Nonna's advice to make sure Kade knows I'm not giving up is easier said than done. It's been a week full of sideways glances, avoiding run-ins, and nothing more than simple pleasantries between us. I can't remember the last time I was this miserable. It's starting to trump finding out that my long-term boyfriend cheated on me.

I want to kick myself for answering the phone call from Asher. We needed to close that chapter of our lives, I just wish I would've done it in a private place. Kade and Asher are two separate stories I don't want to overlap again. It sucks that my contentment with one relationship's end has led to my discontent with the other.

Silverware hits the floor, interrupting my thoughts. With my empty dinner plate in my hand, I turn from the buffet line and glance at The Remnants' table. Kade leans down and picks his fork off the floor.

Without thinking, I grab an extra fork and walk it over to him. "Here you go," I say. A jolt courses through me when Kade's fingers brush mine. Throwing caution to the wind, I steal a glance through my eyelashes to find his gaze on me.

Looking away, he mumbles, "Thank you."

I'll take it! A stupid grin spreads across my face, and I reply, "You're welcome."

I eat my meal alone at a far corner table in the catering area. If it were any other day, it might be depressing, but today is starting out all right.

I steal another look at Kade. I miss everything about him, from watching him interact with others to having him kiss me. Hell, I could be satisfied sitting next to him in silence or watching him sleep. Anything is better than the distance.

But like so many good things, the elation for Kade's thank you fades. Unable to stand it any longer, I give up on my meal and clean up. Before I walk out the door, I take one more look and find him staring at me with his jaw clenched. I should've known our brief exchange would not have the same effect on him it had on me.

*****

I stand off to the side of the stage with some other crew members watching the concert. Actually, I'm watching Kade. He's always in good spirits when he's entertaining a crowd. I adore the way he sings with passion, dances like he doesn't give a damn and interacts with the fans, giving them cherished memories.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fish it out to see my dad's number. I press the ignore button and go to place it back in my jeans when it rings again.

I press my finger to one ear and hold the phone to the other. "Hey Dad, I'm kind of busy."

"I know, baby girl, but this is important."

I stiffen at the sound of his voice; something is off. "What's going on?"

He clears his throat and says, "I need you to come home."

"Why? What's wrong?"

"A.J., Nonna passed away last night," he says, his voice trembling.

My eyes widen, and I shake my head. "What? No? I just talked to her the other day. She wasn't even sick."

"I know, baby."

I double over like someone has punched me in the stomach and struggle to pull the air back into my lungs. My legs give out and I fall into a crouch, holding my head in my hand.

"I have a car coming to get you. It should be there in just a few minutes. Just grab your I.D. so you can board the plane, all right? I'll text you the details of the flight."

"Yeah."

"I love you, baby girl."

"I love you too," I say while stifling a sob.

With an enormous lump in my throat and tears burning my eyes, I run to where the buses are parked. I'm on autopilot, grabbing what I can and tossing it into a duffle bag. I just know I need to bring stuff with me, but I'm unable to decipher what's important. When the bag is full of random items, I zip it up and run out the back gates of the stadium. The car my father sent waits by the curb with a driver holding the door open. I slide into the back and the door shuts.