“Hello,” I mumble into the phone. I have no idea what time it is, but it’s still dark outside.
“Stace? Hey, it’s Logan.”
“Is everything all right?” I sit up in bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
“Yes. Hey, listen, we’re about to board our flight home, and I wanted to see if you could meet us at the house.”
Squinting, I look at the clock and see that it’s five forty-five in the morning. What the hell? “You couldn’t have waited until you landed? Or sent a text maybe?” I grumble.
“Possibly, but I want you to be there when we get there. I have news,” she chirps.
“Logan, I already know Kace knocked you up, and I don’t need all the sexed-up details of your honeymoon. You’re a married woman now.”
Her infectious laugh reaches my ears through the phone line. “Shut it. Kacen and I want to talk to you about something. I’m super excited about it, and I need you to be at our place when we get there. Can you do that, Miss Moody?” she taunts.
“Moody? Really, Logan? I was sleeping!”
“Fine, I know. I’m sorry, I’m just really excited. Go back to sleep. We’ll be home around five. I can’t wait to see you.”
Just like that, the line goes dead. How am I supposed to go back to sleep now that my mind is reeling from her “we want to talk to you” confession. UGH! I throw the covers over my head and try to clear my mind, but it’s no use. Instead, I climb my tired ass out of bed and decide to go for an early-morning run.
I’ve kept a lot to myself this week. I’ve been searching for jobs online, since mine is . . . not what I originally thought. Being a drug rep sounded fun. I thought I would get to use my degree in education to teach physicians and their staff about new medications and treatment development. Instead, I get to stand at the reception window and ask for a physician’s signature so I can leave samples. We do lunches for them, and even then it’s as if I’m an enemy in their territory. They have to talk to me as part of the “lunch meeting,” but you can tell that most of them are not the least bit thrilled about the idea.
The money is good, but I think going the traditional education route is more my speed. However, it’s hard to find a job in the local school systems. Most teachers hold their positions for years, making it hard for new hires, unless someone retires.
I’ve been submitting my résumé to local school systems, but so far no luck. I hate the thought of staying at my current job, but even more than that, I hate the idea of moving away from my friends and family.
Logan did it. She came to Tennessee for college, met Kacen, and the rest, as they say, is history. But I would be alone, and that is not a thrilling thought.
After my run, I grab a quick shower and clean my apartment. It’s weird being here all on my own. I miss my best friend.
I pass the time curled up on the couch with my Kindle. I’m so engrossed in the story that the shrill ring of my cell phone startles me. Looking down, I see it’s Logan.
Shit.
“Hello,” I answer, standing from the couch. I grab my purse and toss my Kindle inside, quickly grabbing my keys.
“I’m home and you’re not here,” she scolds me.
“I know. I’m sorry. I got engrossed in this book and lost track of time. I’m heading out now.”
“Well, since it was a new book boyfriend, I’ll let it go. You’ll have to fill me in so I can meet him too.”
Logan and I both share a love of reading. “You got it. I’ll be there in twenty.” I throw my phone in the cup holder, fasten my seat belt and head out. I should have told her that I was sleeping because she woke me up so damn early. I’m sure she would have loved that.
Pulling up to the gates, they open immediately, which tells me that my best friend is waiting impatiently. I take in the huge house up on the hill, and my heart bursts with happiness for her.
I park in the circular drive and, before I can even get out the car, Logan is beside the door, bouncing with excitement. “I missed you,” she says, tugging on my hand to pull me from the car. Once I’m outside, she wraps her arms around me in a hug. “Come on, the guys are waiting.” She pulls me toward the front door.
“The guys?” I assume she means the band, but why would they be here?
“Yeah, they’re already on board.” She grins.
“Logan.” I pull back on her hand. “What the hell are you taking about? Already on board?”
She grins. “Come on in and we’ll tell you.”
I allow her to guide me into the house, still confused as to what’s going on. She leads me into the living room, where Kacen, Gavin, Tristan and, of course, Cole are all gathered around. They all wave, and Cole adds a wink for good measure. I’ve managed to stay away from him this week. A tough feat in and of itself.
Kacen holds his hand out for Logan and she takes it, settling on his lap. “Have a seat.” He motions to the empty space on the couch beside them.
“What’s going on?”
Logan beams. “Well, my husband and I have been talking.” Kacen kisses her temple, his hands resting on her flat belly. His smile is as wide as hers. “With the band getting ready to go on tour, he doesn’t want me to have all the stress of their scheduling on my shoulders. I’ve assured him that I can handle it, but he read that stress is not good for me or the baby.”
“I agree.”
“So do we,” Tristan chimes in.
“So, as my wife was saying,” Kacen starts, and I can already tell these two are going to be throwing that term around a lot in the coming days. Can’t say I blame them; they are newlyweds, after all. “I don’t want her to have all this resting solely on her. I tried to convince her to give it all up, but she refused. With that being said, she has agreed to let us hire her an assistant.”
“Let me get this straight. The band’s assistant is going to get an assistant?” I wonder if my best friend realizes how damn lucky she is to be in the fold of these tender-hearted rockers.
“That’s it exactly,” Gavin confirms. “We agree with Kacen and think this is the best plan of action. Logan is still in control, since we trust her, but she gets help.”
“That’s a good idea, but I’m still confused as to why I need to be involved in this decision.”
“Because I want you to do it,” Logan explains. “I know you’re not happy at your job, and it’s a great chance for us to spend time together. We practically share a brain, so working so closely together won’t be an issue.”
Wow! Not at all what I was expecting. “I don’t know how to be an assistant to a band. I have an education degree,” I mumble.
“We’ve talked about that too,” Kacen says. “When the baby gets here, I want them with me. We’re only doing a short tour this time, but who knows what the future will bring. It would be nice to know that we have a private teacher for Peanut.”
“Peanut?” Logan and I say at the same time.
“I refuse to call my child ‘it.’ Until we know the sex, I’m going with Peanut,” he states firmly.
I watch as my best friend melts at his words, her lips finding his.
“I don’t know.” I chance a look at Cole, who’s watching me intently. “Mixing business and pleasure is not always the best thing.”
“We want you,” Cole speaks up, and I whip my head around to face him. “Think of it as an adventure.” His eyes bore into mine, almost as if his words have a double meaning. I guess, in a way, they do. He’s made it clear he wants me beneath him, but if I do this, that can’t happen.
I open my mouth, but no words come out.
“Just think about it. It would mean a lot to me to have you with me. The guys will be busy most of the time, and we’ll get to spend a lot of time together. I miss my best friend.” My earlier thoughts fall from her lips.
“Can I . . . have a few days? This is a lot to take in.”
“Sure, but a few days is all we can do. If you decide against it, we need to start looking for someone else. I refuse to go on tour until we find someone,” Kacen informs me.
“Come on, girl,” Tristan says. “It’ll be fun. You get to see a lot of new places and spend time with us.” He points around the room. “What more could you ask for?” His grin is playful.
I nod. “I know. It sounds like an amazing opportunity, and I’m honored that you all would choose me, but I just need a little time to think this over. I’ve applied for a few teaching positions,” I confess.
“Where?” Logan asks, and I can hear the worry in her voice.
I shrug. “All over, really. Just waiting to see what happens.”
“We don’t have that much time, and besides, Logan needs you. She’s going to need her best friend in the coming months. You can’t leave,” Kacen says adamantly.
His plea makes me smile. He loves my best friend fiercely. “Just a couple of days.”
He nods. “Okay. Now, I’m taking my wife upstairs. This is our first night in this house as husband and wife.” He winks as he lifts Logan into his arms and makes good on his words. “You all can hang out or whatever, but don’t plan on seeing us until tomorrow,” he calls over his shoulder.