Mistaken Identity (Identity 1)

“Absolutely.” Cheers rang out in the room, and Aiden chuckled.” As for the second part … it’d depend on what the lie was and why. If this person was truly the only one in the universe whose heart sings the same song as my own, there’d be nothing that could keep us apart permanently.”

“Good answer, Mr. Archer, I might like you after all.”

“Oooh, sounds like you might’ve converted a Jett fan,” The M.C. said as he took the mic from Kansas.

Over my dead body.

A mixture of good hearted boos and cheers filled the room. For a moment his gaze caught hers, and she smiled. It was like the sun coming out from behind the clouds, an indication that things could be salvaged.

He held the mic up to his mouth. “I guess that means it’s my turn.” Back in his role he answered questions and mingled with the people who’d put him where he was. As their session closed his excitement rose. Would she be waiting for him at his room? His palms tingled with anticipation. They stepped off stage, and security was waiting.

“Are you gentleman ready?” the stocky blond man from before asked.

“Yeah, I think we’re ready, Jett?” Aiden asked.

“Ready.”

Whispers rose around them, but no one approached. Must be my lucky day. His pocket vibrated. Con guys. It stopped, and then it began again. He frowned. Something’s wrong. When they reached the elevator, he pulled the slim phone free, looked at the screen, and froze. It was Lis’s parents. He quickly hit the green button that returned the call. Aiden flashed him a worried look, and he shook his head.

“Jett, thank God. We need you to come right away. Lis is in the hospital. She won’t listen to any of us. But I know she’ll listen to you.” The words filled him with dread.

“I wouldn’t be so sure, Greg.” He sighed. “What happened?”

“I know things didn’t work out between the two of you, and I’m sorry to call you in the middle of a con. But she’s refusing to eat or receive treatment. She’s been in the hospital for a week. The IVs and food pump are keeping her alive, but she’s starting to fade.”

“Jesus, Greg! Why didn’t you call me before now?” He closed his eyes and pressed his fingers into his eyelids. Wasn’t the whole point of ending things to make her better?

“She begged us not to. I agreed, I thought seeing you would make things worse.”

“What changed?” His mouth felt stiff as he spoke.

“Fact is, you’re the only one who was never afraid to give her a swift kick in the ass when she needed it, and this is about your unresolved issues.”

“I wasn’t the one—”

“I know that son, but she needs to hear it’s okay to let go, and see she didn’t ruin you so bad you can’t be fixed.”

“Does she think that?” He held the back of his neck.

“We try to keep the tabloids from her, but she has the internet. They’re blaming the break-up on you, and that kills her.”

“It’s all a part of the limelight.”

“I know.”

“Listen, I’ll make arrangements and let you know when I’ll be in.”

“Thank you, Jett.”

“Yeah.” He hung up the phone.

“What was that about?” Aiden furrowed his brow

“Lis is in the hospital. It’s bad this time.”

Aiden’s eye clouded with concern. “I’m sorry, you flying out?”

“Yeah. I need to call Kim, tell her I have a family emergency, and get out of here.”