Page 73 of Fractured Rhythm

Chapter 17

Jamie:What happens when a drummer loses his sticks? His heart misses a beat.

Cassie:Maybe you should tame that mane and you would stop tangling sticks in your hair.

Jamie:For shame. All of my power is in my hair.

Cassie:You’re ridiculous.

Jamie:Miss you, Cas.

Cassie:Miss you, too.

CASSIE

Much to Bash’sfrustration, we did not christen the back bedroom. I couldn’t do it. Not with all the guys on board. But I had plans for our hotel room later. Nothing crazy. Just lots of sex and room service.

We were in Forest Creek, our hometown, for three days, with the show at Connors tonight, and then they would play at a bigger venue on Sunday. I might have been more nervous than the band. Except for my quick trip home for the funeral, I hadn’t been back here since I’d left for college seven years ago.

“You okay?” Bash asked as the cab turned down his parents’ street.

The bus had dropped us off at the hotel, and after checking in and dumping our luggage in our rooms—and reminding Bash that sex hair right now wasn’t happening—we’d piled into two cabs and headed for his parents’. Charlie, Jax, and Tristan were in the cab behind us.

“Yeah.” I took in a deep breath and gave him a smile. “It’s been a while since I’ve been home.”

“Shit. Did you want to swing by your old house? See your dad? We can do that if you want. Maybe tomorrow?” he asked, concern in his eyes.

I linked my fingers with his. “No. I haven’t—I haven’t talked to my dad in two years. We don’t really have anything to say to each other, and I want us to have fun. This weekend is about the band and your first show. I want to focus on that and spend time with the guys and your parents. And watch you be superhot on stage with your guitar.”

“I can definitely do all of those things, but if you change your mind, tell me,” he said, tugging me so I could rest my head on his chest.

His heartbeat was steady under my cheek, comforting and exactly what I needed. He was always attuned to my needs.

“I will,” I whispered against his chest, and his arm tightened around my shoulder as he feathered a kiss across the top of my head.

The cab pulled to a stop.

“We’re here,” he started and then laughed. “And it looks like Mom couldn’t wait to see you.”

“What?” I lifted my head to look out the car window. Jane Clark was standing on the front stoop of the modest colonial that I’d considered my second home, bouncing on her feet, her smile wide. For a minute I thought my heart would burst as warm memories flooded me. It stole my breath for a second, before I gathered myself, pushing back the tears that threatened to fall. Now was not the time for crying—even if it was in happiness.

“I think she’s more excited to see you than she is to see me,” he said.

I turned to look at him, catching the spark of pure joy in his eyes.

“Come on. Before she comes over here and opens the car door herself,” he said.

“I can’t believe you’re actually here, Cassie,” his mom said as soon as I opened my door.

She rushed down the walkway and pulled me into a hug. A mom hug. God, I’d missed the way she wrapped her slim arms around me and squeezed me tight. I couldn’t stop the tears that pricked my eyes as I sucked in a breath, linking my arms around her and returning the hug.

“Welcome home, Cassie. We’ve missed you so much,” she said softly. “It’s been way too long.”

I could only nod as I reined in my emotions. I hadn’t expected it to hit me this hard.

“Mom. Don’t smother her,” Bash said, his hand on the small of my back as if he knew that I needed his touch as well.

“Oh hush, Wolfie,” she said, and I couldn’t stop my watery chuckle.

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