Chapter 5 #2
Sabrina didn’t meet my gaze, so I approached her until there was only about a foot of space between us. I stared down at her, waiting for her to acknowledge me.
When she finally glanced up, I could see fear and embarrassment in her eyes.
“I’m a needy and demanding boss, so I need you to keep up your strength.” My tone was flirty. But when I paused, my emotions caught in my throat. “You need to eat.” The depth in my voice surprised even me. Apparently, I was more emotionally invested in feeding this woman than I’d realized.
Maybe it was the memory of seeing my own single mom come home night after night, exhausted and worked to the bone.
She would cook me dinner and then proceed to sit with me at the table where she would talk while I ate.
I didn’t notice it as a kid, but looking back now, I knew what she had been doing.
She was sacrificing her full stomach for mine.
I swallowed against the emotions that rose up in my throat every time I thought of my mom.
She had been everything to me. She was my rock.
My safe harbor to come home to. My life had never been the same since she passed away three years ago.
I would give anything to wrap her in my arms and pull her close.
I would give anything to take care of her now.
When Sabrina didn’t respond, I glanced over to see that she’d dropped her gaze to the floor and her bottom lip was sandwiched between her teeth. Something was wrong, and I wasn’t going to let up until she confessed to me what it was.
“I…” Her voice was soft, almost a whisper.
I leaned in closer so I didn’t miss what she was going to say.
When she didn’t continue, I wondered if I’d missed it. But she hadn’t spoken. Instead, her lips were pinched shut and her eyebrows drawn together. I quirked my eyebrow to let her know that I was still waiting for her response.
“I can’t afford anything on the menu,” she finally admitted.
Her statement was so foreign to me that I started to repeat it just to understand what she was saying. “You can’t afford…” I knew I should school my face, but I didn’t. I wanted her to know how ridiculous that statement was, so I shook my head. “You work for Liam Carmichael now.”
Sabrina frowned like she was going to need more explaining.
I laughed. “You don’t pay for your meals.
” I leaned over and grabbed the menu. “I pay for your food. Especially when we’re on tour.
” I shoved the folder toward her. “Order.” The last word came out firm.
I wanted her to know that I wasn’t going to listen to whatever excuse she was concocting in that beautiful head of hers.
“But—”
“Order or I’ll have them send up the entire menu.” I quirked an eyebrow, daring her to test me.
I could tell that Sabrina didn’t want to give in, but that was currently battling with her desire not to have the entire room full of food. Slowly she took the menu from me. Satisfied, I turned my focus back to Samuel.
After a quick phone call downstairs to order, Sabrina took Samuel from me.
I relaxed on the couch with my arm slung across the back while she gave him a bath in the large soaker tub.
It was relaxing, sitting there, listening to Sabrina talk to her son through the open doors.
She started to hum, and for a second I thought that, maybe, it was one of Drifter’s songs.
But it was too soft and ended too quickly for me to really decide.
There was a soft knock on the door, so I stood and made my way over.
Her dinner was delivered. I took it from George, who made sure that everything looked good before he slipped away.
I set the food down on the coffee table.
The smell coming from under the cover made my mouth water. I regretted not ordering for myself.
Sabrina emerged from the bedroom with a fresh and clean Samuel. Parts of his dark hair was shellacked to his head while other parts were dry and floating around in the air. I grinned at him before turning my attention to Sabrina.
“Food’s here,” I said, nodding toward the plate.
Sabrina followed my gesture before she turned her attention back to me. “There’s…only one bed,” she said after she held my gaze for what felt like an eternity.
“What?” I feigned surprise as I glanced behind her and then contorted my face into a look of worry. “You’re right,” I breathed out.
She narrowed her eyes but didn’t say anything.
I shrugged. “I’ll take the couch.”
She whipped her head from side to side. “Absolutely not. I could never—”
“Sabrina, stop,” I said, holding up my hands. “Do you know how many dirty basement couches I’ve slept on?” I flexed my muscles. “I haven’t always been this successful.”
Sabrina narrowed her eyes. She was actively trying to suppress whatever she so desperately wanted to say.
“I’ll be fine. Besides, you have little man.” I dropped my gaze down to him once more and grinned. “Moms get priority.” I widened my smile before I winked.
Sabrina held my gaze for a moment before she sighed. “I—”
“Eat and then relax. I’ll be back later,” I said as I reached over and patted her shoulder. A flirty move that, with anyone else, would have felt benign. But with Sabrina? It felt different. And I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
In an effort to mask my reaction, I stepped back and grinned at her once more.
“What time do you think you’ll be back?”
I shrugged. I was going to get some air and record some songs. Plus, I had a sinking suspicion that I might be one of the reasons Sabrina couldn’t relax. I wanted her to eat and take some time to herself. She deserved it.
“A few hours.” I gave her another wink. “Don’t wait up for me.”
She nodded. “Okay.” Then she sighed. “I’ll eat, get this stinker to bed, and then look up…” She paused as her expression turned contemplative like she was trying to remember something. “Master…”
“Master Tour?” I finished for her.
She glanced over and blew out her breath. “I’ve got a lot to learn.”
I shrugged. “You’ll be fine. Just keep me on schedule and Bonnie will love you.”
Sabrina didn’t look like she believed me as I grabbed my hat and sunglasses before pulling open the door and stepping into the hallway. Once I got to the elevator, I texted George that I was going to need a car, and as the doors slid open, he responded that he had one ready.
Once I was in the car, heading through the streets of Chicago, I leaned back against the seat and took in a deep breath. My thoughts turned to the text that I’d gotten on the plane. After checking with Katie and making sure that Anastasia was safe, I’d forced myself to relax.
Frankie was all talk. He was pushing me, but I doubted he would actually follow through on his threat. Right now, I needed to get my finances in order so I could pay what was needed to get this to stop.
I swiped my screen and tapped the message icon. I typed out my message before hitting send.
How much?