Ashley POV

Even so, I reached over his shoulder gently, squeezing his bicep with my other hand. He stiffened slightly but then relaxed as I started talking.

"We are going to work this out," I said softly. "One step at a time. I don't know how, and I doubt I'm even qualified enough to help you, but I will do my best. I don't want to see you broken because of this."

"I... I have wanted to be a singer for a long time..."

The sound of his voice was almost barely audible. It took all my strength not to put my arms around him and hug him until he...