“A whack-ton of reasons, but mainly because you’d need major surgery to do that.”
“So?”
“So, you’re in a famous rock band. Recovery could mess with your career.”
Austin tilted his head to the side thoughtfully and then shrugged one shoulder. “Should be fine. We’re not touring right now anyway.” A ton of questions came to mind, but I didn’t get the chance to ask them as he walked around the bed and left the room. “Be back with an answer!” He shouted to me.
I picked up my phone and opened the Internet, searching Austin’s name. A barrage of news articles came to the top of the results.
Austin Moore and Ryder Lane call it quits.
Ryder Lane starts new band, Renaissance Revival, without partner Austin Moore.
Austin Moore and Ryder Lane fist fight outside Nashville club (Pics Inside)
Austin Moore dumped by GF Lottie Raye
Jesus. Austin had been in a shit storm for months, and I hadn’t even known. Why hadn’t he called me? At the very least, why hadn’t he told me he was back for more than just his cousin’s babies? Certainly, if he wasn’t in a band right now, he was home for the foreseeable future. He couldn’t possibly be heading back to Nashville amidst all this.
I read through a couple of the articles, and by the time I was finished, Dakota was bringing in the dinner tray.
“Here you go, Champ.”
“You’re, like, a few years older than me.”
“I know, but maintaining a professional distance seems necessary with you.”
“I saw that rock on your finger. I don’t think I need more distance than that.”
Dakota looked at her hand and grinned before setting the tray down and sitting on the edge of my bed. “So, Gia told me what happened.”
“Did she now?” I rubbed the back of my neck bashfully.
“She did, and I want you to know, I approve. So, if she asks, you got this from someone else, okay?” She held out a slip of paper and grinned. “You better move fast, though. She’s got a date with someone else tomorrow.”
I took the paper from her and noted the number she’d scrawled on it, offering her my trademark shit-eating grin. “Have I told you you’re the best lately?”
“Nope, but it’s never too late.” She patted my chest and wiggled her eyebrows.
“You’re the best.”
“I know.” With a grin, she rose, brushing a stray piece of hair out of her face. “And, in case you were wondering, I haven’t told her about Austin.”
“Really?”
Dakota shrugged, “if you think she says no a lot now, tell her you’re her little cousin’s best friend. Then see how fast she runs.” With that, she left the room, leaving me to my thoughts and Georgia’s number.
A date tomorrow—how was I going to compete with that while I was still bedridden?
georgia
The next morningI woke feeling pleased with myself that I had stood up to Hunter, putting him in his place and putting an end to the nonsense he thought was hilarious. But I couldn’t shake the feeling of his lips on mine or how that kiss had turned my stomach into a torrent of butterflies. I shook my head, lifted the coffee mug to my lips, and took a sip to distract myself.
Distracted, I was. Choking on the black coffee, I set the mug down again and went to get the cream I’d forgotten. It was my first day off in a week, and I had a boatload of errands to get done before my next blitz schedule at work. Replacing the cream in the fridge, I grabbed the mug and strolled into the living room, where I left my phone.
Flicking through my to-do list, I planned out my day, hoping I’d still have time to stop and see the babies when all was said and done. As I was staring at my phone, the screen changed to an incoming call, the ID listed as “Private Number.” Running my thumb along the screen, I tucked the device against my ear.
“Hello?”