I’m never at a loss for words, but I have to admit I’m stumped. Rory doesn’t wanna come to my shows? Not even one? Knowing she’s a music lover, I thought she might enjoy my stuff.
Well, this is awkward. I try to laugh it off. “Look at wifey. Don’t mess with her or she’ll put your balls in a vise.”
Everyone laughs, even Rory, who cracks a smile.
I blow out a breath.
This is gonna be a long four months.
14
RORY
I can admitwhen I’ve been a jerk.
The expression on Jace’s face when I said I didn’t want to go to one of his shows made me feel like a giant asshole. Cooper had made me feel stupid, like I was some clinger Jace couldn’t shake, so he finally gave in and married me. I don’t know why I let him get to me.
I’ve been agonizing over an apology, running it over and over again in my head, but Jace has kept himself busy. He’s hunkered down in the kitchen area with his guitar and a notebook. Apparently, the band has to write more songs if they want to get signed once the tour is over.
Part of me suspects he’s trying to get some space from me and the other part wonders if I’m an egomaniac and this has nothing to do with me.
“Am I crazy? I think I might be,” I whisper to Layla, who’s playing on a blanket on the floor of the master bedroom.
“Ba da ba.”
“You don’t say.”
She blows spit bubbles and tries to eat her fist. “Baa!”
“You’re right. Even if I didn’t hurt his feelings, I’m going to apologize.”
“Apologize for what?” Jace asks from the doorway.
I rest my hand over my chest. “You scared me. I didn’t hear the door open.”
That gets me a crooked grin. “I’m stealthy like that.” He motions over his shoulder. “We’re figuring out dinner. Wanna join us?”
“Oh, um, you guys can decide. I don’t want to impose.” I chew the inside of my cheek. “But could I talk to you for a sec?”
“Sure. What’s up?” He kneels next to me and picks up his daughter, smothering her in kisses that make her giggle.
“I feel bad about what I said. I didn’t mean to be rude. I’d… I’d like to see one of your shows. I mean, if you want me there. I just figured that I’ll always need to watch Layla, and loud music isn’t good for her. Unless we have noise-canceling headphones. I read a terrifying study about hearing loss and children.”
Jace watches me so intently, I squirm, but he gives me another good-natured grin. “I’ll get Layla some headphones. And you don’t need to apologize. Cooper deserved your irritation. I’m not offended. I am surprised you haven’t heard our music, but God knows you’ve had better things to do.”
Is he really that humble? If he is, I feel like a bigger jerk. “I don’t know about that. I’d venture that writing original music is more important to humanity than filing books by the Dewey Decimal System.”
His green eyes go soft. “Did you always want to be a librarian?”
“When I was little, I wanted to own a bookstore, but that requires a lot of overhead. My stepmother told me I should be more practical. Since I’ll never have the money to open one, I thought being a librarian is probably the next best thing.”
He reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Don’t count yourself out. You never know what you can do until you try. Being a librarian is really cool. I’m sure you’ll inspire a lot of kids to get into reading books because of your passion for them. But that doesn’t mean you can’t also have a bookstore.” He winks. “Just a thought.”
My heart races for some reason, and I smile. “So maybe my bookstore will have a section about Texas musicians and songwriters.”
His expression turns hopeful. “Think my band can get a spot? You know, if someone writes a book about us?”
“Not sure. I’ll have to hear you play before I make a decision,” I tease.
