“Everything is okay.She might stay on tour with me for a little while,” I inform my manager as he nods in response.
“Here’s Judge and Wren for the private meet and greet.They know not to talk to Nora,” he says and I appreciate his warning to them.Nora is overwhelmed with everything already and the last thing she needs is a stranger all up in her business.
I open the door wider and step back for Judge and Wren to walk inside.Closing the door behind them, I turn with a smile on my face and keep their back to Nora so she can nurse in peace.Looking at Judge, I see the tension in his body and know he’s already noticed the bruises on my best friend.That it’s taking everything in him not to talk to her and make sure she’s okay.If he’s anything like his brothers, Death and Talon, then I know he’ll want to step in and help her get away from her abuser.
“It’s so good to meet you both,” I tell them honestly as I take in Wren’s excitement.She’s practically bouncing in her spot and I know she’s going to explode soon if she doesn’t get the chance to expel some of her energy.I love fans like her.“You’re Death and Talon’s older brother, right?”
“I am.You’ve met them before?”Judge asks me as he smiles down at his wife.
“I have.They’ve been on tour with us before and they’re good guys.Don’t take shit from anyone and tell it like it is.I appreciate their kind of brutal honesty,” I answer him as I step forward and pull Wren in for a hug.Her eyes light up like the Fourth of July when she realizes what I’m doing.
Wren hugs me a lot harder than I expect from such a small woman.It reminds me of the hugs I get from Memphis and I love it.
“Wren, I’m happy Jagger asked me for this private meet and greet.Knowing Judge is related to Death and Talon only made me want to say yes because they talk about you all the time.Those two worship the ground you walk on and you can do no wrong in their eyes,” I tell Judge as he smiles at me.I can tell my words mean a lot to him as he rubs the back of his neck and looks at the floor.
“It’s so good to finally meet you, Ruby.I’ve loved all of your music from the very first song I ever heard.And your show tonight was absolutely amazing.Are you going to record the song you did with Memphis?”she asks me when I pull back from our hug.
“We’re going to record it and release it soon.As we said, that song literally just got written over the last week when we were on break and Jagger loved it when we sent him a clip.He wanted us to sing it here first to get a reaction from the crowd and I don’t think you guys disappointed us at all.I have a feeling we’ll be in the recording studio sooner rather than later,” I tell her as Nora moves slightly in the background.
“That’s such great news.I can’t wait to hear you live again tomorrow.This is the first chance I’ve had to see you in concert,” Wren informs me as Judge lets his wife have the spotlight and remains at her side.The love I feel and see between the two of them is what I want to find for myself.It’s pure and full of them working together to make it last.
“I’m so happy you’re coming again.I’ll be doing some different songs, but I’ll close out my set with Memphis again.I know a lot of fans are coming to both days, but some new ones will be here tomorrow.I don’t mean to rush this, but my friend and her baby need to get some rest,” I say as Wren keeps her attention on me and smiles.“We can do some pictures before I take her to her room for the night.”
Wren pulls out her phone and hands it to Judge.I stand between the two of them and he takes a few pictures of the three of us and then of Wren and me together.It’s fun and her energy is seriously contagious.I thank them for coming to meet me and enjoying the show before they leave.When I open the door for them, my eyes immediately land on the new guy on my security detail.I want to know who he is.
“That’s Ice.He’s here for the week,” Judge says quietly so only I can hear him as I look up in shock.“He’s a good man and will do everythin’ he can to protect you.”
“Thank you,” I tell him as my eyes linger on the man in question once again.He’s got his back to me and I take in the muscles in his arms as he moves.Before I can step back, he turns and our eyes lock.I can’t look away from him.
Judge and Wren leave and I finally manage to break the trance he’s got me locked in so I can shut the door.Nora is done nursing Bridger and has eaten most of her food.I didn’t really get to eat more than a few bites of mine, but I’m used to eating on the go.I’ll grab something on the bus.These desserts are coming with us though.
“Are you ready to head to the bus?”I ask Nora and watch as her eyes droop in exhaustion.
Nora doesn’t answer me as sleep already starts to claim her.I walk over and cover her more completely while taking Bridger from her arms.My best friend doesn’t even stir as I quickly find the diaper bag she had so I can change his diaper.Bridger giggles and kicks his feet the entire time.He’s perfect in my eyes and I can’t wait until Nora becomes herself again so she can be the best version of herself for this little guy.He deserves that from her and she deserves to be free enough so she can have fun with her son and treasure him like she’s always wanted to.I will do everything in my power to ensure it happens and they both live the lives they were meant to.
Chapter Seven
