I’m sad when I think of all the times Edmond helped me figure out where to go. He was arrested for kidnapping, and Susan got charged with stalking, kidnapping, attempted murder, and embezzlement.
The band hired an accountant to audit the books to find out how much she stole on this tour, but since Susan sold merch for years, it’s possible we’ll never learn the full extent. Frank stayed in Tulsa to deal with the fallout of what happened with his wife. He called me to apologize for what happened and ask how I was doing.
While Frank wasn’t technically involved in what his wife did to me, the fact that he went against Jace’s wishes to book a different tour bus in Dallas was enough for Jace to want to fire him. But Frank turned in his resignation because he wanted to stay with Susan while she recovered in the hospital. In the meantime, the band hired an interim manager, someone Garrett Gamble suggested. That’s why Jace rejoined the tour the day before I did, so he could meet with the new guy.
Even though Susan is a nutjob, I’m relieved I didn’t kill her with that knitting needle. I wouldn’t want that on my conscience.I did, however, puncture her lung, so I suppose that’s what she gets for trying to kill me.
I finally find the stage, and my heart beats a little faster. I smooth down my long, flowy dress. It has a floral pattern and cute little spaghetti straps. I paired it with wedge sandals, a few dangly necklaces, and a cowboy hat Honey sent me as a get-well gift.
When I get backstage, I spot Jace talking to his band, and I pause to let them finish. But when he sees me, he immediately grins. It’s only been a day since I’ve seen him, but I’ve missed him like crazy. I run up to him, and he lifts me up and spins me around.
“Darlin’, you look like something out of a cowboy’s dirty dream,” he whispers in my ear.
I bat my eyelashes at him playfully. “You sweet talker.”
“Missed you something fierce.”
“Well, here I am.” I rake my fingers through his hair and kiss him, and he groans.
“Don’t, or I’m gonna be sporting wood when I go on stage.”
I chuckle and step back. I know the feeling. He didn’t think we should have sex until I was feeling better, so it’s been a minute. We’re due for make-up sex. I don’t know how we’re going to manage that in a bunk bed, but I’m willing to get creative.
He brushes a strand of hair out of my eyes. “How’s our ladybug? Did she do okay on the flight?”
“She did great. Layla stood on my lap the whole time and waved hi to all of the airline staff and any passengers who’d wave back.”
“That’s my girl.” He tucks me under his arm, and we turn to talk to the guys.
Cooper nods at me, and I smile. “Staying out of trouble?”
“Barely.” He rubs his giant beard. “Glad you’re on your feet again.”
“Thanks.” Pigs might start flying any minute now if Cooper keeps being nice to me.
When the guys are about to go on stage, I kiss Jace one last time and head to the front to get some video. I flash my badge to get through, and as I make my way through the crowd, I glance to where I usually sit, about five rows back. It’s festival seating, so there aren’t rows, but I never stand at the very front. When the tour started, if it had been left to me, I would’ve sat in the last row so no one noticed me. Now that seems silly.
I look at the front of the stage. Since I don’t have the baby with me tonight, I don’t have to worry about a stroller. So why not move closer?
It’s crowded, but I go up to the women in the front and ask if I could wedge in with them. “I’m with the band, and I need to take some video. Could I join you up here?”
“Sure!” One girl tells the other to move over and then waves me closer. “Oh my God, what’s it like hanging out with Wayward Sons? I’m obsessed with their music! Plus, they’re sooo hot.”
Chuckling, I nod. “I know what you mean. I’m a little obsessed with their music too. And you would not believe how hard they work for each and every show.”
Leaning closer, she sighs dramatically. “I might be in love with Jace Walker,” she tells me while she fans herself.
I smile as I spot him in the wings. “He’s easy to love.” I get out my camera and hit record when they walk out on stage.
Jace’s smile grows when he sees me. A few times, he moves to the very front and kneels down to sing directly to me. The women around me freak out, and I tell them he’s hamming it up for his social media, but I know the truth. I know he’s singing to me, and I cherish every moment.
When the band gets to “Red Light,” Marlowe struts out, but she doesn’t drape herself all over Jace or even get close to him. They’re polite to each other, but she doesn’t act like she’s going to maul him, which I appreciate. She gives him a quick side hug at the end and walks off with a wave to the crowd.
But here’s the thing. I trust Jace now. Really trust him. I know the man beneath, the one who sat with me in the hospital. The one who tracked me down during a tornado. The one who gets up at dawn with his daughter.
And that man wouldn’t cheat on me.
So while I’m grateful he has better boundaries with Marlowe, I’m not green with jealousy that he’s singing with an ex.
