Page 93 of Tortured Tones

Charlotte flung her arms around my neck and gave me a big hug. “Bye, Cole.”

Warmth sank into my chest as I savored the smell of her bubblegum-scented hair. This kid had some wicked power over me. I had no control over it. It kept chipping away at the barricade around my heart. I hadn’t thought I’d love somebody ever again. But this was a different connection. One that was unavoidable. Unexplainable. Unconditional.

“Cole?” Ava waved me toward the door. “You’re needed outside for photos.”

“On my way.” I stood and ruffled Charlotte’s hair. “Bye, sweetie.”

Ava ushered me outside, then I rushed over to join the guys. I took a deep breath and absorbed the energy radiating off the screaming fans and let the noise sink into my soul. Cameras flashed. Hands reached toward us.

April thrust a Sharpie at me. “You’ve got fifteen minutes, then we have an interview inside.”

“Got it.” I took the pen and headed along the line, signing photos, T-shirts, and posters. My heart raced, and a wild buzz surged through my veins. Unable to stop smiling, I leaned in for selfies with the guys and girls who were overexcited to meet us. Our previous tours had been incredible, but this was beyond wicked. Absolutely amazing. Fucking insane. We’d worked so damn hard to get here. Our dreams had become reality.

“You good, man?” Lewis slapped me on the shoulder.

“Yep. Everything is under control.” We were hours away from our first show. Most of our concerts across the globe were sold out. We’d rehearsed. We had an incredible road crew. We’d put on a spectacular performance every night. “I can’t believe we’re finally here.”

“This is fucking awesome.” Flint waved at the crowd. His smile was as big as Bel Air.

“It’s only going to get crazier everywhere we go.” Slip hooked his arm around my back and leaned in, smiling for the cameras.

The hype didn’t die as we were ushered inside the hotel, up to the private lounge, and straight into an interview with Access Hollywood.

But halfway through being questioned by Suzanne, the journalist, April stepped forward, waving her palm at us and thrust my cell phone at me. “Sorry to interrupt. We need to stop for a few minutes...“It’s Harper.”

Fuck! Finally! “Excuse me.” My hands shook as I grabbed my phone, put it to my ear, and rushed to the far end of the large room. “Harper. About fucking time. I’ve been trying to contact you for weeks.” I’d called, sent text messages and emailed her, but had no reply.

“Sorry about that. I’ve been away teaching at a local village, and we got hit with early snow. Travel was impossible. Cell phone reception was nonexistent . The satellite phone was glitchy, and access to the Internet was down.”

“Are you okay?” It’d be close to midnight in Kathmandu.

“Always.” Her cheery voice never faltered. “It wasn’t my first time being snowbound for a few weeks.”

“You can have that shit.” I loved the mountains, but I’d stick to my snowboarding and five-star lodgings. The wild wilderness wasn’t for me. But as I spun to face the window, dizziness swam through my head. I staggered sideways. Shit! I placed my hand on the window sill and took a few deep breaths. I swiped my hand across my face. Blinked a few times. I’d passed my medical. My blood pressure had been a bit low and I’d been told to take it easy. Rest. Relax. But there was no chance of that happening now we were on tour. Yep. I’m fine.

My head spun again.

Crap. I took a seat on the nearby wingback chair. “Harps, I’m in the middle of an interview—I can’t talk long. There’s so much happening. It’s opening night.”

“How exciting. I’m glad I caught you.”

“So did you read my emails? About Charlotte?”

Ava appeared and handed me a glass of water. ‘Are you okay?’ she mouthed.

Shit! She’d seen me stumble. I had a dull headache, but it wasn’t anything major, so I nodded, took the water, and had a sip.

“Yes, I read your novel-length emails,” Harper groaned, never sugarcoating anything. “Finding out you had a kid would’ve shocked the shit out of you. Your offer is amazing. But I’m not sure it’s me. I’m a teacher, not a nanny. Why do you want me to work for you?”

“Because you’re the best.” I eased forward on my seat and placed the glass of water on the coffee table. “You’re amazing with kids and I need someone I can trust and rely on.”

“And you want someone you won’t end up fucking.” Smugness skipped through her tone. She knew me too well.

“True. I’m not saying it would happen, but it could. I love being single too much and want to avoid any complicated situations. But most of all, I want you because you’re family.”

“Our family is fucked up, Cole.” Her parents were as bad as mine, if not worse. Harper wanted to work with children—not run a property development empire like her parents.

“Okay. Fair point.” I slid back into the chair. The guys lazed on the sofa chatting while April, Blake, and Falcon kept Suzanne talking. I couldn’t keep them waiting much longer. “But we’ve always got along.”

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