I twist and glance at the clock. She can have another fifteen minutes tops.
Flashing and blinking from my phone catches my attention. I swipe it off the nightstand and check the messages.
One from Lynn, thanking me for the video.
I flip my middle finger at the screen.
Jigsaw asking how my trip’s going.
I send him a quick reply.
Z wants to know what I’m up to.
I respond to that right away.
Me: I’m about two hours from Allentown. Wanna meet up?
Z: Why do you want to meet in Allentown?
Me: To kiss your ass. What do you think?
My phone vibrates. God dammit, Z. If I wanted to talk, I would’ve called. I toss the covers back and step into the bathroom, closing the door behind me. Learned last night there’s no privacy in our room.
“What, old man?” I answer. “Texting giving you arthritis or something?”
“You’re awfully grouchy for someone shacking up with his little songbird.” Z’s voice flows with amusement.
Deep laughter rumbles out of me. “Jiggy’s such a snitch.”
“Nope. Lilly spotted your big ass on Instagram.”
“Well, shit.”
He chuckles.
“I’m headed back to Virginia after she leaves.”
“Don’t need to explain it to me.” He waits a beat or two. “Why you want to meet up?”
“Well, obviously it’s not something I want to discuss over the phone, Prez.” Z’s not that dumb; he just enjoys fucking with me.
He blows out a long breath. “You’re working my last nerve, motherclucker. Hang on.”
There’s a muffled scratching noise. Some sniffing. A slurping sound. Guessing Z’s home and the dogs are looking for his attention.
“Rock and I will meet you. Text me an address.”
Shit, I don’t know the area all that well. “Why you dragging Rock with you?”
“He and Hope were staying at our place this weekend anyway.”
“Oh, shit. Sorry.”
“It’s fine. Rock’s been dying for a bro trip with me.” He laughs again. “Should I invite anyone else along?”
“Nah.” We talk for a few more minutes, setting up a time, and I promise to text him a location.
As soon as I hang up with Z, my phone buzzes again.
Greg.
Why’s this fucker calling me?
“Yeah?” I flip the taps in the sink on and run my toothbrush under the water.
“Shelby’s phone is off.”
“Good morning, Greg,” I mumble around a mouth full of toothpaste. “How are you?”
“Why is her phone off?”
I lean over and spit, rinsing my mouth before answering. “I don’t fucking know.”
I slam the bathroom door open harder than I meant to and search the room until I find her phone. “Got it.”
Shelby grumbles and shoves her head under her pillow.
“Make sure she keeps it on. See you two in a little bit.”
“We’ll be there.”
Greg hangs up.
Asshole.
“That had to be Greg. What’d he want?” Shelby mumbles.
“Guess your phone was off and he freaked out.”
She huffs an annoyed noise and reaches for her phone, quickly checking her texts.
“Oh, jeez.” She turns her phone toward me. “That’s what he’s fussin’ about.”
Another picture of us from last night. Making out backstage.
“Good thing they didn’t see what we did in your dressing room.” I wiggle my eyebrows at her.
She laughs softly.
“Z’s wife must have seen it too. He knew I was with you.”
“Gotta love social media.”
That’s why I’ve avoided it for so many years. But I’m not trying to guilt trip Shelby so I don’t say that out loud.
“Come on. Let’s grab breakfast. Greg will have a stroke if you’re late.”
One minute before ten, I pull into the parking lot. I’m not giving Shelby up a second sooner than I have to.
The bike rolls to a stop next to the van and I toe the kickstand down. Shelby hops off and hands me her helmet. “Thank you.”
I take her backpack and follow her to the van.
“Sup?” Trent says, grabbing her pack and tossing it inside. “Greg’s grabbing coffee. You eat?” he asks Shelby.
“We had breakfast.”
Since it seems we have a few minutes after all, I tug her over to my bike, resting my butt on the seat and pulling her between my knees. “You want coffee or something for the road?”
“No.” She loops her arms around my neck. “I’m sorry about last night.”
“What about it?”
“My mom. I…I know you’re right. It’s just…”
“Hey.” I tip her chin up with my finger. “I get why she worries about you. She’s been through a lot.”
“I don’t want you to be mad at her.”
“I’m not.” I curl my arms around her waist and kiss the tip of her nose. “Fucking loved the way you stood up for us.”