Jace (Kings of Country 1)

“We’re a couple and we’re tired of hiding it.” Jace was looking at her. “Out front, in public. It can’t hurt when the single drops. And, when we decide, we’ll break it off.”

“He’ll dump you,” her father said. “So you’re the wronged one—but it’ll be a mutual thing versus what one of you did to the other.”

She looked back and forth between the two of them. “I’m confused. I thought being involved with him was a bad thing.”

“It is, if it’s presented in the wrong light. But you two, bringing your relationship out in the open, all hearts and doves and love songs?” Luke nodded. “You’ll have to really sell this to make it work.”

She frowned. “What does that mean?”

“You’ll have to smile a little more at me. And scowl a little less.” Jace winked, grinning. Because he was enjoying himself. He was getting exactly what he wanted—and loving every minute of it.

It took a lot not to laugh.

“I’m supposed to act like I…I love you?” The words seemed to hang there.

“Shouldn’t be too hard.” Travis took a bite. “I have a whole bunch of pictures you can use.”

“Pictures?” Luke asked.

“Of those two crazy kids.” He shot her a look. “Young and in love.”

“Are you okay with this?” Krystal ignored her brother, knowing how Jace felt about lying.

“Not ten minutes ago you were telling me he’d have a problem lying.” Her mother wasn’t happy. “Don’t you think this seems a little risky?”

Her father was studying the two of them. “No.”

“Wheelhouse is okay with this?” Her mother’s eyes narrowed.

He nodded.

“Well, I have a serious problem with this.” Her mother grabbed her purse. “It’s going to backfire. When it does, you remember I told you so. Steve.” She didn’t stop to give goodbye hugs and kisses as she climbed down the bus steps and out onto the concrete parking lot.

“I’ll be back.” Steve trailed behind her.

“You’re sure about this?” Emmy asked Krystal, beyond concerned. “You’ve never been the…hearts and doves and love songs type.”

As far as Krystal knew, she hadn’t agreed to a thing. Yet.

“What’s the problem?” Travis asked. “You two get to keep doing what you’re doing anyway—only you don’t have to hide it anymore.”

Which was exactly why Jace looked like the cat that ate the canary.

“Good.” Her father glanced at his watch. “The Good Morning USA people should be here in about fifteen minutes, so get yourselves pulled together.”

“What?” This was all happening a little too fast. “Now?”

“Before this story gets too much of the wrong kind of traction.” Luke glanced at his watch. “The sooner the better.”

“Come on.” Emmy Lou pulled Krystal up. “You need to get dressed.”

“Not too much.” Her daddy smiled. “This doesn’t need to look like a show. This needs to look real.”

But she saw the concern on her father’s face. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“Wheelhouse isn’t fine with it.” Her father pulled her up from her chair. “No one likes lying, baby girl. You do this, you give it your all. If fans find out, it’d be a bad thing.”

“Do you really have a new album in the works?” she asked.