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got something like, oh, some leather pants and a cute glittery top. If you like, I can meet you that morning at ten and show you a few places.”
    “That would be great. I…I don’t have a driver’s license, so I can’t drive.”
    The assistant laughs. “Well, fortunately I do. Ten o’clock. Your flight gets in tomorrow afternoon, and the apartment’s in Westwood Village, so there’s plenty of stuff within walking distance too, if you want to look around on your own first.”
    “Apartment?”
    “We lease one there from time to time. We have this one for the duration of your stay, so enjoy. Very ritzy.”
    “That’s…thank you.”
    “No problem. My name’s Ruby. Anything you need, call this number. Anything at all, okay?”
    “Thanks, Ruby. I will.”
    I hang up and tell Melody everything, and she’s beyond amazed. She looks up Westwood Village on her computer and nods approvingly.
    “Very nice. You’re all that, Sage. This is it. You’ll be surrounded by hotties begging you for a little some a that. Derek’s got serious competition with the best Hollywood has to offer.”
    I frown. “That’s nice to know.”
    “I’ll be happy to come visit you before school starts. I’d do that for you.”
    “Not for the Hollywood heartbreakers, right?”
    “So suspicious. Not an attractive trait.”
    “Hmm.”
    My thoughts turn to Derek. I feel like I’m losing control of my life and wonder if it’s worth it to follow my dream. Which wasn’t even my dream in the first place – it was Derek’s. He’s the one with the Elvis tattoo. It was his suggestion to try out for the show. And then I waltzed off with the prize, leaving him crumbs.
    How would I feel if our positions were reversed? More importantly, how does that make him feel? It’s got to be eating at him that he didn’t win, and I did.
    Then I remember the circumstances – the drunken fight, his broken hand. It wasn’t like I saw an opportunity and went for it. I went to New York to win with Derek. He’s the one that screwed things up. He can’t resent me for that.
    But things turned out okay for him. He’s got a record deal. That will be enough to turn his life around, I’m sure. I recognize I’ve been letting my inside voice mess with my head again, and force it back into the dark recesses of my mind, where it will lie in wait for the next moment of weakness.
    New York’s three hours ahead of us, so it’s getting late there. I wonder where he is, what he’s doing, how he’s feeling, and in spite of my best efforts, feel another pang of guilt. Melody seems to sense my low mood and breaks out some mini Snickers bars. She knows that like a panda at feeding time, I’m easily distracted. Within minutes my doubts are forgotten in favor of delectable chewy chocolate treats.

Chapter 5
     
    The night drags on forever. True to my worst fears, Melody’s mom’s friend runs back to her place for a guitar, and I wind up doing a half-dozen songs for the gang before packing it in. It’s kind of weird to be sitting in a living room with a bunch of adoring middle-aged fans oohing and ahing over your every note. I think until that moment it hadn’t completely dawned on me that I’m a big deal to some people.
    When it’s finally over, I check my phone, which I left in the bedroom, and see I missed a call from New York. I hit redial and head to the bathroom, but the phone just rings. Probably a pay phone. I need to convince Derek to get a cell. I’ll gladly pay for it. Just the annoyance factor is more than worth the cost of the phone.
    I sleep in fits and starts, and when I wake, it’s to a headache. I try the New York number again, but there’s still no answer, which does nothing to improve my mood. Melody’s got Excedrin in her medicine cabinet, and I dry swallow two before hopping into the shower.
    When I emerge, Melody’s sitting up in bed, texting someone. She eyes my wet hair, black jeans, and Harley T-shirt, and shakes her head.
    “We