Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
“It feels like everything’s exactly as it should be,” I tell her. “Like we’re finally where we belong.”
She leans against my shoulder, and I can feel her smiling.
The car pulls up to our hotel, and I know that tomorrow will bring more interviews and appearance requests, more attention, more decisions about our rapidly evolving careers. But tonight, I get to fall asleep next to the woman who changed everything, in a world where we don’t have to hide or apologize or explain ourselves to anyone.
Some things are worth waiting for. Some people are worth changing everything for.
And as Justine’s hand finds mine in the elevator up to our room, I know with complete certainty that she’s both.
THIRTY
The neon lights of Vegas flash past the bus window as we roll into the city, and I can’t help but smile at the familiar sight. There’s something about Vegas that always gets my blood pumping - maybe it’s the energy, maybe it’s the fact that anything can happen here. It feels like the perfect place to end this incredible tour.
“Almost there,” Justine says as she looks out the window of the bus.
“I can’t freaking wait to sit by the pool,” Wynonna adds.
“I just want a cabana boy or whatever,” Priscilla says. “And lots of booze.”
“I’ll be your pool boy,” Hendrix says, and before any of us can chastised him for being inappropriate, he rolls his eyes and adds, “Because they want to drink and are underage. Someone has to look out for them.”
“Wow, I’ve never seen you act so mature,” Dana adds, earning a scowl from Hendrix.
“We’re flying high,” he says. “None of us need something bad to happen to any of us. And I’m sorry, this city is full of creeps, and we need to be on high alert.”
For once, in a long time, Hendrix is right. Keane and I give him a solid fist bump. Looking out for everyone, not just our leading ladies is the right thing to do.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and look at the screen. “Elle just texted that my family’s already at the hotel,” I say, leaning into Justine. This will be the first time I’ve seen everyone since Noah announced his retirement at the end of the football season. Thankfully, when he had his press conference in Portland, we had a tour stop there. While most of our hotels have been nice, staying at Noah and Peyton’s high rise, overlooking the city of Portland, was a nice change of pace, and comfort.
Justine smiles. There isn’t a hint of nerves showing on her beautiful face. She’s about to officially meet my parents, as my girlfriend. It’s one thing to know someone professionally, but when you cross the proverbial line between personal and professional, things are different.
My parents are kick ass and I know they’ll fall for Justine just as I have.
“I know you’ve met everyone before, but this is different.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders.
She leans into me. Having her in my arms amazes me at how comfortable I am. There’s no tension. No walking on eggshells, no wondering if I’m going to say or do the wrong thing.
“Nervous but excited.”
“Well, my parents are very chill. It’s a bonus that you already know one of my sisters.”
“Ah yes, the one who can make or break my career.”
I give her a bit of the side eye. “Elle’s not like that. You know this. Today, when you see her, she will be with Ben and their boys, Peyton and Noah, and their babies. She’s a lot different around family.”
“I love this place,” Hendrix says as the tour bus pulls up to the MGM Grand. This is where we’ll be playing tomorrow night for the final show of the tour. Looking out the windows, there’s the familiar chaos of Vegas mixed with something new and exciting.
“Holy shit,” Hendrix says from the front of the bus. “Look at this crowd.”
Fans start screaming as the bus pulls up to the designated drop off. Honestly, I’m surprised there are so many people waiting for us.
“Should we get off and give the fans what they want?” Keane asks.
I shrug and figure Elle’s going to come out and tell us what’s happening. It’s not like we have to get off the bus right now. I continue looking out the window toward the hotel, while some of the others are on the other side, pointing out fans and reading the signs they have.
Three very large men come out of the hotel, with my sister following behind them. She’s wearing one of those baby carriers over her chest. I angle my head, trying to see the rest of my family.
Elle boards, looking exhausted, happy, and glowing. She looks at each of us and then a wide smile forms over her lips. “After months and months of stops, this is it. If I don’t tell you tonight after the shows over, I’m so freaking proud to be your manager.”