Harley’s always been very hands-on with River, so I know it’s taken some adjusting on her part, but she and Tommy are busy rebuilding their relationship and being on tour adds a level of difficulty.
One that I’m not sure how I’ll handle when it comes to Ross and me.
I was way too busy at work to talk to him about anything serious during the week, so I’m planning to make a point of it now that we’re in the same place again. I want him to follow his heart, no matter how scary it is for me. What kind of girlfriend would I be if I kept him from chasing his dreams? Especially the one that was so brutally ripped away from him the first time.
That he’s come so far is a testament to his strength and fortitude, so I’m not going to be responsible for telling him not to do it.
Even though it terrifies me.
Even though I know I’m going to be a wreck every time I see a picture of him online when we’re not together.
“You made it!” The first person I see when I get backstage is Harley. She comes over to hug me. “They’re about to go on stage.”
“There was traffic,” I say, “but I’m glad I got here for the show.”
She grins. “Ross has been amazing all week.”
“Hold that thought.” I spot him coming around the corner talking to Pete and he breaks away the moment he sees me.
We run toward each other and he scoops me, spinning me around once before kissing me. “Hi.”
“Hi.” His eyes twinkle. “I’m really glad to see you. It’s been four days but it feels like four months.” One of his hands travels to my ass and squeezes.
“Go be talented and sexy,” I say, laughing. “We can make up for lost time when you’re done.”
He kisses me once more and then goes back to whatever he and Pete were doing.
“How are things between you?” Harley asks as the band gears up for the show.
“I mean, last weekend was amazing. I barely talked to him this week since I missed Monday and wanted to leave a little early today, so I worked late every night.”
“Liking the job any better?”
“No.”
“Have you given any more thought to being a travel nurse or whatever?”
“I think about it a lot,” I admit. “And I’m pretty sure I’m going to do it. I just need to have the time to figure out where to apply. There are a few companies and I want to take the time to compare salary and benefits.”
She nods. “That’s smart. And maybe take a few weeks off before you start, you know? So you can spend time with Ross. And me.”
I grin. “Oh, please, you can’t possibly have missed me, not now that you’re back with Tommy.”
She frowns. “Those two things don’t have anything to do with each other. You’re my sister. He’s the man I love. I can miss you while still being present for him and River.”
“I know. I’m kidding.” I look over at Presley, who joins us.
“You’re back!” she says with a grin. “I’m so glad.”
“Me too.”
And I realize I am.
I feel far more at home here with my sister and her extended Onyx Knight family than I ever did anywhere else. In some ways, I never felt like I fit in anywhere else. Yes, I sometimes felt like a third wheel with Harley and Tommy, but the guys in the band were like brothers to me so it was different. And now that I’m with Ross, it’s even better. Almost like I’ve finally found my place in the world.
“You and Ross make such a great couple,” Presley says. “Honestly, I never thought about him as a man until now. I know, that sounds ridiculous, but he’s older and in my head, he was the band’s tour manager. I never thought about him as someone’s lover.”
“Or as the lead singer of a rock band,” Harley says with a grin.
