I arrive at the stadium in New Jersey early and help the crew put the finishing touches on the stage for tonight's concert. It's the least I can do since yet again I've been gifted with a hotel room to myself and two nights in a row of great sleep. I've had a ton of time to think to about Asher and the way he trashed our relationship, the walls I built to protect us, and all the things I gave up for him. But it's not him constantly running through my mind...it's Kade.

Even as I piece this stage together, I find myself fascinated by all the small things about him—like his fingers. They're long and graceful, wrapped around a microphone or dancing over the neck of his guitar. I recall how warm they were when he wrapped them around mine and led me to his bunk on the bus. Kade is captivating, but I knew that the minute I met him.

With the last bolt in place, I head into the management meeting. It runs its usual course—Mike asks how preparations for the show are coming along and if there are any concerns, we should address. The team gets off-topic talking about a variety of other things that have nothing to do with our duties. In the end, Mike thanks everyone for a job well done.

I step into the hallway and head toward the field.

"So, what if we get out of here for a bit?"

"Jesus Christ, Kade, you scared me." I cover my heart, trying to stop it from beating out of my chest.

He pushes off the wall next to the door and follows behind me.

"What are you doing here so early?" I ask.

He slides his hands into his pockets and smiles the most adorable boyish grin. "I thought it was clear; I'm asking you to hang out with me."

I pause at the exit and turn to him. His black hair is a mess and his cognac eyes are vibrant with the possibility of an adventure. It's hard to say no, but I have a job to do.

"There are just a couple of problems. One, I have to inspect the stage, and two, you have a show in five hours."

He cocks an eyebrow at me. "Solutions: First, since I got you out of your brother's hair last night, he's in a generous mood and offered to do the safety check by himself. The second solution, I have a car waiting outside and made plans to have us back in time. Although, you've already cut into five minutes by being difficult, and we may run a bit behind schedule now."

With a sigh, I follow Kade down the hall to the back exit where a town car waits. I feel utterly ridiculous in my worn-out jeans and a t-shirt. The only time I've driven around in a car like this was to go to some swanky event. Granted, Kade is dressed fairly similar to me, but he has a way of making it look cool.

The driver opens the door and Kade motions for me to enter first. I slide across the seat, and he scoots in next to me.

"You know you helped my brother get some? That's a little weird." I can't hide the repulsion in my voice.

Kade's laughter fills the car. "I never said I did it for Nicky. He just happened to benefit from it." He sobers and continues, "I know what it's like to be going through a rough time and constantly having people around. I wanted to make sure you had some space if you needed it."

My throat tightens, and tears threaten to spill down my cheeks. My current circumstance is my fault; I failed to see the signs. I'm glad he wants to be here for me, and I wish I knew how to repay him. For now, I hope my simple thank you will do.

"Have you been here before?" His voice breaks into my thoughts.

Pressing my face against the car window, I look up at massive structure we've stopped in front of. "The Empire State Building?"

"Yes, have you been here before?" he asks again.

"I've seen it before, but I've never gone up to the top." The only time I've been to New York is with Asher, and this was too public of a place for us. I swallow and push down the ping of resentment bubbling in me.

I won't let my boyfriend ruin my day.

As strange as it is, Asher is technically still my boyfriend. My lack of communication with him may look to some as a cop-out, but it's not my intention. I just can't bring myself to talk to him in coherent sentences yet. The negative feelings I harbor toward him are plentiful and at times don't make sense. When the time comes, I want to leave our final conversation with no regrets.

The driver opens the door, and Kade slides out of the car. "Well, come on."

With a little hesitation, I smile, reach for his extended hand, and we walk into the building. There's a buzz as people recognize him, and I let go of him.

With a look over his shoulder, he rolls his eyes at me. "Will you at least walk with me instead of behind me? It's self-degrading that you think we can't be seen together in a public place."

"It's just that I've always–"

He abruptly turns to me. "Look, do us both a favor and forget everything you thought you had to do because people would recognize the person you were with. I am not him, Ari."

I swallow the lump in my throat and nod.

I'm thankful for those who recognize Kade during the elevator ride to the top of the 103-story skyscraper. I sink into the far corner and watch as he obliges them by posing for photographs. When we reach the top, Kade and I walk along the observation deck in silence. This outing has ended up being a bust because of me and my big mouth. It's so hard not to impose my preconceived notions from Asher on to Kade, and I fear our fragile friendship is going to crack under the weight of them. But he's proven himself loyal, and it's time I realize we can outlast the bumps in the road.

Stopping at the edge of the building, I look out over the city. It's remarkable. There's so much to see, yet it all seems so tiny. The clusters of building below and the water in the distance make me feel like a deity looking down on the earth.

"I'm not mad at you," Kade says from beside me.

"I know."

Grabbing my hands, he turns me to face him with my back to the security railing.

"I don't think you do. I'm absolutely pissed at Prescott. Pissed that he wouldn't hold your hand when strangers were around." He squeezes my hands. "Or that he would let you walk behind him instead of pulling you to his side. His public image holds more importance to him than you, and that's shit."

I push past a sob saying, "It's okay."

Kade closes the distance between us and releases my hands, moving up my arms, over my shoulder, and his long fingers tangle into the hair at the nape of my neck. A shiver rocks me when I feel his thumbs move back and forth over my cheek. With a hushed voice he asks, "When was the last time you were treated like something more than just someone's dirty little secret, Ariella?"

A single tear flows from my eye, and Kade brushes it away. For two years, Asher hid me away, nothing more than a little trinket that comes out on special occasions. "I don't know."

"When was the last time you were kissed with such passion neither of you had any regard for those around you?"

"I don't remember, Kade."

"You will."

With a gentle push of his hand, he tilts my head until my lips meet his. There's no rush, no expectation, just a pure soft longing to be close to him. People around us whisper and fear urges me to pull away, but he encircles my waist, holding me tight and easing my reservations. Desire courses through me, and I don't care who sees us or what they say. Nothing matters but the feel of Kade's lips on mine.

With one last sweet kiss, he pulls away and rests his forehead to mine. "I hate that he had something so precious and took it for granted. He was careless and could have broken you."

"What are you doing, Kade?" I'm scared everything will change. I care about him, and I love our growing friendship. The last thing I want is to use him as a distraction to help me forget about Asher.

"I thought I was kissing you. Was it that bad?"

The damn smirk on his face proves he knows it was a mind-blowing kiss, and I fight to not succumb to his charm.

"The kiss was...amazing," I reply with a shaky voice. I want to smile and hug him and kiss him again, but can't get caught up in all of that when our friendship is on the line. "I don't want you to be my rebound."

Kade shakes his head, holding my gaze with his. "I won't be. I'm going to be the one to stitch up the gaping hole in you. I'll hold you until the hurt subsides, and one day, when you've healed and are ready to love again, I'm going to remember the scar left on your heart and think it is the most beautiful part of you."

Standing on my tiptoes, I brush my lips to his once more. Out of all the songs Asher sang to me, not one of them was as beautiful as the words just spoken. Never have I felt so loved and cared for by someone who is not family.

Kade folds me in his arms and mine loop around his waist. My head rests against his chest, and I let my smile shine through.

"Do you think that lady over there is really looking at her phone or taking a picture?" Kade motions his head toward a woman staring down at her phone. It's tilted at a funny angle, and she is most certainly taking a picture of us.

"I think she's trying to figure out why everyone else is staring at you. I bet she's Googling you under Disney child actors."

Kade laughs, takes my hand, and leads me back to the car.