Page 81 of The Comeback Tour

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CAILIN

Jax is stripping out of his sweat-soaked clothes and changing into a fresh outfit for the wrap party. His body is shimmering under the low lights of the bus. Those abs are mine. Those illustrated arms are mine. Those toned legs? All mine. I didn’t think I’d ever be back on this bus or that Jax and I would reunite. In just a few weeks of being on tour with Jax, I survived a bus crash, fell in love, proved myself in a new career, got my heart broken, quit that new career, adopted a dog, and found myself being serenaded on stage by the love of my life. I can’t imagine what’s coming my way next, but with Jax by my side—and I mean that because I’m not letting anything come between us anymore—I know I can conquer it all.

Jax catches my gaze as he zips his pants and asks, “What’s on your mind?”

“Just thinking of everything we’ve been through and how lucky I am to be your girlfriend.”

He comes over to me and places his hands on my waist. “I’m the lucky one. I have a gorgeous, hard-working woman who may be a little hard-headed at times, but fights for what she believes in. And I’m just happy that you fought for me and came back here tonight. Now, let’s get out of here before I take both our clothes off.”

At the party, Hayley runs over as soon as she sees me. “I am so happy to see you back. I missed you. I’ve needed our girl talks. You need to fill me in on everything.” We head to a private booth so we can talk candidly. I fill her in on everything that happened with Jax.

“I really wanted to reach out to you, but Harry told us that Jax asked that no one contact you.”

“Don’t even sweat it. I was so upset, I probably would have blocked your calls too, just so I wouldn’t have a reminder of Jax.”

“I don’t blame you. I’ve actually been having some romantic problems of my own.”

“Uh oh. No newlywed bliss?” I feared this would happen, but I didn’t expect it so soon.

“I think I made a mistake marrying Jayce spur of the moment. I got caught up in the excitement, but I think it would have been smarter to sit with the engagement for a little before making that final commitment.”

“Is he feeling the same?”

“He’s content with his life. But as tour began to wind down and we started to talk about our next steps, we’re just not aligning again. I think I want to end things tonight, go back home alone, and spend some time working on myself and my own goals.”

“I know that’s not an easy thing to do, but I think that’s a great idea. I know you’ve been struggling with this for a while and I can tell you’re not as happy as when we first met. I’m here for you and I support you.”

“I appreciate that. It just hurts ending a relationship that I invested years of my life in, ya know? But I know it’s time.”

“Believe me, I know. But if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that people come into our lives for a reason. It’s not always meant to be forever. Sometimes it’s just to teach us a lesson. Or to fill chapters of our story. But you should never settle.”

Hayley hugs me. “Thanks for your support.”

“Speaking of support,” I have a great idea. “I’m going to add you to this online support group for young divorced women, called Trash the Dress. It’s really helped me to find a community of women who understand in ways no one else can relate.”

“That sounds amazing! Please do.”

Just then, Jayce and Chris wander over and crash our booth. Hayley asks Jayce if they can go outside for some air. I give her a “see you later” hug because I know we’ll stay friends. But I have a feeling that her night out is going to end after her conversation with Jayce.

I excuse myself from Chris and some other crew members who have now gathered around and look for Jax. When I find him, I sneak up and rest my head on his shoulder. I plan on standing behind him in everything that he does moving forward.

Trash the Dress Online Chat

Cailin:I never thought that my teenage dreams would ever come true, or that any of these experiences would come my way. It took mistakes, loss, falling down, and dancing in the dirt, for me tostart living the life I was meant to lead. Without my divorce, none of this would have happened. I would not have found my soul-mates (Jax and Hope). And even more importantly, I would not have met all of you—the sisterhood of divorcees that I know will be with me every step of this journey happily, even after.

45

JAX SLATER DISCOVERS CAILIN MCCALL HAS A SECRET

JAX

Although we wereall on the same tour, everyone on my crew had a different experience. During my conversations with everyone at the wrap party, I learned that each person got out as much as they put into their time on the road. Chris took advantage of every pub in the area, eager to try the local homebrew beers. I didn’t know he’s thinking of starting his own business and used his travel with me to do research. Manny took a cue from my old playbook and hooked up with different girls in each city, wooing them with backstage passes. Jayce and Hayley got married, for crying out loud. Harry found a new band performing at a pub and wants to sign them to his management company. Others laid low and worked hard to ensure that things went off without a hitch for me, and I’m lucky to have them on my team.

By the time I say goodbye to everyone, it’s after midnight and I’m beat. My plan was to go back to my hotel and catch an early morning flight back to LA. But I don’t want to leave Cailin and I know she’s not prepared to jet off in a few hours without notice.

“You did it.” Cailin stands on her tiptoes and touches her lips to my forehead. I may have to physically look down on her, but I look up to her in a lot of ways too.

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