Page 6 of Willow

“Hey, isn’t it pathetic that I’m looking forward to jamming with the band today?” I throw my stuff in the back seat as I buckle up.

“Right? I was thinking the same thing. We’ve been pissing and moaning for weeks wanting time off and when we get it, we’re bored out of our fucking minds!” God, I love my cousin. Trevor’s like my brother, he just gets me.

“I guess you could say we want our cake and eat it too.”

“In all seriousness, how are you doing, Willow? I worry about you a shit ton when your home all alone. It must be weird being in your house when it’s so quiet.”

He has no idea, and after my meltdowns, I’m not going there. “I’m good. Really. Excited to get back on the road and do what we do best. I guess I’ve been bitten by the tour bug and now I’m itching to get back in the game.”

“Yeah, it’s going to be one helluva week. We’ll be going into the studio tomorrow, rehearsal dinner on Friday, and then Lucas and Abby’s wedding on Saturday. They’ll be back from their honeymoon sooner than you think, and then we’ll be on tour a few days later. I don’t know about you, but I’m pumped that our first concert’s in Boston.” I’m annoyed when he suddenly gives me the stink eye before stating, “Did you forget we’re going to Caleb’s office later to go over the tour schedule?”

Apparently I did, otherwise I wouldn’t have worn my yoga pants and a t-shirt. Why the hell didn’t he remind me when he picked me up? It’s no big deal. I’m comfortable and I sure as hell don’t need to impress Caleb or anyone else. They’ve all seen me at rock bottom, and it doesn’t get any lower than that.

“Looks like everyone’s already here. Sorry you had to come pick me up. Mom needed the car for work and all.” I don’t bother to tell him that I didn’t want to ask Jet or Lucas for a ride. I’m sure if I had called Abby, she would have had Lucas stop by. In the end, I knew Trevor wouldn’t mind.

Everyone’s talking all at once when we open the door. I turn around and look at Trevor and we’re both smiling like a bunch of idiots. This is our sanctuary and all our friends are here.

“Look what the cat dragged in.” Lucas ruffles my hair like I’m ten and then pulls me in for a big hug. Then he whispers in my ear, “You holding up, kid?” I shake my head because if I speak, I might cry.

“Girl, I’ve missed you so much. Where you been hiding?” Abby’s next to give me a squeeze, and then Quinn and Jet follow suit. I feel horrible that I’ve been hiding from all of them, but this week has been difficult at best. Sometimes, I want to bask in my misery all by myself.

“Just hanging around and finishing up a few things. Are you guys stoked about going out on the road again?” Everyone gives a resounding “hell yeah” with the exception of Mrs. C. My aunt—Trevor’s mom—loves having us home.

“This house is going to be so damn empty with all of you gone. And how the hell am I going to start cooking only for one again?” Trevor sweeps her up in a warm embrace. He has a surprise for her.

“You won’t need to cook or clean or putter around this empty old house for at least a month.” She stares at him quizzically, like he’s lost his mind, when Lucas hands him the tickets. “Mom, we wanted to do something special for you and Carol, so we’re sending you to Ireland for a month!”

It still hasn’t dawned on her, what she’s holding in her hand. Two first-class tickets to Ireland for thirty days, all expenses paid. She’s as Irish as they come, and she’s always wanted to go back but her health stopped her. Not anymore.

“What? Are you serious? Oh my god, Carol isn’t going to believe this. Thank you all so much, this is too good to be true!” She spends the next ten minutes kissing and hugging all of us.

While we’re filling our plates with all of her delicious food, she calls her friend, Carol. She was already in on our secret and does a great job pretending like she had no idea. Once she finishes her phone call, she joins us for lunch. This might be the last time the whole gang’s together for a long time. So, for the next few hours, we laugh, stuff our faces, and everything is right with the world.

* * *

CALEB

It’s alwaysdifficultgetting back into working mode when Monday rolls around. Especially this one, since I need to go into the office instead of working from home. My only consolation is I’m doing it forThe Sinful Seven.Not going to lie, I’m excited about seeing Willow again. I’m curious to see if she mentions anything about the inscription on the bracelet I gifted her. But before that happens, I need to finish up some things I’ve been working on for quite some time.

Instead of pressing the button on the office line, I push back my chair and walk to the door. There’s something that grates on my nerves about not using one’s body to do the most important tasks. If I needed my secretary and there were clients in here, then I’d press the button. Otherwise, I’m capable of getting off my ass and asking her to come in myself.

Poking my head out the door, I beckon, “Shirley could you bring me theLaid Barefile.” I snicker when she looks at the phone like it’s broken. “It’s working, I just needed the exercise.”

“Of course, let me grab it.” I head back into my office and leave the door open. Sitting down, I flip through my emails until she arrives. “Here you go. Is there anything else you need?”

“No, that’s it for now. Thank you.” With a curt nod she sees herself out. Shirley’s filling in for Grace while she’s on maternity leave and thank fuck it’s almost over. Shirley’s a nice enough woman, but Grace and I have worked together for seven years. She’s my right arm and I miss her tremendously.

The folder is soon forgotten as I get lost in a ton of emails that came in over the weekend. I refuse to open my business ones over the weekend since it’s my time to spend with Cadence and my mom. I can’t help smiling just thinking of them both. They have me wrapped around their little fingers and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for them.

Which reminds me, I haven’t checked on my girl all morning. Switching programs, I pop up the camera to my house and search the rooms one-by-one. Ah, there she is sitting in the middle of her bedroom floor, playing with her dolls. Cadence is such an independent child. While other three-year-olds demand your full attention, she’s contented playing by herself. There was a time when my heart ached at the thought of her being an only child. Not anymore. She’s an old soul who loves her own company, and that’s huge for someone with her condition.

I turn off the camera when I see Anna sitting in the corner chaise, reading a book. She knows better than to leave Cadence alone in her room. Sometimes I flip my microphone on so I can talk to my girl. Cadence squeals with glee when I do, Anna not so much. I think she hates the fact that I have eyes in the sky and can check on them anytime I want. Well, too damn bad for her. If my ex, her daughter, ever shows up at my home and attempts to see Cadence and she grants permission, it will be the last time she ever takes care of her granddaughter again.

Pushing that thought aside, I grab the folder that’s been sitting on my desk for a few hours now.Laid Barewas the opening act onThe Sinful Seven’slast tour. They’d been on my radar long before then and I’d love to sign them toMorris Music.The board seems to think it would be great PR to do so beforeThe Sinful Sevengoes back on the road. There’s only one thing standing in my way. They were scheduled to be the opening act forWicked Immortalnext year and I need to get my hands on their contract. It might be tricky, but if anyone can pull it off, that would be me.

I’d like to signLaid Bareon and host another Battle of the Bands, like I did withThe Sinful Seven.Marketing and being on the lookout for new and upcoming bands is something I used to be adamant about. Always wanting to stay one step ahead of my competition. I hate to admit that it’s something I’ve neglected for far too long. Ever since Cadence came around. I just hate the thought of leaving her for a few days to pull it all off. I refuse to bring her along! Right now, she’s in a controlled environment where I can protect her to the best of my ability. I wouldn’t be able to do that in a hotel room, where thousands of strangers come and go on a daily basis. My business is very important to me, but my daughter takes precedence any day of the week.

I’m deep in thought when my office phone buzzes. Shirley’s going to be the death of me yet. Pressing the button, I answer in a curt tone, “What is it?”

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