“I have to take this for work,” I say as the doctor nods and lets me know he’ll get the discharge papers ready.“Jagger, what’s going on?”
“Keaton, are you okay?”he asks the second I answer the phone after putting it on speaker.
“I’m okay.A little sore and I’ve got some battle wounds right now but they’ll heal,” I answer my manager as Tucker smiles and shakes his head at me.
“Your mom called and let me know what was goin’ on.I’ve had our teams on it and your name isn’t mentioned in anythin’.We don’t need anyone to connect the dots between Ruby and you or the media will show up in Briar Glen and you won’t get a second of rest.We both know that’s the last thing you want.I’ll stay on top of it and you rest and heal.I’ll check back in with you in a few days.If you need somethin’ before then, let me know and we’ll get it taken care of.I’m cancelin’ the rest of your tour dates, but I want you in the studio with Memphis as soon as possible.There’s still talk of your duet goin’ around and videos from the festival are still trendin’ on social media.We need to capitalize on this as soon as possible.When you feel ready to record again, let Memphis and me know so we can arrange everythin’.I’ll talk to you soon, Keaton,” Jagger says, hanging up the phone as I smile because that’s who my manager is.
“I don’t want you rushin’ back to the studio, Keaton.You’re just gettin’ out of the hospital today.Didn’t the tour just take off again after havin’ a few days off?”Tucker asks me and I nod in response.
“Yeah.It will be a few weeks before Memphis can get away from the tour.He can come to the house and we can use the recording studio in the basement.We’ve done it in the past and can make it work again.I will warn you now that Memphis usually stays with me when he’s in town because he doesn’t want anyone to recognize him.Plus, we’ll have to have a team here to produce the song and make sure it’s recorded properly,” I answer Tucker as he pulls out his phone and makes a call.
I listen as he asks Wren to pack some clothes and bring them to me so I can be discharged.Bridger needs to be with us as well.I’ve missed him and it hasn’t even been a full day since I last saw him.While Tucker talks to Wren about what to bring me, I call my parents to let them know I’m being discharged.My mom informs me they just landed about an hour away and will meet me at the house.They want to see Bridger and me before they head home to unpack and rest.I love spending time with my parents but I know this time will be different.Tucker will be with us and I’m not sure how they’ll react to a man in my house who I haven’t known for very long.I guess only time will tell.
Tucker stays with me as we wait for my discharge papers and Wren to show up.He also calls one of the Prospects to bring his truck to the hospital and ride his bike to my house.That’s when he informs me that Tristan and Zach know the code for the gate at my property.I don’t mind the two of them knowing it because they’ve been there to help me a few times now.Plus, I doubt they’ll use it for anything other than doing something for Tucker or an emergency situation.At least that’s what I hope.They still don’t know my true identity so we’ll have to play it by ear I guess.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Ice
IT TOOK LONGER thanI thought it would for a nurse to return with the discharge papers releasing Keaton from the hospital.Wren and Judge brought Bridger and a change of clothes for her up and stayed while we were waiting.Keaton allowed me to help her dress after she got the IV removed because the use of her wrists is a little hard right now with the way they hurt.I didn’t take advantage of her, quickly removing the hospital gown from her before sliding the loose dress Wren brought up over her head.There wasn’t a bra in the bag with the clothes so we skipped that part, but I’m not sure I like the fact she’s moving around with no bra covering her.I can see her nipples through the dress and that’s not a good thing.I’m more than likely to beat the fuck out of some random guy for looking at her than leaving them alone.There’s also no underwear.Keaton is going completely naked under the dress.The only reason I’m not saying anything about it is because the material goes down to her ankles so I hope the risk of her flashing someone besides me is non-existent.Judge just laughed when I glared at Wren and she shrugged her shoulders once they came back in the room.
“Are you okay with meeting my mom and dad today?”Keaton asks me when we’re in my truck and heading to her house while Judge and Wren return to the compound.Zach and Tristan follow us so Tristan can drop my bike off and then head to the clubhouse.
“I’m good, Songbird.I’d meet them eventually and I’m certainly not gonna disappear or make them wait to see you.You’re their daughter and I’d be goin’ out of my damn mind if I had a kid and somethin’ happened to them.I heard the fear in your mom’s voice when I first called them the night we brought you to the hospital,” I answer her as I lace our fingers together and rest them on her thigh so it doesn’t bother her wrist.
“They can be a lot to deal with on a good day, Tucker.Since I’m just getting out of the hospital today, it might be worse than I’m expecting,” she informs me as I laugh at her.
“Songbird, I can handle your parents.They’re important to you which makes them important to me.My parents raised me with manners so I can have a conversation with them for a few hours,” I assure her as we pull up to the gate of her house and I open my window to put the code in the keypad.
The three of us pull through the gate and come to a stop as it closes behind our vehicles.I know we don’t have to worry about Dillon coming for Bridger and Keaton any longer since he killed himself.Our conversation in her hospital room has really gotten me thinking about things though.What if someone does discover Keaton is Ruby and they show up at her house?Is the gate really enough to keep them out of her private space?The sanctuary she’s created for herself?I think we might need to talk more about this when she’s gotten some more rest.
I pull in the garage and motion for Tristan to follow me.There’s more than enough room for my bike and truck in the same bay.While I help Keaton out of my truck, Zach gets Bridger out and Tristan grabs the diaper bag.We all head inside and I notice an older woman who closely resembles Keaton in the kitchen making some kind of salad.
“Sweetheart!”she exclaims the second she notices us entering the house.I back away as the woman pulls Keaton in her arms and holds her close.It doesn’t take long for a man to enter the kitchen as he looks at the three of us standing behind his wife and daughter.Keaton is the perfect combination of her mom and dad so it doesn’t take a genius to figure out how they’re related.
“I’m okay, Mom.I promise.I’ve got a slight headache and my wrists hurt, but that’s it.Mom, Dad, this is Tucker, Tristan, and Zach.Guys, these are my parents, Logan and Tiffany Jones,” she introduces us all as her dad steps up and holds his hand out for each of us to shake.
