“I’m not gonna?—”
“Jace. Please. Promise me.”
I finally get a good look at her. Her eyes are glassy and swollen. She’s been crying. Fuck. I hate that I’ve hurt her. “I swear.”
When I hug her again, she lets me. After a minute, she wraps her arms around me too, and I sigh in relief and kiss her temple.
At least tonight’s over. I did the stupid song with Marlowe like Niles wanted, and it’s done.
Now we just gotta talk to the police.
One fire put out and one more to go.
The whole band is crammed in the kitchen while I glare at Cooper. The fluorescent light overhead flickers. “What do you mean we shouldn’t report this?” I point to the offending gift. “Did you miss the threat to my goddamn wife?” I glance back toward the bedroom to make sure Rory hasn’t snuck up on us. I don’t want her to overhear us arguing. Layla woke up, and Rory’s putting her back down again.
He rolls his eyes. “She’s not your wife, not really. And we don’t need the bad publicity. It’s just some dumb prank that went too far. Rory shouldn’t get her panties in a twist.”
I clench my fist. I love Cooper. I’ve known him almost my whole life, but I’m ready to punch him in his fucking face. “What the hell is your problem? What did Rory ever do to you?”
Frank moves between us. “Gentlemen, come on. We’re all friends here. Cooper’s just tired, Jace. He means no disrespect. Do you, Cooper?” He shoots my drummer a look, and Cooper shrugs.
“Whatever, boss. I’m just saying I don’t think we need to make a federal case of this. We get weird gifts all the time. Just last week, Shane got some frozen underwear with a marshmallow filling. Kinky and strange, but okay. This is the same shit, different packaging.”
Is my friend really that dense? “Don’t you think this is different? This is obviously from the Cherry Smasher. Remember her? She put a knife through our tire?” I look at Frank. “Don’t you think this is worth a call to the cops?”
He blows out a breath and rubs his jaw. “Maybe. But I do have one concern.”
“What’s that?”
“What if it gets out that you’re married? The police are going to ask those kinds of questions. Your band is on the rise, and this whole thing could go sideways fast. If you’re married but Marlowe’s your side piece? If people think you’re cheating?” He winces. “I’m not saying we can’t report this, but you should think this through first.”
Fuck!
“We shouldn’t do it, then.” Rory. I turn and find her looking more tired than I’ve ever seen her.
I pull her into my arms. “Baby, I want you to be safe.”
She nods. “I should’ve called Edmond tonight. That’s why I got locked out of the bus for so long. It was raining, and I was upset. I promise to call him before I head back from the shows. I’ll feel better if?—”
“You got locked out?” Why am I just learning this?
She shrinks back. “I thought you knew that.”
I find Edmond sitting in the lounge, looking sheepish. “Where were you while Rory and my daughter were outside standing in the rain?”
Before he responds, Rory puts her hand on my chest. “It’s not his fault. Don’t yell at Edmond. He always helps me on and off the bus with Layla’s stroller. He’s always been kind to me.”
I glare at Cooper because I know what she’s not saying. That Cooper’s a dick to her. “Are you the one doing this?”
“Doing what?”
“Are you trying to freak out Rory so she quits the tour? Did you give her this creepy gift?”
A dark laugh bellows out of him as he shakes his head. “What the fuck is your problem? You really gonna let a chick come between us like this? After ten years in a band together? After growing up together?” He spits on the floor. “Fuck this.”
After he storms out, Shane sighs. “I’ll keep an eye on him. Make sure he doesn’t end up drunk and in jail.” He takes offafter our drummer. Derek just shrugs and grabs a beer out of the fridge.
Frank scrubs his face. “Jace, I feel for you, but you shouldn’t accuse your bandmates of shit like this. They were all with you in the arena when this happened.”