She curls an arm around my waist and leans into me. “True. I have all the man I can handle right here.”
“That’s right.”
We stop in the waiting room and thankfully, Vinnie’s still here. “You want to go sit with him so he doesn’t run out?” I ask. “Doc’s supposed to bring him something to shut him up soon.”
“Yeah, I’m on it.” Vinnie slaps my shoulder. “Thanks for coming down. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you’d hopped a flight home.”
“I’m here, bro.”
Jacob shuffles into the room with his head down and hands in his pockets.
“You all right?” I ask.
He glances up and quickly averts his eyes, muttering, “Glad you’re out.”
“Surprised you’re not locked up,” Garrett says.
Jacob shakes his head. “I’m sure they’ll be back. Told me not to leave town.”
“Fuck that,” Alvin says. “As soon as Andrew’s cleared, we need to roll out.”
“I’ll call my lawyer and see what he can do,” I offer.
Jacob nods but still won’t meet my eyes. I’m too furious to deal with him right now, but Alvin’s right, we can’t leave our singer stranded here if the tour ever gets back on track.
Finally, Jacob picks up his head. “Are we leaving?”
“No.” I point to Mallory, then myself. “We’re leaving. You stay and keep Andrew company when Vinnie needs a break.” I nod at Garrett. “You too.”
“Whatever.” Garrett waves me off. “We got this.”
Alvin eyes the two of them. “I’m gonna stick around too.”
“Thanks. We’ll be back in the morning.”
Chapter Three
Chaser
In the taxi on the way to the hotel, I lean my head on Mallory’s shoulder and fiddle with the hem of her T-shirt. “Did you mean what you said about showering with me?”
“I didn’t say anything about showering with you.”
“You promised to wash my jail stay off,” I remind her.
“Well.” The corners of her mouth twitch. “I saw a garden hose behind the hotel, I can turn it on and point it in your direction.”
“Garden hose, huh?” I snicker.
At the hotel, I stop at the front desk and ask for messages. The clerk gives me an odd look. “Sir, you were scheduled to check out today. When no one answered the door or the phone, we had to clean the room. Your belongings are in the back.”
“Motherfucker,” I growl. “I’m not sleeping on that fucking tour bus tonight.” I whip out my wallet. “You got another room?”
“Well, I…yes.” He makes the arrangements while I impatiently tap my credit card against the counter.
Once we settle the room situation, I should go have a chat with our bus driver, call Thom or do something business-oriented but I just don’t have a fuck to give about any of it right now.
“You should call your dad,” Mallory suggests on the way up to our new suite. “I let him know that you were probably getting out but that was hours ago.”
“Let me take that shower first.”
“Chaser, he was really worried about you.”
“Trust me, he’ll understand.” I push into the room and set down our bags.
She sighs and follows me into the bathroom.
“What are you doing about work?” I lean into the shower and adjust the water.
Mallory hops up on the edge of the counter and bites her lip. “My flight to L.A. is tomorrow.”
“Fuck, I’m sorry this trip got so messed up.”
“My flight leaves from Dallas.”
“I’ll see if I can get it moved or I’ll hire a car or something. Don’t worry about it.”
“I don’t want to leave you after this.”
I poke my head around the shower curtain. “Babe, there’s nothing you can do by sticking around.”
“I don’t want you getting shot next.”
“No one’s shooting me.”
“I’m sure Andrew thought the same thing.”
“You’re assuming Andrew thinks at all.”
She snorts.
“Get in here.”
“No pussy until you call your father.”
“Who said anything about pussy? I need you to soap my back.”
She slides off the counter. “Sure you do.” But even as she’s arguing with me, she strips her shirt over her head and wiggles out of her jeans.
“Fuck, you’re hot.” I hold out my hand. “Come here.”
The second I get her in the shower with me, I back her up against the tile. “I lied.”
“About?”
Instead of answering, I duck down and suck one of her tight nipples into my mouth.
“Oh.” She runs her fingers through my hair. “Chaser.”
“I’m sorry I made you worry.” I latch on to her other breast and slide my hands over her hips.
“I was scared you’d be in jail in Texas for…” Her voice catches and I stop to peer up at her. “I