Page 53 of Something to Believe In
Mitch turned to speak with Jami, and she moved behind the bar to get a bottle of water. Axel started toward her, and she tensed up. She couldn't have the conversation they needed to have here.
Jami called out. "Axel, do you have a minute?"
He stopped and turned. "Sure."
He walked away from her and toward Jami without a backward glance in her direction. She opened her bottle of water and took a long drink. Livia sauntered toward her, a soft smile on her face.
"Hey, are you alright? I heard what's been happening. It has got to be a lot to deal with."
Licking her lips, she set her bottle of water on the bar and turned to get Livia one. She handed it across the bar and felt tears fall from her eyes. "Oh, Livia. My mind is so messed up, and I don't know what to do."
"Wanna talk it out?"
Chapter Thirty-One
Axel finished showing Zeke how to pack up his drums in their cases and stack them in the trailer. Zeke was young and excited about the job. He appeared to learn quickly and moved with care and ease. He was perfect.
Livia and Maddyn were talking at the bar. His heart was so heavy right now. He felt like he and Maddyn were on the precipice of something that would either make or break them. She seemed fragile, so he decided he'd not pester her further about moving in. Clearly, she was in a place in her mind where she needed the space. His excitement at finally being with her made him overlook her feelings. Shame on him. Wasn't that what being in a relationship was about? Thinking about the other person's feelings and making them feel safe and secure in life? Of course, it was. Only a week into their relationship as a couple, and he'd forgotten that rule.
Deciding to let them talk for however long they needed to, he stepped outside where the guys were chatting about nothing in particular. It was a beautiful day, and they had a lot to look forward to. Tonight was a big night for them.
Jami looked his way when he stepped outside and nodded. He nodded in return and stood among his friends to shoot the shit and get to know Zeke. Carlene was nowhere to be found, and all band members were here, so she must have left.
Tony looked inside the trailer one last time and nodded his approval. "Okay, Zeke. It looks great. We'll be heading to Tampa individually. You need to get there early, so I'll follow you to help you get everything set up ahead of time. Let's be there by three. The rest of the group will begin showing up by four. They can look everything over and make any adjustments necessary."
Zeke nodded. His smile was contagious, and his excitement crept into everyone. He needed that right now. This week turned his life and Maddyn's upside down. His emotions were far from level.
Jami turned to him and quietly said, "Everything okay?"
"Yeah. We'll be fine, Jami. Maddyn is shaken. Lacey has been a giant pain in the ass just when we began our relationship as a couple. It's just too much. But we're going to go home now and take a nap. Rest will help both of us settle in. Mitch is on high alert. Everyone knows about us, so we aren't keeping secrets. Once Lacey is out of the way, we'll be golden."
Jami patted his back. "That sounds great. Go get some rest. I'll see you both at four."
"You've got it."
He moved toward the barn door and stepped inside. Tony was talking to Livia and Mads, so he moved toward them.
Maddyn's eyes stared into his. She watched him move toward them slowly.
Tony turned and smiled at him. "Hey, there. Come and join us."
He crept toward the bar and sat on a stool. Maddyn asked, "Do you want something to drink?"
"No. I'm ready to head home and take a nap."
She nodded. "Me too."
Tony's hand rested on Livia's shoulder. "We're going to do the same. Big night tonight." He pulled two lanyards with cards at the end from his back pocket. "Here are your credentials to get in the back door of the stadium."
"Thanks, Tony." He stared at his name under Hart & The Hurricanes for a few moments. His stomach flipped as excitement ran through his body.
Livia stood, and Maddyn tossed her empty water bottle in the recycle bin. She rounded the end of the bar and stopped in front of him. He nodded and stood, and together they walked toward the door. He reached down and took her hand. She squeezed his. It lightened the load on his heart.
The drive home was quiet as he was unsure what to say. As they pulled into the garage, he got out as soon as the door was closed and hurried around to open her door. He held his hand out to help her out of the SUV. His stomach fluttered when she took his hand in hers.
After they entered the house, she stopped in the kitchen and stared at him. "Should we take a bit of time and talk before we take our nap?"
"I think we'll both rest better if we do."
