Page 125 of Creed

Now it’s his turn to nod. I can tell there’s more he wants to say about what just went down but instead he clears his throat and runs a hand through his hair. I notice the dark circles under his eyes and it looks like he’s lost sleep on more nights than just tonight. I feel like a shitty friend for not asking him if he’s okay, but I make a mental note to talk to him tomorrow. All this bullshit with Guy stalking Collins has got me neglecting my other relationships with my bandmates.

“What are we gonna do about the rest of the tour? This was our first fucking concert of too-fucking-many ahead and we’ve lost our bass player. I don’t give a fuck about Tony and we’ll survive without Steve, but what do we do about the set list without a bassist?”

I sigh, running my hands over my face. “I can’t play bass, not since I was a fucking kid. I mean, I could, but I’d rather not risk fucking the songs up. Our songs are one thing, but I’m not overly familiar with the instrumentation of As We Stand’s music.”

My phone buzzes again in my pocket and I secretly hope it’s Collins or Riley. But it’s not. It’s Lachlan, and his text to me is the next best thing because it’s like he was fucking reading our minds.

Lachlan: If you need someone to fill in the position until you find a new bassist, I have someone for you. Let me know and I can have them on a flight to you within the hour. He’s savvy on that type of music, especially that of Dark Sins.

“Crazy fucker.” I could kiss him right now.

“What’s that about?” Bear asks, walking up next to me. I show him the text and he huffs a laugh. “I don’t know much about these dudes, but I swear to God they’ve got connections every-fucking-where. But whatever, we should take him up on it.”

“Agreed.” I nod, texting Lachlan, telling him to send his guy to us. My phone buzzes again a few seconds later.

Lachlan: He’s set to board our private jet in 45 minutes. His name is Blair. BE NICE TO HIM CREED.

I roll my eyes at that.

Me: I’m not an asshole, Lachlan. So long as he’s respectful, we’ll look after him like he’s family.

I send another text.

Me: Send him my information, have him text when he lands. I’ll send one of our drivers to get him, along with some of your security. We’ll talk to him and get him caught up in the morning.

Lachlan: Done.

Bear nods in approval before backing away a few steps. “I’ll have Tony’s bus cleaned up and cleaned out. We’ll stock it for this Blair guy in the morning before we hit the road for the next city. We’ve got the week to practice with him so let’s hope that’s enough.”

“Everything will be fine. At least we have to believe that because I can’t take anymore life dumpster fires.” I yawn and open the door to the rental car, looking back at Bear as I slide into the driver’s seat. “Get some sleep, Barrett. You look like shit.”

That earns me the first smile I’ve seen on him in a while. He flips me off and heads back toward his own bus. It hits me on the way back to the hotel that he didn’t make any kind of comment on Riley being with Collins as well. It’s not like I was trying to keep a secret like that, and the fact that Riley had a matching purple kiss on his face as me could have clued him in. The three of us have been glued to each other’s hips since Collins came home so I guess it makes sense, in a way.

After stopping to get three gigantic tubs of our favorite ice creams, I’m practically sprinting from my car the moment I throw it into park and cut the engine. I get lucky and don’t have to wait long for an elevator either. The second the doors slide open, I’m giddy as fuck and hauling ass to the door that leads to our room. My phone buzzes again in my pocket and I pause just shy of swiping the keycard. If it’s something bad, I’d rather see it now, than risk upsetting Collins and Riley.

Collins has been good lately and hasn’t slipped into any dissociative episodes and I really want to keep it that way, as far as we can control it.

I see it’s another text from Lachlan.

Lachlan: Update on the stalker: there were photos captured of Collins while she was shopping with Ayla today. We’re combing through security footage of the stores and traffic cams throughout the city to see if it was him, or if he’s having someone tail her. There are five photos sent to her old phone in total. My security team reported nothing out of the ordinary, so we’re looking into this even deeper if they were able to go undetected by my team.

Another text comes through as I feel my pulse starting to pound.

Lachlan: No other photos have been sent and we have no indication that he, nor anyone else who could be a potential threat had been in attendance of the concert tonight. All of the photos are of before Collins colored her hair, so if it’s a detail that happened later on, it could help with her anonymity while out in public. Still best to keep her close and keep security on her at all times.

I’m trying to regulate my breathing over this update. I should’ve fucking waited.

Me: Fuck. thanks for the update. I won’t let her out of my sight. Thanks again for all you’re doing. She’s everything, so I appreciate your efforts to help keep her safe.

Lachlan’s answer is simple.

Lachlan: She’s family.

Well fuck me. These crazy Scottish bastards really mean it and they’ve never even met her.

I leave the conversation at that and swipe the card, eager to get back to my girl.

Another text comes through and I’m about tapped out on people stopping me from ravaging Collins at least one more time before I let her sleep. But when I pull my phone out, I see that it’s Asher.

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