Chapter 1

The sun was low by the time Cassidy Brennan and Alec Redmond showed up at the door, all smiles. They exchanged a look, then held out a beautifully wrapped gift box together.

Inside was something I'd been searching for everywhere for months. It was a rare vinyl pressing from my favorite pianist, long out of print.

Alec slung an arm around my shoulders. "See how good your buddy treats you? I had someone track this down overseas. It wasn't easy, either."

He glanced at Cassidy and nudged me. "And Cassidy here shelled out serious money to buy it back from a collector. Your girlfriend's a keeper, man."

He elbowed me playfully. Cassidy watched me with soft, expectant eyes, waiting for me to pull her close the way I always did.

I gave the two of them a flat look and shrugged Alec's arm off my shoulder. "I'm a little tired. I want to head home. Let's pack up and drive back to the city."

They both froze, exchanging confused glances. The mood dropped instantly.

My little niece, Cora Callahan, tugged at my sleeve, tipping her face up with wide, innocent eyes. "Uncle Rhett, you're not gonna play hide-and-seek with me anymore?"

I looked at the brand-new Barbie in her arms, and a dull ache spread through my chest. "Be good, sweetheart. I'll come play with you next time I'm off."

Then I went inside to say goodbye to the family.

On the drive back, I chose the backseat. The moment I got in, I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. The car was dead quiet, and nobody spoke.

Halfway into the drive, Alec turned around from the passenger seat, testing the waters. "Rhett, what's going on with you today? You feeling alright?"

I cracked my eyes open. "I figured some things out today. Just drained, that's all."

Alec let out a relieved breath. "Man, you scared me. I thought Cassidy and I did something to tick you off."

I managed a thin smile but didn't answer. I just looked at him.

My stare made him uneasy. He averted his eyes guiltily and turned back around, then glanced at Cassidy.

"Hey, once we're back in the city, we should still find somewhere to celebrate Rhett's birthday. We've spent every one together for the past six years and can't break the streak now."

Every moment the three of us had shared came rushing back, and my eyes grew damp. But I kept my voice cold. "No thanks. I just want to go home and sleep."

After all, once today was over, I wouldn't have a girlfriend or a best friend anymore.

Cassidy, who'd been silent the entire ride, pulled over and hit the brakes. Her tone turned sharp.

"Rhett, there's a limit to how much of this bratty attitude I'll put up with. Alec and I came all the way out here to celebrate your birthday with you, and you've had that sour look on your face the entire time. What exactly did we do wrong?"

Seeing that self-righteous look on Cassidy's face, I rubbed the bridge of my nose. "You're right. I'm the moody one.

"Cassidy, let's break up."

I opened the door, got out, and then grabbed my suitcase from the trunk. Cassidy shoved her door open and followed me.

"Rhett Callahan, you think I can't live without you? That you can just throw 'breakup' around whenever things don't go your way?"

She pulled a small box from her pocket and hurled it at the ground. A platinum band tumbled out, glinting cold in the fading light. "If you walk away today, we're done for good."

Alec rushed over and grabbed my arm. "Rhett, don't do this. Cassidy was going to pop the question tonight. She wanted to be the one to ask you."

Cassidy turned away, her eyes rimmed red, looking for all the world like she was the one who'd been wronged.

My throat tightened, but I forced the bitterness down. I looked at the two of them one last time. I wanted to at least let us part with some dignity.

I gently pulled free of Alec's grip, bent down to grab the handle of my suitcase, and walked away without looking back.