I pull my luggage out of the back seat of my car and head up the steps leading to the wrap-around porch of the two-story house. It is picturesque, with its white siding and blue shutters. Huge redwood trees scatter the property, giving it a woodsy feel. It's so different from Asher's condo; it's inviting like a home should be. I dig my key out of the bottom of my bag and place it in the lock, but the door swings open before I can turn it. A warm gust of air greets me, and I smile. Rushing into the foyer, I drop my carry-on bag to the floor.

"Dad? Nicky?" I yell, rushing towards the kitchen. My dad and brother were not due back home from their meeting in New York until later today.

The area rugs placed along the walkways of the hardwood floors muffles my footsteps. I pass the living room with its big sectional couch and large screen TV. It's the place Dad and Nicky spend much of their time together. They can sit for hours watching a variety of sporting events and talking about nothing in particular. I push open the swinging door into the kitchen and find both men seated at the counter. Their conversation comes to a quick halt as I enter the room.

"Hey, baby girl. How was your trip to L.A.?" Dad asks, leaning back in his barstool and rubbing his rounded belly.

There is nothing flashy and fancy about my dad. He's a good ole' boy in t-shirts and jeans. A withered baseball cap covers his strawberry-blonde hair, and the brim casts his brown eyes into a shadow. His only vice in life is his addiction to coffee which he passed on to his children.

"Good," I say, grabbing a mug from the cupboard and filling it with coffee.

"How's lover boy doing?" Nicky chimes in.

I shoot my brother a deadly glare before scooping a ton of sugar and creamer into my cup. "He's good."

Nicky's your typical older brother and the family's golden boy—a complete overachiever. He graduated from high school a year early and earned his degree in architectural engineering in less than four years. Growing up, I learned the hard way that girls wanted to be my friend so they could get to my brother. Tall, muscular with an olive complexion, and wavy brown hair coupled with matching eyes, I guess people have a thing for the quintessential Italian boy. I never understood their attraction to him; he's overprotective, obnoxious, and somehow always finds his way into my business. Nicky's never liked Asher, but it wouldn't matter who my boyfriend is, he wouldn't think anyone is good enough for me. And for that, I love him to pieces.

I stand on the opposite side of the counter, drinking my coffee and taking in their postures. They hold their mugs with two hands, hunched over and breathing in the aroma of coffee. Dad and Nicky may not look alike, but they think and act alike.

"Did you meet anyone cool?" Dad asks.

Working with famous people is my dad's favorite part of his job—discovering how his celebrity clients are just like anyone else. His company Stage Presence Inc. is the most sought-after stage designer, building and providing the crew for big-name entertainers. Everyone in the music industry knows that SPI is where you go if you want fans talking about your concerts for years to come. He couldn't ask for a better career; he enjoys the creative process and the perks of the job.

"Not really. How did your meeting go?"

Nicky grunts and puts down his cup. "This tour is going to be a pain in the ass."

"Nicholas!" Dad snaps with a death glare. He hates when Nicky cusses in front of me. Little does he know that when it is just my brother and me, I can hold my own.

"I'm just saying it's a stadium world tour. The stage is enormous, and we will have a lot to do. It won't be an easy setup and takedown job," Nicky explains.

"Very true." My dad straightens in his chair and adjusts his flannel shirt. "So A.J., I was thinking..."

I lift my gaze from my cup with raised eyebrows.

"You guys know that one day SPI will be yours. I mean, the two of you can do whatever you want with the business, but I hope you will want to keep it. Nicky, you got it down, man. You can run the setup, and you're coming up with a lot of great design ideas. This new stage is huge, and you did almost the entire concept on your own, but you're not good with the behind-the-scenes management. You get too caught up in the creative aspects, and you sometimes fail to manage the team." Dad turns to me. "Thankfully, business management is what you're going to school for. You could take care of that part of the company, but you need to know how the setup and staffing work so you can control those areas. Once you have it down, you can run the company from the offices here. The two of you will make a great team."

Dad has a proud papa look. Besides Nonna, my brother and I are the only family he has left. He would fight for us through fires and floods without a second thought for his own well-being. That's how deep his adoration for his children runs.

I feel sick to my stomach, the thought of him not around forever frightening me. "Daddy, you're not going anywhere anytime soon. We have a ton of time."

"You can never be too prepared, and I just want you both to get involved. We have some cool stuff going on, and it's a good time for you to learn the ropes, so I've arranged for you to go on the road with Nicky this summer." He holds my gaze and taps his finger on the side of his mug.

Nicky continues to stare into his cup and doesn't appear at all surprised.

"Okay," I slowly say.

This might not be so bad. Asher will be back in North America in two months, and I can go out on tour with him for the entire summer. The thought has me giddy.

"Nicky starts in April with the tour in South America, and you are going to join up with him in Dublin for the European leg, and you both will finish in the U.S. You will spend some time learning the setup and takedown, but mostly I'll have you working with Pete on the logistics stuff through October."

Disappointment washes over me. I can tell by the description the tour isn't Asher's schedule. "October? What about school? Why don't you just have me go with Asher? He will be done touring by the middle of August just in time for me to go back."

My dad shakes his head. "First, I looked into school. I'm working with them right now to get accredited, so the job will be an internship. You will earn credit while on the road, and you can take some online classes if you want. Second, Pete and Nicky are the best, and they are who you need to be working with. And lastly, as much as I know you would love to go with Asher, I think he will be a distraction. You know he will want to spend time with you and talk others into letting you out of your duties. I need you to stay focused; this is important."

Asher and I made plans just this morning, and this is not in alignment with them. The two of us had hoped I could spend at least a few weeks of his tour on the road with him. There is no way my summer could get any worse.

I massage my fingertips into my forehead. "So, whose tour is this?"

"The Remnants."

"No!" I pace through the kitchen. "I mean I'll do it, but not with them."

Nicky rubs the back of his neck and turns away to hide a smile. Sometimes I swear he gets a kick out of seeing me get screwed.

Dad tosses his hat on the counter and runs his fingers through his hair. "I just met the lead guitarist and drummer this week; they seem nice, and you are around their age. I figured, on the rare days you have off, you could have someone to hang out with who's not Nicky or a bunch of middle-aged men. I don't know if you like their music, but you're not there as a fan. You're there as part of the road crew."

Dad's good intentions sometimes suck. "I'm sure the members you met are really nice, but I met one of them this weekend, and he's a jerk. He has an issue with Asher, and with me...I think."

My dad leans across the counter and touches the top of my hand. "This is life, kid. There are going to be people who you don't want to work with, but you have to put that aside for the company. You must always do what's best for the people who work for us; we help them support their families."

To hell, he's pulled on my heartstrings. He knows the most important thing to me is family, and I care about the well-being of other families too.

"Please Daddy, anyone but them."

My brother shakes his head, at my attempt to play the daddy's little girl card.

"Sorry, Ariella, but I will not change my mind. I already have you scheduled and cleared for this tour. You're going to have to deal."

I groan. There is no use in trying to persuade him; the decision is made.