30. Rory
RORY
As I lean toward our bathroom to dab on some mascara, I can’t help but notice Jace pacing in the bedroom. “You’ll be great. Stop stressing.”
He braces his arms above his head on the doorframe, and I pause to appreciate how handsome he looks in a blue short-sleeved button-up shirt that hugs his chest and shoulders.
He’s sporting jeans, cowboy boots, and that backwards baseball cap I love.
But the usual mirth in his eyes is replaced with nerves. “Tonight’s a big deal.”
I put down the mascara and wrap my arms around his waist. “Playing in Austin is basically a hometown show. These people are your friends and family and hardcore fans.”
He returns the hug. “That’s why it means so much to me.”
“Your shows kick ass. Enjoy yourself. If you’re really stressed out when you get on stage, just play the penis game.”
Jace busts out laughing. “That’ll go over really well with the label executives.” Leaning down, he kisses me. “Thanks for the pep talk. I’ll meet y’all at the ranch afterward, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
He nibbles my neck. “Sir. I like that.” Then he smacks my ass, hugs his daughter, who’s playing on the floor in the bedroom, and takes off for sound check.
Smiling, I glance down at the baby. “I like your dad, Layla.”
She claps like she agrees. “Dada bada yah.”
When Layla and I arrive in the stadium, I wave to Quinn, who’s sitting up front. “Thanks for lunch! I’ll treat next time,” I shout, and she grins and gives me a thumbs-up.
I weave through the crowd to greet Jace’s family the second I spot them. They take turns hugging me and Layla. Before the concert starts, I put on her headphones, park her in her stroller, and sit next to Paige.
She bumps my elbow. “You look fantastic.” Then she lowers her voice. “I can’t wait to hear all the details.”
I chuckle because my friends are dying to know what’s going on with me and Jace, but there’s no time to chat because the concert’s starting.
As the cheers quiet, the crowd stills with anticipation, but then Wayward Sons walk out, and everyone erupts again.
Jace leans toward the mic and grins. “Tonight is special for two reasons. One, ’cause this is Austin fuckin’ Texas.
” The crowd screams, and he chuckles. “And two, my family’s here, and they mean everything to me.
All my brothers have helped me out over the years, but my big brother Rhett…
” He clears his throat. “He’s saved my ass more times than I can count.
Rhett’s my rock star. This song is for him. ”
The first notes of “Hey, Brother” echo through the arena, and fans start screaming.
Hey, brother
I got something to confess
Ya might sit down to process
That I had some trouble last night
Kinda got in a fight
I grin at Rhett, whose eyes are shiny, but all of the Walker brothers beam with pride. Just like the sendoff at the beginning of the tour, they’re all here to support Jace.
Paige nudges me and whisper-yells. “They sound amazing.”
“I don’t know if it’s the pressure of being on tour, but the guys are on top of their game.”
When the concert ends, we make our way backstage to congratulate Jace on a great show, and I give Susan my camera.
“Thank you so much for recording for me tonight.” Since we still have to head back to Wild Heart, Jace wanted Rhett and Paige to drive Layla and me to the ranch early so we’re not totally worn out.
“Oh, honey, it’s no trouble. I’m happy to help.”
“Just be sure to give the camera to Jace before he leaves. I’m afraid he’ll forget to ask you.”
Susan gives me a thumbs-up. “I’m on it.”
“I’ll see you in Dallas, right?” I ask as I hug her.
“Yes, ma’am. The band is paying me to sell swag at the rest of the Texas shows, which is great because then I get to see my Frank.”
“Wonderful. I’ll see you soon.”
Paige, Rhett, and Baylee return to the bus to help me gather Layla’s things and cart our stuff to Rhett’s truck.
Before we take off, I touch base with Edmond and our driver Ozzie. “You’re probably tired of fudge by now. Would you like some apple fritters?”
Edmond grins. “Mighty nice of you, miss. I’m happy with anything you wanna get us.”
Ozzie elbows our security guard. “Speak for yourself. I’ll take those fritters.”
“You got it. Enjoy your vacation.” I can’t believe we’re getting some time off. Bless Frank for working that out for us. Though, if I had to guess, he wants Jace to use the next week to work on his songs.
Because our next stop is Dallas, and the guys have two days to rehearse before they get into the studio to record.
When we arrive at the Walker ranch, it’s so quiet and peaceful, I stand outside with Layla and look up at the stars in the sky and breathe.
“Feels good to be home, ladybug.” This might not be my ranch, but being here feels right.
There are no itineraries or fans or stalkers. Just friends and family.
After a minute, I follow everyone inside, and I get Layla settled in the crib in Jace’s bedroom before I join Paige and Baylee, who are in the kitchen making margaritas. The smell of queso fills the air.
Rhett plants a kiss on Paige before he gives me a friendly nod. “I’m gonna get outta your hair and let y’all do your girls’ night. Nice to have you here, Rory.”
“Thanks for the hospitality. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome anytime.”
When he leaves, Paige laughs. “Rhett knows better than to hang around when the girls are bonding.”
Baylee points to the kitchen table. “Sit. I want to know everything. Are you having fun? How are things with Layla? Is Jace a good husband? Are his bandmates still dicks? Dish.”
Before my butt hits the chair, Baylee puts a drink in my hand, and I chuckle. “I might be having fun.”
“I knew it!” She smacks the table.
“I still hate living on a bus with all these men, but being able to spend time with Layla offsets that. And the concerts are great.”
Paige joins us with a plate of quesadillas, chips, and queso. “Eat up.” As she gives me a plate, she waggles her eyebrows. “Jace is a good boyfriend, isn’t he?”
“Husband,” Baylee amends.
“Don’t pressure her.”
I shove a chip in my mouth to buy myself some time to respond. Under the table, I twist my wedding band. “The label doesn’t want anyone to know we’re married. They’re worried about the optics since his fans are largely female.”
“What?” Paige frowns.
“That sucks.” Baylee shakes her head.
“It’s okay. I don’t want anything to affect his relationship with Bandit, but Jace told Frank he won’t act single and that as far as anyone is concerned, he has a girlfriend.”
“Aww.” Paige takes a sip of her margarita. “That’s sweet.”
“And I have to admit he and I get along much better than I thought we would.”
Baylee’s brow lifts. “As in, if the bed is rockin’, don’t come knockin’?”
When I don’t respond, Paige tosses a chip at Baylee from the other side of the table. “She doesn’t want to talk about that. Look, you made her blush.”
I glance around, grateful we’re alone. I’ve never really had girlfriends to confide in, and I could really use their input. How can I say this without being graphic? “We don’t… do everything.”
Baylee scoots closer. “What does that mean?”
“It means that… we’ve only… mutually satisfied each other. Without going all the way.”
“Huh. Not what I thought you were gonna say.”
“At first, I wanted to go slow while we got to know each other. And then I offered to do more, but he always turns me down. You know how he was doing that sex cleanse?” They both nod. “I’ve been wondering if he’s afraid to fully break it.”
Paige’s lips twist. “What if he’s going slow because he wants to get this right between you? You probably feel like this is taking forever because you live together and sleep in the same bed, which amplifies everything, but really, it’s only been, what, two months?”
She has a point. It hasn’t been that long in the grand scheme of things. “Maybe.”
Paige ducks down to make eye contact. “Is there something else bothering you?”
I think about how to word this. “With his bandmates hooking up with random women all the time and knowing that was Jace’s background… with having to see Marlowe so much… those are constant reminders that Jace had something with these other women that I don’t have with him.”
And it makes me feel deficient. Like I’m that quiet bookworm who loses her boyfriend to her outgoing stepsister all over again.
“Hmm. That makes sense.” Baylee gets a scoop of queso and drizzles it on her chips.
“Don’t let it get you down. I married a reformed playboy too, and even though I wanted to strangle Maverick with my bare hands at times while we were working through our issues, he was worth the effort.
Jace will be too. Regardless of what’s going on with him, don’t let that spook you.
It sounds like the tour is constant chaos.
He probably just needs things to be calm at home. ”
Paige gives me a reassuring smile. “And that’s you. For all intents and purposes, you’re Jace’s home on the road.”
“If it means anything, I have a good feeling about y’all.” Baylee and her feelings. She motions to me with a chip. “What about his bandmates? Are they still being assholes?”
Tilting my head, I squint. “A little, yeah, but Frank’s great. He’s a little stressed about the new songs, and he’s always in parent mode, but he’s our anchor. He keeps all the plates spinning, you know?”
Paige tops off our drinks. “Tell us more about the new music. Have you heard the songs yet?”
“Only a little. I think the pressure is getting to Jace because he won’t practice around anyone. He used to play in the lounge area or kitchen, but now he holes up by himself in our bedroom.”
“Hopefully the time off will help.”
She’s right. The man has a lot on his mind. I’m going to stop worrying about why we haven’t gone all the way. “Being home will probably be the best medicine.” Relieved to have all of this off my chest, I smile.
Paige holds up her drink. “In the meantime, here’s to becoming part of the Walker gang.” We clink glasses. “I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to properly welcome you sooner.”
“It was a whirlwind.” I don’t remind her that I’m not really an official member, but what do they say? Fake it till you make it? Maybe if I pretend I belong in this family, Jace and I will eventually get to that point.
“Also, I heard there’s a librarian job opening up. It’s two towns over, but I thought you might want to apply.”
Baylee groans. “Rory’s gonna be on tour with her country star husband. When is she gonna have time to be a librarian?”
I stare at my plate, shocked I haven’t thought about applying for jobs. “That’s a good idea. I should keep my options open.”
Baylee’s eyes bore into me, and I turn to her. She tilts her head. “Have you ever thought about opening a bookstore?”
I lean back, a little unnerved. “Maybe. Why?”
“Because I was thinking maybe you could lease a commercial space.”
“I thought you wanted me to stay on the tour and be Jace’s sidekick.”
She rolls her eyes. “I just want you two to work out, whatever that means. But you have dreams of your own, and I could see you running a bookstore. You could host a children’s story hour every Saturday.
It’s a chance to do all the things the city council never appreciated when you were at the library. ”
“It sounds incredible, but I don’t have that kind of money.” Although I have to admit, I already know the name of my store. The Book Nook.
“Have you tried manifesting?”
“What’s that?”
By the time we’re done discussing it, I’m so tired, I can barely keep my eyes open. “Guys, I need to go to bed.”
Paige gets up to hug me. “I changed the sheets on Jace’s bed and organized his room a little so it didn’t look like a hurricane swept through it. That bed is really small, so Jace can sleep on the couch in the living room.”
Oh. I hadn’t thought about where we’d be sleeping. I hate the idea of him on a couch. But it’s late and even if I text him to see if he wants the bed, I’m not sure he’ll get it. Those arenas have lots of dead space. I’ll give him the bed tomorrow night.
I grin at my friends. “You guys are the best. I really appreciate everything.”
After I duck into Jace’s bedroom to check on Layla, I get ready for bed and climb into Jace’s twin. Lying there alone, I have to admit how much I miss sleeping with him.
The stillness of the house is such a departure from the bus, but in a strange way, it still feels like home because Jace will be here soon.
I wake a few hours later when Jace slips in behind me. “Sorry I woke you,” he whispers. “Scoot over.”
“I thought you were crashing in the living room,” I mumble into the pillow.
“Nah, I’d miss my little spoon too much.”
He pulls me into his arms, and I grin as I doze off again.
I’m not sure I’ll ever get tired of being his little spoon.