Jackson:

Great night. The only thing missing was you.

Some of the tension in my chest eases, and a faint smile pulls at the corner of my mouth. Turning on the shower, I quickly text back what I know we’re both thinking.

Margot:

21 days.

23

jackson

The couchin the RV becomes Mya’s makeshift bed every night, but as soon as she’s up, she stashes her blankets and pillows somewhere to turn it back into a couch for everyone. It’s a good thing she wakes up earlier than the rest of us. Coming out here feels like a good way to clear my head before I’m around the guys for the rest of the day.

I take a seat on the tiny blue couch and send Margot a quick text to ask her what she’s doing today. I barely have time to hit the send button when my phone gets snatched out of my hand by Mya skipping past. “Good morning, Lover Boy,” she says in a sing-song voice.

I sigh. “Why do you have my phone?” I swear, there’s something about living with someone inside an RV that makes a week of knowing them feel like years. Mya has already become the little sister I never wanted. A very annoying and pushy but surprisingly cool little sister.

She innocently sways back and forth while shamelessly reading my conversation with Margot, her eyes going wide. “Is she coming?”

Leaning forward, I snatch my phone back from her grip. “That’s the plan.”

“So, I get to meet her?”

She’s looking at me like she’s six and I just promised to take her to the North Pole. “Uh, yeah. I don’t see why not.” I tuck my phone into my pocket where it’s safe from prying eyes.

“When?” She’s practically bouncing on her toes.

I let out a laugh. She looks the way I feel when I think about seeing Margot, but I have no idea what warrants this type of excitement from her. “The show in New York City on October twelfth.”

With one more hop, she spins and collapses on the couch next to me. “Oh, I love this.”

My eyebrow lifts. “You do?”

She nods before leaning back against the cushion with a whimsical look like she’s watching a movie in her head. “You know,” she says before looking over at me. “New York is very romantic.”

“Really?” I say flatly with a huff. I’ve never been, but when I think of any big city, my first thought goes to alleys that smell like piss.

She sits up straight, turning to face me with fresh light in those green eyes. “So romantic! It’s basically our Paris.”

I cock an eyebrow. “Have you been to Paris?” Her lips twist into a smile, and I roll my eyes. “Have you even been to New York?”

She waves off my question. “That’s beside the point.” Staring at me with more determination, she adds, “The point is, New York would be agreatplace to tell Margot how much you love her.”

“Whoa!” Marty pops up out of fucking nowhere. “Is the puppy in love?”

Rubbing my hands over my face, I get to my feet. “Fuck off, Marty. It’s too early for your shit.”

I’m met with Marty’s cackle of laughter and the sound of Dave pulling the curtain open on his bunk. He sticks his head out, his blond hair a mess. “Marty, we all know Jackson’s got it bad. It’s nothing new.”

I run my hand through my hair as my eyes search the RV for a place to hide. Walking to the back, I grab my guitar. “Marty, when’s the last time you got laid? I can’t remember.”

To my satisfaction, Marty’s laughter stops short, but it’s quickly replaced by Dave’s howl. I ignore Marty’s glare as I head back to the front of the RV and sit on the couch with my guitar.

“Sorry,” Mya mouths with a grimace, and I’m surprised by how genuine she looks. I honestly don’t care if she talks to me about Margot. I like Mya. I already feel more comfortable with her than I ever have with Marty.

Dave braces his arm overhead and looks down at me while my fingers pick at the strings. “So, what’s your plan with Margot?”