The next month was grueling socially. Darcy was able to confirm that Declan fit the timeline. He proceeded to act like he was just one of many she had been with and wanted a paternity test. I couldn't blame him. This was a big deal. If the baby was his, his whole life would change.

That didn't mean though he had the right to treat Darcy the way he was. Declan was actively trying to make her look like a full on slut. She was already dealing with a very public pregnancy. Even I started to feel bad for her.

Darcy had to quit athletics for obvious reasons. Miri seemed to be one of the few friends she had that didn't desert her. I was proud of Miri for that. It didn't surprise me though, after finding out Ms. Mason had had Gavin her senior year of high school.

I tried to stay in my lane and focus on things I could actually control. I was walking into the school with Tyler when we heard Brenna screaming his name behind us.

"Tyler! They called! Dine Alone Records Called!"

Tyler stopped in his tracks and turned to face her, "What did they say?"

Brenna was jumping up and down, "They loved our demo! They want us to come in and talk."

Tyler looked like his legs were about to give out. He started jumping up and down too then and hugging Brenna.

I stood there looking stupid because I had no idea what they were talking about.

"Want to fill me in, Ty?"

"They're an indie record label in Toronto. They have branches here, LA, and Nashville. We have been trying to get them to listen to a demo we made last year for months."

My eyes widened, "Oh shit, that's huge."

Tyler kissed me excitedly. He turned back to Brenna, "What all did they say?"

"They loved our cover of Renegade and apparently really loved Fallen. They want us to come in tomorrow at five."

Tyler ran his hands through his hair. He bent over for a moment, trying to digest the news.

"Congratulations y'all. I am really proud of you both. Lord this could be huge for you."

Tyler stood up, "Did you already tell Mack and Kevin?"

Those were their latest drummer and bassist. I think they had been through four or five between the two positions since I had met them. Not many teenagers had that much time to practice and play gigs.

"I wanted to tell you first."

Tyler leaned over and hugged her again, "We got this Bren."

She smiled, "I have to go tell Nix now."

We walked to the gym. Jensen and Ari were talking outside. I was happy to see they had made it even after the latest Darcy incident. They seemed to be grounding each other.

"Hey love birds," I quipped as we walked up.
Ari smiled at Tyler, "congratulations on the record label call. I was with Brenna this morning when it came in."

Tyler smiled wide, "I still can't believe it man."

Jensen looked intrigued.

"I'll fill you in while we get changed." We kissed the boys goodbye and headed in.

I filled her in and Jensen responded, "Holy shit. So they could wind up touring and getting a record made and all that."

"Yep. They've toured before but it's been a lot of it on their own dime and just around Toronto."

"You think you can handle a whole summer of him being in a tour van alone with his ex?"

I rolled my eyes, "I did it last summer. I will be in the Dallas area for the first part of the summer anyways. I go and see my stepmom. Well ex-stepmom. I think I might go and do some college tours this summer too. I keep trying to get Laura to go with me so we can do a road trip."

Jensen's eyes lit up, "Oh please, let me come with you! I have my passport already. I would love to see Dallas and road trip."

My eyes now matched hers, "Um, totally. That would be amazing. You think your folks would be for it?"

"Definitely. A college tour road trip, what parent would say no to that?"

She had a point there.

"I will talk to Jordan, and see what all we need to do to make that happen."

Jensen jumped up and down in excitement and hugged me.

I allowed the sound of my feet hitting the track to take over most of my brain power. I needed to block out the world for a while and think. Running was one of the only ways that I knew how to accomplish this.

This wasn't just a summer tour. I knew it. Tyler and Brenna had what it took to make it. Really make it in the music industry.

I wondered what that meant for us? I still had a whole other year of high school to complete. Why would Tyler want to mess around with a senior in high school when he could have anyone he wanted on the road? The questions and doubt were bubbling in my guts. I couldn't drown it out anymore.

It was time for second period. Tyler looked so happy and relaxed. His dreams were one step closer to becoming a reality. I couldn't bring myself to rain on his parade with my insecurities. So I put on a smile and acted like I was as carefree as he was.

I focused on my classwork, easy enough to do in Ms. Colewood's class. She always more than enough work for us to do. I tried not to make too much eye contact with Tyler. I knew he would be able to see through my facade eventually.

By the end of second period I was ready to escape to third. Tyler pulled on my arm and pulled me into a little side nook in the hall.

"What's going on, Baby? You seem off?"

"No, I'm fine. Just a lot going on."

Tyler frowned slightly, "Anxiety flaring up?"

How did he know me so well?

I nodded, "A little. Yeah. I don't like change. You know that. I can feel it on the horizon and it has me thinking too much."

Tyler leaned down and kissed me softly, "I'm here. You can talk to me. It doesn't matter if I'm touring while you're in Dallas or you're at a university in Texas in a couple of years while I am living my best rockstar life, Alex, Baby, I am yours. My heart is yours. We don't always have to be in the same place for that to happen."

"How do you read my mind so well?"

"Because I know you, Baby."

I smiled wryly, "I'm really proud of you Tyler."

He kissed me on my forehead.

"I love you, Alex."

"I love you too."

Tyler walked me to my next class.

The rest of the day blurred together and faded into the next day. I felt like a zombie stuck in a time capsule.

I waited with Elle at her house after school. The Mr. Munro and both of the Masons went to the meeting with Tyler and Brenna. They wanted to make sure their kids weren't getting scammed.

I wanted Tyler to text me and give me some kind of clue as to how it went, but he hadn't.

It was getting closer to seven o'clock and still no word from anyone.

Finally, I heard a car pulling up. Elle and I bolted to the window to see who it was.

Breanna and Tyler were getting out of his truck. We headed outside, too impatient to wait in them to come in.

Brenna was grinning. Tyler was being more aloof. When he saw me he said, Lex, come back with me to talk to my family about the meeting.

I nodded and followed him back to his truck.

Once we were in the truck I couldn't contain myself any longer. "Oh come on, you have to give me a hint."

Tyler smirked, "It's good news, really good news. Just wait until we are back at my place and I will let you know all about what was said."

I was bouncing with energy.

I followed Tyler inside where the rest of the Masons were. The only one missing was Gavin.

"How'd it go?" Miri chirped.

Mrs. Mason looked at Tyler, "Let them know." She winked.

Tyler grinned ear to ear, "They want to sign us to a probationary contract."

"What's that?" I asked, too impatient to just listen.

"They are going to pay for us to do a demo. I should say it's going to be an advance on them paying us that is paying for the demo. Then they are going to cover tour costs with us this summer. They're going to promote the hell out of us and work on getting us sales and plays on apps and air play on radio."

"You're going to be on the radio?!" Miri squealed.

Tyler nodded, "And if we do well, they will sign us to a full contract."

Everyone started cheering. Tyler smiled and hugged them but he kept his eyes locked on me. He wanted my reaction to the news over anyone else's.

It was a lot to take in. Tyler and Brenna had been working on this for over two years. Running with Scissors was their brain child that they had put blood, sweat, and tears into. I had watched so many practices, been to concerts at the garage and local festivals, but I never dreamed they would actually make it to this next step. It was a step that so many people dreamed of obtaining and it was at their fingertips.

I was proud of their accomplishments but I was also selfishly, weary of what it meant. A part of me hoped that Tyler would go to at least community college for a couple of years so that he stayed around town. But that wasn't his dream and I knew it.

My dreams were still back in Texas. My top three choices for schools were back in Texas. I hadn't even thought about applying to schools in Toronto. My friends were here and I knew I probably should, but I wanted to go back home to my roots and study there again.

I had my dreams and Tyler had his. I couldn't shit on that.

So I plastered a huge smile on my face and tried to look as sincerely happy as I could. I jumped up and down with Miri and then hugged Tyler's neck. He twirled me around with excitement and kissed me in front of his family.

Winter break was around the corner. We still had another semester before we had to really worry about it. Until then I was going to let the pieces fall where they may.