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“He’s missing.”
The sound of a chair creaks in the background. “What? Why am I just hearing about this now?” Aiden grew up with Rex being around and as much as we both think he’s a pain in the ass, he’s like a little brother to Aiden too.
“Susie called a few weeks ago and said no-one has seen or heard from him. I figured he was just lying low for some reason.” Guilt that I should have cared more stings. “I’ve had the guys looking, but he’s vanished. I had an idea maybe the FBI had something to do with that.”
“Not that I’m aware of. I’ll look into it, brother.”
“Thanks.”
“You worry about keeping our girl safe. ‘Cause you know if something happens to her, Addison will cut both our balls off. And I don’t know about you, but I have eight more kids to have.”
“Don’t worry, she’s definitely my priority.”
The guys snicker and I shoot them a glare, shaking my head, holding my finger to my lips. After we hang up, Stone pipes in, “You didn’t learn your lesson about keeping secrets from Addison?”
“Sydney wants to keep it on the down-low.” My jaw tightens at the thought of her apprehension. I have to bite back the fear that her reason is she doesn’t have enough trust in us. “I’m giving her a month. The only people that will know are in this room and Graham.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Sydney
Max knows how to keep a secret.
He also knows how to be sneaky. When I think of Max, romantic isn't an adjective I would use to describe him. Sexy, demanding, confident, and intense… that was what I expected. But staring at the small glass figurine of Tinkerbell that I found under my covers when pulling out my bed on the bus, I’m adding romantic to the list. The note attached to it reads,
Your flight path leads straight to my heart. ~M
Swoon.
Five days ago, we agreed we would give this a chance. It’s been five days of misery. He’s around me, yet we don’t touch. And while he does these little things to let me know I’m on his mind, I think he’s keeping his distance to make me want him more. It’s working. Max-1, Sydney-0. Who’s idea was it to keep this secret? Oh yeah, that would be yours truly. That was a horrible idea. I outline the wings on the figurine with my index finger and sigh.
In three days, we'll be in Phoenix and we sold out for two nights there. Which means a hotel. And Max. It’s hard to believe the tour will be over in less than a week. Talk about a roller coaster ride. And I still love it. Other than the freak stalker, my stars are aligned, allowing me to see things I never imagined.
I fall asleep dreaming about the possibilities of tomorrow and every day after that. The sweet thoughts of music and Max. How they combine, I don’t know, but it’s the promise that kisses me to sleep tonight.
I roll over when I feel the bus stop and pull back the black heavy curtains. The light I expect to seep into my room doesn’t come, rather it’s still dark outside, and we’re on the side of the highway. Worry has me sitting up, crawling to the end of my bed to peek through the drapes that separate me from the guy’s bunks. Nobody is up yet. I crane my neck to listen for the bus driver and jump when my phone vibrates against the cup holder it’s sitting in. My heart slams against my chest. What if my stalker is here? All the horror movies I’ve watched come to mind when the girl gets stranded on the side of the road, and almost always ends up dead.
“Stone,” I whisper-yell, my nerves gripping hold. “Stone, wake up.”
He rolls out of his bunk, only in a pair of sweatpants, holding his gun. “Wha… What’s wrong,” he says, fully alert, scanning the cabin of the bus.
“We’re stopped. And I just got a text.” I step back into my area and grab my phone, holding it out for him. He takes the phone, a smile creeps up one side of his face as he reads the text.
“I’m assuming you didn’t read this?”
“No.” I swipe it back, irritated with his mocking smile.
“Read it. I’m going back to bed.” He yawns and crawls in his bunk. “Have fun,” he murmurs, closing his curtain.
I glance down at the phone and notice it’s from Max. Blowing out a breath; I attempt to release the crazy inside of me. Why didn’t I just peek at the text first?
Hulk: Get dressed. Warm, layered, casual.
I stare at the text. He’ll send another one with more info, right? Because this is not enough. I shake my head. No, he’s not. It’s been five minutes since he sent this one.
Me: I need more info. Are we going to be outside? Public? Just us? How casual?
Just realizing how early it is, I groan.
