Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ice
K EATON AND MEMPHIS got their song recorded and it’s been released.
Jagger really didn’t waste any time getting it out after the festival.
There was such a great response to the song when they were on stage and if I could see the amazing chemistry between the two of them, I know more people did.
That same chemistry was in the studio when they were working.
Keaton and Memphis are very professional and did what they were there to do.
The only times they joked and had fun was when they were on a break to eat or listen to what they just recorded.
Learning what it takes to record one song was an eye-opening experience.
Memphis and Keaton are both perfectionists when they work and they did so many takes of the song to get it perfect.
I mean, I don’t blame them because they poured their hearts into writing it and want to give their fans the best version possible.
In the studio was one thing. When we would arrive or leave for the day, it was pure chaos.
Nothing like the festival where there were partitions and barricades to hold the fans back.
Cops had to be brought in to form a perimeter around the studio they were using and still the fans tried to get inside.
Then, they’d go feral when they caught any glimpse of the two.
Jagger actually sent in more guys for security and made sure Camden didn’t show up with them.
It’s the only way the two of them were safe.
While we waited for them to arrive, some of the guys from the club showed up to help with Jagger’s approval.
Lock was one of them and he stayed in the studio with us along with Zach and Fury.
They remained out of the way and were professional as we watched everything happen.
I’m pretty sure none of them realize Keaton is Ruby.
Lock would have said something to me if he did.
We’ll have to wait and see if they put everything together moving forward.
I actually got to witness the bond between Memphis and Keaton up close.
What I once thought was them in a relationship truly is more of a sibling bond.
Memphis treats Keaton like his little sister and Keaton teases him mercilessly like I imagine a sister would treat her brother just to annoy him.
I don’t honestly know how I could think of the two of them as anything other than good friends or siblings moving forward because everything between them has always been platonic.
Neither one of them has ever wanted to cross that line.
Memphis and I had a long talk about it when Ruby was recording a few parts that needed to be reworked.
He did everything in his power to reassure me that while he’ll be in our lives, I won’t ever have to worry about him crossing any line he shouldn’t.
It means a lot to me that he initiated the conversation and listened to what I had to say without judgment.
We ended up having to stay there for four days while they recorded.
Jagger wanted them to record a second song they sent him from one of the visits Memphis had with Keaton.
This isn’t one I’ve heard before and it’s just as good as the first one they recorded.
By the time they were done, everyone in the studio gave them a standing ovation and I could see the pure pride and excitement shining in Keaton’s eyes as she knew they were putting something truly spectacular in the world for their fans.
Not to mention the fact that Memphis and Keaton can blend their voices together perfectly in ways I rarely hear when I listen to bands or duets on the radio.
I’m not big on crowds so I’ve never really gone to concerts a lot in my life.
The festival was for work and I’m so glad I made that trip because it led me to the one person I need in my life more than I ever thought possible.
Keaton and I call to check on Bridger every single night.
Her parents are having so much fun with him and I can see how much they adore the little boy.
It’s easy to love him when he’s so good and can wrap everyone around his little finger without even trying.
This kid is going to be a heartbreaker when he grows up.
Honestly, I can’t wait to get back to Keaton’s house so we can spend time with him.
For now, I’m enjoying my alone time with my girl.
We’ve used it to our advantage as we explore one another and learn everything we love when it comes to pleasing one another.
Keaton is almost insatiable when we’re alone in our hotel room and you won’t hear me complain for a single second.
Now, we’re heading back home and I want to make a stop before we pick Bridger up from her parents.
When she was in the hospital, I came to the conclusion that I can’t live without her in my life.
Keaton is beautiful, smart, talented, and so full of love to give everyone in her life.
Anyone lucky enough to meet her is one of the luckiest people in the world if you ask me.
Thankfully, Judge was among the guys who came to the studio when we were there and I talked to him about claiming Keaton as my old lady.
He made one call to everyone else and they voted yes.
They might not know her the way I do, but those who have met her even briefly can see what kind of person she is.
Plus, they all know I’ve wanted a family for most of my life and I’ve been looking for my other half.
If I’m bringing this to the club, they know I’m serious and understand they’ll meet her as soon as possible.
“This isn’t the way home, Tucker,” Keaton says as I make the turn to head for the farm.
“I know. I thought we’d go for a ride before pickin’ Bridger up.
You need to unwind after the craziness of the last few days.
I never realized how crazy life is for you when you’re Ruby.
This was a once in a lifetime experience and I thank you for takin’ me with you,” I tell her as she squeezes my hand a little bit and I see the smile on her face in my peripheral vision as I keep my eyes on the road.
“I’m glad you were there with me, Tucker.
It made it feel special includin’ you in that part of my life.
Honestly, I never thought I’d find someone who accepted all the parts of me and you have without question.
So, thank you, Tucker,” she returns and slides a little closer to me despite the center being down.
On the way home I’ll lift it so she can sit in the middle of the front seat with me.
I know we took a limo there so no one would get my plate number, but we realized the hotel has an underground parking lot and we used that to escape the feral fans on our way home.
No one saw us though I could see the guys giving us weird looks because the entire time they saw Ruby and not Keaton.
We came up with an excuse but never had to use it.
I’m sure I’ll be asked about it at some point and they’ll hear the story Keaton and I came up with.
“We’re going to the farm?” she asks me, excitement filling her voice as she practically bounces in her seat.
“We are. I thought we’d take a ride before headin’ home. You good with that?”
“I’m more than good with that, Tucker. That’s the perfect ending to the last few days.
I love what I do, don’t think I don’t. You saw how crazy it got though.
The fans are extremely loyal and do whatever they can to get close to us.
Memphis and I weren’t scheduled to even be in that town yet it didn’t take long for news to spread and so many people show up for us.
Now imagine that on a tour where all of the stops are put out for the public to see.
That’s why we do so many meet and greets when we’re on the road.
Jagger always wants us to connect with our fans in one way or another and we give them what they want.
This was a few days and not months. It’s part of the reason I chose to hide my identity when this all started,” she says as I look at her for a second and see the truth of her words because Keaton is looking right at me.
She always tells the truth unless it’s about the Ruby part of her.
That’s a closely guarded secret Keaton chooses to talk about with those she knows she can trust. When she’s been in the room as Keaton and someone starts to talk about Ruby, I notice she doesn’t say a word and tries to disappear.
I can’t imagine what that feels like, but I’ll do whatever I can to help her through each encounter like that.
I finally pull into the farm and park the truck closer to the barn than the house.
After shutting off the engine, I get out and make my way over to the passenger side so I can help Keaton down.
The second she’s standing in front of me, Keaton leans up to wrap her arms around my shoulders before giving me a kiss.
I pull her in closer to me and hold her tight as I return the kiss for several minutes before pulling back and looking down at her face.
Keaton still has a red mark on her temple where she hit her head that day.
It looks pretty painful, but she keeps telling me it doesn’t bother her.
Lacing our fingers together, I walk her to the barn and we stop at Bandit’s stall.
He immediately comes to the opening and sticks his head out.
“There he is,” Keaton says, a large smile on her face as she steps forward and pets him. Bandit loves the attention and eats it up. “I’ve missed you, Bandit.”
“I think he’s missed you too,” I say before she steps back and watches as I open the door to lead him from the stall.