Jace (Kings of Country 1)

“Momma,” Emmy Lou jumped in. “We’re going.”

“Yes, I know. And Krystal will get some mysterious illness and bow out?” Her mother shook her head. “I know all about your little plan and I’m disappointed. Beyond disappointed. We don’t hide from our fears; we face them. You’re never going to let this go until you talk to—”

“Momma.” Krystal glared up at her, stunned that her mother was prepared to go there. “We should wait until Daddy gets here.”

“He’ll see it my way, Krystal. I don’t know why you’re always so determined to think otherwise.” She sighed, frowning at her. “He respects my industry savvy and the powerful friends I have. Friends who have stuck with us through the good times and the not so good times.”

“Fine.” Krystal drew her legs up, cradling Clementine against her chest. “He’ll side with you. And what did the two of you decide?”

She smiled. “Well, what if he’d been kissing Emmy Lou?”

/> “Emmy vaulted across the stage, in the dark, to tackle-kiss him right after he sang with Krystal?” Travis was smiling. “That makes perfect sense.”

Krystal stared down at Clementine, trying not to smile.

“Travis, I don’t need your smart mouth this morning.” CiCi sighed. “It wouldn’t take much to make it look like Emmy’s been singing with him the whole time, not Krystal. Some sort of fun and games, switching? The twin thing? It wouldn’t be the first time you two had done that. Steve is all over it. I’m sure we can put a believable spin on it, especially since Krystal has never done a duet or single before.” It would be a double win for her mother, pretending Krystal had never had her minute in the spotlight and giving Emmy Lou her song.

“That was one concert when we were, what, twelve?” Travis asked.

Emmy Lou frowned. “Besides, I’m not sure Jace will be okay with that, Momma. He’s not the smoke and mirrors type.”

He was all about being up-front and honest—Krystal had firsthand experience with that.

“Which is why the two of you make sense.” There was nothing but disdain on her face when she looked at Krystal. “And you two do not.”

“Kinda like a debutante and a ranch hand who’d sing in pool halls on the weekend?” Krystal pushed back. Her mother did not come from humble beginnings. Their father had.

“That was different.” Her mother paused, eyes hard and focused. “Now, wait a minute. Hold everything. Are you saying you’re in love with Jace Black?”

There was no right answer. If she loved him, which she didn’t, her mother would have a heart attack. If she didn’t love him, her mother would continue to push this whole Emmy Lou/Krystal switcheroo thing.

“Come on, Momma. Lay off,” Travis said. “Why would Emmy Lou pretend to be Krystal? Why would Krystal be okay with that? It won’t work.”

The sound of the bus doors opening silenced them all. Seconds later, her father, Steve Zamora, Luke, and Jace joined them.

“CiCi.” Daddy wasn’t pleased. “What is going on?”

Her mother smiled. “I thought I’d get the ball rollin’.”

“Food.” Jace held out a large cardboard box of bagels. “And coffee.”

“Are you really okay with this whole switching-places thing?” Travis jumped right back in. “What’s the point, anyway?”

Her father leveled a hard stare at his wife. “CiCi—”

“If I left everything to you, you’d sugarcoat it. They need to know,” her mother interrupted. “About your new album and your song and Jace’s career—she needs to know her little stunt has put us all in a serious predicament.”

“Mrs. King.” Jace stepped forward. “I appreciate your concern, but I feel confident this will all be forgotten in a day or two.”

“Jace, honey, you haven’t been at this all that long.” Her mother smiled. “Hank and I have been doing this since before you were born. There’s so much more going on here than you realize.”

“CiCi.” Her father shook his head. “We’ve got this. Steve is going to take you to the airport. We’ll be in Austin in a few days.”

“I appreciate that, sugar, but I have a stake in this, too. This is my family. My business.” Her mother stood her ground, eyes slightly narrowed—voice tight.

“Fine.” Her father shrugged. “We hammered out the details on the way here. All we need is Krystal on board and we’re good.”

“On board with what?” Travis was slathering cream cheese on a bagel. “An out-of-body experience that made her attack you? She was drunk? Someone slipped something into her water? She fell on you, lips first, and you caught her?”