I suck in a breath, hating that they’re arguing over me, but at the same time grateful to have a husband who defends me. “Jace, I’m okay.”
Cooper nods and glances at me. “I swear I’m over my dick phase. I promise I won’t run around naked with groupies anymore.”
That makes me chuckle. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
He rubs his bushy beard. “Before we go, I’ve been wondering… Why’d you run out into the storm last night? To make sure we didn’t sign the contract?”
With everything that happened, I never got a chance to tell the guys the good news. I grab my phone and pull up iTunes. “You have a number one hit.” But then I scan the charts. “Make that two hits.”
Everyone starts talking at once. When Jace sees my screen, he laughs. “No shit.”
“I ran to the restaurant because I wanted you to have all the info. I knew this would give you more leverage, which is why Niles was pushing to rope you into a contract as soon as possible.”
Jace tugs me close and kisses my forehead. “You’re awesome.”
When his bandmates leave to celebrate their chart-topping songs, Jace rubs his hands together and winks at me. “I have a wife.”
“I have a husband.” Layla crawls up onto me, and I chuckle when she squishes my face together. “We have a daughter.” Because I love Layla too, so much.
“I’m a lucky man.” He grabs Layla and holds her over our heads. “Aren’t I, Layla?” She giggles and squeals as he tosses her up and catches her. “Except now I can’t smooch Mommy because our little chicken nugget is up.”
“So if she’s the chicken nugget, I’m what, the hen? Which makes you…”
He turns to me and grins. “The giant cock.”
I snort and snuggle closer and lean my head on his shoulder. A minute later, I yawn and close my eyes. “I’m so tired.”
“Rest. I’ve got the baby.”
“What are you going to do about Frank? It doesn’t sound like he was involved, but his wife stole and got him to do things you didn’t want, like switch the buses.”
“I hate to say this, but I don’t think I can trust him.” He sighs. “I’m waiting to hear back from Niles. We need some time off to regroup, obviously.”
My eyes fly open. “Not on my account, I hope.”
“Babe, you were almost murdered. Twice. What, do you think I’m gonna waltz off to my next gig like nothing happened?”
“But you have a show next weekend. Won’t Niles go after you to recoup losses?”
He rubs his chin. “I’ve been thinking about contracts since last night. About what you said about signing under duress. While I was in the ER last night and waiting at the police station this morning, I did some research, and it turns out you’re right—Niles forcing me to sign his stupid contract without a lawyer is considered duress. Anyway, I have a call out to an attorney right now to help me with this.”
I grab his handsome face. “I really appreciate the effort, but don’t jeopardize the tour if you can help it. What if I just hang out here for a few days and then fly out to meet you at the Skyline Summerfest?” I’ve always wanted to visit Chicago.
“I’m not leaving you behind,” he says fiercely.
I lean in to kiss him, but someone knocks on the door. “Are you expecting anyone?” I ask.
He shakes his head, and I hang on to Layla as he goes to answer.
When I hear the familiar voices, my eyes widen. Our friends came.
Paige, Baylee, and Rhett hug Jace and the girls beeline it to me. A grin stretches across my face. “I can’t believe you came.”
They sit on the couch, and Paige hugs me and then scoops up Layla. “That’s what family does. They show up for each other.We hopped on the first plane we could catch. Honey wanted to come, but this pregnancy is kicking her butt, and Beau wanted her to rest. And the guys are watching the kids or they’d be here too.”
It really sinks in. Paige, Baylee, and Honey aren’t just my friends. They’re my sisters-in-law. They’re family. So are Jace’s brothers. My eyes sting as gratitude fills my chest.
Baylee nods and grabs my hand. “As soon as we got that call from Jace and he told us you’d been injured, that your security guard went loco and fucking kidnapped you, we booked tickets.”