More silence.
“You there, Momma?”
“I’m here.” I swear she sniffles. “Can I talk to him for a second?”
“He’s meetin’ with Dawson’s crew right now. Why?”
“Why’s he hanging out with Dawson’s guys?”
“Security stuff. Dawson hired a whole bunch of security experts. Dawson invited Rooster and Jigsaw to take the class the company offers. All his roadies and crew are taking it too.”
“Sounds like Dawson must’ve taken a shine to him, then?”
“I guess so. They seem to get along.” I pause for a second, trying to come up with a way to broach my next topic. “You doin’ all right, Momma? With the house and bills and everything?”
Before I left for the tour, I was contributing to the household. Since I haven’t seen much in the way of funds from the tour yet, I haven’t been able to help out. Now with that money from Glow, I can.
“I’m fine, honey. Picked up some extra shifts here and there. Without you home using up all the hot water, it evens out,” she teases.
The familiar joke lightens my heart a bit. “Glow ended up paying for that interview.” I laugh softly because I’m findin’ out I’m woefully uneducated when it comes to financial matters. “You know I always wanted to buy you a house—”
“Shelby.”
I keep right on going. “After taxes and everyone took their cut, there ain’t enough for a house. But I want to cover the mortgage for the rest of the year, so you’re not working all those extra hours.”
“No. I’m your momma. That’s my job.”
“I’m twenty-two—”
“And you’ve been working and helpin’ out ‘round here since you were fourteen, something I hated having you do.”
“I never minded.”
“I know you didn’t, baby. And it means a lot to me. But I want you to save that money.”
“Momma, buying you a house has always been my goal and you know it. We used to talk about it all the time.”
“And one day you will, Shelby. I have no doubt.”
“But if I helped out, maybe you could work fewer shifts and come see some of the shows when we’re in Texas at least.”
She laughs softly. “Now, you’re just playin’ dirty.”
“Is it working?”
“We’ll talk about it when the time gets closer.”
That’s my momma, stubborn as all git out. Guess that’s where I get it from.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Shelby
Rumbling motorcycles yank me from a warm, comfortable sleep. A few seconds later, my phone beeps.
I reach for it blindly and flick it on.
Trinity: Yoga time!
Isn’t she chipper at ass-crack-of-dawn-o’clock?
I pat the bed but come up with nothing but cold, empty sheets. Huh. Rooster’s up before me. No surprise. He seems to be an early riser. I make a mental note to ask if that’s how he got his road name.
After splashing some water on my face, brushing my teeth and jumping into a pair of yoga shorts and a tank top, I pull out my mat, pop on my sunglasses and head outside.
The park we stopped at last night is fairly secluded. The guys had arranged to rent a back corner where we’d have some privacy. At the moment, Wrath and Murphy are moving two heavy picnic benches closer together.
Trinity bounces over with a colorful woven blanket draped over her arm. “Wrath sent the guys to the store for breakfast. Should give us forty minutes of private yoga time.”
I chuckle at their ingenuity.
Two big strong arms wrap around my waist, yanking me in the air. Rooster’s beard tickles my skin as he peppers my cheek with kisses. “Morning, chickadee. Got a space all set up for you with no prying eyes.”
The few mornings the girls and I had tried to get together for yoga attracted more attention than Rooster cared for. Honestly, it made me jittery too. I turn and loop my arms around his neck. “Thank you.”
“We’re all set!” Heidi jogs over waving her iPad in the air. “Swan’s about to start class.”
“I’m going to vomit if you keep moving the screen around!” Swan shouts. “Morning, Trinity! Morning, Shelby!”
“Oops. Sorry.” Heidi slows her steps. “Where are we setting up?”
Rooster points to the truck that he’s pulled tight to the curb. The grass is especially thick in that area and the truck blocks anyone in the parking lot from spying on us. “You can set the tablet up on the truck bed or on the ground. Whatever works better.”
Trinity has the tablet now and she’s busy talking to whoever else Swan has with her. “Is Lilly there too? I don’t believe it,” she says.
“I’m here,” the dark-haired beauty who I remember is Z’s wife waves at us. “Hope lied to get me to the clubhouse this early.”
“If it makes you feel better, we’re an hour behind you.” Trinity points to the sky.
“No.” Lilly laughs. “No that doesn’t make me feel better.”
“Where’s my lil’ buddy?” Trin asks.
“Rock and Z have the little ones,” Hope answers. “They’re ‘helping’ in the garage.”