Page 41 of After Care

Shit, I like that almost as much as you calling me baby.

There was a pause and three dots again so I waited.

Concert tonight. I’ll see you there. Sending over three tickets. Call Ivy and ride with her.

The concert? I was too old for this, right? My knowledge of Collision was next to nothing, minus one or two songs. My kids were going to be thrilled, but that wasn’t the adjective I’d use for me. Not to mention, I had nothing to wear to a rock concert. I flung the phone back to the bed and then remembered to type a thank you. He had mentioned the concert wasn’t typically part of their stay in Hawaii. Ivy told me the Hawaiian vacation over winter break was a tradition, and she refused to break it. The concert was unexpected and she wasn’t happy about it, but when some publicist found out Collision would be on the island, they asked for a special New Year’s concert that was too good for the band to pass up. Checking the date at the bottom of my screen, I noticed it was actually New Year’s Eve.

In preparation for the concert, I suggested Masie and I get manis and pedis. I also needed to do a little shopping. In addition, I asked Masie if we could bring Ivy and the girls. After the day at the pool, I had a sense that Ivy didn't do much when the guys practiced. I couldn't imagine her life when they toured. I knew all about a man who travelled often and being a single-but-married parent of young children. It sucked. As Ivy was on vacation, one hijacked by this concert, I thought it would be nice to include her. Masie was excited by the invitation.

We learned about the intensity of a Collision concert when we suddenly couldn't get to the penthouse suite. The elevator doors opened and a security guard met us. We weren't on any approved list so Masie texted Ivy. Instantly, the penthouse door opened.

“Thanks, Sam, but they're welcome. I'll have Tommy update the list.” I assumed the guys were gone already for sound checks or something-something, I didn't understand.

“The press probably knew we were here all along, but with the concert, Tommy upped security. The stalkers can get a little crazy and he doesn't like to risk the girls.”

“How do you do this?” I asked, concerned for Ivy's well-being.

“I've known this my whole life.” She shrugged. “So, what's up? Masie said you had a surprise for me.” Ivy's eyes lit with curiosity and excitement.

“Mani-pedis,” Masie cheered. Ivy just looked at me.

“I thought you might like to do something girlish. Bring the girls. They can get a polish, too.”

“Really?” Her surprise confirmed what I thought: Ivy didn’t do these things often.

Gage entered the living room and paused when he saw us gathered. His hair was wet from a shower, and he scrubbed at it, making short waves.

“Babe,” he said as way of questioning his wife and the audience.

“Edie and Masie want to take me out for manis and pedis. It sounds fun. Ava and Emaline will go, too.” She walked to her husband, and he stepped forward, reaching for her face and drawing her close, kissing her deeply like I’d seen him do before. I had to look away. It was too intimate.

The door to the penthouse slammed and heavy steps sounded across the entrance floor before we heard, “Gage Everly, what the fuck is taking you so—” Tommy’s voice cut off when he saw me.

“Darlin’,” he said, surprise in his raised eyebrows.

“Edie wants to take me out for manicures before the concert.” Ivy addressed her uncle, still enveloped in her husband’s arms. “Doesn’t it sound like fun?” If I didn’t know better, there was a sense of pleading in her voice, as if encouraging her uncle to side with her in the decision to go. Was there something I was missing?

“I want you there with me,” Gage said into Ivy’s hair, loud enough for us all to hear.

“Stop being a possessive prick and let her go. What do you expect her to do, chase the girls and stare at you all day?” Tommy said, exasperated. Gage looked up at his manager and flipped him off.

“Yeah, well, right back at you. We’re late. You have two minutes.” Then Tommy pointed at me, the index finger sharp in my direction before curling it towards him, then he started walking away. I looked at Masie, shrugged my shoulder, and walked to the entry way. I was hardly out of Masie’s line of sight when Tommy wrapped an arm around me and dragged me into the corner. His mouth crushed mine, surprising me with that way he could, before I melted into the kiss.

“You are a sight for sore eyes, beautiful.” He shook his head and started kissing me again. My hands combed through the hairs at the nape of his neck. They curled up a little, and I twisted a few between my fingers. With a little tug, he released me, muttering into my neck. “Fuck, I want you.” Excitement shot through my belly like a firework, straight up my core to my heart. I bit my lip as I smiled.

“We’re late. Get the fuck in the truck,” Gage mocked behind Tommy in his worst imitation of his manager’s Southern drawl. Tommy released me and spun, as if protecting me.

“You know, you are the biggest pain in the ass.”

“Yeah, well, I’m your paycheck in the ass, too.”

“As if,” Tommy snorted, and I gripped the back of his shirt. I hadn’t seen this side of him with Gage before, but I sensed tensions ran high under the pressure of a concert. My arms slipped around him, and I pressed my cheek to his back. “Play nice,” I muttered, like I would speak to my children.

“He’s lucky you’re here, Edie. I’m getting sick of his grumpy shit,” Gage muttered.

Tommy flipped him off like a child. “Well, right back at ya,” he mumbled as he rubbed a hand over my arm and then released my hold on him. Spinning to face me, he kissed my forehead. “You know I love that, right?” Implying the back hug I’d given him, but my heart thumped at the word love. I nodded under his lips and he pulled back with a quick smile before holding open the door for his lead singer. It slammed behind them, and I jumped.

Returning to Ivy, I asked, “Are they always like that?”