Page 66 of Living on the Edge

Ryleigh looksembarrassed for Kirsten to find me in her room, and I’m not sure how to feel about that. On one hand, it’s pretty innocent. Despite our history, absolutely nothing happened last night. I took care of her and felt like it was important to stay with her in case she needed anything.

On the other hand, I understand she has a professional reputation to uphold, and she doesn’t need people to know she slept with someone in the band. This is her first assignment, and it’s a lot more important than I realized.

Obviously, I know there are many people in the US without health insurance.

But other than the guys in the band—and we have a specific reason for not getting regular jobs—I never knew anyone personally before.

Hart Records provides health insurance for us now, even though I don’t need it, and I hate that Ryleigh had to suffer because she was worried about the expense of getting medical attention.

And my family is one of the companies responsible for the overall state of the healthcare industry.

I don’t have time to ruminate over it for too long, since Kirsten has arrived with breakfast, and I desperately need a shower.

“I’m going to get a shower,” I tell Kirsten. “But you can tell the bus to leave without us.”

“What?” Ryleigh looks at me in confusion.

“You’re still weak. You don’t need to be on a bus all day, lugging around luggage and shit. We’re going to stay here another two days, since we don’t have another show until Friday. On Friday morning, we’ll hit the road and meet up with everyone in Nashville.”

“But—” Ryleigh starts to protest, but I cut her off firmly.

“We’re staying. You need to recuperate. I’m not arguing with you about this.” I turn and leave the room before she can respond but I hear her sputtering indignantly.

It’s kind of funny but it’s the right thing to do.

I also know she likes it when I boss her around. Maybe not on a regular basis, but when she’s vulnerable? Absolutely.

And if I’m honest, I could use a couple of days away from the band.

I hate saying that, or even thinking it, but it’s the truth.

Just a few days to relax. Read.Breathe.

Step out of the shit show of my life.

And spend it with a pretty girl I kind of like.

She needs a little TLC and, although my needs are completely different, so do I.

If I can spoil her while she’s not feeling great, it might make up for what a jerk I was.

I’m feeling good about my plan, and I’ve just gotten out of the shower when there’s a knock on my door.

“Hey.” Tate comes walking in. “Are you seriously going to stay behind? With Ryleigh?”

I nod. “Yeah. Why?”

He frowns. “You’ve seen her naked before last night.”

I don’t respond.

Lying doesn’t seem to do well for me, but I feel strongly about protecting Ryleigh’s reputation.

“Dude, seriously?” He reads a lot into my silence.

“Look, she has a lot at stake. If we talk about this, it has to stay between us. This isn’t business—this is personal.”

“There’s something going on between you?” He looks shocked. “Beyond sex?”

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