Assured (Soul Serenade #2) (11 page)

“Unca Cowe!” Mia laughs. I love this little girl.

I take off toward the living room and we do a crash landing on the couch. I immediately let the tickling commence. Mia shrieks and writhes.

“Stop, pwease! Pretty pwease,” she begs.

I stop since she said the magic words. She sits up, catches her breath, and then throws her arms around my neck. “I wuv you, Unca Cowe.”

I’m a man. I like manly things like sports and drinking a few cold ones with the guys. I don’t do relationships and I enjoy female company—lots of it. However, in the presence of my four-year-old niece, I lose my damn man card.

I return her hug. “Love you, too, Mia.”

I hear a throat clearing.
Great, busted.
I look up to find Stacy standing there, taking in all in. I should be embarrassed, but I’m not. I’m not a monster who is incapable of love; I just choose to have variety in my life instead.

“Dinner’s ready,” she tells us. “Mia, your noodles look delicious,” she adds with a wink. I’m positive that’s her way of telling me that we won’t be eating Mia’s noodles.

“Let’s go munchkin. Time to eat some skettie.” I stand with Mia in my arms and carry her to the kitchen. Logan pulls out a booster seat from the pantry, and I raise my eyebrows in question.

She waves me off. “I like when Mia comes to visit.”

Nothing else is said as I get Mia set up in the chair beside mine and we settle in to eat. Mia drives the conversation. She has the full attention of all six of us.

The last two months have been crazy. Logan and Cassidy, the assistant to the band’s manager, Mr. Jones have been training me. Between the two of them, they have been giving me a crash course on all things in the music industry. I can now see why Kacen didn’t want all this pressure on his pregnant wife—holy shit, there’s a lot to do. The logistics alone are a nightmare. Cassidy assures us that she will be helping from the home office as well.

I’ve managed to avoid Cole and his sexiness. I see him in passing, but never allowing enough time for conversation or flirting. I may be telling him no, but he’s still the one starring in my dreams late at night. Bob, my battery operated boyfriend, and I have become close thanks to Cole Hampton.

“Are you all packed?” I ask Logan.

“Gah! No, I don’t even know how to pack for three months.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Kacen says not to worry about it, that we can buy anything we need. I’m just not used to this, you know?”

“I know, but he’s right. You’re going to need maternity clothes.” I wink.

“Yes.” She holds her arm out. “Pinch me.”

“What?” I laugh at her because she’s lost her damn mind.

“I said pinch me. Is this real? Is this really my life?”

“Yes and yes. Get used to it. That man is never letting you go.”      

“Yeah.” She wears a blissful smile that I once again find myself envious of.

“Are you excited for the stop in Ohio?”

“I am. It will be nice to stay in our house there. Get a break from the bus.”

“This is either going to be the best or the worst three months of our lives.”

“I know. I worry, though. What if I hate it? Kacen will never tour again.”

“Just give it a fair shot. Besides, from what I understand, the guys all know this is what Kacen wants. If one wants out, they all do.”

She looks surprised. “You have a good informant.”

“Cole and I had dinner the night you offered me the job. He filled me in on what happens out on the road. That was a part of our conversation.”

“He still trying to get you into his bed?”

“He’s been quiet the last couple of months. My guess is because they’ve been rehearsing like crazy for the tour. Not to mention I’ve been nose-deep trying to learn the ropes.”

“He’s not one to give up easily.”

“I can hold him off. I’ve done it this long.”

“I don’t know, Stacy. Maybe you should give it a shot. You could be his game-changer.”

I throw my head back in laughter. “Cole Hampton doesn’t have a desire to change the game. He’s living the dream. From his lips to my ears,” I tell her.

“He’s just caught up in the routine. He needs something to mix it up, needs to see what he’s missing. Cole’s a great guy who just needs the right woman to keep him on his toes.”

“Let me guess, you think that woman is me?”

Logan smiles. “Maybe. You never know. You can try. Worst-case scenario, it doesn’t work out.”

“Heartbreak.”

“Yeah, but what’s that saying? ‘Better to have loved and lost than to never love at all.’”

“Says the girl who is blissfully married to her best friend.”

“You’re my best friend.”

“I am, but so is he, in a more intimate way.”

Her hands fall over her barely-there baby bump. “I’m having a baby.”

“You are. You’ll have, what? A month left by the time the tour is over?”

“Yes, Kacen is still freaking out about it. The doctor has assured him that it’s fine.”

“He’s going to be such a good daddy,” I gush.

“He is. He already has a crew on standby to start the nursery once we find out the sex.”

“I can’t wait to start shopping. I think we should pick something up in each city for Peanut.”

“I think that’s a great idea.” We both startle at Kacen’s words. “Sorry, didn’t mean to sneak up on you. You all packed, baby?”

The three of us look at the pile of clothes still lying on the bed. “Uh . . . getting there,” Logan tells him.

“I can see that. The guys are all going to stay here tonight. The bus is supposed to be here at eight. Stacy, you might as well stay too. Grab your things and bring them over. That way, we all get a good night’s sleep and no one has to get up at the ass-crack of dawn.”

“I can do that. Thank you.” I finish folding the shirt in my hands. “I think I’ll head over. I have some packing to finish as well. I’ll be back in a few hours.”

“Stacy,” Logan calls my name just as I reach the door. “Thank you. I don’t think I could do this”—she points to her belly—“on the road without you. Thank you.”

“It’s an amazing opportunity. I should be thanking both of you.” With that, I give them a small wave and head to my apartment that just so happens to be over my parents’ garage. As I get closer, excitement takes over. It’s the best of both worlds—I get to travel the world with people I know and care about.

Soul Serenade “Making Love” Tour, here I come.

I spent last night at my sister’s. Mom and Dad come over and we just hung out. Chloe and Kyle announced a few weeks ago that they’re expecting baby number two. My sister was beaming with happiness, as was Kyle. That seems to be my world lately. Marriage, babies . . . love. I’m happy for all of them, but I’m putting my energy into the tour.

None of us has mentioned it, but this could very well be our last, at least for a while. Lives are changing and we made a pact, which I think is why I’m so stoked for this one. It’s only three months, and US only. I prefer that if I’m being honest; international travel is exhausting.

We would still write and make music, but touring could be too much with families. Something the four of have always agreed on is that family comes first, always. Music will be there, but nothing can replace those you love.

The cab pulls up to the gate and I punch in my code. We’re all staying here tonight, which is our normal routine before hitting the road. We can sleep in and get a good night’s rest.

The cab stops next to another just like it. It’s not until I’m climbing out that I see it’s her.

Stacy.

That’s when I’m reminded that she’s going to be sleeping under the same roof as me tonight. Sleeping on the same bus for the next three months. Kacen gave me a lecture a few days ago. “She’s not someone to mess with, Cole,” he had said. Like I don’t know that. I know she’s one of the good ones. The Logans and Stacys of the world deserve more than just to be worked over in a night of passion. I know that, but that doesn’t change the fact that my cock and I still want her.

I quicken my stride to take her bags from the cabbie. “I got it, man.”

“Thank you, Cole.”

The way she says my name with her slight southern accent has my cock twitching, thinking it’s time to come out and play. It’s going to be a long three months if I can’t get this girl under me.

“You ready to make love?” I ask with a smirk on my face.

Her cheeks instantly redden. “Cole, we’ve. . . .”

“The tour, sweets. Are you ready for the Soul Serenade ‘Make Love’ Tour?” I ask with as much innocence as I can muster.

Her face glows with her embarrassment. “Oh, um . . . Yeah, I guess. As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Leaning down, my lips find her ear. “You were thinking about me. Thinking about us. I’m not one for making love, but I can guarantee that you’ll beg for more.”

To my surprise, her body relaxes into mine. My words affect her.

“Whenever you’re ready, you let me know.” I kiss just below her ear and can see the goose bumps break out over her skin. With extreme strength, and a rock-hard cock, I step away from her, grab both of our bags and head inside.

The foyer is filled with luggage; I add ours to the mix and follow the voices into the living room. Tristan and Gavin are sitting on the couch, legs propped up on the table. Kacen and Logan are curled up together in the oversized chair. That leaves the love seat, and I give an internal fist bump; Stacy is going to have to sit beside me.

“Hey, man,” Tristan says.

I nod in greeting. “What are we watching?”

The four of them look at me, all wearing confused looks.

“Seriously, none of you know?”

Gavin and Tristan both have their phones in their hands and Kacen has his wife in his. I just shake my head and reach for the remote. “Stacy’s here too. My cab pulled up just after hers.”

“This is really happening,” Logan says, her voice reverent.

“It’s happening, baby,” Kacen tells her.

“Hey, you all packed?” Logan asks Stacy as she enters the room.

I watch as she surveys the area, looking at the couch where Gav and Tristan are sprawled out. I purposely made sure there looked like plenty of room was left on the love seat beside me. I can change that once she decides to sit down. She glances at the spot beside me and she looks nervous. I flash her a calming smile and I can see the minute her decision is made.