“Tucson.” She grimaces. “I fear it won’t be quite as glamorous as our time here on the strip.”
I shrug. “This isn’t really my scene anyway.”
“Used to be.”
I don’t respond.
“When I met you in Nashville four years ago, you guys had just started playing with Lacey, landing steady gigs at spots around town. If I recall correctly, the only thing you wanted — besides a constant stream of fresh groupies at your disposal and a steady supply of Jack Daniels — was that spotlight.” Her head tilts. “You would’ve given anything to be a part of this exactscene,about which you now sound so dismissive.”
“Things change.”
“Isn’tthatthe truth.” She laughs, but her eyes are serious. “If you’d told me six months ago I’d be working on a tour with Wildwood — hell, if you’d told me six months ago Wildwoodwould be touring in the first place…” She shakes her head. “Seems impossible.”
I don’t disagree.
“You walking back?” I ask, jerking my thumb toward the exit, where Stevens is standing in the shadows.
“Nah, I have a lot to do still.” She grabs her tablet off a nearby table and starts to scroll through it. “You know… you might check in on Felicity for me.”
My brows lift.
“Just to let her know I’ll be late.” Her eyes are wide, her tone a bit too innocent. “I wouldn’t want her to worry, all alone in our room.”
My lips twist. “No, we can’t have that.”
She grins.
I wink as I turn and walk away, but she calls after me before I make it to the exit doors.
“Hey, also…” Her mouth purses in a pained expression. “Make sure Aiden and Linc don’t go too wild with those girls I saw them drag upstairs. We’re leaving at eight sharp, with or without them.”
I nod and walk out, wondering again about the strange dynamic between our tour manager and bassist. Those thoughts are quickly surpassed by thoughts of the girl upstairs, alone in her hotel room. A room which, conveniently, connects to mine with the turn of a knob.
A smirk overtakes my mouth, my pace increasing.
It’s one in the morning. I should probably let her sleep. I should probably let her pack.
Fuck that.
Fuck platonic.
Fuck every lie she’s spent the past few weeks telling herself, and me.
My determination builds as I step into the elevator and ride up to the penthouse floor. It solidifies into a plan as I pull off my shirt and climb into the shower, ridding myself of a night’s worth of performance perspiration and cheap perfume.
I’ll knock on her door and tell her everything, starting with the night I got arrested two years ago. It’s time she knows the truth. Past time.
When I walk out of my bathroom with a towel slung around my hips, my feet go still at the sight of the dark-haired girl sitting on my bed, waiting for me…
Wearing nothing but a smile.
Chapter Nineteen
felicity
My hand trembleson the door leading from my room into his. I heard the shower shut off a moment ago, so I know he’s back. Whether or not I’m brave enough to act on the desire thrumming inside my veins remains to be seen.
Stop thinking.