t a total loss.
As they drew closer toward him, Wylder frantically shook her head, gesturing for Sebastian to avoid them. He frowned but headed toward the buffet.
“Wylder, I’d like you to meet Luke Cook. Luke, this is my sister Wylder, she’s a big fan.” Becks beamed at her as she chugged the rest of her drink.
“Er, hi,” Wylder said.
“We’ve met.” Luke glared at her.
“You have?” Becks’ shoulders slumped. “When did that happen?”
“She yelled at me in the lobby, and I was about to have her escorted from the building when she ran away. And then she stole all the drinks from the fridge in our studio. But she’s a fan, you say?” Luke Cook was an enormous jerk.
“I’ve recently gotten over it.” Wylder stared down her nose at him. He was hot, and with his magic voice, he had girls throwing themselves at him, but he was a classic case of beauty that was only skin deep.
“You,” Luke called for a waiter. “Get me a refill.” He tossed his empty glass on the server’s tray.
“Dude, you’re a class A jerk,” Wylder said.
“Wylds,” Becks whisper shouted.
“You could learn a thing or two from my brother. He’s been at this longer than you. He’s a super star, but he’s still nice to people. And not just the ones helping him along in his career. He’s nice to the waiters and the maid service at the hotels where he stays. He picks up after himself, and he’s grateful for everything he has. And he treats his fans like gold. That’s why people love him, even after they get to know him.”
“So you’re saying I don’t live up to your expectations?” Luke snagged a beer from another passing waiter while he waited on his refill. “That’s a pity.” He turned to go.
“It’s fleeting, you know?”
He turned back toward her, lifting a perfectly sculpted brown brow.
“All of this. The Fame. The money. The infamy. It can be gone in a second if you’re not careful. Do better, Luke Cook. Your real fans deserve it.” Wylder took her brother’s arm and turned right into Sebastian.
“She’s right, you know, Luke?” Sebastian said. “You’ll have to excuse my little brother. The fame gets to him sometimes, but he knows better than to act like a turd in front of a lady, much less a loyal fan.”
“Bash.” Luke turned a bright shade of purple.
“What my brother means is it was lovely to meet you both. Try to have a better night.” He grabbed Luke by the arm and towed him away from the crowd.
“See, I told you that guy was bad news.”
“You did not. You were just jealous I liked his singing more than yours.”
“I didn’t? I meant to,” Becks scratched his face. “I’ve met the guy before at these things. He’s a total snob. Nice brother though.”
“Yes, he was very nice.” Wylder tried to get a look at where Sebastian went. “You think you could let me have some time off for good behavior? I could really use a pee break if the warden would allow it?”
“What? Oh, yeah, go have fun, Wylds. Just not too much and don’t leave this party without telling me.”
“Yes, Dad.” She made a beeline for the inside.
Wylder: Where are you? Can you escape your brother? I finally got rid of mine.
Bash: Meet me by the elevators in two minutes.
Bash: BTW you look beautiful tonight.
Wylder grabbed another Blueberry drink on her way out. She refused to call it a Beckett Blue-bosa.
Sebastian was waiting for her when she found her way back to the elevator bank.
“Hi,” she said shyly. She felt weird and out of her element.
“Hi.” He bent to kiss her on the cheek. “Want to take a break from all the fluff out there?”
“Yes, please.” She tucked her arm through his and followed him to the stairs.
“I found this place after the last big event up here. There’s only so much celebrity I can take before I need a good minute to myself. And… I just remembered the stairway up here looks like where all the murders happen.” His face paled in the dim light from the hall.
Wylder turned her phone flashlight on. “Wow, you’re right.” The narrow wooden stairs wound up into the darkness above. “But I trust you won’t murder me. If you’d wanted to kill me, you had the perfect opportunity to throw me from the top of the ferris wheel.”
“True, but I had other things on my mind then. Kind of the same things I’m thinking about right now.”
“And what’s that?” Wylder followed him up the creaky stairs.
“This.” Sebastian shouldered his way through a heavy door at the top of the steps. The lights of Nashville lit up the empty roof top facing the river. “This part of the roof is too small for entertaining so the label never uses it, but it has the best view. In my opinion.”
Wylder slipped off her shoes and hiked up her too-long skirt as she skipped across the roof to the parapet overlooking the riverwalk. The party venue they just left faced Music City with a great view of downtown Nashville where everything in the world of Country Music happened. This side of the building faced away from all the hoopla. It was quiet—the perfect lover’s retreat.
“You were thinking about the view?” Wylder leaned against him.
“Not that view.” He pulled her into his arms. “This one.” He smiled down at her. “Want to dance?” They could just make out the music from the party.
“Love to.” She set her empty glass down on the red brick parapet and leaned into Sebastian. She wasn’t much of a slow dancer, and being so near him with zero distractions made her nervous. “Sorry about before.”
“What about?” He led them in a slow circle as they swayed to the music and watched the city lights dance on the water below.
“Not introducing you to Becks.”
“That’s all right.” He laughed. “I figured we’re not at the meet the family stage yet.”
“Yet?” She peered up at him.
“Well, we might not make it to that, anyway. We’re both just here for the summer, right? So let’s have fun and keep the family out of it.”
“See, you get me.” Wylder buried her face in his chest. “I like just having fun with you.”
“Me too, Wyld Child.” Sebastian pulled her close.
“Wylder?” Nicky called from the stairwell.
“Go away, Nicky.” Wylder sighed, stepping away from Sebastian.
“Becks is looking for you, so you know it’s only a matter of time before he freaks out. Oh, hi.” Nicky stepped onto the roof.
“Nicky, this is Bash. He’s Luke Cook’s brother. Bash, this is Nicky, my best friend and Becks’ boyfriend.”
“Oh, hey, man, it’s nice to meet you.” Sebastian went to shake his hand.
“Nicky, is she up there?” Nari called.
“Yeah, Nars, come join the party,” Wylder said shaking her head. “What, we got like eight minutes alone this time?”
“Maybe nine,” Sebastian said.
“Sorry, Wylder, but you know Becks will freak if he finds you sneaking off with cute boys.
“Nicky.” Wylder rolled her eyes. “Can’t you distract him for like a half hour?”
“Seriously, Nicky?” Nari shook her head. “Hey Bash, how you doing?” Nari waved.
“I’m good. Good to see you again.” Sebastian stood beside Wylder, at ease with all the chaperons sent to find the wayward princess.
“’Seriously Nicky’ what?” Nicky crossed his arms over his chest. “This guy is too—”
“He is too nothing, and Wylder is perfectly capable of handling herself and her own affairs. You two have got to back off and let the girl have some space.” Nari shooed Nicky back to the stairs. “Sorry for the interruption. These boys are way overprotective. Er, continue as you were.” She winked and marched Nicky back to the party.
Chapter 8
Three weeks.
Twenty-one days.
A whole lot of kisses.
And it all brought Wylder here. To this truck with this boy. Man. He was definitely not a boy.
She looked sideways at him, a smile flitting across her lips. Wylder had never had a boyfriend before, but she imagined it was a lot like this… only without the expiration date.
The truth was, as fun as the last few weeks had been, they’d both go their separate ways as soon as she had to return to school next month. She’d probably never see Sebastian again.
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