Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
“Of course it does. But it also means we don’t get paid for that concert. And drug ODs are specifically excluded.”
“They are?”
“Hell yeah,” I say. “Donny and Callie went through that thing with a fine-tooth comb, made sure the rest of the band and I understood exactly what we were signing.”
Funny, with my little sister on my arm, the groupies stay away from me like I’m poison.
Just as well.
After what happened with Dragon? I’m staying the hell away from these women. I already promised Rory. And myself.
Besides…
Only one woman makes me feel like I’ve never felt before.
And she’s at the hospital, at Dragon’s bedside.
I let my adrenaline pump through me, sang my heart out, made sure I gave the crowd a concert worth remembering.
But then, when our set was over, and my high started to slow down… I looked in the front row.
And I saw Maddie. Donny and Callie. Brock.
But no Brianna.
And a little piece of my heart died.
Chapter Ten
Brianna
My neck is killing me, my back hurts, and I haven’t had a good night’s sleep.
Of course I haven’t. I slept in a chair, next to Dragon’s bed in the hospital ward.
But I promised Jesse I wouldn’t leave his side, and I don’t plan to.
When I open my eyes and stretch, I find Dragon is awake, his hazel eyes wide open.
“When the hell can I get out of here?”
“I don’t know, Dragon,” I say. “Your doctor hasn’t been by yet this morning.”
He squints at me. “When did you get here?”
“I never left.”
“Oh fuck…” he says. “The concert. What happened with the concert?”
I’m not sure what to do to assuage him. Pat his shoulder? I hardly know him. I reach toward him and then think better of it. No touching. “I got a text from Maddie. She said it was fantastic. The backup drummer was great. So everything’s fine. You don’t need to worry.”
“Yeah, I do.” He rubs at his eyes. “I may have just lost my job.”
“No, we’ve got it all figured out,” I say. “You’re going to stay here until your doctor releases you, which may be later today. And then you’ll stay at the hotel in London while the band travels to Edinburgh and Glasgow, and then back to London.”
“And they’ll be using the other drummer?”
“Yeah. So you can take some time to rest and recuperate. I’ll be staying with you.”
“Scratch that,” a voice says from behind me.
My brother’s voice.
Donny and Callie are here.
“Hey.” A giant yawn splits my face. “What are you guys doing here?”
“Callie and I just talked to Dragon’s doctor, and he’s being released today. We decided we don’t want you to miss the rest of the tour.”
I wipe the sleep out of my tired eyes. “What do you mean?”
“He means,” Callie says, “that Donny and I are going to stay here in London at the hotel with Dragon. Make sure he has everything he needs.” She walks to me and touches my shoulder lightly. “You and Maddie came so that you could experience Europe together. I don’t want to take that away from my sister or you.”
It’s all making sense to me now. They’re more concerned about Maddie’s experience than mine. Maddie is Callie’s sister, though, and she did put off her last semester of college. And part of that deal was traveling with me.
“But…”
“No buts, sis,” Donny says. “Callie and I can come back to the UK anytime. And this way, we can spend some more time with Ennis Ainsley. We’d both like to get to know him better. In fact, believe it or not, I talked to Dale on the phone, and he and Ashley are taking a few days off to come to London to meet us here and spend time with Ennis.”
“So I’m missing my brother?”
“You’ll see him when the band gets back to London. He and Ashley will stay for the concert and then a few days more after the band leaves for Paris.” Donny shakes his head, chuckling. “Callie and I want to do this for you. And Ennis really wants to meet with Dale and talk wine. It’s all working out.”
I cross my arms. My brother’s right. It’s all working out for the best, but I’m exhausted and I’m feeling petulant. “Maybe I’d like to see Ennis again too.”
“Then you can. Callie and I are having lunch with him today. I’d love for you to join us.”
I stretch, rubbing my neck. “I need a shower.”
Donny holds his nose. “Yeah, you sure do.”
I want to stand and swat him, but it’s too much effort.
“You need some rest too,” he continues. “Go on back to the hotel. Callie and I will stay here with Dragon until he’s released, which should be before lunchtime, according to his doctor.”
“All right. But I hate that you’re missing out on your trip.”
He smiles. “Remember, our trip was only for the UK portion anyway. Callie and I will come back and see Edinburgh. Or maybe we’ll stay with Dale and Ashley after Dragon and the band set course for Paris. Nothing is stopping us from staying.”