Page 99 of Need You Now

Luke gives a wild hoot.

Seth grins at his brother. “I think we got it, don’t you?”

Leaning back in his chair, Luke stretches his long legs out. “Now all we gotta do is record it.”

Seth roves his tired eyes around the scribbled notes and lyrics. The scattered beer cans and instruments. Balancing his fiddle on his knee, he laughs. “Nothin’ like makin’ it a workin’ vacation.”

“Yeah, Emmy Lou’s thrilled,” Jace says dryly.

A look from Luke. “Everything okay with Em?”

Jace’s face fills with longing at the mention of his wife. “Better than.” He hesitates on saying more, then settles for a sip of his beer. “We really needed this, is all. We’re finally gettin’ back to it. Back to us.”

Luke raises his beer. “Good, man, I’m glad to hear it.”

Jace stands, his phone in his hands. “I’m gonna get. Me and Em are tryin’ to get some alone time in before we head out tonight.”

Luke nods. “Good idea.”

Silence falls as Jace makes his way out of the room.

“I’m glad they’re doin’ better,” Luke says, his gaze on the door Jace’s just exited.

“Yeah,” Seth agrees. Jace and Emmy Lou had been in a tough place after his gambling had almost lost them their farm and horse sanctuary. “Good for them.” He gestures at the notepads scribbled with songs. “And good for fuckin’ us.”

With a tired groan, Luke stands, drumming his hands on the table. He’s hesitating, wanting to say something, but worried about how to say it.

Seth sighs, shooting him a look. “I ain’t plannin’ on leavin’ the band, Luke. If that’s what you’re wonderin’.”

Luke looks surprised but relieved. “What changed?”

“I worked out whatever I had goin’ on in California.”

Luke nods slowly. “I’m glad, Seth. Playin’ without you has been some real bullshit.”

Seth laughs, his nerves untensing at his brother’s words. “Damn straight.”

Luke’s dark eyes land on Seth’s notepad. “It’s a hell of a song.”

“Thanks.” His grin is a beam. Luke’s approval means everything. He still feels like that same young kid playing on the front porch, his big brother beside him, telling him he had never seen someone like Seth on the fiddle.

Luke pauses. Then—

“It about Lacey?”

The question lands between them like a bomb.

Seth blinks at his brother, stunned. Caught. He should have known better than to think he could hide it from Luke. They’ve been in tune since they were kids—this ain’t anything different. Seth blows out a breath. “You know?”

Luke chuckles. “Oh yeah. Lacey would have put a lot more power into that slap.”

“Shit.” Seth runs a hand through his hair, worried. “Sal?”

“Not her. She’s too busy worryin’ about Lacey, the baby, wantin’ everyone to have fun.” He angles his head, his dark eyes on Seth. “How long?”

“The last three years.”

Luke’s eyes widen.

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