We finish packing, and I tidy up my cabin so there won’t be much for Lucy to clean. I’m getting Dash’s bowls and food when I hear the thundering engine of the tour bus. Denton goes out to greet the guys and I step out on the porch just watching for a moment.
It’s strange to see the bus here again. It’s almost like they never left. Ray starts loading our bags up. He goes to grab mine from my hands. “I got it,” I say to him.
“Now, Miss Sorrel, don't be putting me out of a job. I’ll be taking care of your bags for you as long as you’re on my bus.”
No point in arguing, I guess. I let him take the bags from me. I’ll need some kind of job myself. There’s no way I’ll make it through the next few months without something to keep me busy.
“Welcome to the band, Sorrel!” Johnny teases.
I scoff. “You don’t want me in the band, trust me. I don’t have a musical bone in my body.”
“Well, that’s gonna have to change. You’re dating a musician now.”
I laugh. That’s not happening.
I’m ready to get on the road before I chicken out. There will be three days of driving before the first concert in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Ryder and Sutton ride up on their horses, here to give us their farewells. Dad and Trotter come out of the main house.
“No!” Trotter screams, running away from Dad.
He’s running so fast his little head smacks into the top of my knee before I can catch him. Trotter wails, rubbing at his head. I pick him up into my arms.
“I love you so much, baby. We won’t be gone long.”
“Don’t go!” he whines, and stretches his arms out toward Denton.
“He wants you,” I say, handing him to Denton.
He whispers something in Trotter's ear and he immediately stops crying. A playful smile now spreads across his little lips.
“What’d you promise him?” Sutton asks, climbing down from her horse. Ryder doesn’t get off his.
Grinning, Denton says, “That Auntie Sorrel and I will bring him home lots of presents and treats.”
Sutton rolls her eyes and is biting back a smile.
She takes Trotter from his arms and sits him atop her horse—he is happy as can be now, horseback. She gives us both hugs, saying her goodbyes and Ryder shakes Denton’s hand. I just give him a smile and wave. He isn’t really the touchy feely type and gets weird when it comes to goodbyes.
Last to say goodbye is Dad. He takes me in and I breathe in his scent. He smells of leather and the cologne he wears every day. It’s a musky warm scent. I hope I'll always remember his smell.
“I love you, darlin’. You be safe out there, and if you need to come home, give me a call. We’ll get you a flight, bus, one of them Guber things, whatever we gotta do.”
I laugh. “I know, Dad. I love you too.”
It’s time now; Denton and I lock hands. The guys all give him shit. I expect there will be a lot of that—boys will be boys.
Next stop, Knoxville, Tennessee.
25
DENTON
We’ve been on the road for three days. Sorrel is fitting in great with the guys, giving them just as much shit as they give her. Johnny has actually met his match. He keeps asking her to FaceTime Charli, and every time she does, she ends up giving him her phone and they talk for hours. I think there might be something there. They already talked about flying her out to a few shows. Dash has settled into being a road dog and spends most of his time sleeping in the bed we put underneath the dinette booth.
We’re almost to the venue now and I’m feeling a little tense. We are about to perform in front of thousands of people and I haven’t been up in front of a crowd in a while. I was quiet today, and if Sorrel could tell, she didn't say so but hopefully she understands it’s just nerves.
“How are you feeling about tonight?” she asks me as I turn my attention away from staring out the window.
