Page 22 of Living on the Edge

“Opposites attract, my friend. Also, she’s aredhead, and we both know how stupid you get with redheads.”

Ugh.

He isn’t kidding.

Somehow, I have to find a way to keep things on an even keel with Ryleigh without letting my libido override my good sense.

Historically, that’s been a problem for me.

“Come on.” Tate nudges me. “I’ll protect you from the mean, nosy redhead.”

I laugh because it sounds good in theory, but in practice?

Who’s going to protect me from myself?

Chapter6

Ryleigh

So far,other than sparring with Angus any chance I get, the tour has been boring.

The only bright spot is that I’ve become friendly with Kirsten Aiken and Lexi Rousseau.

Kirsten is Sam’s girlfriend, but she’s also a star in her own right. At sixteen, she sang a duet with Kingston Knight and his band, Onyx Knight, who is the number one rock band in the world right now. The single went to number one, and history was made even though she stayed in high school and had something of a normal life.

I didn’t know Kirsten would be on the tour when I got the assignment, but she and Lexi are close, so I’ve been spending time with them. They’re both down-to-earth and a lot of fun, opening up to me like I’m just another one of their girlfriends instead of an embedded journalist.

Of course, there really hasn’t been anything for me to put in a story.

Kirsten and Sam are in love.

They waited until she was eighteen before they had sex, and he even took her to her prom. The story she told me is sweet and romantic—and incredibly intimate. I honestly don’t want to put any of it in an article. She knows I’m a journalist and she told me the story without any coaxing on my part, so she has to be aware I could use it. Apparently, she doesn’t care.

As for Lexi’s pregnancy, there doesn’t seem to be a story there either.

She’s due on Christmas Day and the plan is for her to stay with the band and on tour until it ends on Halloween. There are some special events in the works, like a November show at Madison Square Garden and something for New Year’s Eve, but Lexi doesn’t seem concerned. She’s going with the flow, and honestly, it’s hard to tell she’s pregnant. Her stomach is still pretty flat, she said she fits into most of her clothes, and aside from sleeping a bit more, she’s feeling great.

Based on my latest email exchange with Rich, he’s losing his patience with me. I’m not sure what he expected me to find after a week, and I can’t just make something up. Apparently, he thinks I should pull something out of my ass.

Beyond great music, there simply hasn’t been anything to report.

Other than the fact that Angus seems to have a problem with me being here.

I’m pretty sure there’s no actual story in that, though.

He just doesn’t trust journalists, and I guess I can’t blame him. I accused him of selling out, which rubbed him the wrong way. I get it. But I have a job to do.

I’m sitting on the bed of my hotel room, staring at a blank email to Rich, trying to figure out how to update him. He wants me to leave the tour on Saturday, which is when we get to Minneapolis. And for some reason, I’m not ready to go.

Despite the fact that Angus and I butt heads, the guys in Crimson Edge are nice. The crew is polite. Nobody’s Fool is amazing, talented, and very generous with both their time and money. They feed all of us every couple of days, Lexi isn’t like any other rockstar I’ve ever hung out with, and all their significant others are fun and easygoing.

The least reportable rock and roll tour ever.

I’m still staring at the screen when my phone buzzes and a text from Lexi pops up.

LEXI: Hey, do you have a few minutes? I want to talk to you about something.

RYLEIGH: Sure. You want to talk on the phone or should I come up to your room?