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)
But Maddie…
This whole thing is eating at my youngest sister. I wish I could fix it for her, but with getting the band through this tour, getting Dragon back on his feet, and my new relationship with Brianna…all my time is taken.
I’m going to have to rely on Brianna to take care of Maddie while I’m in rehearsal and onstage.
I believe she can do it. I believe she will do it. She made a promise to Maddie, and now that I’m in the picture, she won’t want to disappoint me either.
But again my heart breaks just a little as I gaze at my youngest sister, her pretty face so sad.
“Maddie, can I talk to you in private for a moment?” I ask.
She rises. “Sure, what the heck?”
I lead her away, toward the elevators, out of earshot of Brock, Rory, and Brianna, who are still at the table.
“Hey,” I say. “What can I do to fix this for you?”
She crosses her arms. “You can’t fix it. And I wouldn’t ask you to.”
“There’s got to be something I can do. Or something Rory or Callie can do.”
“Callie’s still in London.”
“True.”
“It’s just…” She looks up at me, her dark eyes misty. “I thought Brianna and I were getting close. But all she wanted was you, Jesse.”
Maddie’s words could be true for all I know—at least initially. But now I believe that Brianna is more than that. That Brianna is a friend too—a good friend.
“I think that might have been her original reason for wanting to go on the tour,” I admit. “But she wants to make this special for you, sis. And I’d like to make it special for both of you. I’ll be tied up with the band for the majority of the time. Brianna and I won’t have the chance to do much sightseeing together. That’s where you come in. You and Brock. Once Donny and Callie go back to the States, it’ll just be you three to see the rest of Europe.”
“Bree will just be wishing she was with you.”
“First, I don’t think that’s the case. Brianna knew full well when she came on this tour that I would be busy. That I wouldn’t be doing much sightseeing. Second, she made a commitment to you, and I believe she will keep it. The Steels may have their faults, but they see their commitments through to the end. They’re trustworthy, and you can depend on them.”
Maddie huffs. “Nice change of tune, Jess. You never trusted the Steels a day in your life, and now all of a sudden you fall for one and everything’s fine?”
“It’s not that I didn’t trust them,” I say, “though I get why you would think that. I’ve just always been…envious, to be honest. Everything comes so easy for them. They were born into a perfect life. But what we see as outsiders isn’t always the case. The Steels have their own problems, and I see that now. I also see their generosity, and it took me a while, but I’m doing better at accepting what they offer.”
“Right.”
“It still stings. I won’t lie to you, Mads. But I do think they’re trustworthy. I know Brianna is.”
“You think you know her better than I do?”
“In some ways.”
She makes a face. “Gross, Jesse.”
“I don’t mean like that.” I shake my head. “Brianna isn’t going to let you down, and neither am I.”
She sniffles but finally nods.
“Come on back to the table. Eat your breakfast. I understand that you, Brianna, and Brock have a guided tour of part of Edinburgh this morning.”
“Yeah, we do.”
“Then be happy. You’re in Scotland, Mads. You’re going to see your brother and sister perform tonight, but before that, you’re going to have a wee good time.”
My ridiculous attempt at a Scottish brogue finally gets a smile out of her.
“Are you sure?” she asks.
“Sure about what? That you’re going to have a great time? Absolutely.”
“No. Are you sure you love Brianna?”
“I am,” I say without even thinking about it. “It came on me hard and fast, but I think it was always there. I just refused to see it. Didn’t want to see it. Didn’t think it could ever work with her.”
“Because of her age?”
“That, yes. But also because she’s a cowgirl. A rancher at heart, like her father and uncles. And I’m a rocker. A musician. I have to travel to sing for my supper.” I shake my head. “Part of me still doesn’t know how we’re going to get over that hump. But I’m not going to think about it too much. We’re here now. I have to make this tour work. Brianna’s here, and we can be together at least part of the time. I have to get through this tour, Mads. I have to make it a success. I’ll worry about the rest of it later.”