I know he’s holding on by a thread.
The worst part?
So am I.
The bus eventually quiets down. Jake disappears to email the PR team while dramatically threatening to fake his own death (and that’s where he’ll be if we don’t see him again). By midafternoon, the group has scattered across the venue to nap, grab food, or get ready for the big event tonight.
Rylee and I end up on the top level of the tour bus with the windows cracked open to let in the breeze. She has her legs tucked under her as she scrolls through photos on her camera.
“You okay?” she asks eventually, not looking up.
I hesitate, my hands wrapping around a bottle of water I haven’t actually taken a sip from. “I got a call last night. From my dad.”
Her head shoots to attention, her expression shifting instantly. “Byron?”
I nod.
“Holy shit,” she breathes. “What did he want?”
“He saw the damn Philly video,” I mutter. “He said some guy at his job showed it to him and he didn’t even recognize me at first. Honestly, I don’t even know how he had my phone number now that I’m thinking about it. Anyway, he said to call him back, get this—if I wanted.”
“If you wanted?” she repeats, disgust lacing every syllable. “What does that even mean? Like he’s doingyoua favor?”
She’s echoing every thought I’ve had since I got the call. I still can’t make sense of it.
“That’s what it felt like.”
Rylee is silent for a long beat, processing. “He hasn’t been in your life for what, fifteen years? I can’t remember him ever calling, at least not in the time I’ve known you.”
“More like eighteen,” I say. “I was eight when he left. My sisters have more memories of him than I do.”
“Do you want to talk to him?”
“No,” I say immediately, then pause. “I don’t know. I want to tell Makenna and Macy. Besides you and Gray, I haven’t told anybody.”
“Then I’ll make myself scarce,” she says, giving my hand a squeeze as she stands up. “Just say the word if you need back up. Or if you want me to call him back and tell him to fuck himself. I’msogood at that.”
“I know,” I laugh, grateful for her protectiveness of me. “You know, Grayson offered to hijack the bus and drive it through his front yard.”
“He loves you,” she smiles softly. “We both do.”
She disappears down to the lower level of the bus and I’m alone again. I stare at my phone for a long moment before opening the sister group chat.
New Message:M&M&M
Mia Alexander
Busy?
Macy Alexander
I can peel away from work but only if we’re going to talk about that steamy article about you and Grayson getting it on in a Jeep!
Makenna Alexander
Seconded. WTF?
I roll my eyes, knowing I set myself up for that one.
