Page 122 of One Last Shot

“Montana. I rented an Airbnb in Mercy Falls, near my record label. I need to finish up the songs for the movie I’m working on.”

“Cool.”

“Then Goldie has me slotted on some late-night shows, repping the television show. They are releasing it soon—I think they’ve got it slotted forsome cable channel.”

“Reynolds said he’d let us know,” Moose said.

“Can’t wait to be a big star,” said Axel.

Yeah, well, it wasn’t all that the world made it. But, “The ladies will go crazy,” Oaken said. He flipped the coin. Held it in his grip.

“Let me walk you out,” Moose said.

“Now you’re in trouble,” Axel said and lifted a hand.

Oaken waved back and headed outside, Moose on his tail.

“So, that’s it?”

Oaken rounded, walking backwards. “What do you mean, that’s it?”

“You’re just leaving, just like that.”

“Not just like that—the show is over.”

“That’s all this was? A show?”

He stared at him. “Since when am I the villain here?”

Moose stopped, shoved his hands into his pockets. “Since you made me a promise not to hurt Boo.”

He cocked his head. “I didn’t hurt Boo. She... left. I don’t know why.”

“You can’t figure it out?”

He opened his mouth. Closed it. “I might have an idea. But the fact is, she didn’t give me a chance to explain. She just left.”

“Sort of like your sister didn’t give you a chance to explain.”

He looked away.

“Listen. I know there is all sorts of hurt and anger and grief tangled up with your sister’s death. And Boo isn’t your sister. But right now, I have a feeling you’re listening to something that isn’t true.”

Oaken looked at him.Like?

“I know you said you’re not the villain, Oak. But my guess is that that isexactlywhat you fear. That the social-media memes are true and that you don’t deserve your fame, oreven happiness.”

“That’s an easy diagnosis—I told you what happened after Hollie died?—”

“Yeah. I’ve been turning that over. What if this was all meant to be?”

He stilled.

“What if God took that dark moment and turned it to light. Gave you a career. A platform.”

Oaken drew in a breath and could barely believe his own words. “It doesn’t feel like light.”

“Because you’ve been carrying it on your own. You believe this is all up to you. But what if that’s just what you told yourself to justify the good that came from the bad?”