I glance at Felicity at the same moment she looks over at me. Without saying a word, I know exactly what she’s thinking.
“Nashville,” we say in unison.
The crowd releases a bigawwwww.
“Your hometown, where you first met! If that isn’t the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard…” Eileen says, pretending to dab at a non-existent tear. “You two are just as adorable as you were two years ago!”
“I don’t know about that,” Felicity murmurs, red staining her cheeks.
“You are! Youare. I can’t wait to see you sing live in concert. I’ve already got tickets to your first show.” She looks out at the crowd, a playful grin on her lips. “Actually, I may’ve bought a few extras… I’m thrilled to announce, everyone in the audience today will receive free tickets to attend the very first show on Wildwood’s tour, two weeks from tomorrow at the Rose Bowl! Isn’t that exciting?”
There’s an explosion of sound as the crowd reacts — jumping up and down in their seats, screaming at the top of their lungs, waving their signs madly.
Smiling wide, we thank Eileen for her generosity.
“No need to thank me, I’m thrilled to do it!” She turns her full attention to Felicity, focus zooming in like the cameras that swivel around on tracks, capturing our every expression. “So, Felicity, darling… I must know what it’s like, being the only girl in the band. You get to spend every day surrounded by not one, not two, butthreegorgeous guys. What’s that like?”
“Loud,” Felicity says succinctly, eliciting a chuckle from the audience.
But Eileen isn’t letting her off that easy. “Come now, give us some juicy details! Show us the dirt! Let us in on the glamorous life of a rockstar on the road!”
“Oh… you mean theglamorousreality of me and three snoring boys on a cramped tour bus for four months? I’ve got a feeling life on the road isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, Eileen!” Felicity laughs, melodic and pure.
God, I’ve missed that sound.
There’s a certain irony that someone who hates the spotlight so much is so damn good at basking in it. She’s so effortlessly charming. The crowd eats up her every word like they’ve been starving for the past two years without them.
I know the feeling.
“Ladies and gentlemen, don’t listen to a word she says,” I protest, a teasing edge to my voice. “Everyone knows Felicity snores the loudest of anyone in Wildwood.”
She spins toward me, gasping. “I donotsnore! Take that back!”
My grin is taunting. “Sorry, baby. You wouldn’t want to make a liar out of me, now would you?”
She shoves playfully at my arm and I dodge her strike with ease. We sit there grinning at each other like idiots until Eileen clears her throat.
“Yes, yes, we’re still here,” she says wryly, when we tear our gazes back over to her. “Though you two were quite lost in your own little world.”
The audience laughs.
Felicity’s cheeks heat. “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize! We love seeing the two of you so happy.” A gleam of intent creeps into Eileen’s gaze. “Especially after all you’ve been through… both as a couple and then on your own…”
A somber silence descends.
Here it comes.
“Ryder, we’ll start with you.” Eileen’s face is the picture of compassion. As though this line of questioning is for my mental health, not a ratings boost. “I think it’s safe to say, we all saw you struggling in the months after the album first came out. You had a few arrests, some incidents with addiction… Is that something you’d like to address?”
I feel Felicity go tense at my side.
I grit my teeth in something I hope resembles a smile. “You know, Eileen, I’m not perfect. I’ve certainly made my fair share of mistakes. But everyone goes through ups and downs in life. You don’t get to stay at the top of the peak forever. Valleys are inevitable.” I pull in a breath, staring out at the rapt crowd as I make my confession. “I hit a pretty low valley about a year ago. Now, I’m just trying to climb my way back to where I was before. The ascent is slow, one step at a time, but I’m trying. That’s all anyone can do — wake up in the morning, stare at that summit above of you, and give it your best shot.”
People in the crowd are nodding. A few women in the front row appear to be crying.
“So…” Eileen’s voice is soft. “Does that mean you’re sober?”