Page 7 of Tortured Tones

“Cole, this is your kid,” Flint mumbled. “Do you honestly want to leave her in limbo for that long?”

Fuck. Fuck. FUCK! “No. But how can I take a kid on tour?”

“Hire help.” Flint shook my shoulder. My head spun through a list of people I knew, who I trusted to look after my kid. No one came immediately to mind.

“Cole.” Hannah smoothed her hands over her skirt. “Paul and I have talked about this with Usher. We can stay here with friends in the interim and bring her over every day at a time that suits you. If you’re open to the idea, I could come on the US leg of your tour. It would provide Charlotte with some familiarity while you both adjust.”

“Come with us? You know it’s three months of living on a bus or out of hotel rooms?”

“Yes, I assumed that. We’ve done several trips around Europe. I’m not going into this blind. Charlotte has traveled a lot with Shelby and Keith. They often went on incredible vacations. Our neighbor has agreed to look after Paul while I’m away. I’d love to come with you. I can live out my teenage fantasies by traveling around the country with a rock band.”

I scratched at the heat burning in my chest. Could I take Hannah and a kid on tour? Was that possible? “Is that really an option? Take Hannah and Charlotte on the tour?” I asked Usher and Patrick.

Patrick nodded. “Your tour kicks off in about seven weeks. If we can get the initial assessments done, come across no hurdles, push this through the court, and Hannah goes with the two of you, yes, it’s an option.”

“If we present a strong case and both parties agree, I don’t see why not.” Usher gathered and straightened his documents into a neat pile.

As I glanced at Paul, my shoulders slumped. “Are you okay with this?”

He dipped his chin. “I’d do anything for Charlotte. So yes.”

“But Cole . . .” Hannah placed her palm on the table. “I can’t go overseas. I can’t be away from Paul that long.”

“Fair enough.” My head wobbled with a nod. I’d have to hire a nanny. God. I was just like my parents. They’d always put their careers and travel before me and Tia. I’d never wanted to be like them...yet, there I was.

But I wouldn’t let this kid change my life.

I loved my parties, my women, my music. Those things were solid. I wouldn’t give them up for anyone. Not even a child. “This makes me sick to the stomach. I’m terrified. But fine. I’ll take her.”

“This shouldn’t be viewed as a try-before-you-buy situation, Mr. Tanner.”

Shit. Was this really happening? Yep. “I know.”

“You seem like a respectable man.” Usher glared at me as if he thought anything but. “Don’t prove me wrong. If you are granted temporary custody, you will be reviewed and assessed by Children’s Services to make sure Charlotte is safe. Your final assessment will be performed in a few months. After that, hopefully you are awarded full-time care. Hannah will play an integral part in providing reports on your behavior. I’d hate Children’s Services to take your daughter away from you, Mr. Tanner.”

“They won’t. I’ll get things into order.” How? I don’t know. “Hannah, if it’s easier, you and the kid can stay with me. I have a guesthouse or you can use a room downstairs. My schedule is crazy. I don’t have set times to work around.”

“Oh.” Hannah played with her tissue. “That’s very kind of you. I don’t want to impose, but I’d love that. That way you’d get more time with Charlotte.”

“Yeah.” My stomach swayed, dipped and dived. I couldn’t form spit to save myself. “So...when do I have to meet her?”

“Let’s do this formally.” Usher grabbed his cell phone and scanned his calendar. “If Patrick can submit documents by the end of this week, I’ll call a friend of mine in children’s services who owes me a favor. We should be able to schedule a meeting for next Wednesday. Does that suit everyone?”

Fuck. A wave of nausea washed over me. I had a week of freedom left.

“Fine.” But I turned to Flint and spoke low so no one else could hear. “Before I do this, guess what we have to do?”

A wicked smile inched across his face. “Hit the town hard?”

“Too fucking right. You’d better be ready for some big nights out.”

“Always am.”

“We’re gonna party like there’s no tomorrow.”

“I’m down for that.”

I’d ensure my kid had everything she needed and wanted. But she’d have to fit into my schedule and my plans with minimal to no disruption.

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