AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s just it,” she whispered. “I don’t… I don’t know how to fix it. I just. I can’t play, Brand. I can’t.”
Stage fright?
But that couldn’t be it. She’d played without a hint of nerves for the last five months.
Maybe fatigue? It happened. Touring was hard on the body and mind. “You need a break. A rest.”
“I… I guess so.”
“Then you’ll rest,” he told her firmly.
Easy.
Relief filled him. At least he knew how to take care of her now.
“The concert. I can’t let everyone down. The band needs me.”
“I’ll go on.”
“Y-you?” she asked in surprise.
“Yeah. Although I’m gonna need you to get out of this damn closet first.” It was making him antsy, her being tucked away in the dark and smelly room.
Could he convince her to go to his room? He was staying in a hotel tonight. Then he’d know she was comfortable. The bus was never that comfortable. Especially with a bunch of men.
He liked that idea.
“You don’t know our sets. The songs. You… you never play with anyone else,” she said.
That was one of his rules. One of many.
“When did I turn into such a grouchy old man?” he wondered.
“I’m not sure. Maybe around the time you turned twenty-five?”
“Hey, brat! Ought to beat your ass for that.”
To his surprise, she giggled.
The tension in his shoulders eased.
“So we’re good? You’re going to go, and I’ll go play your set.” As well as his own. He’d be fucked by the end of the night, but he’d manage.
Too bad he wasn’t twenty-five anymore. At thirty-nine, everything was a hell of a lot harder on his body.
“You can’t do that. I can… I can do it.”
“I think you need to rest,” he said firmly.
“No,” she countered. “I can do this. I just need to get out of here.” She attempted to slide forward off the shelf and nearly climbed right into his lap. He grabbed hold of her hips, steadying her.
“Sorry,” she whispered.
“If you’re not feeling up to doing this?—”
“I am.”
“Little girl, if I decide you need to rest, then that’s what you’ll do,” he grumbled at her.
