29. Rory
RORY
When I wake up, I realize I’m alone in bed. Dang, what time is it? The bus is moving, and bright sun shines through the window.
I put on my glasses and squint outside, not remembering where we were last night or where we’re headed today. Trees and farms and trucks whiz by as I try to orient myself. We’re in East Texas, maybe.
I realize now why bands sometimes call out the wrong city in the middle of a concert.
It’s because a tour is unrelenting. Show, pack up, drive, settle at the new venue, do laundry, get some groceries, meet with fans, itemize merch, do the next show, and hit the road again.
Rinse and repeat while throwing in press junket stops.
A glance at my phone has me groaning at the onslaught of notifications from the band’s social media accounts. I’m thrilled they’re getting so much attention, but I’m having a hard time keeping up.
I’m ready for a break. For a long weekend where I don’t have to do anything or be anywhere. Somewhere I can take a hot bath and get lost in a book. Somewhere there aren’t itineraries or VIP lines or people always in my space.
Except Jace and Layla. I like them in my space.
Actually, I love them in my space.
They have my whole heart.
And that’s a problem.
I bite my thumbnail, concerned.
Because what is life going to be like when this tour is over? Jace might have said not to worry about it and to focus on the here and now, but the summer won’t last forever. May flew by, and now it’s late June. Soon, this tour will come to an end.
What will that mean for us?
On one hand, I have a great time whenever Jace is around. When we escape to do laundry every week, we sneak off with the baby to check out record stores or nearby bookstores. He even bought me an illustrated Pride and Prejudice that’s so beautiful, I hug it sometimes.
Jace is fun and sweet and considerate. Not to mention, the man has given me an orgasm almost every day since our first night together.
Even when I was riding the red wave—to my mortification.
But he acted like it was no big deal to sneak his fingers in my panties and rub me until I screamed into a pillow.
On the other hand, we haven’t gone all the way.
And I’ve offered. I even got on the pill. Not that I told him—I just figured I’d be prepared when the time comes.
Is there a reason Jace doesn’t want to have full-on sex with me? Is he thinking about this tour ending? About keeping his options open? Maybe, deep down, he doesn’t want to lead me on.
I’m loath to bring it up, though. Because it’ll sound desperate. Like I’m begging for more, and I won’t be that girl. I see groupies every night with his bandmates, whining about wanting more. More nights. More sex. More commitment. Someone wants something from those guys every moment of every day.
And I feel those words forming on my lips, dying to escape. Dying to ask Jace if we’ll be together come fall.
If we’ll stay married.
I put a pin in that downward spiral and head to the bathroom because nature calls.
When I catch my reflection in the mirror, I turn one way and then the other. I look different than when we started this tour. My hair is longer and I have a tan and muscles I never knew existed from hauling Layla everywhere.
Smiling at myself, I realize I like the woman in the mirror. She’s not crazy about crowds, but they don’t make her want to puke anymore. She’s a little braver, a little more adventurous.
But there’s a chink in her armor—her husband makes her want more.
After I throw on some clothes and brush my teeth, I head to the front of the bus where Jace is sitting with Layla in his arms. I don’t miss the glares on his bandmates’ faces.
“She’s watching Frozen,” Cooper grumbles. “Again. What is that? Like the tenth time in the last few days?”
“Don’t be grumpy. You know it’s her favorite.” Laughing, I lean over to kiss Jace and take Layla. “Morning, my little ladybug.”
Layla’s clapping and trying to sing, and I join her, holding out my arm as though we’re dancing across a ballroom, and belt “For the First Time in Forever.” Up and down the aisle I swing her.
“Ma’am,” the bus driver yells. “Not while I’m driving.”
“Sorry, Ozzie! I got carried away.”
When I sit next to Jace, he gives me a funny look. “What?”
“You never told me you could sing.”
I wave him off. “That wasn’t singing.” Hayden told me to stop caterwauling around him because I embarrassed him.
Jace cups my face, turning me to look at him. “You have a really nice voice.” He glances at the guys sitting across from us. “Doesn’t Rory sing pretty?”
Frank doesn’t look up from his paperwork, Cooper shrugs, Derek just stares at me, and Shane motions to the flatscreen. “Does Elsa really turn shit into ice?”
I nod toward our bedroom. “Jace, go write. You can’t concentrate out here. You could’ve woken me up this morning.”
He kisses me. “You’ve been tired. I don’t mind getting up with Layla.”
Cooper points at Jace with a drumstick. “You should mind, bro. You pay her to babysit, so she should babysit.” Guess that cat is out of the bag. Jace had been worried Cooper might’ve overheard Frank mention that I get paid to watch Layla.
My boyfriend-husband sighs. “Jesus, Coop. Would it kill you to be nice to her for five minutes?”
“I just don’t wanna see you get hurt.” I love how he talks like I’m not sitting right here. “Did you even have her sign a prenup before you tied the knot? All of our songs are going viral.”
“Don’t be a dumbass. Rory’s a big reason we’re going viral. She posts three to five times a day. She covers every show. Every promo event. Every signing. You could be a little more grateful.”
“Boys,” I say, hating where this is going. I love that Jace defends me, but I don’t want to cause trouble for his band. “Who wants some fudge? I bought more at the last rest stop.”
Cooper shakes his head, scattering crumbs on his bushy beard. “When we sign our record deal, she could take you to the cleaners.”
Jace’s jaw goes tight, but before he says something he might regret, I squeeze his arm. “Cooper’s just looking out for you. He has a point. You should’ve asked me to sign a prenup, but since you didn’t, I promise not to ask you for anything if we don’t work out.” I almost choke on that last part.
Because if we don’t make it, my heart might shatter like one of Elsa’s ice sculptures.
I glare at Cooper until he deigns to look at me. “Are you happy now? You don’t get any more fudge.” Jerk.
It’s Jace’s turn to point at Cooper. “Be nice.” He starts bouncing one of the tennis balls I got him and heads back to our bedroom.
The worst thing about this tour is now I have nowhere to go. I have to sit here while Cooper shoots me dirty looks like I’m the enemy.
I decide he can suck a hairy pickle. So I turn up Frozen and encourage Layla to sing louder.
By evening, when we’re getting close to Houston, Frank starts grumbling at his phone.
“What’s wrong?” I ask him from the kitchen as I feed Layla.
“Lot of fans pregaming. We need more security.” He comes over to sit in front of me.
“Do you expect to have problems?” We’ve received smashed candy delivered at several more venues, the most recent last week in New Orleans. It always arrives a different way. Uber drivers, delivery guys, and even a homeless person.
Reaching over, he pats my hand. “Should be okay. Just be sure to call Edmond on the way back to the bus the way you’ve been doing.” He grins. “I have a surprise for you. Something to hopefully make your job a little easier.”
Like a new drummer? I bite my tongue.
Frank wanders over to the front of the bus and returns a minute later with a plastic bag. “Don’t drop it. That thing cost more than my first car.”
When I open it, my eyes widen. “You got me a camera?” I pull out the fancy Canon box. “Wow.”
“Don’t get too excited. Technically, it belongs to the band, but you can use it as long as you’re doing their social media.”
That makes sense. “Thanks. That’s really cool.” I have no idea how to use it, but maybe I have time to watch a few instructional videos before tonight’s show.
“There’s a padded bag in there too. Make sure you always have that handy so the camera doesn’t get banged up.”
“Of course.” I’m digging out the manual when Frank taps on the table and hands me a manila folder.
“I need Jace to review these expenses and sign off on everything. Make sure he looks at this by tomorrow.” When I peek in it, he clears his throat, and I close the folder. “And you need to post more videos of Marlowe and Jace. Maybe from our last press stop.”
I wondered how long I could go without hearing her name.
Sighing, I nod. “Sure.”
That’s the strangest part of this tour. In the backdrop, there’s always Marlowe. Lurking. Secretly smiling at Jace. Using every opportunity to get close to him.
Soon, the guys are needed for sound check. Jace kisses me on the cheek, hugs his daughter, and then he’s off.
I’m still trying to figure out this new camera when my phone buzzes with a text.
Baylee: Just checking in. Are you doing okay?
Paige: We miss you! Can’t wait to see you next week!
Honey: Have we told you how much we love you dating Jace?
I grin at my phone, grateful that I finally have women in my corner.
Me: Thanks. I guess he’s okay. *laughing emoji*
Baylee: Who’s that redhead who’s always with him? *knife emoji*
I chuckle, loving that she’s on my side.
Me: His ex? A former hookup? A side quest?
Baylee: Aren’t you the one who does their social media accounts? Can’t you post stuff without her?
Me: It’s not my decision. The label says they get more traction promoting two bands at once.
And if there’s speculation the two lead singers are dating, well, even better. Not that anyone has said as much to me, but I can read between the lines.
Me: The new stuff doesn’t bother me. I know everyone’s hyping the tour. It’s when she breaks out the older photos when they used to be an item that bugs me. Like the one she posted earlier this afternoon.
Baylee: *runs to look*
Baylee: Ugh, what a bitch.
I laugh and gather everything I’ll need for tonight.