Page 50 of Stay with Me

“I thought I heard the alarm announce the door opening. I figured Rem was leaving.”

“She been here long?”

“Yeah, since this morning. The boys were excited to see her. I think Saga needed the adult time.”

Sometimes I envy my brother and his life. A beautiful wife and two adorable sons. I never knew how much I wanted all of that until recently.

“You still thinking about that new album and tour?”

Bishop looks up at me. His eyes are clouded over as his thoughts play across his face. I know that look.

“I don’t know. The music is there, but I’m not sure it’s the right thing to do for my family.”

“Saga knows the music is a part of you. Have you guys talked it out?”

“We’ve talked about it. She’s always supportive, but you know the life. I don’t want to put her through that shit.”

“She’s not your past. You guys have a strong foundation.”

“I know that,” he says and frowns. “I’m still thinking about it.”

“If you need to talk or anything else, I’m here for you. I may have some time on my hands. I can look after your family while you’re gone.”

He squints at me, the wheels turning. “You have no idea how much that would ease my mind. As crazy as the road gets, I’ll be more worried about them here without me.”

“Nothing to worry about. I’ve got your back. Or Dwayne might want to sit this one out and I’ll come on the road with you.”

“Bullshit and you know it. You’ve looked down on that offer for years.”

“Things change.”

He studies me. “Whatever happened must have been bad. You’re not going back, are you?”

“Hey, you,” Saga sings as she enters the kitchen with Rem following behind her.

“What’s up?” I say not taking my eyes off Reminisce.

She won’t look at me. I have so much I want to say to her, but I can’t say any of it because I shouldn’t have heard their conversation.

“You guys are both staying for dinner, right?”

“I should probably go,” Rem says.

“You have to stay,” Bishop replies. “We haven’t looked at those contracts yet.”

She starts to chew on her lip. I saunter around the counter and lean into her ear. The way she sways toward me brings a smile to my face.

“We can be in the same room. We were friends before anything else.”

With that, I head to the living room to watch TV with my brother. It might be time to switch things up. Out of sight, out of mind. I need my girl to remember me.

CHAPTER 20

Motherly Advice

Knight

“Hey, Mom,” I say as I walk into the study were she’s peering over some documents.

---