Page 48 of Willow

Lucas works the stage like a boss, involving the crowd with his signature moves, banter, and downright sex appeal. The light show is phenomenal but without every single one of them doing their part, it wouldn’t work. I’m so damn proud of them, and if it means I need to blow my cover, so be it. They deserve to know how good they are from a business point of view.The Sinful Seventruly deserve all the fame and fortune that goes with the territory. What they do on a nightly basis is fucking exhausting.

When they come out for their last encore, I use that as my cue to leave.

On the drive home, I contemplate my next move. Especially since this last one blew up in my face. I know without a doubt she fell in love with Cadence. I saw her face and she’s not that good of an actress. She tried hiding her reaction, but she failed miserably. All I need to do is keep it real and see what happens next.

It’s after midnight when I pull into the garage. Shutting off the ignition, I just sit in here with my thoughts. Mom’s inside with Cadence and I know they’re both sound asleep. I checked the camera’s before I left the venue. There’s no reason to rush inside just yet. Grabbing my phone, I scroll through some of the pics I took tonight. Yeah, I was one of those crazy fans who wanted some memories. Not of the band, but of the sexy girl off the center stage. I’m smiling as I stare at her beautiful face when my phone pings. A text message.

Willow:Just wanted to thank you again for the gift.

Me:You’re welcome.

I start another text, then delete it. Start another, then delete that one. Everything I write is trivial after what happened tonight. It’s best if I keep it simple just like she did.

Now I’m in a fucked-up mood so I climb out of the car and head inside. It’s been a long-ass day and with minimal sleep last night, it’s hitting me hard. Walking up the stairs is a pain in my ass, and when I walk inside of my bedroom, I kick off my shoes and land on my bed. And I wake up in that same position six hours later. Fully clothed.

Before taking a shower, I go check on Cadence. She’s still fast asleep so I turn around and head into the bathroom. I feel like death, so I shave, brush my teeth, and set the shower. I slept like the dead. I must have been exhausted.

I dry off after stepping out of the shower and throw on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. I’m working from home so it’s not necessary to dress up. Grabbing my phone, I head into the kitchen to make some coffee. While it’s brewing I check my messages, emails, and social media.

Imagine my surprise when Willow and douchebag Ezra made the front page of theEntertainer. Holding hands and looking a little too intimate for my taste. Maybe I shouldn’t be suspicious, but I can’t help it. It’s something that is constantly on my mind, and it drives me insane. Obviously, I’m missing her way more than she’s missing me.

I have a trick up my sleeve that I plan on implementing within the next few weeks. Giving her little time in between. I’ll wait until their travel day so there won’t be any concerts for a few days. I need to plan it just right, and if she answers, well, I hope for the best. It could backfire in my face just like the last time, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take. No guts, no glory.

30

WILLOW

It’s beena fewweeks since Caleb gave me the locket. I stayed true to my word and I haven’t opened it again. I want to, but I know if I do, this euphoric feeling will begin again. I’m not ready for that kind of commitment.

Meanwhile, I’ve been hanging out with Ezra, a lot. He’s lots of fun and the paparazzi have been following us from city to city. There are all kinds of rumors going around about us being a couple, and no matter how much we deny them, they don’t let up. I know they’re just doing their job for the gossip rags, but my mom even called to find out if it were true. She seemed pleased until I told her we are just friends. I let her go on thinking that Caleb and I are still together.

Speaking of Caleb, I’m sure he’s seen my face splashed all over the tabloids. It wasn’t my intention to hurt him, and I was going to explain, but then I thought if I did, it would give him hope. It might be easier for him to move on if he thinks I’m with someone else. Not my proudest moment.

Now I’m looking forward to having two days off since it’s our travel day. I’m not sure if I’m the only one, but I love these days. It gives me a chance to unwind and relax a little before we have another grueling six weeks of touring. In two more weeks, we’ll be done with theResilienttour and moving on to theCoins for Changecharity concerts. Last year that extra month was exhausting, but we made so much money for Jet’s charity that it was so worth it. They predict we’ll double that this year. Somedays I still pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.

I’m in the middle of packing when I receive an incoming call. That’s weird. It’s a Zoom call and the only time we use that is when we have a meeting with Caleb. Did I miss a memo about a meeting? As much as I’d like to ignore the call, I better take it just in case it’s an emergency.

I swipe on the video icon and enter the meeting. My breath catches when he pops up on the screen. God, I miss him.

“Hey, Willow.” It’s good to hear his voice. “I tried sending a group text, but for whatever reason, it wouldn’t go through. I wanted to let all of you know that the jet’s going to be late picking you up. I was hoping to catch you before you left for the airport. Harry will be there at four o’clock instead of two o’clock. Could you pass on the message for me, please?”

I nod at my screen. “Hi, Caleb. Sure, no problem. I’ll try sending them a group text on my end right now.”

I start writing a quick message for the gang, and before I hit send, I hear a squeaky little voice. “Who dat, daddy?” I freeze because I know it has to be a little redheaded girl. I want to look, so, so bad, but do I dare?

“That’s Willow,” I hear Caleb reply. “She plays the piano, too.”

Oh, Christ on a cracker. I can’t ignore her, can I? Mustering up enough courage, I look up just in time to see her clambering for Caleb to pick her up. When he sits her on his lap, beautiful blue eyes stare back at me through my screen.

“Me love piano,” she informs me and claps her hands and giggles, well, I’m in love. Just like that, and that bastard knew it. I hate you so much, Caleb Morris.

“Hi, Cadence. Maybe we can play the piano together sometime.” And just like that, I made her a promise. Damn you, Boss Man!

Full of excitement, Cadence’s chubby little hands are steepled in the form of a prayer. Begging her daddy for a play date. “Daddy. Pease. Oh, Pease.” If this was planned and plotted, he looks pained. Like he’s afraid to commit.

“That’s up to Willow, love. She won’t be home for another month or so. That’s a long time to wait.”

Cadence nods. “Me, wait.” She turns and stares straight at the screen and smiles. “Okay, ‘Low?”

---