Chapter Four #2
“Thank you, everyone! I’ve loved meeting so many of you at the meet and greets throughout the week and look forward to meeting more of you at the next one.
You all bring such amazing energy to each show and I can’t wait to see you all again tomorrow when I come back on stage.
Love you all,” I say before bowing like I normally do and leaving the stage toward the guy who hasn’t taken his eyes off of me for the last hour and a half of my performance.
My only thought right now is getting to Nora and pulling her in my arms. The second I’m in the wings, two men stand on either side of me.
One of them is the hot guy and the second is another one from the Knight’s Rebellion MC.
They lead me down the steps where Noah and Nora are currently waiting for me.
My best friend stands there with the largest smile on her face as I rush my steps up to get to her faster.
I practically jump on her but be careful of my Godson so we don’t crush him in our hug.
“I’ve missed you so damn much,” I tell her so only she can hear my words. “Are you okay?”
“No, I’m not. But I will be,” she responds, her voice wavering as I pull back and take in her face.
Nora has tears in her eyes she’s desperately trying to hold back and I can see the bruises under both of her eyes.
There’s another bruise on her jawline and more on her neck.
Rage instantly fills me and I know Dillon put his fucking hands on her.
Nora tried to cover it up with make-up, but it’s not working.
I can still see the evidence of his violence against her.
“Let’s get out of here so we can talk,” I tell her as I wrap an arm around her shoulders and keep her close to me so she doesn’t run off and leave me again.
“Noah, take us to one of the rooms where we can eat. I don’t want to go to the bus just yet.
Jagger arranged a private meet and greet with someone and Nora needs privacy once we step on the bus so it won’t be happening there.
Plus, I’m starving and could use something good to eat. ”
“You’ve already got a room reserved not far from the bus. We’ll head there and I’ll make sure Jagger knows that’s where we are so no one gets close to the bus,” Noah says as we start to walk through the backstage area.
The man who hasn’t taken his eyes off of me is so close now I can feel the heat of his body wrapping around mine.
It’s comforting in a way since my entire body is tense from one look at my best friend.
I haven’t even had a chance to look at Bridger and make sure he hasn’t been hurt by Dillon.
Nora would never let someone hurt her son, I know it deep in my soul.
She would give her life for Bridger and not think twice about doing it.
We’ve had the conversation more than once and I know her words to be true.
It was the first time I really thought something was off about her relationship with Dillon.
“There’s a large crowd of fans up ahead. I’m gonna place my hand on your back so I can move you through them faster. Is that okay?” I hear from behind me. The man has the smoothest, deepest voice I’ve ever heard in my life and sends a tremor through my body.
“That’s okay,” I answer him as his hand touches the skin of my back and it feels as if a jolt of electricity shoots straight through me.
My heart skips a beat again and it feels as if my breath gets stuck in my chest. Goosebumps fill my skin where his hand touches my body.
Holy shit! I’ve definitely never responded to anyone like this before.
The man’s hand is rough and I can feel callouses.
Instead of being disgusted, it makes me wonder what kind of regular work he does.
There are so many ways a person can have rough hands from the job they have.
Something about this guy tells me he’s no stranger to working with his hands instead of letting everyone else do something for him.
Nora and I are led through the crowd of fans as they all shout and call out to me.
I smile and wave but don’t stop for autographs and pictures like I normally would.
Right now, my bestie needs to be removed from the crowd and we need to have a few minutes on our own before we face everyone again.
Once I have Nora settled on the bus and make sure Bridger and her are okay, I’ll come out and spend some time taking photos and signing everything.
I rarely do that, but I feel bad for making these people feel as if I’m ignoring them or something when it’s the last thing I’m doing.
I know if it weren’t for the fans, I wouldn’t have a job I love and be able to live out my biggest dreams. They spend their hard earned money on tickets, albums, merchandise, and everything else that comes out for their favorite singer or band.
The least I can do is spend some time with them, talking a little, signing things they bring, and taking pictures with them. It’s how I’ve always felt.
“When we’re done and Nora’s on the bus, I’ll be coming back out to meet this group of fans,” I tell Noah as we finally make it to the room we’ll be in.
“I’ll make sure everyone knows. We’ll be right outside if you need anythin’, Ruby. Dinner should be here in five. I let them know we were on our way over with you,” he informs me before holding open the door and checking out the room to ensure no one else is inside.
Nora and I enter and wait until the door is closed firmly between us and the rest of the world.
Now, my best friend breaks as I take Bridger from her hands and hold him close while trying to hold her up.
Together we sink to the floor and she collapses in my lap.
I let her cry as I hold her and my Godson in my arms. There’s nothing more I can do right now until she’s calmed down enough to talk to me.
I don’t care how long it takes because Nora is one of the most important people in my world and I’ll spend a lifetime holding her if that’s what she needs from me.