Page 113 of Luci’s Lullaby

“I don’t know what you mean?” She raises her brows, but we both know she’s winning, and I’m getting sick of the shit.

I grind my jaw. “What else was leaked?”

“Nothing else. You’re raising your brother’s child, and she visits you on tour. It’ll be great for the courts and, of course, we should say nanny and not girlfriend; they may think she’s a roadie.” She elbows me. “Smile, here they come.”

“We ready?” the lady asks as she smiles at me.

“Sure.” I shake my arms out and roll my neck, trying to disperse the tension in my body.

“They’ll count us down,” she says, cozying up to me with Sam on the other side.

A gruffy man with a camera begins to count and flash his fingers. “And in three… two… we’re live.”

“Hey all you country music fans! We’re on tour with up and coming artist, Alden Beck. Alden’s just released new tour dates and is planning an upcoming album,” she says, all news to me. “Tell us about your new songs.”

“I’ve worked on so many, I think we’re still in the air about what’ll be on the record.”

“But his first new single will fly up the charts,” Sam insists.

The reporter turns solemn, and I still my nerves. “We’re all learning new and exciting things about you every day, but I must say, the story of your brother touched me the most.”

I swallow hard, knowing in my gut this is wrong. “Yes, I recently lost my brother and sister-in-law. It’s the reason I dropped from the Carolina Country Fest in Myrtle Beach this summer.”

“I also hear you’re raising his newborn daughter, Laci,” she says as I grit my teeth. Her eyes widen, and there’s no doubt she’s upset me.

“It’s Luci and yes, I am.”

“How are you doing that—touring, promoting, and making a record while raising a child?” She shoves the mic back in my face.

I leer at her. “Like many single mothers do, you work hard and have a great support system.”

“That’s right, ladies, he has a nanny contrary to reports it’s his girlfriend. Alden Beck is our single dad, country crooner, and I must say, I’ve already swooned.” She smiles and they cut the light. “Thanks so much, you did great.”

My head spins as I round on Sam, but it’s not her who brings me up short. Charlee stands at the door, her eyes glossy with unshed tears. I push past Sam but not in time to stop Charlee from getting away from me.

Suddenly, I’m crowded with people and autographs. I keep one eye on Charlee’s door, but she doesn’t emerge before I have to go on. A few songs in, I catch a glimpse of Charlee standing backstage. Sam’s smirking as they talk.

In a blink of an eye, she’s gone.

I search the crowd and motion for the boys to look for her. Nothing. I battle through my first set and rush from the stage. I scan the crowd of women but can’t find her anywhere.

I run to the dressing rooms, searching them. As I get to ours, I’m yanked backward into the opposite room by two women. Their hands are all over me as I fight them off without security.

One has my head locked in her hands, kissing me, and the other is down the front of my pants when something at the door draws my attention. I push and plead, but she disappears again.

“Get the fuck off of me! What the hell is wrong with y’all? Aksel! Gary!” I yell, slipping and sliding from their grasp. I trip and fall flat on my face as I work to get away.

I look up from the ground and Sam is looming over me. “What in the hell did you say to her?” I growl as I get to my feet.

“Nothing she couldn’t see for herself.” Sam sneers as the others giggle.

I cut my eyes and back to Sam. “Fuck you, I quit.” She grabs my arm as I walk past.

“Go ahead. You’ve lost her, and I’ll make sure you have nothing else.” I jerk away. “Including your brother’s daughter.”

Bile rises in my throat. “How in the hell can you do that?”

“I have photographic evidence.” She leers.