As soon as Kate’s within arm’s reach, I pull her onto the couch with me.
“How did your meetings go?” she asks, curled up against my chest, looking at our fingers laced together.
“Good. We’re going to make some tweaks to my schedule so we can spend more time together when we’re on tour. It won’t be a lot of extra time, but I’ll take every minute I can get with you.” I rest my chin on her head, soaking in the smell of her hair, the warmth of her body, the softness of her touch. “Anna actually brought up a great idea of how to help you feel more comfortable with all the changes in your life.”
“Oh, really. What’s that?”
“What do you think about buying a new house in Nashville, or potentially redecorating this one? I want you to feel at home when you’re here with me, and I know this”—I gesture widely with my arms to everything in the room—“doesn’t lend itself to the homiest feeling.”
Kate chuckles. “You can say that again. Your decorating style is interesting.”
“Uh-huh. That’s a polite way to tell me you hate it,” I tease, tracing circles on her arm.
“Yes and no. The house itself is gorgeous. I love the layout and the character. It’s just everything inside it—present company excluded—that needs some work.”
“Okay. What do you think about working with an interior designer to give it a makeover? Make it moreourstyle than my old style.”
Kate sits up, staring at me and grinning widely. “Seriously? You want this to feel likeourhome.”
“Of course. I’m planning on a lifetime with you.”
“Oh my God. Yes!” Kate shouts, straddling me and devouring my lips in one of the most breathtaking kisses.
Fuck. I’m crazy about this woman. And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her.
CHAPTER SIX
jake
“Why the hellare we doing soundcheck this early? I could’ve slept for a few more hours,” Jimmy whines, messing around with the strings of his guitar as he works to tune it.
He’s moving a bit slower than normal, due to the earlier call time and his raging hangover. Jimmy’s been with me forever, and if Kate weren’t in my life, I would’ve been up all night drinking with him and probably bitching about having to get up this early. Instead, I was up late for a completely different reason—worshipping my gorgeous girlfriend’s body.
“Lover boy needs to spend more time with the new girlfriend,” Shane teases, motioning toward me with his thumb as he walks around the stage with his guitar strapped to him. “Our favorite drill sergeant said to ‘expect a lot of changes to the schedule to accommodate Kate.’”
Alex said what?
I glare toward Alex, who’s standing on the side of the stage, trying to catch his attention. He’s so focused on his checklist and talking into his headset that he’s oblivious to what’s being said about him. Or the death stare I’m currently giving him.
“Are you fucking kidding me? I’m up early because of some chick?” Jimmy groans, tossing his head back in frustration. “No pussy is worth disturbing my sleep.”
My jaw tightens, clenching so hard I might actually crack a tooth, which would be a real inconvenience. No one gets to talk about Kate that way. Ever.
“Let’s be clear. Kate is notsome chick. She’s my girlfriend, and youwilltreat her with respect,” I growl, attempting not to explode even though every cell in my body wants to rip Jimmy a new asshole. “None of you should be talking aboutanywoman that way. Grow the fuck up.”
“Touchy. Who pissed in your Wheaties this morning?” Shane asks, walking toward the center of the stage until he’s in front of me. “Jimmy’s just being a dumbass.”
“Hey! I’m not a dumbass. I’m the only one not chickenshit enough to say what the rest of you are thinking,” Jimmy calls out, strolling toward us.
“Don’t lump me in with this nonsense,” Zac shouts from the back of the stage, where he’s adjusting his drum set. “I haven’t said shit.”
Jimmy turns to flip off Zac with both hands. “Fuck off, Zac.”
I groan, dragging a hand down my face. It’s only day one of the new schedule, and it’s a fucking nightmare. The first few weeks of a tour are always challenging, and we’re already blowing up the schedule. If I were in their shoes, I’d be pissed, too. These changes disrupt what we’ve done as a band for over a decade.
“Do all of you have a problem with the changes?” I cross my arms.
“Fuck yeah, we do,” Jimmy answers, standing next to Shane. “You’re changing what’s worked for years because of your girlfriend. Is this how it’s going to be for the rest of the tour? Kate doesn’t like something, so we’re forced to change it?”
