Riot starts to follow, and I put a hand on his shoulder. I suspect the sleeping arrangements have changed, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have some fun at his expense. “You’re down here.”
“Sorry, bro. That’s not going to work.” He drops both suitcases inside the door as the bodyguard walks through the bathroom and into the other room. “Since we need a room for my detail, Kelsey and I have agreed to share.”
Right. That’s why he wants to share.
His eyes flick from her to the double bed with its patchwork quilt. “It’s for a few days, right? Nothing we haven’t done before.”
“As long as you sleep on the floor.” Her voice is flinty.
“I’ll stick to my side,” he says.
“We might need another blanket,” Kelsey tells Summer.
For whatever reason they continue to play it as though nothing has changed between them. Fair enough. “You’re used to living on a bus. This won’t be much different.”
“Exactly,” they say at the same time.
The other half of their detail enters the far room via the adjoining door. He carries two duffle bags.
“So this extra security...” I say to Riot. “What’s the real story?”
“It’s nothing.” He joins me in the hallway. “The record company is being hypervigilant. We had some vandalism.”
“Vandalism?” It doesn’t sound serious enough for a security detail away from the tour. “What are we talk—”
“Ready for breakfast?” Summer asks as she and Kelsey step out of the room. “I want to enjoy food without feeling like I’m going to immediately vomit.”
“How long did that last?” Kelsey asks.
“Too long.” Summer rubs her belly. “But we’re doing better now.”
Fuck, I love her so much. My chest might explode, its capacity not enough for the way I love her.
“Can I have a word?” Riot asks Kelsey.
“Can it wait?” Her expression is pinched. She’s likely still unimpressed with the pictures of Riot and Sonatina. “I’m so hungry my stomach is trying to eat itself.”
“Yeah.” Riot ushers her toward the front door. “You barely ate yesterday with how busy we were. Let’s get you some food.”
“Is everything all right between those two?” Summer murmurs as I place my hand on her lower back, and we follow them out onto the wrap around porch. “Kelsey seems a little off, but I can’t put my finger on how, exactly.”
“Whatever it is... if they want us to know they’ll tell us.”
She stops as they descend the stairs. Gripping my jaw, she leans up on tiptoe and kisses me. “You’re going to be such a good dad.”
Her mouth is soft. Sweet. I want to pick her up and carry her back inside. Lock the door and pretend everyone else doesn’t exist while I ravage her. I want to take that box I packed, even though I told myself I was not ruining my brother’s weekend or making Summer’s day a part of their celebration, and put the ring inside it on her finger.
But the timing isn’t right.
“I better get down there and take care of my best man responsibilities.” Woodenly, I hold onto her until she takes a step back.
Her green eyes crinkle in the corners. A flash of hurt fills them.
What the hell?
16
Summer
