Page 48 of Princess and Country

“Did you pack my blue dress?” I asked Jeff as he sat on my overflowing suitcase, trying to zip it up. “I don’t remember doing it, and I can’t find it anywhere.” My breathing picked up as I scanned the room. Our bedroom.

We’d been living together for four months now. Everything in my life now made perfect sense. At eighteen, it felt like I had found all my purposes. Could it be so, or was I too inexperienced to see the complete picture?

Moisture filled my eyes.

My breath quivered in my lungs.

The emotional chaos inside me couldn’t be contained much longer.

In a few hours, I’d be leaving for Vancouver. We came back from our show in Las Vegas one week ago. The second leg of our first world tour was about to start. From the moment our first single reached the top spot on the charts, we’d become the new country music sensation. We’d given more interviews in the last year than I even thought possible. We’d already played a dozen shows all over the country. Jeff had been following us as much as he could, sometimes flying overnight just to see us play or spend time with me. And I loved him even more each time.

The thought of being away from White Crest for almost a year tightened my stomach.

My family lived here.

My life was here.

And this was where my heart belonged.

I swallowed, trying to prevent my emotions from stirring inside me.

My angst wasn’t all due to me going on tour.

“When are you leaving?” I asked, my heart flickering.

Jeff inhaled, and his Adam’s apple bobbed. He sighed and lowered his head, keeping his chin close to his chest. For a minute—a very long minute—he said nothing. Then he raised his eyes and gazed at me. “In two days. I’ll be gone for a little over three months. I’m sorry I’ll miss so many shows. You know I wish I could follow you on the road and overseas, but—” His voice faltered.

I straddled him and squeezed his hands in mine.

“We’ll be okay. We’re both aiming for our goals. But promise me that when you’re shipped out to somewhere dangerous, you’ll stay safe and come back to me. Always. That’s all I’m asking. That you come back to me. Every. Single. Time. Alive. And in one piece. Not a casket.”

A lone tear rolled down my cheek.

Jeff leaned closer to kiss it off.

His lips brushed mine.

My heart jumped in my throat, an invisible clamp strangling it.

“I’ll come back to you, Princess. I promise. You’re my life. My destiny. My future.” His eyes turned gloomy. His voice shook. “Please, Dah, take care of my baby brother for me. Keep an eye on him. I don’t want this new fame thing to kill his soul. Make sure he stays grounded.”

“Jeff, it’s Carter. He’s stronger than all of us. I trust him with my life. But I’ll always be there for him. Until we’re all gray and old.”

Jeff’s lips quirked up.

“You’ll be a gorgeous old lady.” We both burst into a fit of laughter, and it erased some of the tension in the air. “And I’ve asked Cart to watch over you too. Just so you know.”

A small smile grazed my lips.

“Are you afraid fame will change me?” I arched one brow, waiting for his explanation.

“No. But you’ll meet all kinds of nasty people out there. And there’ll be drugs. And all sorts of stuff I prefer not to think about. I just want you to be safe.”

“God, you’re hot when you’re all protective. Carter and I will have each other, but who’s gonna look out for you?”

“I’m a big boy, Princess. As long as I know you two are safe, I’ll watch over me, myself. Don’t worry about me. Do what you have to do. Reach for your dreams, then we’ll meet up here. Always.”

A flow of tears streamed down my face. I had everything I’d always wished for since I was a little girl right here in the palm of my hand. When did I get so lucky in life?