The band before Jace’s finishes, and they’re breaking down their set. I suppose I have a few minutes to find Wayward Sons and wish the guys luck. So I head backstage, and it’s a maze of equipment and roadies, who are rushing around, talking into headphones, and looking like they’re candidates for heatstroke. I get a faceful of weed smoke blown at me, at which point I run to find some fresh air for the baby.
“Sorry, Layla.” I brush her little head with my palm. She seems fine.
I finally spot the guys behind a stack of amps. As I wait for them to wrap up, I study their logo on the back of their manager’s t-shirt. In the center is a star, maybe a compass, and the band’s name curves around it. It has a vintage feel.
“You got this,” Frank says to the guys. “You deserve this moment. Enjoy it.”
Aww, he’s such a nice man.
Jace hugs him as his bandmates gear up for their set. When Jace sees me, I freeze, second-guessing whether I should’ve come backstage.
He’s wearing that crooked smile, and his eyes are so bright they look lit from within, like sea glass shimmering in the sun.
I wave awkwardly, and he stalks toward me. Dang it, he looks hot in jeans, cowboy boots, and a faded blue t-shirt that molds to all of his muscles. Don’t get me started about that guitar strapped to his back. He oozes sex appeal and charisma, like he was born for this.
Stop thinking about him as being sexy!
“Rory.” He pulls me into a hug before he leans down to kiss Layla on the forehead. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
He says that like I wasn’t brought along for this very purpose. But it’s sweet. Like he doesn’t want to push me beyond whatever I’m comfortable doing.
Leaning against him, I sniff his cologne. Why does he always have to smell so good?
I clear my throat. “Hope you have a great show. Layla and I will be out front to get some footage.”
“Thanks, babe.”
Babe? He’s probably just playing the part, so there’s no reason my heart should race right now. “So… afterward, I’ll see you back at the bus?”
“Sounds good. Might be a while, though. We have a VIP meet-and-greet signing thing we do for fans afterward. Will you be okay with Layla?”
“Yes. I’ll get her cleaned up, fed, and tucked in bed.” It’ll be late for her, but Jace and I already discussed this. We’ll have to make accommodations. Yes, he’d prefer she maintain a sleep schedule, but some things can’t be helped while we’re on tour.
“You’re awesome. Thank you.” He gives me a half hug before he jogs toward the stage.
I don’t watch him the entire way.
Fine, I do. But I’m only human.
I spot Frank standing a few feet away, jotting notes on a clipboard. He gives me a friendly smile. “You’ve really never heard them play?” he asks.
“No. I mean, just what Jace played for me earlier today on the bus.”
“You’re in for a treat. Come on. I’ll get you situated out front.”
“Thanks.” I’m less anxious now that I have our manager to help me figure out where to go.
“Your pass lets you go wherever you want in this pavilion, but I’d probably stay in the front or just back down that center aisle. See where that security guard station is? That’s also a good spot.Plus, he has a walkie-talkie, so if anything crazy happens, that’s the guy to look for.”
“Crazy, like what?”
He shrugs as he glances at the crowd. “Fights, brawls, crowd surges—you know, people acting stupid. It happens. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble tonight ’cause the guys are on early, but if they ever play late, you’ll want to keep an eye out because people get drunk and do dumb shit.”
I salute him. “I’ll watch out.”
He chuckles. “And enjoy yourself. You’re getting a front-row seat to a band on the rise.”
I don’t know why, but that dims my excitement. I mean, of course I want Jace and his friends to achieve their dreams. But does that mean he’ll move to some big city after the tour to do the country star thing?
