Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 86706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
“I didn’t know until after you fell asleep.”
I cleared my throat before practically vomiting out a bunch of words. “Your daughter was kind enough to provide me with a safe haven last night. I’ve had some problems with my voice lately and had to cancel the show that was supposed to be tonight. I didn’t want to face anyone and deal with all of their questions, so she suggested I come here. Emily is one of the few people who knows what’s really going on with me.”
“I see. I’m sorry to hear you’re having trouble. And well…” She laughed nervously. “I’m sorry for being so startled. Welcome.”
I placed my hand over my chest. “I’m the one who’s sorry for startling you.” Damn, my heart was still pounding.
“No worries.” She smiled and held out her hand. “I’m Terry.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Terry.” I took her hand, trying to seem innocent instead of like the predator she probably thought I was. I felt like a high school kid who’d gotten caught in his girlfriend’s room with his pants down. Or at my age, maybe the high school teacher.
“Tristan needs to rest his voice today, Mom. So we shouldn’t talk to him much.”
“I can whisper…” I said.
Terry clapped her hands together. “Let me make everyone some breakfast. Pancakes sound good?”
“That sounds amazing,” I said.
“Thanks, Mom. That’d be great.”
I felt so undeserving of this treatment. Especially when my thoughts about Emily were anything but pure. If her mother knew, she’d kick me out the door instead of making me goddamn pancakes.
After Terry disappeared into the kitchen, I walked over to Emily. “I feel bad. What happened to your alarm?”
“She beat me by a matter of minutes. Trust me, though, she’s fine with you being here.”
I ran my hand through my hair. “I have no idea how she could be.”
“I spent half my life waking up to strange men she’d brought over. This is the first time I had the honor of returning the favor.”
That seemed a little fucked up. “Not sure how she could be fine with some dude who’s closer to her age than yours camping out on your living room sofa. If I were her, I’d be suspicious.”
She ignored my concern, placing her index finger at my mouth. “No talking.”
She’s lucky I didn’t bite that finger. I wanted to. “You’re so bossy.” My eyes lingered on hers for a moment then fell to her lips.
Emily turned toward the kitchen, and I followed. Her ass looked good this morning in black yoga pants that clung to her like a second skin. I willed myself not to get a hard-on before having to face her mother again. But damn. She’d tied her hair up in a ponytail, revealing her slender neck and those ears that protruded. Apparently, being in proximity of her mother did nothing to quell the ache inside me for this girl.
The smell of brewed coffee was heaven. Emily’s mom made a bunch of pancakes and set a large stack on the table. It was one of the best breakfasts I’d had in a while. It tasted like freedom. Like small-town heaven. This reminded me so much of home.
Every time I opened my mouth to speak, Emily glared at me like a drill sergeant. But it felt rude not making conversation with her mother after she’d been so hospitable.
I turned to Emily. “Can I whisper for a few minutes, please?”
She shrugged.
“I can’t tell you how nice it’s been having your daughter on tour with us, Terry. She’s conscientious and hard-working and honestly, a breath of fresh air.”
Terry smiled over at Emily proudly. “I’m grateful that she’s having this experience. She hasn’t had it easy in life.” Her mother pursed her lips, stopping short of saying anything further.
“She’s told me some things…” I said as I looked over at Emily, unsure how much to divulge.
“I told him about Henry,” Emily clarified.
Henry Acadia. The guy she’d killed defending her mother. I’d never forget his name.
Her mother’s eyes widened. “You did…” She exhaled. “I’m surprised. You don’t tell anyone about...what happened.”
Emily looked over at me. “There was something about Tristan when I first met him. I felt like I could trust him.”
Hearing that twisted me up inside. It touched me that she trusted me, but then again, should she?
“I would never tell anyone,” I told Terry. “I suggested to Emily that she see our band’s therapist, actually. She’s really great. And I think she could help her with some of the trauma.”
Terry nodded. “I’ve been telling her she should do that for years. Maybe she’ll listen to you before she listens to me.” She looked down into her coffee cup for a moment. “There’s a lot I wish I could take back about Emily’s childhood. I owe her so much. I owe her my life. I just want her to be happy and find something she loves doing. Perhaps find a good partner. As long as she’s happy. It kills me that I can’t make that happen for her.” She reached over to her daughter. “She deserves the world.”