Page 53 of The Only Thing That's Real
He didn’t press me about why I was outside. Didn’t say a word. He just sat with me. And then... he listened. He didn’t try to fix things or make me feel better. He listened to my family’s deep, dark secret, and he still wants me.
Me.
How is that even possible?
Yes, I heard his confession in the cafe, but his anger at seeing Rob’s name on my phone ruined it.
But I heard him tonight.
If I had my way, you’d be mine and the entire world would know? Maybe someday...
We eat and make small talk. When dinner is over and we’re headed to the cars, Jenn pushes the boys to a different SUV. “Boys, you’re taking the kids. The girls are taking this car.” She kisses Jay on the cheek. “We’ll see you in an hour or so.”
When the kids are with us, we have to take several vehicles. Usually, the kids go with the moms, but apparently not tonight.
“Ryan, you’re coming with us,” Marie says, placing her hands on my shoulders, guiding me to the open SUV door.
I open my mouth to reply but falter when dark eyes the color of whiskey meet mine. He does that thing where he tilts his head to the side like a puppy dog and I forget my name for a split second, only coming to my senses whenMarie whispers, “Come on, googly eyes. Get your butt in the car.”
Breaking our connection, I do as I’m told. The girls all turn to look at me, but Kristin holds her hand up. “As is customary, no questions, no discussion until there is a glass of wine in each of our hands. Agreed?”
“What?” I ask.
“Agreed,” the other ladies concur in unison.
Marie smiles a Cheshire grin before filling me in. “We get together and drink wine when we need girl-talk or one of us needs to confide in the others. We wait until we’re all together, with wine in hand, before we talk. We’re like a little coven. You could say this is your welcome party.”
“My welcome party?”
“Yes, horse girl. We have a feeling you’re gonna be a part of our lives long after this tour is over.”
My head is swimming, my heart is bursting. Their inclusion means the world to me, but I’m confused as hell. I start to ask, but Jennifer shushes me. “Wine first.”
The rest of the short ride to the hotel is quiet. Kristen links her arm through mine guiding the four of us to the hotel bar. It’s not as private as usual, but when the guys aren’t around, we don’t have to hide from prying eyes nearly as much.
Someone ordered, the server has corked, and emptied the entire bottle, into our glasses that we lift in unison when Jennifer says, “To Ryan and Knox.”
Marie and Kristen repeat the words back to her as they clink their glasses together.
You could knock me over with a feather.
“I’m sorry, what?” I ask as they tap their glasses against mine before taking their first sips of pinot noir.
“We aren’t blind,” Kristen comments before Marie adds, “And we know Knox better than almost anyone.”
“Okay?”
“Well, there’s something there.”
Panic sets in. I’m not sure what they think they know, but this isn’t good. Not at all.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you do.” Kristen winks.
“I’m here to do a job. It would be incredibly unprofessional to start something with him.”
“Sweetheart, this isn’t corporate America,” Marie says matter-of-factly. “Lines are always crossed in the music world.”
