Page 87 of Country Music Cowboy
It didn’t make it any easier to look his sisters in the eye. Or Jace, for that matter. The only reason he’d managed to set aside his frustration with Sawyer was because of Loretta. Sawyer was adamant he wanted to help. He had the connections and the know-how to find all the information his mother had tracked down for later use. If Travis tried to go it alone, who knew how long it would have taken him. It didn’t mean they were good—he’d even said as much to Sawyer—but their common goal put all the rest on hold. For now.
He sang his heart out and made damn sure his fans were getting their money’s worth. This was why he was here. They put him there. And this was his way of thanking them. All five of them were on tonight, bringing up the energy level until the roar of the audience was constant and booming. They took turns, alternating lines, until they got to the end.
The big finish never failed to impress. Strobe lights and confetti cannons coordinated for a literal explosion of sound and color. They grabbed hands and took a bow. Then another. The noise level of the crowd was ear-splitting—exactly how he wanted to leave their audience.
A stage assistant was waiting with water bottles for them all. “You guys were amazing. Now hydrate.”
Travis grabbed a water bottle when Sawyer caught his eye.
Sawyer didn’t look happy. That’s what that tension around the eyes meant… Their father looked the same way when he was grappling with something unpleasant.
Travis shoved that little revelation aside as he reached Sawyer. “What?”
“Her father.” Sawyer shook his head. “He gaveTNMone hell of an exclusive.”
“Fuck.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Bad?”
“You could say that.” Sawyer’s jaw muscle flexed.
“Wheelhouse is aware?” he asked, noting the uptick in Sawyer’s overall tension. “Damage control?”
“Your father wants us to call from the bus,” Sawyer said, “after the meet and greet. I’ll tell Emmy Lou and Krystal. Get them on the Kings Coach II.”
“We’ll be there.” Travis saw a flash of peacock from the corner of his eye. Loretta, heading for her dressing room. He jogged after her. If he couldn’t be the one to tell her, he’d sure as hell be there when she found out.
He caught up with her about the time she was answering her phone.
“Hey, Margot. Yes, just finished.” Loretta said, smiling up at him. “I think it went well.” She paused. “Sure.” She kept walking, but her steps got slower and slower. “When?” She glanced at him then. “It’s out there?”
He nodded.
Her eyes closed. “Dammit.” Another pause. “I’m so sorry, Margot. I should have known. I should have known…” She shook her head. “Right. Of course…Hank? Now?”
“Sawyer will get someone to take care of your stuff,” Travis murmured.
Loretta nodded, her attention split between what he was saying and whatever Margot was telling her. Whatever it was, it didn’t look good. They reached her dressing room and Loretta was red-faced and shaking.
“I know. I know.” She sucked in a deep breath. “I’ll call you in a bit. I am sorry, Margot.” Carefully, she set her phone down on the counter.
“Loretta.” He stepped forward, ready and willing to be what she needed.
“Travis.” She held up her hand. “I can’t do this right now.” She swallowed, her hands gripping the edge of the makeup counter.
He didn’t argue. He didn’t say a thing. He didn’t know what to say. “I’m here.”
She glanced at him. “I’m fine.”
“I know. You’re fine. You’re strong.” He shoved his hands into his pockets so he wouldn’t reach for her. “But you don’t have to be.”
She stared at her phone for a long time. A very long time. “Travis. I apologize if I gave off the wrong impression.” She cleared her throat once, then again. “I like having sex with you. I like it a lot. But that’s all this is. And, honestly, I thought we’d moved on until…well, earlier. I think it’s best if we just don’t do this.” She swallowed. “I know it’s best.” Her knuckles were white. “I can’t worry about you. This is my career. My life. It’sallI have. I know that sounds harsh but, I can’t be responsible for…you.”
As far as words went, these were fucking brutal. “Why the hell would I want that?” This was how she felt?
“Okay.” She nodded. “Good.”
“Sure,” he ground out, hating how this felt. “No problem.” He shrugged. “Sex only. Done. Moving on.”
Her gaze narrowed. “Then let’s just forget about earlier so I can focus on whatever backlash my father has caused.” She looked at him then—the way she’d looked at him that first day. With contempt and impatience. “Because that’s what really matters right now, don’t you think? Not getting laid?”
