“Fuck, Mel,that’s a chunk of change.”
“I want everyoneto have the time to grieve, Jimmy. No one should feel like they need to performwhen all they want to do is curl up into a ball and cry, you know?”
He smiled.“Yeah, I get it.”
“I can’t believeyou guys dropped everything to come.” I smiled up at him, my tears threateningto spill again. “You know how much I love you, right?”
“Feeling’smutual, honey. Which brings me to why we’re alone. I talked to the band, andthey’ve given me their blessing. If you need me, I’m yours for the rest of thetour, or a little longer. We don’t go back out on the road until we head toAustralia and New Zealand in November.”
Jimmy had filledin on occasion for me when Puddin’ had been out of town or the time hisappendix had burst, so he knew my songs backwards and forwards.
“Oh my god,seriously?”
“Not the besttiming, and there’s no pressure,” he continued. “Just throwing it out there ifyou need me.”
I threw my armsaround his waist and hugged him tight. “Thank you. You have no idea how muchpressure that takes off of me.”
“I’ve got mybass ready for whenever.”
I smiled up athim. “Okay, Jimmy. Thanks.”
He led me backto the rest of the group and I wrapped myself around Train again.
“Everythingokay?” he asked.
I nodded, givinghim a squeeze, and we spent a little time catching up while Train sat stoicallybeside me saying nothing.
About an hourinto our reunion, Train leaned over and whispered, “We should get you back tothe hotel, baby.”
“I’m okay.”
“You’reexhausted,” he argued.
“Yeah, well,Puddin’s dead, so I think I can handle staying awake for a little whilelonger,” I snapped.
He said nothing,but his body locked beside me as he sat back in his chair.
“I’m actuallywiped,” Lucy said. “Do you mind if we call it a night?”
“Oh, of coursenot,” I said, pushing away from the table. “Sorry, you’ve had a long day.”
“We all have,”Lucy said, hugging me. “We’ll find some time to catch up tomorrow.”
“That soundsgreat,” I said.
Bam hugged meand then the group left me and Train alone, heading out to their awaiting cars.
“We’re goingback to the hotel now,” Train said.
“I’m okay,” Iargued.
He slid his armaround my waist, leaning down and whispering, “I swear to Christ, woman, if Ihave to throw you over my shoulder and carry you out of here, I will. Donottest me.”
“Oh, really? Youthink you have the power to manhandle Melody fucking Morgan, America’ssweetheart, in front of all these people?” I hissed.
“You reallywanna find out?”
“When did youturn into an asshole?”
