Alcohol You Later (8)

“So, you’ll come?” There’s a hint of worry in his tone. It’s enough to reestablish some of my initial excitement. He wants me. He has a proposition for me. While some sort of grand gesture would be nice in theory, all I need is him…and straight from the horse’s mouth…he needs me.

“Yeah,” I say, smiling like a loon. “Yeah, I’ll come.”





“I can’t believe you’re actually doing this.” My mom, who rushed over at the ass crack of dawn to help me pack, shakes her head of chin-length hair as she empties my entire drawer of undergarments into a suitcase. “It’s impulsive…even for you.” Her dark brows crinkle with concern. The woman is such a worrier. I could have gone without a dose of her skepticism this morning, but if I hadn’t told her before leaving, I’d have never heard the end of it. She means well, God love her.

“Is it though?” I ask, this time without looking up because I can already feel her worried green eyes burning a hole in my back. “There’s never been a time he’s called that I haven’t gone.”

“For a weekend!” Her loud sigh has me momentarily questioning my decision. But only for a fraction of a second, because I refuse to let her cynicism knock me from my cloud. The longer I’ve had to process my conversation with Nicholas, the more convinced I am that all my patience is finally about to pay off. “You don’t quit your job to live on a bus with a man who can’t even commit to you, Raven.”

“That’s just it,” I say, taking hold of my restless mother’s hands. “That has to be what this is all about—making us official.” I give her fingers a hopeful squeeze. “What other reason would he want me on his new private bus with him for the duration of his tour? Why else would he insist on waiting to talk to me in person?” My cheeks warm as my lips stretch into a megawatt smile while I allow my mind to drift briefly to our impending reunion. The way he’ll sweep me into his big, strong arms. The press of his hard body against mine. The gentleness in his touch. Gah, my skin breaks out in goosies just thinking about what’s to come.

“You don’t know him like I do,” I say, shaking myself out of a daze. “Believe me, this is huge.”

She stretches her puckered lips into a pitiful excuse for a smile. There is nothing reassuring in the action, but kudos for the effort, I guess. “I hope you’re right, baby… For your sake.”

“I am.” I go back to shoving clothes into my luggage, humming along to the Rhett Taylor Band’s latest single, “Worth the Shots.” “I have to be,” I whisper.

Not thirty seconds pass before she’s at it again. “What about Korie? Has she said anything at all?”

Why won’t she just drop this?

A pit starts to form in my stomach as her worry dredges up the deep-seated fear that I’ve somehow gotten this all wrong. “No…” I wave my hand through the air to make light of the fact that my best friend’s been radio silent on the matter. “She mentioned something about an NDA, so I’m convinced she knows and doesn’t want to spoil the surprise.”

I’ve reasoned with myself that contract be damned, if this was anything bad, she wouldn’t allow me to walk in blindly. I mean, what the hell could they do? Sue her? She’s married to the front man, for crying out loud.

“I would hate to see you get your hopes up and end up heartbroken is all.”

“Please stop.” I drop the distressed denim jacket I’ve just ripped off the hanger to the top of the pile. “Can’t you just be excited for me? I love him, Mom… desperately.” I slap a hand over my mouth, hardly able to believe I’ve just admitted that out loud. A rush of warmth radiates throughout my body as I meet her shimmering, worry-filled eyes. “Like how you love Dad.”

She’s got this look on her face, like she wants to say something but can’t get the words to come out.

The way she’s chewing on them has me ready to freaking scream. “Anyway,” I say, staring down at my favorite black, ripped jeans while folding them in half. “It’s not as wild as you’re making it out to be. I’m quitting a summer job—one I don’t even need. I’ll be back before the start of the school year. Think of it as an adventure!”

“Okay.” She nods, zipping her thumb and pointer across her lips. “I’m happy for you.” She strokes a hand up and down my arm as if she’s trying to comfort me, which is a bit ironic seeing as I was over the moon before she got here and she’s the only reason I’d need reassurance. “I am.”

I’m not sure which one of us she’s trying to convince, but she’s doing a piss poor job of it either way. “Good,” I say, choosing to accept her half-hearted attempt at soothing my ego, rather than beating the topic to death. “Now, can you sit on this carry-on so I can close it?” I flip the top of my black hard-shell suitcase over, tucking all the pieces of clothing spilling over the edges back in. “I have to get going.”

Without further interrogation she helps me close the bag and lug everything downstairs where the rest of my busybody family are waiting.

Having had more than enough of my mother for one day—seriously, I love the woman, but she is killing my vibe—I’m grateful when my older sister, Nora, offers to drive me to the airport. After a round of tear-filled good-byes, on my parents’ part, Dad loads my luggage, and we take off in opposite directions, Mom and Dad head toward their home in Edgemont, about forty-five minutes from the where I live on the outskirts of Austin in the quaint little town of Spindletop, while my sister and I are going to the city.