Page 56 of Hey Girl

“Awww!” I giggle over at Jack who shakes his head with a smirk. “Come on Jack, you’re named after alcohol!”

This, more than anything, tells me he cares about me. It’s not just about lust for him. It’s not novelty. It’s…

More.

If I was just another piece of ass, he’d be bored by now. Way too bored to spend his time rehoming a bunch of dogs and cats and fluffballs.

I’m gonna marry this guy someday.

I blink, startled by the direction my mind went, but oddly cool with it as well. The truth of the wayward thought settlesinto my bones. If I marry anyone, it’ll be this guy. And nothing will ever be boring again.

He waves at Jack. “Bourbon Boy,” he whisper-shouts, “check out these little motherfuckers. Can we have them in our next video? Huh? It would be so freakin’ cool!”

At that moment, Bubba Ray decides to try crawling up Chris’s pants leg. On the inside. Jack barks with laughter, and this startles D Von, who decides hiding under Chris’s shirt is a safe bet. Chris’s eyes go all goggly, and I swear, I have never seen anything so funny in my life.

“Heyyyyy, there, Dudley Boys, that’s Aunt Rebecca’s. And that. WHOAH, and definitely that!” He jerks and dances like he’s been possessed, and I feel like I could barf, the laughter is so intense. Tears pour down my face and I am doubled over, even more so when I see Josh filming out of the corner of my eye.

Chris

“I can’t believe allthose animals got homes,” Rebecca marvels, closing the last clean and empty kennel. “And all that money you were able to raise? That’s going to do so much for this place.”

She looks drained, but in the best way. Drained of all the tension and worry about how today would go and whether the animals would go to genuine homes or just crazed Turn it Up fans looking for the chance to get close. But it worked out well, because she was in charge of vetting all the prospective owners and didn’t let anything cloud her diligence.

“The money you brought in,” I correct her, drying a doggy dish before setting it back in the cupboard. “You’re the one who ran this thing, you little dynamo you.”

She blushes but smiles brightly. “Still, it was your idea.”

“And when are you going to realize all my ideas are good ones?”

I told Rebecca this was a good idea that day I came here with her. I mean, hello, you’re in a city where one of the country’s biggest rock bands originated and you’re dating the drummer! Use it to your advantage!

And then she took me home and took advantage of me.

She snickers at me and I change the subject by turning on the nearby radio. “Hey girl, let’s celebrate,” I flirt, as the lite rock station comes in tune. She insists the animals like it and it keeps them calm. “Come here,” I reach out for her hand and pull her into a slow dance. Normally, I prefer high-energy dance offs but not with my girl.

“Come on tour with me,” I more than suggest, leaning in and giving her a small kiss before she can say no.

When I pull away, she gives me a faint smile. “No.”

Dammit!

“Why not?” I ask, trying to remain cool when inside I’m dying in the corner.

“I just…” she shakes her head slowly as she looks around the room. “I don’t think I’m ready to do that. Travel? The screaming fans and intrusive paparazzi…”

“You dealt with it at the St. Michelle event like a champ,” I remind her.

“That was one time, for a few hours. This would be constant, all day back to back. It would wear me down.”

Fuck, I can’t argue with that. But there’s got to be some kind of compromise, right?

“Okay, what about …” I purse my lips thinking of ways to get her to meet me halfway. “Just flying out to meet us for a show here and there? Or you could just come on the UK leg. It’s only a week and a half long.”

“You’re doing a stint in the UK?”

“Of course, you knucklehead,” I grin at her before giving her a twirl and pulling her back into me. “We’re not domesticated, we travel the world. I know it’s overwhelming, but don’t you want to see something other than this city?”

She nods, her eyes brightening. “I would.”