34. Rory
RORY
Our time at the ranch is blissful. We celebrate the Fourth of July with a huge barbecue.
Maverick wants to do baby races, but since Layla’s too little to participate, I suggest we do daddy-baby races, so the Walker dads all strap their kids to their backs and crawl across the yard.
Beau’s the judge, since his son is still percolating.
It’s a close race, but Isaiah and his young daughter Everly win by a nose with Jace and Layla hot on their heels.
The girls and I reconvene our book club but spend most of the time drinking margaritas and debating which romance to read next.
I laugh more than I have in a long time, and Jace looks so at ease with his family. He’s always smiling and running off to jot down something in his spiral notebook.
The whole week, I keep replaying our date. How he played me his song. How he made me a picnic. How he took me to his special spot on the cliffs.
I can tell the sheriff’s words got under his skin, but I believe him when he swears he’s never brought anyone up there. Mostly, I’m grateful the sheriff didn’t bust us a few minutes sooner when we were having sex like two horny teenagers.
Too soon, though, it’s time to hit the road again. My stomach twists when I think about going to Dallas. There are so many bad memories there, and my dad has sent me several texts reminding me of Taylor and Hayden’s wedding reception this weekend.
After I pack my stuff, I’m grabbing a cup of coffee in the kitchen when Baylee joins me. She leans close and whispers, “Did you and Jace sort out that issue you mentioned?”
“Issue?”
“The one we talked about after the concert.”
“Oh, that.” The whole “we haven’t gone all the way” issue. My face goes up in flames as I glance around to make sure there aren’t any little ears nearby. “Since our date, there’s been a lot of… sorting out.”
It takes her a beat to get my meaning, but then she howls with laughter and gives me a high five. “I thought you seemed more relaxed.”
“If I was any more relaxed, I’d melt into the floor.” Because my man is well endowed and knows how to use his equipment.
But when we pull up to the tour bus a few hours later, the knot in my belly returns. It had been a relief to drop my guard around the Walkers. I dread having to put on a brave face again and hope Jace’s bandmates eventually warm up to me.
Edmond and Ozzie are all smiles when I get on the bus, which is a good start. Frank hugs me and Jace. I offer everyone the apple fritters I picked up on the way here. They all take one, except when I get to the band, Cooper rolls his eyes and looks away.
Try. For Jace. “Would you guys like some pastries? They’re still hot.” I glance at Jace, who’s holding Layla, and he winks at me. I know he appreciates that I’m trying.
Derek and Shane both take one, but Cooper waves me off. “It’s bad for my figure.”
The guys chuckle, but I know he’s being a dick. The man never turns down food, but this isn’t about eating. It’s about me. Whatever. If he wants to be an asshole, there’s nothing I can do about it.
Frank gathers everyone together in the lounge where it smells like Cheetos and beer.
“Good to have you all back. I hope you’re rested.
As you know, our next stop is Dallas, and we have a show, followed by two rehearsal days before we get in the studio.
Jace,” he says apprehensively, “I hope you’re ready. ”
“When have I ever let you down? Of course I’m ready.”
I’m not sure if that’s true or if he’s buying himself some time, but I smile, hopeful he’s headed in the right direction. I’ve been eager to hear the other songs, but I didn’t want him to feel pressured, so I haven’t asked.
I can admit I’ve tried my hardest to block out this trip to Dallas from my mind.
Because even though Jace promised we could stop by my stepsister’s reception, he didn’t know what the demands of this tour would be like.
He has to rehearse on Sunday, and I’m sure neither Frank nor his bandmates will be thrilled if I steal him away for a few hours.
Honestly, I’m not sure I want to go. This whole time, I thought it would feel so good to show up to Taylor and Hayden’s reception with Jace on my arm to show I’ve moved on, but now that sounds pathetic and sad.
Like he can read my mind, Jace tugs me down to sit next to him on the couch. “I didn’t forget about Sunday.”
“Focus on rehearsing. We can skip the reception.”
Frowning, he leans closer. “Why? I thought we were going to show your ex what he’s missing.”
I shrug. “I don’t care anymore. All that drama was years ago. Why go and dredge things up?”
His eyes dart between mine, confused. “Are you sure?”
“My dad wants me to attend, but I don’t want to drag you away from rehearsal.”
He cups my face. “I don’t care about Dickhead, but I’d like to meet your dad.”
“You would?” It never crossed my mind that Jace would want to talk to my father.
“Of course. Maybe tell him he’s an asshole for siding with your stepsister.”
I grin and lean over to kiss him. “Thank you. That means a lot to me. Let’s play it by ear. If it’s too much to swing, I’m okay if we skip it.”
“I’d feel bad if we do. It was one of the things we agreed to at the beginning of all this,” he says quietly. “I feel like I’m not holding up my end of the bargain.”
Ahh, yes, our bargain. The one that ends in divorce come September. I wait for him to mention it, even to say he doesn’t want a divorce, but he turns his attention to Layla.
We said we’d date and see how we do together, but does that mean he’ll want to stay married if things go well?
I’m too chicken to bring it up, especially around his band, who still act like I’m trespassing.
Jace has mentioned us doing things in the future, and I didn’t miss how he said I’ll enjoy living on the ranch.
He wouldn’t talk like that if he wanted to divorce me, right?
The drive to Dallas isn’t that long, and the guys spend most of the time catching up about what they did during their vacation.
Layla conks out in our bedroom, and I turn on the monitor so I can hear her when she wakes up.
Although I have a book I’m trying to read as I sit in the kitchen, I can’t concentrate and end up staring out the window at the dark clouds in the distance.
Frank sits across from me. “Have a good rest this week?”
“Yes. We had fun with his family.”
“Glad to hear it.” He sits in front of me and flips through spreadsheets and orders, but as we near the arena, he gets a call.
“Hey, Niles.” It’s the record label exec from Bandit.
I can’t hear the conversation, but Frank glances at me, then quickly looks away.
“We’ll figure it out. I’m sure Jace will appreciate the collab. ”
A collaboration? At the last few shows, Jace has been hanging out more with Garrett Gamble. I cross my fingers he wants to do a song with Jace. That would really skyrocket his career.
As we’re pulling into the back lot of the arena in Dallas, Frank calls a quick meeting. “Listen, guys, I know this is last minute, but Niles has a request for this show.”
Jace gives his manager an easy smile. “Whatever he wants.”
Nodding, Frank rubs his chin. “He thinks you and Marlowe need to sing ‘Red Light’ together. Tonight.” The grin on Jace’s face vanishes.
“Red Light” is the song I suspect he wrote for his ex.
“It doesn’t need to be fancy, but maybe have her do the harmony on one of the hooks.
Just to give her a little face time during your set.
She’s gonna meet up with us at sound check to run through it with you. ”
“Why would I want to do that? She has her own set. Why do I need to share our time with her?”
“Because Marlowe is the signed act, and Niles thinks the optics are gonna be great for both of you.”
Jace rakes his fingers through his hair. “And if I don’t do this?”
A vein in Frank’s temple throbs. “You don’t have a fucking choice, okay?
If you want the deal that comes at the end of this tour, if you want Niles Prescott and Bandit Records to take you seriously, you have to play ball.
” He holds up his hands. “Think of it this way. It’ll only be, like, five minutes.
” He glances at Cooper. “Don’t you think it’s worth five minutes? ”
Cooper scratches his balls as he thinks about it. “Yeah. For sure. Come on, Jace. Bite the weenie here, and take one for the team.”
When Jace’s eyes meet mine, I give him a sympathetic smile. “Want to head back to check on Layla with me and we can talk about this?”
He blows out a breath but nods. I take his hand, and he laces our fingers together as we duck into our bedroom.
Thankfully, Layla’s still sleeping. I sit on the bed and watch Jace pace back and forth. “Feel free to vent. I can take it. Say whatever helps you to go out there tonight and do your job.”
Stopping, he hangs his head. “I wrote ‘Red Light’ for Marlowe, and after she ghosted me, I hated that people loved that song. That it became our biggest hit. Wherever we played, fans wanted to hear ‘Red Light.’”
I’d be jealous he wrote her a song, but now I have one too, and it’s not about me being toxic.
And okay, that song is about how Marlowe’s so hot it makes him feral, but I’m focusing on the part that makes me retract my claws.
I move in front of Jace and take his handsome face in my hands.
“If I had written a song about my ex, I’d hate doing something like this too.
” I study his stormy green eyes, hating that he’s in distress.
“I usually skip sound check, but I can go if you want me to. Layla and I can be there in the wings for moral support.”
Some of the anger drains out of him as he exhales. Glances at the crib. Closes his eyes. When he opens them, he seems resigned. “Nah. You’d have to wake up the baby. Let her get her nap. But thank you. I appreciate it.”
I wrap my arms around him, and he tucks me to his chest and rests his chin on my head. “You can do this,” I say. “You’re just playing a part.”
“Thanks, darlin’.” He nods and squeezes me tighter. “You’re right. No need to piss off Niles. It’s just a job. I don’t gotta be butthurt about this.”
Chuckling, I lean up to kiss him, wishing I could tell him I love him. But that’s all he hears from his fans. Would it mean anything if I said it? “You’re going to kick ass tonight.”
His grin goes crooked. “I kick ass every night.”
There’s the spirit. “Yeah, you do.”
When we return to the lounge, Frank holds out his arms. “How’re we doing?”
Jace shrugs. “Guess I’m singing with Marlowe.”
“Thank God.” Frank folds his hands together like he’s praying and laughs. “One more thing. I need you to sign off on the expenses tonight. I’ll leave it in the folder. You can review everything when you get back.” He glances at his phone. “Don’t think you have time to do it now.”
I absently twist my ring as Jace agrees without glancing at the folder. It always took me forever to go over the itemized expenses at the library, and I’m sure that’s the last thing Jace will want to do after a show.
But I shake off my concern as Jace folds me in his arms again. I smile against his chest, loving that he turns to me for encouragement.
I’m so caught up making sure Jace doesn’t get kicked off the tour because he won’t sing with his ex that I don’t really think about what this collaboration will mean.
It isn’t until I’m standing in the crowd at his show that it starts to sink in.