and we named him and everything,” she gushed. “We’re calling him Gabe. Also, we just got engaged.”
That news resulted in a pile of women falling through the door to swarm Taylor, lavish her with hugs and check out her ring. They all probably got a better look at it than she had so far.
I got a few hugs, too.
“Congrats, Cary,” Merritt said as she hugged me. “Couldn’t happen to a better guy.”
“I’m expecting parenting tips,” I told her, and she snickered.
“I’ll let you know when I figure some out.”
As we all headed out and over to the green room, I caught glimpses of so many friendly faces. The whole place buzzed with the general bustle of activity and excitement before a show. The dull roar of the crowd could be heard as the arena filled up. The crew was hard at work, getting everything in place for us.
In the green room, my band was waiting. The members of Dirty were all there, too, families in tow; as usual, they were here early to catch the Players’ set and support us. They didn’t have to do that. They could’ve just rolled in to play their own set, but they were true friends.
Family.
Kids were toddling around, too. Brody and Jessa’s boy, Nicky, was almost three now, and they’d just had a baby girl, Ava, not three months ago, around the same time Elle and Seth’s daughter, Emma, turned two. And Jesse and Katie’s boy, Madsen, was almost a year and a half.
We went to chat with Katie and basically distract her as Jesse and Devi got out the cake. Then we all sung “Happy Birthday” to the birthday girl. Katie got to cut the first piece. Then Devi, accompanied by several other girls, including my fiancée, smushed it in Katie’s face.
Jesse laughed, so Katie grabbed him and laid a long, deep kiss on him, and he got cake all over his face, too.
Then Talia told everyone, “Hey guys, I think Taylor has some news to share.”
Taylor reached for me and I took her hand, as everyone turned to look our way. “Do you wanna do the honors?” she asked me.
“No. You do it.” I gave her a kiss on the forehead.
She patted her hand on her stomach. “We’re having a boy. And we’re getting married.” She held up her ring.
Everyone started yelling and piling onto us for hugs, and booze was rolled out. Champagne popped loudly, and Merritt brought Taylor a non-alcoholic cider.
We tapped our glasses together. “Cheers to you and another incredible show,” she said.
“And a break,” I said.
“I’ll drink to that.”
“Hey, Taylor.” Zane sauntered over to us. “We wanted to invite your husband onstage with us tonight, to play some guitar on ‘Road Back Home.’ This being a home show and all. And him being such a superstar. I mean, if you think he can learn the song in time.” He smirked at me.
“What about Jesse and Seth?” Taylor asked.
“Jesse’s gonna sit this one out.”
“Okay, then,” she said. “He’ll learn the song.”
“Cool.”
“I do enjoy being discussed as if I’m not here,” I said dryly.
Zane shrugged. “Seemed like a decision for management.”
Uh-huh. And that was obviously a little dig. Because I’d basically stolen Taylor from Dirty.
But hey, she was mine first.
Finders keepers, right?
“Maggie, can we get a copy of Dirty’s setlist?” Taylor asked Zane’s wife as she joined us, all business now. “I want to see how much time we have.” She pulled out her phone to check the time.
“For sure.” Maggie took her husband’s hand and gave me a grin before tugging him off into the crowd.
“The women behind the men, huh?” I said. “There seem to be a hell of a lot of you back here these days. You’ve multiplied since the last tour I was on.”
“You can blame Katie and Jesse for that,” Taylor said. “I think they started it.”
“Actually, I think Zane and Maggie got married first.”
“Oh, yeah. That’s true.”
“Now it’s our turn…” I slipped my hands around her hips, tugging her against me.
“Well, we haven’t exactly set a date. We have Dylan and Amber’s wedding to go to first. And your sister’s.”
“I guess that’s true.” I kissed her neck. “You’re gonna be the world’s sexiest bride, though.”
“Quit stalling.” She checked the time on her phone again. “You’re onstage with your band in fifteen. That gives you a few minutes to get started on that song. When you guys come offstage, I expect to see you practicing until you’re called back out to join Dirty onstage.”