Page 87 of When We Burn

“Leo,” Rem says, pointing to us, “this is my brother-in-law, Holden Lexington, and our very good friend, Bridger Blackwell.”

“Ah, I’ve heard about the fire chief,” Leo says with a laugh as he comes to shake our hands. “You gave our safety crew a run for their money.”

“Safety first,” I remind him with a grin, shaking his hand. “I’m glad we got it all worked out.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Holden adds.

“Daddy,” Birdie says, still a little shy, “can I go over with Holly and Daisy and Johnny?”

I glance over to where the Wild kids are hanging out together and set my girl down. “Sure, go have fun, baby girl.”

She runs off, and I scan the building, looking for Dani. When I find her, she’s with my sister and several of the Wild wives, along with her sisters, laughing with Sidney. She looks completely at home here, surrounded by her friends, and that sets me at ease.

“Hey, guys, I’m Keaton, Sid’s ball and chain.” The man who just joined us nods at each of us. “I’m going to hang out here, where there’s less estrogen.”

“Need a beer?” Leo asks him with a grin.

“No, I have to play tonight. Sid’s pulling me up on stage.”

“What do you play?” I ask him.

“Piano,” he replies. “I never should have shown her that I can play. Whenever I’m at a show, she makes me join her. I’m not a performer.”

“Sounds like you are now,” Holden says with a chuckle.

“Excuse me, guys.” Dani slips her hand into mine and presses herself against my side. “Can I steal my boyfriend, please?”

Fuck yes, you can have me any way you want me.

“You’re being summoned,” Keaton says, and with a nod, I follow Dani across the room.

“You don’t want to miss this,” she says, and she’s right, because Sidney has just approached the kids, and she’s squatting before them, hugging them and saying hello to all of them.

Sidney isn’t in her concert costume yet. She’s in leggings and a sweatshirt, but her makeup and hair are both done.

And my daughter has fucking stars in her eyes.

“Hi,” Birdie says quietly. “You’re my favorite.”

“I am?” Sidney smiles and opens her arms, inviting my daughter in for a hug.

Thank God Dani has the bandwidth to be taking a video with her phone right now.

“Thank you,” Sidney says and kisses Birdie’s head. “I am so happy that I came here to hang out with all of you. Are you excited for the show?”

All of them jump up and down, telling her how they can’t wait to hear Sidney sing, and it’s really the cutest thing.

“Do you guys want some photos?” Dani asks them.

“Yes!”

Sidney takes turns posing with each of the kids, and then with them as a group.

“I brought presents for all of you, and I hope you likethe show. And I also hope I get to see you the next time I’m in town. Maybe we can ride horses together or something.”

“You can ride our horses,” Johnny, Remington’s son, says with a nod. “Anytime you want.”

When Sidney stands, she turns to us.

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