Page 98 of Under the Ink

But there was something else.

“What if it’s helping her work through things?”

“Okay, I understand—but do you guys have a safe word? For when it gets to be too much?”

“Honestly, man…I don’t think she even realizes what she’s doing.”

The expression on Johnny’s face changed, growing more serious. “Does she need…psychological help?”

“Yeah, she does. And we’ve talked about it. I’m trying to talk her into finding someone—but you know she won’t go until she’s convinced she needs it.”

“You’re right there.”

Sage finally took a bite of his burrito, pondering if he should say anything else. By the time he swallowed, he’d decided he would—because, thus far, he had no solution. “She also has nightmares. But I think that might be normal for her.”

“It sounds like she has a lot of things to work out.”

“Yeah, she does. And it wouldn’t concern me—because she’s obviously a survivor and really good at it—but it seems to be getting worse.”

So what can I do to help? What do you need from me? Are you wanting to help her while she’s still on tour with us or—”

“Well, yeah, kind of. I, um…I think I’m in love with her.” Jesus…that was a bald-faced lie—because heknewhe was in love with her…and he had no fucking idea what to do about it. “So I definitely want to help her, but I’m not sure how.”

“You want my advice?”

“Yeah. I do.”

“Be there for her. When she’s ready, she’ll do what she needs to. Let her know you’re there for her—and also be honest with her. If you’re afraid you’re gonna lose a fucking tooth or a finger, talk to her about it. You won’t be any help to her if you’re incapacitated.”

Johnny wasn’t telling Sage anything he hadn’t said to himself—but, somehow, it was comforting to hear it from the older guy who’d been through a lot and seen way more than Sage had. “Thanks.”

“Yeah. I don’t know that I did much.”

“You did plenty.” And now Sage had an appetite for his gigantic burrito—but the universe wasn’t about to cooperate.

Even over the noisy atmosphere, there was no missing the screams coming from several young women standing in line close to where the two men sat. “Oh, my god! It’s J.C. Gibson! We have tickets to the concert tonight!”

“You’re, like, my favorite!”

Another girl screamed again like Johnny was fucking Elvis gyrating on stage in front of her.

And they all gave up their place in line, following the first woman. She’d already fetched a small notebook and pen out of her purse, making a beeline for Johnny. Sage watched in real time, realizing they wouldn’t get out of here anytime soon—so he took another bite of his burrito, knowing it would be his last for a while.

The remainder of people in the restaurant fell into two camps—some people who looked over from the line with confused expressions, realizing there was a celebrity in here, but no one they knew, and other people who knew exactly who they were.

Several of them were coming to the concert later.

And the people who lined up behind the first woman wanted their autographs—not just Johnny’s but Sage’s too, even though he hadn’t been as instantly recognizable as Shock Treatment’s frontman.

Just a few months earlier, he would have been getting the numbers of some of these women so he could hook up with them after the show.

That, if nothing else, was proof to Sage that he was as deep in love as he could have ever imagined. If only he could help the woman who was the object of his affection.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

AUGUST 28

The Golden State was a definite possibility on Naomi’s list for a permanent home. While Los Angeles had left a lot to be desired, all the other places they’d visited in California over the past few days had made her realize just how beautiful it was here. Not too hot, not too humid, and lots of sunshine. The ocean was breathtaking with mountains just off in the distance.

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