Max

"I got it!" Liv shouts as she leaps into my arms. I've barely pulled my front door open when she wraps herself around me, the brightest fucking smile across her face. "I got the internship!" she squeals.

    I spin her around, gripping her tightly against me as I let out an over the top yell. "I knew you would!"

"I'm still in disbelief that this is actually happening," she falls back to her feet, her arms draped over my shoulders as those halos of hers meet my eyes. "I mean, I applied on a whim and honestly thought I wasn't even qualified, especially when I cried like an idiot during the interview explaining my past and why this meant so much to me. But when they called, they said I was exactly who they were looking for. That my heart and passion meant more than any level of experience."

So much fucking pride consumes my chest as I look back at her. "Honestly, Liv, that's amazing."

"I didn't realize how much I wanted this until I started this whole crazy process. But I think this is my purpose, Max. I really do."

I lean in now, pressing my lips to her forehead and holding her against me. "I think so too, Liv. And I'm so freaking proud of you."

Her smile widens, the light hitting her eyes. "Those treasured coffee dates and study sessions you promised are going to become a lot more real if we want to see each other," she says against my lips.

I pull back, pausing to brush a strand of hair from her face. "We'll make the time. Every spare minute we'll spend together."

"Sounds a bit like a fantasy," she whispers. The sound of a car pulling up into the driveway has both of us pulling away. Liv spins in my arms, looking out the open door. 

"They're just getting back from L.A.," I say, nodding toward my parents' car. She takes one step back, the thoughts clear in her mind. I reach for her hand and pull her back into my chest before she even has a chance to say the words. "Don't go. Stay."

She smiles up at me, her lips brushing mine.

"Max!" Lily shouts from behind us. Reluctantly, I pull my mouth from Liv and turn to face my sister.

I've missed her over the last week. I've missed the ridiculous giggles and exciting, over the top stories she likes to imagine. I've missed building giant forts in the living room and hiding inside with flashlights and snacks. I just miss her.

"Hey, Lil," I smile down at her as she leaps into my arms. I pull her up, resting her on my hip as I greet both of my parents. My mom has her usual warm smile as my dad's eyes are inspecting the house.

"Mommy and Daddy took me to Disneyland!" Lily shouts with the brightest freaking smile aimed directly at me.

"Oh yeah?" I smile back, glancing at my parents. "Did you take a lot of pictures? Did you meet Belle?" Belle is the current Disney princess obsession. It changes by the season, which makes it extremely hard to keep up, but seeing as I just watched Beauty and the Beast about thirty times with her last week, I'm pretty sure I'm safe to assume Belle still holds that top spot.

"Yeah!" she shouts. "She took a picture with me! Via, can you believe it? I got to take pictures with Belle!" she shouts, reaching for Liv. I pass her over, letting the two of them fawn over their shared princess of choice. I mean, Disney princess who loves to read and doesn't give a douchey guy the time of day? Yeah, that has Liv written all over it.

"I am going to need to see all the pictures," Liv says, her smile just as bright as Lily's.

My sister's smile continues to light up the entire house as she tells us all about their trip.

"Okay, Lily," my mom swoops in. "It was a long drive and you somehow managed to stay awake the whole time. Let's go get you rinsed off and ready for a nap, okay?"

"Oh, but I don't want to!"

"I know. But let's just go get cleaned up, read a couple books and relax, okay?"

"Okay," she relents, letting out a long yawn in the process. Yep, she'll be out much sooner than she realizes.

My mom turns to my dad before she walks out, checking the time before giving him a nod. "Go ahead and get started. He wasn't too far behind us."

My eyes are suddenly scrunched together as my dad just nods back, looking at me and gesturing toward the living room. I feel like I'm in trouble, being called into the principal's office. Yet it's worse because it's my parents and I have no idea what I actually did wrong.

"Should I go?" Liv questions, clearly picking up on the strange change in the room. My dad just looks at me, a knowing acknowledgment behind his eyes. Whatever it is, he knows I want Liv here.

"No," I say, reaching for her hand. Her fingers slide between mine as we follow my dad into the living room.

"Look," my dad begins, taking a seat on the couch and letting that serious tone fall across his voice. He glances between me and Liv, his eyes dropping to our hands clasped tightly together before a small smile falls across his face. His eyes land on me as he says, "You know why we went to L.A., right?"

This feels like a trick question. "Yes?"

His smile helps ease the moment. "Your mom had some work to do with the label she recently signed with." Yeah, I'm aware of that. "And well, we happened to run into one of the agents there who represents Country Road."

Country Road? Shit. They're huge right now in the country world. "Do they want to collaborate with mom? That'd be fucking awesome."

My dad laughs, giving me those parental eyes for dropping an F-bomb but clearly ignoring it. "That would be, but she's not who they were interested in."

"Okay?" This isn't making any sense.

"Son," he says again, taking a breath. "They're going on tour this year." Another fact I'm well aware of. "And their opening act just fell through."

That fact I didn't know. "That sucks."

"Their first show is in like a month, isn't it?" Liv asks.

He nods. "It is. And they want you."

I'm sorry... "What?"

Liv's hand squeezes in mine, her eyes already set on me. My dad laughs, nodding his head as his eyebrows lift. "I know. It's unbelievable. But apparently your videos online are becoming quite the talk over social media, and I guess that's what they're looking for. A social media star who deserves a shot."

This still makes no fucking sense. "You're fucking with me."

"Language," my mom says as she enters, sauntering into the room before she falls beside my dad. "But no, we aren't messing with you. Their agent is on his way as we speak. Wanted to be able to explain it all in person and hopefully convince you to sign on."

Shit like this doesn't just fall into your lap. I mean, technically my mom's connection in the music world and my dad's overall status as a former NBA player probably has a lot to do with increasing my odds, but still. This doesn't just happen.

"Max," Liv says beside me. Slowly, I bring my gaze to hers. She's beaming, full of so much fucking light. "This is amazing."

The knock on the door echoes through the whole house as all of our eyes fly toward the entryway. I stay frozen, trying to somewhat process what the actual hell is happening right now. A tour? With Country Road? Me? None of this makes any damn sense.

I can hear voices in the other room, friendly greetings and compliments of the home, but none of it truly sinks in.

"Max," Liv says my name again, her hand tight in mine as I allow myself to actually breathe. "This is huge."

I nod. "This is insane."

"Good insane?"

"Crazy insane."

She smiles, her hand along my cheek as she kisses me softly. "It's okay to breathe. They want you. You could sing. This could be your career."

My career. Is that even an option?

They walk back into the room, Liv and I both turning to face them. A tall, lengthy man is beside them now. He's dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. Would have expected a suit, but I actually admire the casual demeanor he's covered in. Less threatening. Maybe that's the point.

"You must be Max," he smiles, reaching out a hand and extending it my way.

Somehow my legs will me to stand, and releasing my hand from Liv's, I push myself from the couch as I return the gesture. "Uh, yeah. This is my girlfriend, Olivia," I add.

"Good to meet you. I'm Hal." I feel a little like Lily must have felt meeting her dream princess. Shocked, in awe, and completely in a daze. "Shall we sit?" he asks, nodding toward the couch.

I simply step back, taking my seat again as he gives my parents a look. They join, all of us sitting around like Country Road's agent isn't just chilling in our living room right now.

"So, I take it your parents have filled you in?"

I shift slightly, reaching back for Liv's hand and clearing my throat, trying to not be completely star struck. "Uh, yeah. Yeah, they filled me in a bit. But I still don't quite understand why you want me."

He laughs. "Have you seen your view and reshare count online? Your videos aren't only attracting attention, kid, they're becoming a platform. People have been reposting your videos with all kinds of tags and captions. You're hot shit right now, you know?"

I can't help but laugh. I mean, I know, I've seen the views. But really? That's enough to catch the attention of one of the top bands in country music right now? I call bullshit. "I'm not the only guy on the internet with views like that, though."

He laughs again, eyeing my parents. "You're a smart kid. I like you. But listen, you're right. There are a lot of other people with videos that get attention like yours. And to be bluntly honest, anyone could do what you've done."

Damn, thanks. Although I do appreciate the honesty.

"But," he continues. "That little prom stunt you posted? No one has something like that. Have you seen the responses that video of yours is getting?"

That little prom stunt he's referring to is me asking Liv to prom. Our moment. One that the internet seems to be trying to make their own. "I mean, yeah. It's gotten a lot of attention."

"A lot of attention?" he laughs. "People are running with that. Hashtag songposal is now trending due to your little lyrical genius. People are using your words to make their own promposals from it, using it to ask a girl on a date, hell, there's even been someone who used it to ask his girl to marry him. It's a whole movement, Max. Even strawberry milkshakes are trending. And that, no one has that kind of attention without already being a damn star."

Pretty sure I'm blushing like a fool right now, but shit. I don't think I even realized the extent to which that video has gotten attention. I mean, I've seen the ridiculous reenactments of it. I've seen the hashtag and people making it their own, but I didn't honestly think it would catch anyone's attention on this scale. And the strawberry shakes? Yeah, a certain someone to my right hasn't let me ignore that one. Her hand squeezes in mine at that moment, and I know it's only solidifying her argument that it's the superior shake.

"So this is real? They really want me to open for them? How does this even work?"

He smiles, relaxing a bit in his seat. "I'm glad you asked. Listen, the tour starts in a month. They want you out there ASAP to run through rehearsals and get your set planned. You do have your own songs, right?"

I nod slowly. I mean, I do, but most of them are more Liv's songs than mine. "Yeah," I hesitantly give him a half response.

"Great. We'll get you in the studio next week, get you recording so we have a set planned. We got to get you a band, rehearsals will be pretty draining everyday until it's set."

"Wait, next week? I still have two weeks left of school." My eyes fly between my parents who are still sitting quietly.

"You're a senior. Your classes are complete at this point. I'm sure we can easily work out an early exit for you."

My mom gives my dad a side glance before offering me a small smile. One that tells me they've already worked out these necessary details if I choose to go along with this.

"Now," he continues, sitting up straighter. "The tour will start at the end of June and wrap up in May of next year. If all goes well, they want you on board for all of it. They're big on finding the next big star, and you, Max Hayes, have the potential to be the next big name in country music. All you have to do is say yes, and I can make sure your name is in every household by the time this thing is over."

I'm pretty sure my eyebrows have left my forehead at this point. There's a smile fighting to crawl across my mom's face while my dad is looking at me, searching for any type of response from me.

"What about college?" I ask the obvious, my eyes still trained on my dad.

"Listen, Kid," Hal jumps in again. "This kind of opportunity doesn't come around all that often. In fact, it really doesn't come around at all for most people. So if this is what you want, where you truly see your future going, then college can wait. It will always be there. This offer won't."

I know he's not wrong. I'm still shocked as fuck I'm even sitting here right now, but giving up college? My scholarship? Ball? Liv...

My eyes drift to hers. She's already looking at me. I wish I could jump inside her head right now, hear what she's thinking about all of this. We had a plan. This was not it.

"Can we have a minute, Hal?" My dad finally speaks up.

"Of course," he smiles, standing from his seat. "I've got to make a phone call. I'll just step out back, take in that beautiful view you've got out there. But listen," his eyes fall to me. "I'm not going into this having this one year be it for you. If you sign on for this, I'm in it for the long hall. I'll have your first single playing on every country radio within the first month of the tour. And your first album will drop in no less than six months. You'll be headlining your own tour within the next two years. I'm big on acting while you're hot. No sense dragging this out. You want this, I'm going to make it happen."

He heads out of the room, already pulling out his phone and walking toward the front door. My eyes stay with Liv's, aching to hear what she thinks.

"This is a lot to think about," my dad begins. I turn my attention to him, keeping Liv's hand tightly in mine.

"Are you guys really telling me to give up a scholarship? Give up a chance at playing ball and a spot at college so I can open for a band for a year?" I can't believe that they are actually okay with this.

They look at one another, some conversation playing between their minds before they look back at me. "We're just saying that this opportunity doesn't present itself to many people," my dad is the one to speak up. "And if music is truly what you want in life, more than basketball, then we want you to know we're on board. With whatever it is you decide, we'll support you."

"But I'd be completely giving up basketball in exchange for this," I clarify. It's more than just the education at this point. Do they realize what else this means?

"Maybe. But I think there's a bigger question to address here," my dad responds. "What is it you actually want? Which one couldn't you live without? Playing ball or music?"

That answer has always been an easy one. At least in my gut. Saying it out loud has been the issue. Liv's thumb begins to trail along the back of my hand, her touch a reassuring gesture that brings oxygen to my lungs.

"Max," my dad pulls my attention back to him. "You're a natural on the court. Always have been. And I see the way you take charge out there, how it brings a light to your eye. But I've also seen you play guitar. And ever since the first time I watched you play all of those years ago, I knew you had a different passion for that guitar than you did for ball. If I'm being honest, I'm surprised it took you this long to actually turn it into something."

"I like playing basketball, too."

"I know you do, but you love music more, don't you?"

My eyes fall to the floor for a moment, letting this truth fall across the room. It's one only Liv has ever pointed out, one only she's ever seen. I slowly pull my eyes to her, leaning into her strength before I look back at my dad, the man I didn't always have in my life. The one who made basketball his life.

"I do," I finally admit out loud. "But this is still a huge decision to make."

"We know," my mom says. "We know how much you'd be giving up. But you would also be gaining a lot. It just comes down to what you see when you picture a future. What it is you really want."

I nod, taking in what the hell is actually happening. I've had a plan. College, ball, Liv. I'd be giving up a lot with this decision. A lot of things that have already fallen into place.

And then my thoughts fall to her. To the many promises I've made to Liv over the years. I promised I'd never leave her.

My eyes fall to hers, the gleam still present behind them as she looks back at me. "Can we have a minute?" I ask my parents. When they leave the room, I bring my free hand to Liv's cheek, holding her here with me. "What do you think about all of this?"

"I think this is an amazing opportunity."

I nod. "Yeah."

"And I think you've loved playing music, especially this past year getting to play in the coffee shop, starting to write your own songs."

"I have."

"So then, why are you hesitating?"

Because I love you.

Because I don't want to be without you.

"If I do this, I'm going to be gone for a year, maybe more. All the plans we had–"
    "Can wait," she interrupts me, her hand on mine along her cheek.

"I don't think it's that easy, Liv."

"No one said anything about easy. It's going to be a really hard year, but we'll survive it, right?"

I hold onto the light behind her eyes, the glimmer of hope. "Yeah," I breathe out. "But what if it's not just a year?"

"Max, is this what you really want? Music? Not basketball, not college, but music. Above all else."

I watch her, the pride and strength behind her eyes grips my heart. I nod. "Yes, I think I really do."

"Then the rest will fall into place too. Okay? We'll figure it out. I'll do my best to schedule my classes around your rehearsals and shows, and I'll even see if I can work my internship shifts around it, too."

"Liv, you can't do that."

"We'll make this work, okay? We'll find a way to both live our dreams."

I've made so many promises over the years. I promised to never leave, I promised to never let her give up on her dreams. At what point does this decision break both of those in one swoop?