“You’re on. I’ll come by your house in the morning to ride with you. Robbie’s staying with me tonight.”
“Lucky guy. I love you”
“You too. See you tomorrow.”
Robbie sleeps on the couch, but I leave my door open so we can talk occasionally. He finally tells me to shut up so he can sleep. I smile for possibly the first time tonight.
*****
I don’t have time to knock before the door’s opened and Declan picks me up. I smell his cologne mixed with soap and my legs instinctively wrap around his waist. He showers my neck with kisses and tilts my head so he can get to my lips. He doesn’t pull away until we hear noise from the living room. I slide down and wipe my lip gloss off his mouth before turning to say hello to the group.
The ride to Franklin is an event in itself. The excitement and energy coming from the guys is contagious. Jay has all the merchandise and I promised to meet him later to sort it for sale. Our plan for the day is to enjoy the festivities and then watch the two opening groups. We both run into people we know and Declan always introduces me as his fiancé. The girls’ faces fall every time. But when I do the same, people automatically look at my stomach to see if I’m pregnant; we both laugh at this.
I download Twitter on Declan’s phone and give him a lesson on how to tweet. He’s hesitant at first, but after his first response comes in, he decides it’s pretty cool. We take pictures and upload to his feed with the exact time of the show. He promotes the opening bands, encouraging people to get downtown early to see all the musical talent.
I meet Jay and set up the merchandise tent. Ella, Abbi and Jimi join us right before Sayge starts. I see my parents in the crowd with David. I give them shirts to wear. My dad refuses to wear it, but takes it anyway. Most of our friends join me on the side stage to watch as Sayge takes the stage. The crowd is larger than I’ve ever seen at this festival.
When the band takes their first break, Jay screams for me to help him because it’s chaos at the sales tent. I grab both the Collins sisters and we jump in. I don’t see him come up, but I feel his arms around me.
“Hey, baby, you’re doing awesome up there!”
“You think so? How’s the acoustics?”
“Honestly, it’s been okay so far, but you might want to adjust a little for Blake’s solo. It could shock the crowd.”
“Good to know. How’s it going over here?”
“We’re swamped and almost all your stuff is gone. I think it might be a good idea to offer autographs at the end of the show. I know we didn’t talk about it, but I think it’ll boost your reputation to the local crowd.”
“I’ll talk to the guys, but I think it’s a great idea. Do you think you’ll spend the night at my place tonight?”
“Do you want me too? You have a crowd already.”
“Yeah, I want you there. Last night was terrible and I feel the need to make it up to you.” He starts kissing down my neck until he reaches my collarbone. There’s a cough behind us and I turn to see my dad glaring at us. Declan lets me go and heads back to the stage, but makes a point to kiss me before leaving. My dad shakes his head, but smiles as he walks away.
When the show is over, Sayge signs autographs for an hour before we leave. The after party at Declan’s house lasts until dawn. Before I go to bed, I make breakfast for the group of people staying over. Ryan sits down next to me and hands me a bottle of water.
“Raven, I know we don’t know each other very well, but I feel I need to say something.”
I raise my eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.
“If you were my girl and got kidnapped from some ex-fling, I would act the same way Declan does. He’s torn right now and having a hard time dealing with it.”
“Ryan, did he say something to you?”
“Not in so many words, but I know where he’s at. I talked to him a few days ago about touring this summer. He’s scared shitless about leaving you, but I think he wants to give it a shot. He’s constantly looking over his shoulder to see if someone is watching you.”
“Wow, I don’t know what to say to all that.”
“Nothing to say, just know he means well. And hell, I told him to invite you along this summer. I think it would be fun to have you around. You even make this bunch of assholes look better.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. And just to let you know, I would never hold him back so if he wants me with him, I’ll be there.”
Ryan smiles at me and goes to the living room.
Declan motions me towards the bedroom so I say good-bye to anyone still awake and head to bed.
Chapter 40