She was too damn cute, and insufferable sometimes. Every woman I’d ever dated tried to push too fast, too hard, turning me off before they turned me on, but Cece wasn’t like the rest. There was nothing she could say or do that would scare me off.
“Listen to me…” I rested my hand against her cheek, getting lost in her eyes. They were sparkling tonight. Must be true what they said about falling in love, ‘cause it was lighting my girl up. “You’re not pressuring me. If you want to talk about marriage and babies, we’ll talk about it. I’ll be honest with you about how I’m feelin’. Always. And if I didn’t think I could get there eventually, you know I wouldn’t lead you on.”
She nodded. “I know. I’m just being silly. I’m not even sure I want to do the whole marriage and family thing. I’m just putting it out there, in case.”
I pulled her close, resting her head on my shoulder as I kissed her forehead. She wasn’t sure she would want it, but what if I did? Now that I’d started thinking along those lines it wasn’t hard to imagine this gorgeous woman walking down the aisle, agreeing to be my wife.
I brushed my lips against her cheek as my fantasy continued to unfold. Cece excitedly producing that little plastic stick. Watching her belly swell with my baby. Holding her hand in the hospital while we welcomed—
“Hey.” She lifted her head, looking into my eyes. “Why so quiet?”
“Just thinkin’, babe.” I kissed her, knowing we’d have dozens of conversations about this before we decided to take the leap. And we had time on our side. “I love that we get all this time together on the road.” Back home in Nashville her apartment was a twenty minute drive from my house on the outskirts of the city and we only saw each other a couple of times a week. But being on the road meant I could get my Cece fix whenever I needed it.
“Me too.”
I eased her back on the couch, tying my hand up in her hair as my mouth found hers.
She’d claimed one of my t-shirts when we got out of the shower and as much as I loved seeing her in my clothes I was ready to get her naked. I pushed the shirt up, cupping her breast as I deepened the kiss.
Cece moaned into my mouth, threading her hands through my hair as she arched into me.
Her cell phone rang and I swore softly, dipping my head. “Ignore it.”
“That’s my sister’s ring tone.” She pushed against my shoulders. “She wouldn’t call this late unless it was important, Knox.”
I sighed, but shifted so she could snag the phone out of her purse. “Hey, Charli. What’s up?”
I moved over to give her some room as I reached for my water. Normally I’d cap the night off and celebrate a great show with a few drinks, but tonight all I needed to get that high was Cece in my arms.
“Oh my God, is he okay?” her eyes were frantic as they darted to me. “Yeah, of course, I’ll be there. I just have to talk to Knox. How’s Mama holding up?” She drew a deep breath, dropping her head as I moved closer, stroking her back.
Shit. This couldn’t be good.
“Ok, tell her to hang in there and try to stay calm. I’ll be there as soon as I can. I’ll text you when I have my flight details. Love you too, sis. Bye.” She disconnected the call and let the phone fall back in her open bag.
My gut clenched as my hand moved up and down her back, trying to comfort her. “Is it Chee?” Her father was larger than life. I couldn’t imagine anything taking that beast of a man out. Or that’s what I wanted to believe. Many said the same after my father passed, but even he was no match for a drunk in a Chevy.
“A massive heart attack,” she whispered, shaking her head. “I can’t believe it.”
“Baby, I’m so sorry.” I leaned in close, kissing her temple. “Tell me what I can do. You need me to get the plane here?”
“It’ll probably be faster to fly commercial, but thanks.” She stroked my face as her eyes filled with tears. “What are we gonna do if we lose him?”
Losing my old man had been tough, but it was different for Cece. She and her sister were daddy’s girls. Losing him would destroy her. “Let me get on the phone, cancel a few shows, so I can go with you.”
“No!” She kissed me before curling her arms around my neck and holding me close. “Thank you for offering, but he’s in intensive care, babe. You wouldn’t even be able to see him.”
“No, but I could be there for you and your family. Do what I can.” Like make sure he gets the best medical attention millions can buy. That was one good thing about having money. When a loved one was in trouble, money was no object.
“I seriously love you for offering,” she said, touching her forehead to mine. “But I can’t let you cancel any shows. Think of all the people you’d be disappointing and—”
“I don’t give a shit about that.” It was a concert. My fans would get over it when they heard I had a family emergency. And Cece’s family felt like my family. They had for years, but more so now that I was in love with the girl and imagining a future with her.
“But I’d feel so guilty, tearing you away from your tour. And I already feel bad enough without piling that on.” She bit her trembling lip as tears chased each other down her cheeks. “I should have been there for him. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own drama I didn’t even see the signs last time I was home visiting, but there must have been signs, right? He probably wasn’t feeling well and didn’t want to say anything. Typical of my dad,” she said, rolling her eyes. “He didn’t want to worry anyone.”
“If it makes you feel any better,” I said, squeezing her hand, “I spent a fair bit of time with him that day and he seemed fine to me.”
“It’s his shitty lifestyle,” she muttered. “Eating whatever the hell he wants. Smoking. Drinking too much. Not enough exercise. Probably hasn’t seen a doctor in years.”
