Page 53 of Rock On

Like always, I had a hard time turning him down. At some point, I’d have to talk to Allisha about that, but for now, I was happy to be back in the fold even if it was just for a little while.

“How’s the knee, Tommy?” Sasha asked.

“It’s better,” he said, “but not ready for a world tour.”

“Are you going to be ready?” Her question was direct, and he hesitated.

“I want to say yes,” he said, “but I don’t know. Based on what the doctors and physical therapist have said, I’ll most likely be ready. But we won’t know until it’s actually healed. It’s still too sore to play drums, and I’m wearing a brace so I don’t dislocate it again.”

“Do what the doctors tell you,” she said sternly. “There’s a lot of money on the line if we have to delay the early shows at the last minute. But, and I’m just putting this out there, we could move the four L.A. shows we start the tour with to the end, and that would give you an extra week. Technically, we could probably move the two San Francisco shows as well, but we’d have to make those decisions now.”

“So we drop the New Year’s Eve show?” Tommy asked. “That sucks.”

“But it might be the best solution,” Kellan said.

“I say leave Frisco, but move L.A.,” Devyn said after a moment. “I hate to do it, but any extra time just means you’ll be in better shape.”

They talked about some more logistics of the tour, and I tuned out, texting my sister instead.

HARLEY: You would not believe the insanity happening here today.

WYNTER: Why? What’s up?

HARLEY: Band stuff. Nothing to do with me, really, except that I control Carter’s interests, so I had to sit in on a band meeting.

WYNTER: You’ve done that before.

HARLEY: Yeah, but this was different. I’m doing it from Tommy’s room.

WYNTER: You did NOT sleep with him while in rehab to work on not sleeping with him anymore!

I couldn’t help but chuckle as I responded.

HARLEY: That’s not the only reason I’m here, but no, smarty-pants, I didn’t. But we did talk, and I think it’s been a positive thing for both of us. At least, it feels like it. The two of us are going to keep meeting with the therapist together to dig into why we’re so broken.

WYNTER: I hope she has more than one session planned…

HARLEY: Very funny.

WYNTER: Seriously, I’m glad you two are making progress. You’ve needed to work through this shit for a long time, because it’s not healthy for either of you.

HARLEY: I know. That’s why I’m here, remember? Anyway, how’s my munchkin?

WYNTER: He’s with Auntie Presley today since I’m at work, but he misses you and talks about when Mommy’s coming home non-stop.

HARLEY: Oh, sorry! I didn’t realize you were working a day shift. I’ll let you go, but I’ll talk to River later today and remind him he’s coming to visit on Sunday.

WYNTER: Will do. Love you. Be safe. And smart.

HARLEY: I will. Love you too!

I put my phone away just as Tommy closed his laptop.

“I’ve got a session with my physical therapist,” he said. “Then we’re meeting with Allisha at four, right?”

I nodded.

“What are you going to do until then?”

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