Chapter 48
Chapter Forty-Eight
LOXLEY
I made a pot of coffee and we settled into Miles’s living room. Everyone found a spot on the couch, with Easton leaning on the armrests and Jesse taking the floor by his feet. The air was thick with anticipation, everyone wanted to know what happened in Chattanooga.
So Miles and I filled everyone in. He explained how his captain had lectured him the entire drive back from Chattanooga.
And I explained the intense visceral change in me that happened right there on stage.
“I wish I had known it was as simple as saying, no all along. But I was so scared and alone,” I explained.
“There is no fault,” Grams assured me. “Sometimes we need people in our corner to help us feel strong. You knew in that moment you had Miles, your mom, and now us.”
Everyone agreed and I felt the warmth of having people inside my heart. It really did empower me to know I was no longer facing anything alone.
“So, what’s the plan?” Jesse asked, practically buzzing with excitement.
I had been prepared to face the consequences of walking off the tour.
Truly. But now that I had the chance to return on my own terms it suddenly felt like something worth doing.
Not just to finish it, but to reclaim it.
And the best part? Miles would be by my side.
Making me feel safe. Making me feel like me.
“I think…” I took a breath, surprised at how right it all felt when I said it out loud. “I think I’m going to do what Miles suggested. I’ll go back on tour but with changes. I’m going to learn to say no. To stand up for myself. I’ll create actual boundaries.”
I thought that was enough, but everyone leaned in a little closer, wanting more.
“I’m going to insist that Sam is taken off the tour. And if the label gives me grief, I’ll threaten them the way Sam threatened me. If they have any sense, they’ll realize me finishing the tour is a better PR move for everyone. Then we can all go our separate ways.”
West nodded, impressed.
“And you, Miles?” Gramps asked.
Miles, calm as ever, said, “I’m turning in my badge tomorrow.”
Silence.
Everyone froze, including me. It wasn’t just what he said, but how gently he said it. Like it had been decided a long time ago and we were just now catching up.
It was fast. A little reckless. But I didn’t doubt for a second that it would work out. And judging by the looks around the room, everyone else was excited about this wild adventure we were about to jump into.
“It’s not like I’ll be bored,” Miles added, grinning. “Loxley, all by herself, keeps me on my toes. But I also want to be what she’s needed all along. Something that should have been provided for her a long time ago.”
“Oh, dear,” Grams muttered, “do I need to buy more condoms?”
Everyone burst out laughing. Everyone except Miles and I, who sat there blinking like two deer in headlights.
“Grams!” I sputtered, covering my face.
“What?” she shrugged, totally unapologetic. “I raised three boys, not to mention I raised their father. I learned to get real a long time ago.”
“I meant,” Miles said, trying not to laugh, “I meant she needs a bodyguard.”
I looked at him, wide-eyed, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. “You sure about that?”
“Yeah,” he said, eyes soft. “Like that night we talked about Adam. He wanted someone to keep an eye on you. He wanted to do it himself. But I think he’d want me to step in on his behalf.
And as capable as you are, it’s not easy to protect yourself and live your life when the world’s always watching.
This way, you can do both. And honestly? It’s a better use of my skills anyway.”
“That’s actually a great idea,” West said, nodding. “I can’t believe you’ve never had a bodyguard before. You know, someone to make sure you can do normal things. Like going to get a coffee.”
I was almost in tears. Not because Miles was offering to be my bodyguard, but because he was honoring Adam’s memory in the most tangible way possible. And maybe more importantly, he was doing something that truly fit him.
“Do I get to pick out your new uniform?” I teased, wiping my eyes.
“As long as it includes handcuffs and a gun.”
Easton rolled his eyes. “You’re not gonna be able to use the handcuffs without a badge, dude.”
“Oh, the handcuffs are for her,” Miles pointed toward me, waggling his eyebrows.
My face went full tomato red. I turned away and took a long, unnecessary sip of coffee while everyone else cackled like a pack of hyenas.
We chatted for a little while longer, but eventually, Easton and Jesse had to pick up Max from preschool, and Grams and Gramps left for their Piggly Wiggly run. That left just West, who, judging by the look on his face, was still worried about something.
Miles’ phone rang, and he lifted a finger toward me before disappearing into the kitchen. “Linc, what’s up?”
Suddenly, I was alone with West. He sat there, leaned up, elbows on knees, eyes distant like he was working something out.
“What can I do to ease your mind?” I asked gently.
He let out a short laugh and shook his head, clearly debating how much to say. “Didn’t realize you could notice,” he admitted. “But this isn’t about you or Miles. I promise. Just… keep an eye on him for me.”
I nodded, heart tugging. “I will. This tour’s still hitting a lot of small towns. Sometimes we’ll be close enough to come home for Sunday dinner. And it’ll all be over in a couple months.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” he smiled. “In the meantime, if you need me, Miles will know where to find me.”
“That was Linc,” Miles said, coming back into the living room. “He just wanted to check in. Asked if I’d be at work tomorrow. I told him I’d be there, but I need to talk to him and the captain face to face.”
West stood and clapped him on the back. “Good call.” Then he turned to me. “Y’all have fun. And I better hear all about everything when you get back.”
“You got it,” I smiled.
Miles hugged him, then I did too, and we watched from the porch as a dark SUV pulled up. A man opened the back door for West, then jogged around to the driver’s seat. Something about it made my heart ache for him, just a little.
“You okay?” Miles asked, shutting the door behind us and pressing me gently against it.
“Yeah, just nervous,” I admitted. “What if the label won’t agree to take Sam off the tour? What if you end up in jail again? Because, let’s be honest, you will hit him again.”
Miles smiled and leaned down, kissing me soft and sure. “No one wants this to get uglier than it already has, Loxley. And if they push back… well, we’ll remind them about those bruises he left on your wrist. Trust me. They’ll see that your terms are better than none.”
The rest of the night, Miles packed a few bags.
We made some plans but there really wasn’t much to overthink.
In terms of the tour, he’d slide right in.
He didn’t need an extra bed. Didn’t want a paycheck, although I was going to ensure he got one.
But it was just like he said: as long as we were together, everything would be perfect.