Chapter 29
twenty-nine
CAL
“I just got an email,” Jo announces, walking onto my bus.
“You get emails all day. Are you going to announce them all?” Harlow says, not even looking up from the book she’s reading to Cora. They’re both on the floor of the bus with Cora’s stuff spread out everywhere. We’ve only been on tour for a week and Cora has already overtaken every square inch in here.
“I’m going to ignore that, Harry. I can’t use the language required in front of young ears.”
Willa, Belle, Mav, and Kai pile in behind Jo. They take Cora’s toys off the couches that line both sides of the bus and sit down.
“Is this a bad email?” I ask, since she apparently needed everyone before telling us.
“No. I got an email from Asher Cross,” Jo says. Everyone perks up. Even Harlow turns her head to pay attention. “He wants you to play a private show at his hotel in Vegas.”
“You mean the most eligible bachelor in America? The billionaire that no one knows anything about other than he’s hot and single?” Harlow asks.
“You’re not single,” I gruff, crossing my arms.
Harlow laughs. “I’m very aware and happy about my relationship status,” she reassures me.
“Yeah, him. He’s throwing a private party for his younger sister and wants you guys to be the entertainment. He was willing to line the dates up so we will already be in Vegas. Well, we need to get there a day early, but that was an easy adjustment to make.”
“Aw man. That means we have to skip that interactive museum,” Harlow says.
“I found one close to Vegas that you and I can go to with Cora while they’re at the party making three million dollars for a two-hour show,” Jo says.
“Can you say that again?” Mav says, looking just as shocked as the rest of us.
“You heard me just fine.”
“Where do we sign?” I say, laughing, but not really joking.
“The contract is with Frank. As long as it looks fine, you can sign on the dotted line by the end of the show tonight,” Jo says, typing something out on her phone. She’s always busy. I’m not sure how we handled it before hiring her.
Actually, yes I do.
We didn’t. We were a mess.
“So we leave for Vegas in two days instead of three?” Harlow asks, confirming the plan. I know she has a schedule with Cora she likes to stick to. It seems to be helping to keep Cora happy with all the traveling.
“Correct. They have the show tonight, then one more tomorrow. We need to get on the road right after the last show.”
We’re in San Diego for two shows. Harlow and Jo are taking Cora to the zoo tomorrow. I’ve been pouting about not being able to go. As much as I love my girls getting to spend time together, I can’t help but feel jealous. My dad might even be going with them, depending on when his flight gets in tonight.
Harlow keeps reminding me that Cora isn’t going to remember any of this and that we can make memories with her together when she’s older.
“Jo has security set up to meet us there. We’ll be back in time for you to see us before you need to be back for sound check,” Harlow says, having noticed where my thoughts were already going.
“I know,” I mutter.
“I will take tons of pictures and add it to places to take Cora when she’s older.”
I lean down and kiss the top of Harlow’s head. “Thank you, baby.”
“Alright, we need to get going,” Jo says, ushering everyone out the door.
“Mama!” Cora says, clapping her hands. Harlow beams at her. My heart squeezes every time I see them together. I never thought it was possible to love anyone the way I love these two.
“Thank you, San Diego! Good night!”
I quickly make my way off the stage with the intent of meeting with the fans that paid for backstage passes and then getting back to my girls. I know I rush this part, but I can’t find it in me to feel bad. My whole world is back on that bus and that’s where I want to be.
“Cal,” Jo says, grabbing my arm to stop me. I look at her. The blonde hair that’s usually neatly pulled back during the shows is sticking up all over the place and her face is pale.
“What’s wrong? Is it Cora or Harlow?” I ask, panicking as I start to make my way to the dressing room to get my phone.
“No. They’re both fine. It’s an email I got on the Melt the Ice email.”
“Here,” she says, pushing her iPad into my hands.
If your first episode airs, it will be your last. Make the smart choice.
Below the threatening message are pictures. Pictures of Jo, Harlow, and Cora out on all the adventures they’ve been having on tour. Harlow holding Cora while they finger paint pottery. Cora pulling Jo’s hair while a rare smile graces the woman’s face. Harlow ordering food at a food truck while Jo holds Cora. The three of them at a water park.
“These are from everywhere we’ve been,” I say angrily. “Someone is following us.”
“It’s not hard with a public tour schedule,” Jo says.
“Did you send this to Harrison?” I ask.
Jo nods. “But Cal, they said the first episode specifically.”
“Ezra’s episode.”
Jo nods again. “We didn’t advertise that. We didn’t even mention Ezra’s case would be in any of the episodes.”
“It could be a lucky guess,” I say. Jo frowns. “Yeah, I don’t believe that either.”
“Double the security when you need to go anywhere. Get someone on Cora and Harlow at all times. Let me know what Harrison thinks.”
“I will,” Jo says, turning to go make sure everything is as it should be after the show.
I walk up to where everyone is waiting for me to talk to the fans. “I have to go. Jo will update you,” I tell Kai.
“Everything okay?” he asks.
“No,” I say and run for where the exit is. The buses are parked right behind the arena in a closed off area, but it feels like my girls aren’t close enough.
I practically slam into the metal bar, pushing it open and running to my bus.
“Firecracker?” I say, panting as I make my way onto the bus.
“What’s wrong?” Harlow asks the moment she sees me. I pull her into my sweaty chest and hold her as tightly as I can while still letting her breathe. “Cal? You’re scaring me.”
I tell her everything about the email without loosening my hold on her.
“You need to shower,” she says after a few minutes of silence. I pull away just enough to see her face.
“What are you going to do?”
“Get ahead of it.” She tries to get out of my arms, but I don’t let her go.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I ask.
“Do you trust me?” she asks.
“With everything I am,” I answer honestly.
She leans up and kisses the side of my jaw. “Go shower. Cora is sleeping. I won’t leave the bus.”
I sigh and let her go. “I don’t like this, Firecracker.”
“I don’t either, but I won’t let someone threaten me or my daughter.”
A smile breaks through all my worry with the fierce way she just claimed Cora.
“What about Jo?”
Harlow snorts. “If they’re dumb enough to threaten Jo, then it’s their funeral.”
I kiss her, but she pulls away too soon.
“Don’t get any ideas. You smell.”
“Can I get ideas after I shower?” I ask, wagging my eyebrows.
Harlow laughs. “We’ll see.”
And see we did.