Page 35 of Until Easton

"Let me know how the meeting in L.A. goes."

"You bet," Miles replies before we walk out the front door.

Quinn is sitting on the back of his bike smoking a cigarette out in the driveway, talking on the phone as we approach him. "Are we good to hit the road?"

"Yeah," I tell him, and Becca climbs in the truck while I'm loading the carrier into the back seat. "I know someone who raises dachshunds. One of her females just had a litter not long ago. Do you think Miles would be interested?"

I get in and start the truck. "Maybe."

"He's lonely."

"His wife died a couple of years ago," I tell her as we pull away from the house.

"All the more reason he should have a companion." Becca's concern for someone she hardly knows shows the kindness she has in her heart.

"I think we need to go look at some puppies tomorrow." I turn my head and glance her way to see her lips turn up in a smile.

"I'll call my friend first thing in the morning." She looks in the back seat where Gizmo is hanging out, then reaches for my hand to hold.

We arrived back at the ranch nearly three hours ago, and the time has come for my family to say goodbye to Tennessee. "You're more than welcome to stay another night," Becca offers one last time. "It will be dark soon."

"The further south we travel, the more oppressive the heat gets. Riding at night isn't always ideal, but when the sun goes down during the middle of summer, so do the temps. It's less taxing on the body," Jake tells her. "We appreciate the hospitality. If you ever find yourselves in Montana, give us a shout."

I hug my sister one last time before she climbs on the back of Quinn's bike. "Love ya, Em."

"Love you, too, East. Promise me you'll call if this stalker shit gets out of control."

"You have my word," I assure her, then hold my hand out to Quinn. "Thanks for having my back today."

"We're family, brother. Anytime."

Becca stands at my side while the Kings take off down the long road. Even when the Harleys are no longer visible, you can still hear the rumble of the motors in the distance. There's always an empty feeling left behind when Emerson is gone. I suppose it's the whole twin thing. I wipe the sweat from my brow.

"Want to cool off in the lake?" Becca fans herself.

I grin. "Are clothes optional?"

"The first one there gets to decide." She takes off running, and like I'm sure to be doing for the rest of my life, I chase after her.

12

BECCA

I'm standing at the bathroom sink in Easton's room, applying moisturizer while he strips out of his jeans. It's been over a week since his sister's visit, and in that week, I couldn't help but think about the kind of life Easton has been living. Then I started to worry how long it would be before he grew restless before he began to miss the road, the stage, his bandmates, and all that comes with being who he is. My life and Easton's life are like day and night. It's not that I would ever want him to give up his old life, but I'm scared that when he does return to that life, I won't fit in.

"What are you thinking about, baby?" Easton murmurs against my ear and wraps his arms around my middle as he comes to stand behind me.

Looking at him through the reflection in the mirror, I smile. "Nothing."

"Liar." He kisses my neck. "Tell me." The arms around my waist squeeze me tighter.

I sigh. "It's just, I've been thinking."

"About?"

"About what happens next."

"I need a little more than that, Red." Easton chuckles.