Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 33965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
"Oh," she whispers. "That's really beautiful, Crue."
"Good because it's about you."
She glances up at me, startled.
"I started putting it together last night while you were sleeping."
"Really?" A happy smile lights her up. "You're writing a song for me?"
"For you and about you." I brush my lips across her crown.
"That's so cool." She leans her head against my shoulder, humming like a happy little kitten. And then she pops upright. "Hey. Can you teach me to play the piano?"
"Why? Are you going to write me a song?"
"No, but I'll sing yours really badly if you teach me."
I chuckle, shaking my head. "In that case, no. You already massacred DTF. Find a different band to pick on, Ireland."
She gasps in mock outrage, laughing up at me. "Just wait, Crue Blake. I'm going to sing your freaking songs every minute of the day until they haunt you."
I cast my eyes up toward the ceiling. "God save me. Please."
She elbows me in the ribs and then squeals when I grab for her.
"Hey, lover boy." Asher pops his head into the room. "It's time for sound check."
"Oh! Then that means it's time for me to go back to the hotel." Ireland bounces to her feet. "I need to get pretty for the show tonight."
"You're already beautiful, Éire."
"Yes, but I need to shower and change because of something someone did earlier," she says, shooting me a very pointed look.
Asher glances between the two of us, his brows furrowed. "Is this a sex thing? It feels like a sex thing."
"It's not a sex thing," I growl. "Stop talking about sex around my wife."
"It's totally a sex thing," Ireland whispers.
Asher grins at her.
"Stop fucking smiling at her."
"Oh, my god!" She pokes me in the ribs. "Stop telling everyone to stop smiling at me! It's rude."
"Then they should stop smiling at you," I grumble, annoyed as fuck because Asher's still smiling at her.
She scowls at me, and then shakes her head, her scowl fading to a smile as she pushes her way into my arms, flinging hers around me. "You're impossible, you know that, rockstar?"
"Yeah. You made me this way, Ireland." I tip my head down, kissing her hard on the mouth. "Go get beautiful for the concert before I decide not to let you leave at all." She starts to slip out of my arms, but I halt her. "Be careful, sweet girl. It's crazy out there."
"I will," she promises.
Chapter Nine
Ireland
"Holy moly," I mutter, gaping at all the people milling around outside the hotel. It's a madhouse. Why are there so many of them? Where did they all come from? "Has it been like this the whole tour?"
"On and off," Shelby says with a sigh as the doorman helps us scurry inside. "As soon as they figure out where the guys are staying, they descend en masse. Sometimes, the guys are able to convince them to leave. Sometimes, they aren't."
"Wow." I knew things were wild, but I guess I never knew how wild they could be. This is…wow. I can't imagine spending years of my life living like this. And they were just kids when they started, only teenagers. Most of them weren't even finished with high school yet. It had to be so overwhelming.
It's overwhelming now, and they're a lot older. It makes me sad for the kids they were back then…the ones who had no privacy and no one looking out for what was best for them. They were dollar signs to the label and everyone around them. That's what people saw when they looked at them. They didn't see Crue or Mason or Asher or Jameson or Jax. They saw money and five ways to make more of it.
I'm glad they got out. Really freaking glad.
"How are things going with you and Crue?" Shelby asks once we're on the elevator.
"Good." I fidget with my hands. "Really freaking good."
"Yeah?"
I nod, avoiding her gaze. "He told me that he's in love with me."
"Of course he is, Ireland. And you obviously feel the same way."
"I do," I whisper. "I'm so in love with him it's a little terrifying." I lick my lips. "He wants to get married again after the tour."
"That's great, Ireland!" She bounces forward, flinging her arms around me in a tight hug.
"You'll be my maid of honor, right?" I ask, clinging to her. "I won't do it without you. I feel horrible that you weren't there the first time."
"Um, duh! Of course I'll be right up there beside you," she says, laughing. "There's no way you're getting married a second time without me."
I smile, relieved.
She pulls back, taking a step away. "So you're really giving it a shot, huh?"
"Yes." I swallow hard. "I'm still freaking out about everyone finding out. Part of me still thinks he's going to change his mind when the whole world finds out. I think that part may always worry, you know? I stopped believing in fairytales a long time ago. This feels like a fairytale."