Chapter Twenty-Six
Keaton
I CE HAS TAKEN time off from the strip club so he can take care of Bridger and me while I recover over the last two and a half weeks.
He’s done everything for the two of us and gone above and beyond what I’d expect from him.
No matter where I am, he makes sure I’m resting and not overdoing anything.
He’s taking this entire resting thing too literal.
I rarely do anything to take care of Bridger, but I’m enjoying watching the two of them bond more on a daily basis.
Every single night he tucks me into bed and then walks out to sleep on the couch.
I haven’t asked him why he’s not sharing my bed with me because I’m scared to hear the answer.
He might not want to sleep with me and that’s okay.
Maybe I was bad when we had sex. Tucker didn’t sleep in the bed with me that night.
The side of the bed I wasn’t on wasn’t wrinkled at all and the blankets were still pulled up when I woke up.
Part of me believes he’s hiding something from me after we just agreed not to keep secrets when I was still in the hospital.
I guess it’s time for me to pull up my big girl panties and have this conversation with Tucker instead of letting it bother me.
“Tucker, we need to talk about something,” I say as he joins me on the couch with a plate of food for lunch.
“Okay. What’s up?” he returns, placing his plate on the table in front of him and turning to face me.
“Why don’t you sleep in bed with me? Every night you sleep here on the couch after taking me to bed. Am I doing something wrong? Don’t you want to sleep with me?” I ask him, slumping against the pillow at my back and taking a bite of my sandwich so I have something to do instead of crying.
“Songbird, you haven’t done a damn thing wrong.
The only reason I’m not sleepin’ in bed with you is because we haven’t had a conversation about us sharin’ a bed.
Yeah, we’ve had sex and you’ve fallen asleep with me on the couch a few times, but sharin’ a bed is a big deal.
Once I start that, I won’t sleep anywhere else unless I’m on a run.
Are you ready for that step, Keaton?” he returns, a small smile on his face.
“Yeah, I think I am,” I tell him honestly because I want to sleep wrapped up in his arms and wake up with my head on his chest. I don’t like waking up alone knowing he’s out here on this very couch.
“Then I’ll sleep in bed with you. I told you our first night together that I’m really big on consent.
I’m not gonna do certain things without makin’ sure you’re okay with them before it happens.
Why would you think you did somethin’ wrong?
” he questions me, rubbing his hand up and down my leg before picking his plate back up and starting to eat his own lunch.
“Honestly, you’re only the second man I’ve ever had sex with. I was wondering if I did it wrong or something since you didn’t stay with me that night,” I admit as I feel a blush heating my face and try to bury my face from his view.
“No hidin’, Songbird. While I don’t want to ever hear you mention fuckin’ someone else again, you did nothin’ wrong.
Sex with you feels better than anythin’ I’ve ever experienced before in my life.
The only reason I’m not fuckin’ you right now is because you’re still recoverin’ and I’m not gonna push you for somethin’ you don’t want,” he says and I give him a small smile in response because that’s sweet of him to say.
“Okay.”
Before either one of us can say another word, my phone rings and I look to see Jagger calling me. I once again answer it on speaker because I’m not hiding anything from Tucker.
“Hey, Jagger,” I answer the call and finish eating my lunch.
“Just callin’ to check in and get an update on your situation,” he says as I smile because I knew this call was coming sooner rather than later.
“Jagger, you know what’s going on here. Yeah, I have someone in my life who is willing to help me with Bridger but I’m not ready to leave him behind yet to go back out on tour.
I’ll keep writing songs, I’ll record my next album, and I’ll record the song with Memphis.
As far as leaving Bridger goes, I’m not ready.
I still have appointments with CPS to think about and all of that stuff.
I want to be able to adopt him so I never have to worry about someone trying to take him from me again.
Are you good with that?” I ask him, needing him to be on board with me not touring for a while.
“As long as you continue to make music and record the song with Memphis, I don’t have a problem with you takin’ a break from tourin’.
Memphis is actually flyin’ in today so you guys can get to work on that song.
The crew will be there a few hours after him.
Did he call and let you know?” Jagger questions me as I shake my head and start laughing.
“No, he didn’t call me. You know Memphis rarely lets me know when he’s headin’ to Briar Glen when I’m home. He likes surprising me. What an ass!” I tell him as Jagger starts to laugh and Tucker smiles at my words.
“Sounds like him when it comes to you. Does he know about your new man?” my manager asks as if there’s some reason Memphis needs to know this about me.
“Yeah, he actually does. Ice and I had our first date when he was here the last time,” I inform our manager while looking at Tucker to gauge his response.
“You know Memphis sees you as a little sister, Keaton. He worries about you. Especially lately. I’ve never seen him so distracted before when he’s on tour.
Yesterday, he missed an interview completely because he was tryin’ to book flights and all that shit.
I just told him what happened to you and he lost his shit.
That’s why I was hopin’ you wouldn’t call him before I got the chance to break the news.
Everyone wants to come visit, but they’re givin’ you time to heal.
Are you sure you’re up to the task of recordin’ this song?
” Jagger questions me and I watch as Tucker visibly relaxes with the words that Memphis sees me as a sister and nothing more.
“I’m ready to get in the studio. It’s not like I have to travel anywhere, Jagger. We can record right here in my house. You know this,” I remind him as he hums in agreement.
“You need anythin’, let me know,” Jagger says before hanging up the phone on me and I shake my head.
“When do you think Memphis will be here?” Tucker asks once I’m off the phone.
“I don’t know. He has the code for the gate so we’ll know when we hear him pull up.
The last time he came here, Camden was with him.
You know Cam is one of the Wicked Angels security members.
I didn’t want him here and I didn’t talk to him.
He basically followed Memphis and me when we left the house,” I tell Tucker as his head snaps up and he looks at me.
“Will he come here this time?” he questions and I hear the angry tone in his voice as he glares at the thought of my ex being here in my home.
“No. I made sure Memphis knew he’s not allowed here any longer. This is my sanctuary and I won’t have him taint it with his presence,” I tell him as he nods in response and we finish eating our lunch while waiting for Memphis to show up.
***
“S ongbird, Memphis is callin’ your phone,” I hear Tucker call from outside the shower. I was in desperate need of one and the doctor said I could shower when Tucker called him an hour ago.
“Answer it,” I tell him, rinsing the conditioner out of my hair and listening to the conversation between Tucker and Memphis.
“Ice, it’s good to hear your voice and know you’re there with my little sister,” Memphis says and I can’t help but laugh because he’s such a dork.
“Got bad news. I was recognized leavin’ the airport.
I’m not bringin’ this chaos to your house, Keaton.
You’re gonna have to become Ruby and meet me at a recordin’ studio a few towns over.
It’s really fuckin’ small and not what we’re used to at all, but we’ll have to make it work.
Jagger already booked the entire place for us and our team is headin’ there now to kick everyone out.
We’re not gonna risk anythin’ bein’ leaked while we’re recordin’ like it’s happened before. ”
“Fuck,” I say, shutting off the water and accepting the towel from Tucker as he remains outside the shower and not looking in at me at all.
“Okay. I’ll get ready and head out soon.
Send me an address so I can meet you there.
I don’t know if I’m ready to drive on my own, but I’ll make it work.
You’re gonna have to be patient with me today, Memphis.
I haven’t tried playin’ a note since all of this shit happened. ”
“Yeah, we’ll be talkin’ about that shit. Ice, are you comin’ with her?” Memphis asks and I wonder how we’ll make that work.
“I don’t think I can. We have Bridger to worry about. If she’s dressed up as Ruby, I don’t want Bridger anywhere near that chaos and I’m sure Keaton feels the same way,” Ice tells him and I can’t help but agree with him completely.
“Let me call my parents and see if they’re willing to sit with him while we meet you.
I don’t see why they won’t since they love him and it’s been a while since they’ve gotten to spoil him.
We’ll be there soon,” I say before Ice hangs the phone up and I step out of the shower with a towel wrapped around my hair and the other one around my body.
“Are you ready to see me as Ruby again?”
“I am. Let’s see what it takes to change you. I’ll call your parents while you start to get ready.
Thankfully, I always have a few Ruby outfits here with me at home.
Most of the clothes I wear remain on the bus unless they’re sent out for cleaning or I get new things in.
It’s mainly things I wore on our last tour and won’t wear again unless I’m home and something comes up like this current situation.
Walking to the back of my closet, I pull out the two garment bags and carry them to my bed, laying them down.
Unzipping them, I carefully pick through the clothing inside and pull out a pair of shorts and a halter top.
It’s not what I want to wear right now, but it will have to do.
I know it’s extremely hot outside, but I have to wear some kind of coat or hoodie over my clothes because I want to cover up my injuries so no one sees them and starts asking questions about what happened to me or making up stories on their own.
“Your parents will be here in fifteen minutes or less to keep Bridger so I can go with you,” Tucker says, walking in the bathroom to join me as I slide on the shorts over a thong and look at his wide eyes. “Fuck, Songbird. You really know how to torture a man, don’t ya?”
“I’m sorry. I’m used to having a team in place helping me get ready as Ruby.
Today, I’m all on my own so it’s gonna take a little bit.
My mom might help me when she gets here, but she typically stays out of things.
She doesn’t want to do anything wrong and leave some kind of clue about my real identity by accident,” I tell him as I remove my towel and don’t try to cover my chest until I pull on the shirt.
Tucker’s eyes don’t leave my body for a second as he moves closer behind me.
“You’re about to be really fuckin’ late, Songbird,” he says, his voice low and husky as I smile while he wraps his arms around my body and rests his hands on my stomach.
“My parents don’t need to hear us having sex, Tucker. All my parts are covered now and you won’t see them again until we’re home and getting ready for bed,” I tell him, watching him in the full-length mirror as he slowly slides his hands around my body and grips my ass.
“These shorts should be fuckin’ illegal, Songbird. Not sure how I feel about people seein’ this much of your body exposed,” he says and I can feel the jealousy flowing through his body.
“Babe, you’re the one who gets to touch, taste, and have me whenever you want.
This is how Ruby dresses. Besides, I’ll be finding a long coat to wear over this so no one sees my injuries.
I’m gonna have to find a hoodie or something to cover my face and the remaining evidence there,” I assure him as he leaves me alone and walks into the bedroom.
Tucker walks back in with one of his hoodies and I can’t help but laugh in response.
He’s marking me the only way he can as I prepare to make a public appearance with him.
Once I’ve been put in his hoodie, Tucker steps back as I pull out one of my many wigs.
He doesn’t say a word as I put my hair up and hide it under the fake hair that’s been my Ruby trademark for nine years now.
Once I feel confident my hair is okay, I sit down at my vanity and debate doing my make-up.
With the remaining injuries, I decide it’s not a good idea and stand up, grabbing a large pair of dark sunglasses to slide on my face.
Memphis sends me a message letting me know a limo is here to pick us up and I show Tucker as we leave my room and find my parents in the living room.
“We’re heading out, Mom. Memphis sent a limo for us. It must be horrible there if he doesn’t want our personal vehicles with us,” I say, giving my mom a hug and nodding at my dad where he’s standing in front of the TV. “I’m not sure how long we’ll be gone today.”
“It’s okay. Take all the time you need. We don’t have anything else to do and can always take one of the guest rooms if it gets to be too late to head home.
Or, we could grab some of Bridger’s things and head to our house so the two of you don’t have to worry about him.
Stay closer to the recording studio if that’s what you want to do,” my mom says and I look to Tucker for his response.
“It makes sense if we need to be there for a few days,” Tucker says and I worry he doesn’t realize what he just agreed to.
With a nod of my head, I go back to my room and grab more Ruby things along with a bag filled with my normal clothes so I don’t have to be in the spotlight the entire time we’re gone.
Tucker grabs some of his clothes Zach brought over yesterday and we head out to meet the limo once it’s through the gate.
I know Memphis already made the driver sign an NDA so I don’t worry about my home address being given out to anyone.
Tucker is about to get a crash course in my life and I hope to hell he’s ready for it.