Karina drapes an arm around Cooper and sighs. “Only that you obviously trapped Jace with a baby. Because nobody goes on tour with their wife in tow unless they’re held at gunpoint.”
Cooper and Shane look everywhere but at me. I’m guessing they complained to Karina about me. But how could I trap Jace when Layla isn’t mine?
I don’t know what comes over me, but I laugh. “This guy here”—I point at Cooper—“has a girlfriend, and I’m guessing it’s not you. But even if you ignore that, at the end of this tour, these two guys”—I motion to the jerks on either side of her—“aren’t going to remember your name.” She curses at me under her breath, and I smile like a lunatic. “Enjoy the merry-go-round. I have to go.”
As I’m walking toward the front of the bus, Jace calls my name. I stop, close my eyes, and reluctantly turn around. I squint at him, ready for him to kick me off this tour for insulting his friends. If they weren’t crazy about me before, they definitely won’t like me now. Jace has Layla in one arm and wraps the other around me.
He leans down and whispers in my ear. “Sorry about that.”
I murmur back, “No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be a jerk.” But I felt so triggered, like I was talking to my stepsister.
Normally, I’d be afraid everyone could hear us talking, but the AC rattles loud enough to mask our voices.
He cups my face, and I have to tilt my head back to look at him because he’s so close. His sea-green eyes are dark, almost stormy. “You dealt with it perfectly.” He gives me a long look before he ducks close, brushes his nose against mine, and kisses me.
On the lips.
My heart skips a beat, then races in my chest as I grab his arm so I don’t fall over. He chuckles and backs away. “Have fun shopping. Text me when you get there so I don’t worry. I just need you back by five so I can do sound check.”
“O-okay.” I suck in a breath before I realize his band is watching us.
That’s what the PDA is about.
For his friends.
Not because he wanted to kiss me.
19
JACE
I kissedher because I wanted to fucking kiss her.
And here’s the truth—I like kissing my wife.
I like the quiet sigh she lets out right before she gives in. I like the perfect way she fits against me. I like how she clings to me afterward as though she doesn’t want to let go. As though I anchor her somehow.
I don’t miss the shock on the guys’ faces afterward, but I’m not their mother, and they’re not mine. I’m not gonna tell Cooper he shouldn’t get his dick sucked by random women when he has a girlfriend, so he can keep whatever thoughts he has about me and Rory to himself. I know my bandmates don’t like her. They think she’s keeping me from partying with them, but like I told Rory, I’m tired of living like that.
It’s funny that she told Cooper and his groupie what’s what. I chuckle to myself when I think about the expressions on their faces when Rory snapped. Of course, she was guilt-ridden afterward because she’s a sweet girl.
Once Rory takes off, I duck into my bedroom and let Layla play on the floor while I tinker with some lyrics I’ve been mulling over since I saw Rory at last night’s show.
She says she ain’t a heartbreaker, but she’s got that secret smile
The one that keeps me up late, thinking this could be worthwhile
“Jace.” Frank knocks on the door and sticks his head in. “You doing okay? Where’s Rory?”
“Running errands.” Layla flings her toy, and I grab it and hand it back to her before I stretch out my legs next to her. Been on this floor too long because my ass is falling asleep.
“Shouldn’t she be watching the kid?” Apparently, Frank has some thoughts too.
“She’ll be back in time for sound check.” That vein is bulging in his forehead. “She’s not gonna be late. Relax.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because I do.” She’s the fucking town librarian. Responsibility is her middle name.