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I walk out to find a showdown in progress.
My head swivels between Warrick and Tinley.
Tinley is in full-blown pouty-omega mode, while Warrick looks strangely chipper. He’s not smiling. In fact, that look might border on a glower, but there’s something in his energy that says he’s enjoying every second of their face-off.
“I don’t eat oatmeal or grits.” Tinley glares back, crossing her arms over her chest. “Which I’ve already saidtwice.”
“And as I’ve already mentioned, I’ll be happy to note that for tomorrow. It’s apple cinnamon. Have a few bites, then you can take that shower you’re so desperate for.” War smirks, nodding to the open container of food on the coffee table.
“You’re not my boss,” she retorts. “Nor my father.”
Ramsey cracks up from somewhere behind me.
I barely hold myself back from laughing.
This is the real Tinley. She’s finally warming up enough to come out of her shell.
I love it when she’s feisty.
Warrick hums and gestures to the red paper bracelets fans wear at the show. They’re for the attendees that aren’t legal to drink. “Would you prefer to revisit our earlier conversation?”
They stare at each other for several long seconds before she sighs.
Grumbling under her breath, she leans forward, grabs the takeout container, and pokes at the oatmeal. She takes a bite, and her face indicates her displeasure.
I’ll be damned. I can’t recall the number of times I’ve tried to get her to eat more than a few bites over the last couple days. It’s been mildly alarming, because she’s got a much healthier appetite at home. It’s another reason I’ve worried I made a mistake dragging her along with me. And Warrick managed it with very little effort. I’m not sure if that makes me hate him more or less.
“Come on.” Ramsey claps me on the back. “I see boxes with our names on them.”
* * *
The next week is spent bouncing from city to city.
It’s exhausting.
I’m used to it from doing fill-in work for the label whenever they needed someone to take a last-minute spot, but it never gets easier. It’s just easy to forget during the off periods when I’m home and comfortable.
We’ve been in Ohio, but since the trip to Columbus is so short, we end up with an entire day to burn.
Ramsey and Warrick are working out. It’s the perfect opportunity to put my plan in motion. I’m in crunch mode because Tinley’s birthday is tomorrow, but I’ve had this mapped out since we left Chicago.
“Are you planning to stay in your polka-dot jammies all day?” I ask, resting my head in her lap while we lounge on the couch in the bus.
Tinley runs her fingers through my hair, laughing and shaking her head. “No, but it’s not even noon. Does my laziness offend your sensibilities, good sir?”
I scoff. “Hardly. Once we make it back home, we’re spending a week in our pajamas just to make up for all the times we missed out by having to wear pants on this tour.”
The bright smile that crosses her face makes my chest tight. She’s so fucking beautiful, I’d give anything to be able to kiss her.
“You’re ridiculous.”
My stomach drops. She doesn’t see me the way I see her. Not yet, anyway, but I’m doing everything in my power to change that. “Can I talk you into keeping me company? I’ve got some shopping I need to do.”
“I don’t know,” she grumbles, resting her head on her palm on the arm of the couch. “Pants seem like a lot of work.”
I smirk. “Then feel free to wear a sexy little skirt.” She laughs like she thinks I’m joking. “Please, Tinsel?”
She bites her lip and finally nods. “Okay.”
