“I just don’t get it. The last time we saw each other was two years ago, and I could barely spend one day in Toronto. You didn’t even come to Seoul when I won—no, I know you had to work… I know… But tonight’s my last night here.”

I hesitate. I shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but if I move now, he’ll see me. He stops just inches away, running his hand through his hair as he speaks.

“What the hell do you mean you won’t step foot in Brantwood? Aren’t you supposed to be the grown-up here? You know what, don’t answer that.… Yep, I get it. Understood. Okay. Bye.”

He hangs up and lets out a short, frustrated exhale. Whoever he was talking to, it sounded intense. Way too intense for 6:30 a.m. A huge banana leaf pokes me in the face, and I realize I’m still hiding behind the plant. I quickly move around it, hoping to hop on the elevator back to my room, when Jason turns suddenly, nearly bumping against me.

His eyes widen in surprise. “Rachel. Hey. How long have you been down here?”

I swallow. “Um… not that long. I just… couldn’t sleep.”

He eyes me suspiciously. “Right.” I look up at him innocently and he shrugs, his body deflating a tiny bit. “Yeah, me neither. I couldn’t sleep, I mean.” His voice is soft, but there’s an edge to it that I’ve never heard before. He opens his mouth and then closes it again, like he wants to say something else. Instead, he takes a step back and shoves his hands in his pockets.

Just then Mina sweeps into the lobby, her hair perfectly done up in a high glossy ponytail. With her metallic rose-gold crop top and amber-studded earrings, she looks more like she’s ready for a shopping trip in Paris than she is for a three-hour drive out of the city. I sigh, glancing down at my sweats. Maybe Leah was right.

“Oh good, you’re both here,” she says. “I’m ready to go. And I’ll need breakfast on the way. These continental hotel breakfasts make me sick.” She glances around the lobby. “Where’s Mr. Han?”

“He’s over by the front desk,” I say, pointing to where Mr. Han has gathered with some other members of the DB crew, organizing things for today’s performance.

“Well, let him know I’m ready to go,” she says, looking at me. “Otherwise we’ll have to eat scrambled eggs for breakfast. Seriously, it’s like people at this hotel only know how to cook eggs one way.”

“I have a better idea,” Jason says. “Let’s rent a car and drive up just the three of us. I’ll tell Mr. Han we’ll meet him there.”

Mina and I stare at him. “What are you talking about?” I say.

“I need to blow off some steam,” Jason says, his head swiveling around the hotel lobby like he’s about to jump out of his skin.

“Um, are you kidding?” Mina says. “You think we’re allowed to just wander off on our own? Besides, Mr. Han’s already arranged a ride for us.”

“We’re not wandering off on our own. We’re just meeting him there.” He leans against the counter, rolling his eyes. “You worry too much. It’ll be fine.”

How many times have I heard Jason say that before? “What about our outfits for the performance?” I ask. We dropped them off with the hotel’s dry-cleaning service last night and they won’t be ready to pick up for another half hour.

“Look, I’ll go ask Mr. Han right now.” He strides across the lobby floor. Mina and I watch as Mr. Han puts his hand on Jason’s shoulder, nodding sympathetically. After a few minutes, Jason returns, grinning. “There. Mr. Han says it’s cool and he’ll take care of the outfits. I’m getting a car. You guys coming?”

Mina purses her lips together. “Fine. If Mr. Han says it’s okay, I’m in.”

From across the lobby, Mr. Han shouts in our direction. “Rachel, Mina! There’s still room in the DB car if you want to ride with us. Jaehyun sent me some simple dance exercises for you two to do on the trip.”

I close my eyes, weighing my choices. Three hours with Jason while he drives and makes asshole comments and Mina spends the whole time making fun of my clothes, or three hours doing leg exercises in a cramped car with Mr. Han.

“Rachel?” I can hear the note of desperation in Jason’s voice. He needs this. Whoever he was talking to on the phone has clearly shaken him. Maybe some time on our own will get him back on his game before the performance.

“Okay, I’m in,” I say, opening my eyes. “Let’s go.”

* * *

“Can we please turn on the air-conditioning? It’s so freaking hot.” Mina wipes the beads of sweat off her forehead, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

“No way,” Jason says, laughing and hanging one arm out the open window of our rental Camry. It’s the only car the hotel had available to rent on such short notice. He looks totally relaxed behind the wheel, and I get the impression he’s missed this. Like all the DB stars, he’s either chauffeured everywhere he goes in Korea or he takes the subway, which means there aren’t many opportunities to drive yourself. “There’s nothing like driving with fresh open-window air.”

“Yes, there is,” Mina says begrudgingly. “It’s called air-con.” She eyes me in the rearview mirror. “Come on, Princess Rachel. I know you’re sweating too.”

Normally Mina’s constant complaining would bother me more than the temperature, but my arms are practically sticking to the upholstery on the back of the seat. I carefully peel myself off as I sit up. “It is a bit hot.”

Jason sighs, rolling up the windows and cranking the air-conditioning. “Happy now?”

“I’d be happier if I knew where we were going,” Mina says, squinting at her phone. “This doesn’t look like the right way.”

“Relax,” Jason says. “I used to drive here all the time. I know where I’m going.”

The farther north we drive, the worse the roads get—we’re definitely not in the city anymore. Suddenly, Jason veers off the main road and heads straight onto a muddy dirt path. Mina sits up straighter in her seat, grabbing Jason’s arm.

“What the hell are you doing?” she cries.

“I told you, I know where I’m going,” Jason says. “This is a shortcut. Just trust me.” I bite my tongue, not wanting to get in the middle of their squabbling. As long as we get to Brantwood, that’s all that matters. I just need to focus on tonight’s performance. I close my eyes and start going over the dance steps in my head one more time.

Suddenly, my back slams against the seat as the car lurches to a stop.

My eyes fly open. “Why aren’t we moving?”

The tires squeal. Dirt and mud go flying, but we don’t move an inch.

Oh no.

“Huh,” Jason says. “Looks like we’re stuck.”

Oh no, no, no.

“No shit, genius,” Mina says, her voice dripping with annoyance. “It’s fine. My dad’s concierge service is international. They’ll come give us a tow.” She pulls out her phone. “Oh my god,” she says, her voice inching from annoyed to panicked. “I don’t even have reception.”