“I’m not going anywhere. I’m beyond exhausted. Do you know how it feels to be stuck in the middle seat on a four-hour flight? The guy on my left fell asleep on my shoulder and proceeded to fart for the entire flight while the guy on my other side decided to show me what man spread means.”
Mercy’s nose wrinkles. “Why didn’t you fly on the private jet with the band?”
“Mike doesn’t want me getting used to creature comforts.”
Such as a nice hotel room. Meanwhile, he charges every expense he can to the band as part of his management fee. I’ve got news for him. Thinking about the band while getting a massage does not make the massage a business expense.
She scowls. “Mike’s an asshole.”
I can’t argue with her there. “Yep. But from what I’ve seen, all music managers are slimy assholes.”
Leia holds out her hand. “Come on. Time to go.”
I ignore her hand. “I’ll leave in the morning. I need some sleep before I begin the drive to San Diego.”
“You’re not driving.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Are we doing a road trip?”
Virginia moans. “Oh god. Please no. I need to pee every five minutes. It would take us forever to reach California. Speaking of which.” She hauls herself to her feet and hurries into the bathroom.
I allow Leia to help me stand. “Why won’t anyone answer a direct question? Usually, I can count on you to be honest with me.”
“I promise to be honest with you as soon as we reach our destination. But we’re on a deadline here.”
“Whatever,” I mumble and allow her to lead me out of the room, down the stairs, and out of the inn.
She snatches my car keys from my hands before nudging me into the passenger seat of the car.
“At least I don’t have to drive.”
“Don’t worry. We’re not going far.”
Leia follows Mercy’s car as we drive out of the Inn parking lot. But we don’t turn to leave town.
“Where are we going?” I ask as I glance around.
I haven’t had much time to get to know Winter Falls since Mike started pressuring the band to go on tour the second Gibson got out of rehab. Not surprising since he nearly lost his mind when they cancelled their earlier tour for Gibson to go to rehab. He thought they should hire a replacement guitarist. Told you the guy’s an asshole.
“Not far.” Leia pulls to the side of the street and parks in front of a large house.
“Is this an Airbnb? I didn’t find any in Winter Falls when I searched.”
“All will be explained once we’re inside the house,” she claims.
I blow out a breath and follow her out of the car. She grabs two suitcases but when I try to snatch one from her, she glares at me. “Pregnant women do not carry their luggage.”
“I guess you’re coming on tour with me from now on then,” I mutter.
I follow her as she climbs the stairs to the veranda. The door to the house is already open and she walks right in.
I don’t get a chance to look around before she’s urging me upstairs. “The bedroom’s on the second floor.”
Mercy, Virginia, and Indigo are already in the room. Mercy and Indigo fly around the room emptying my suitcases while Virginia lays down on the bed.
“Don’t worry,” Mercy begins. “I replaced Gibson’s old mattress.”
“Is this your house?” I ask.