Like she remembers where she is, she starts mugging for the crowd again. When the song ends, Jace politely thanks her for joining him and carries on with one of his new songs.
Fans are going crazy, speculating Jace and Marlowe are fighting or, gasp, broken up. If the possibility of them dating ballooned their views, their potential breakup skyrockets their popularity.
“I should’ve done that from the beginning,” Jace says, his voice raspy with sleep. “I’m sorry I didn’t.”
Scooting back against the wall, I turn to face him. “Aren’t you worried about Niles?” I whisper so I don’t wake the baby. “Won’t he be upset?”
“I’m tired of these games. He either likes the music, or he doesn’t. If he’s pissed about this, he’s pissed.”
Is Jace doing this for me? Or because he doesn’t want Niles yanking his chain constantly? I’m afraid to ask. “Want a pic of you and Layla? I don’t think I have any this cute.”
He gives me that half smile, his green eyes twinkling. “I’d love a photo. She’s getting so big. I wanna remember when she was small like this.”
I move back as far as I can and snap a few photos, which I text to him. “I know bringing her along has been tough, but someday, she’s going to understand what you did and appreciate that you didn’t leave her behind to pursue your career.”
His eyes grow serious. “Rory, I?—”
“Jace!” one of the guys shouts. “Got some good news. Get up here!”
After a stretch, Layla pops her head up. “Dada.”
“Hey, baby.” He kisses her forehead. “Morning.”
“Monmon.”
Jace and I grin at each other because she was trying so hard to say that word.
I brush her hair out of her face. “Did she get up earlier?”
“Yeah. I changed her and got her a snack. Played in that back lounge for a little while. When she started yawning, I crawled back in here, hoping we could get a nap.”
“You could’ve woken me.”
“It’s the only uninterrupted time I get with her, so I don’t mind sacrificing a little sleep.”
Footsteps stomp down the aisle. “Jace! Come on!” That sounds like Shane.
I motion toward Layla. “I can watch her.”
He shifts Layla to the bunk as he scoots out. Then he lowers his voice. “We’re gonna figure out how to ramp up security. I don’t want you to be afraid.”
Nodding, I wrap my arm around the baby. “Go.”
When Jace leaves, I shove my face into his pillow and breathe in his scent. “I know this is weird, Layla. Don’t judge.”
Like she understands, she giggles.
From down the hall, the guys yell excitedly. After I use the bathroom and pull on some clothes, Layla and I join them. I was planning to stay in that bunk for the foreseeable future, but I’m going stir-crazy after one day.
The guys are crammed on one couch in the lounge at the front of the bus, reading something.
“What’s going on?” I ask as I bounce Layla in my arms.
Frank grins. “We got our record deal. It’s happening!”
Cooper barks like a dog and Shane shouts in celebration. Derek cracks a smile. But Jace frowns.
“Is something wrong?” I ask him.
