Page 18 of New Year's Faye

"She's right," Radley chimed in. "Our fans would eat it up. The ultra-professional PR manager and the laid-back guitarist, falling in love right under everyone's noses? A secret romance is just the thing we need right now."

"And the timeline works,” Felix pointed out. “You've been with us for five years. Friends-to-lovers will play well. Forced proximity, maybe one bed in the bus." He wiggled his bushy eyebrows suggestively.

The bus hit a bump, and Faye winced, touching her bandaged forehead. I reached for her automatically, steadying her with a hand on her shoulder.

"You okay?"

She nodded, but I could see the pain in her eyes.

"Just need a minute." She sucked in a deep breath. “Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. Liz, pull up any pictures of Sam and I from the last five years that you can find. Post them on socials with an quip like, “Ringing in the new year” or some such shit. Include the wedding picture but get permission from the OG poster, first. Check if the chapel has any pictures as well, and go through our phones to see what else Sam and I might have recorded in our drunken state.” She barely paused for breath.

“I want you to tee-up a few choice quotes from the band about our close friendship. See if any of our family or friends—hell, even the label—are willing to congratulate us. Put out a press release saying how pleased we all are about the marriage, but frame it to focus on the next leg of the tour and note we’ll honeymoon later. We want to make it clear to the fans they come first. Hit up one of our trusted journalists and agree to an exclusive in a few days—a week, if possible. That’ll give us time to work out our stories, and for my head to heal. Address the rumour about my hospital stay directly—release the medical info, if required.”

I frowned. “You’re really going to allow them to print that you hurt your head on the edge of our bed?”

Faye shot me a look. “We’ll get Justice to gently fuel rumours that you’re a sex god and it occurred mid-coitus. So shut it.”

I zipped my lips, grinning.

“I’m not sure I consent to being used like this,” Justice said lightly.

Faye ignored him. “Next, I want you to?—”

The bus hit another bump, and Faye’s face drained of colour. She pressed a hand to her mouth, closing her eyes.

"That's enough for today," I announced, standing abruptly. "We can figure out the rest later."

"But—" Faye began.

"Nope. Doctor's orders were rest." I offered her my hand. "Come on. Liz can take care of the rest of this shit. Trust us, we’ve got this. It’s time for you to get some sleep."

She narrowed her eyes but took my hand. Quietly alarmed by her easy acquiesce, I helped her to her feet, pretending not to notice when she swayed slightly, leaning against me.

"We're not done discussing this," she warned as I guided her up the stairs and toward the back of the bus where the private bunks were located.

"Never thought we were," I replied, helping her climb into her bunk. I reached for her overnight bag, pulling out her silk bonnet – the dark purple one with little silver stars that Radley had gifted her for her birthday last year.

"Here," I said, handing it to her. "Can't have you waking up with your edges all messed up. Your mama would kill me."

That got a small laugh out of her. "Look at you, being all educated."

"I pay attention," I shrugged, watching as she carefully wrapped her braids. "Plus, your mom gave me a whole lecture about it when we were home last summer.”

"That sounds like her," Faye said softly, settling back against her pillows, already looking drowsy. "Sam?"

"Mm?"

"What if this ruins everything?"

I caught her hand before she could pull it away, giving her a gentle squeeze.

"Hey, look at me." I waited until she met my gaze, struck as always by how her eyes seemed to hold flecks of gold in certain lights. "Nothing's ruined. We're still us. Still The Wild Ones. Today you’re a little battered and bruised, but tomorrow you’ll be fighting fit, keeping us all in check while we drive you crazy.”

A small smile tugged at her lips. "You are pretty good at that last part."

"It's a gift." I grinned, then grew serious. "Get some rest, Faye. We'll figure it out tomorrow." I kissed her nose and turned to leave.

Her voice stopped me. "Sam?"

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