Page 110 of Madden
Chapter Thirty-One
Madden
I’ve been anxious to get back out on the road.
Life has gotten crazy the past couple of months from meeting Brielle, the album release, drama with Hanna, and Trey and Layken having their daughter and getting married. It’s been one roller coaster ride after another.
Now, it’s time to board our bus and head out on tour.
A lot has changed since our first tour last summer. For starters, they don’t have us crammed onto one bus. Thankfully, it didn’t take much convincing for our label to agree on two buses.
Brix and Tysin are on one with the girls, and I’m on the other with Trey, Layken, and their daughter, Leanna.
They decided to try bringing Leanna out on the road for as long as they could. I never would’ve thought last year I’d go from hitting up nightclubs with the guys to this, but I’m rollin’ with it.
I have to admit, watching Trey with Leanna has me thinking about all I’m missing out on these days.
I’ve considered reaching out to Brielle countless times. Especially in the days leading up to our tour, knowing our first stop was in NYC.
There’s something about knowing we’re in the same city together that makes me wish I could see her. Thinking about how much I miss her leaves a hollow feeling in my chest.
I never would’ve thought the one person I shouldn’t want is the one I can’t live without.
We got into the city a couple of hours ago, and I’m already going stir-crazy. I’m sitting in my bedroom, messing around on my drum practice pads. My headphones blare one of our songs when the door swings open, and Kyla pokes her head inside.
She’s wearing a concerned expression when she nods toward my headphones. I move one of the speakers off my ear and press pause.
“We’re goin’ to grab dinner if you wanna join.”
I nod. “Give me a few to get cleaned up, and I’ll be ready.”
She gives me a sympathetic smile and ducks her head, pulling the door shut behind her.
I have zero interest in doing anything tonight. I keep telling myself the tour is what I need right now to keep my mind off Brielle, but it’s been impossible.
My eyes zone out, staring absentmindedly at a painting hung on the wall, twisting my drumsticks in my hand.
“Well, did you try giving her a ticket for tomorrow? Maybe if she came to the meet and greet, we could get them together and force them to talk. I mean, it worked for you.” Brix suggests.
“Thank fuck, too,” Trey quips.
What the fuck are they talking about?
“What else did you expect us to do? Kidnap her? She doesn’t want to come,” Kyla insists.
“I can’t say I blame her either,” Ivy joins in. “She was only trying to help him, and he practically forced her out the door.”
Are they talking about Brielle?
I toss my sticks on the table where I dropped my backpack earlier. I’ve learned not to bother with suitcases since we’ll pack up and leave town before long anyway.
“It’s not like any of us knew she was conspiring for us and not against us.”
Kyla must not have realized she left the door cracked. I reach for the handle, jerking it open, causing her and Ivy to jump.
“Jesus, Madden! You scared the shit outta me.” Kyla holds her hand against her chest. She exhales before it clicks in her mind I could hear their conversation, her gaze snapping to mine.
“Who the hell were you talking about?” My eyes bounce from the girls, over to Brix and Trey.