Maybe Liam was right. Maybe it was time to move on, but my bed sure felt empty without him in it. Every time I set my coffee cup down or walked down the hall, the sounds of my existence echoed. His presence had filled the space with life, but now it just felt dead.

What have I done?

It not only felt weird without Liam, but I also had to adjust to touring without Julie. I sat at the counter and fiddled with a little canister of pepper spray hanging from my key ring. I missed him terribly.

Knock, knock.

“Mags, you in there?”

I stood up, left the pepper spray on the counter, and walked to the door. Halfway there, I stopped, turned, went back, and grabbed the bejeweled canister. I could just hear Liam in my mind telling me pepper spray did me no good if I didn’t take it with me.

“Hello?”

“It’s Elijah. Open up.”

I turned the handle and pushed the door open to see Bruce, Elijah, Dylan, Levi, and Aiden standing just outside. The guys looked down at their feet and then back up at me.

“Maggie, can we come in?” Elijah asked. Levi held up a bottle of Jack Daniels, and Dylan held a box of brownies.

“Um… Yes, of course.” I stepped back, holding the door open, hiding the pepper spray behind my back.

The band shuffled in and took up residence on my couch and floor. Dylan and Levi sprawled out on the carpet and opened the box of brownies, immediately shoveling two in their mouths. Elijah leaned into the cushions, his arm along the back of the couch, his legs crossed at the knee.

“You want some?” Aiden held the whisky and started rummaging through my cupboards, pulling out several juice glasses and pouring a finger in the bottom of each. “Well, I don’t care if you want some.” He shoved a glass in my hand. “Here, drink it.”

“Aiden—”

“No, don’t say anything. We want to talk to you. Here.” He led me to sit on a stool.

Elijah uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. “What Aiden is trying to say is we're worried about you.” The guys exchanged glances.

“Guys, you don’t have to worry about me.”

“We do, Mags. You haven’t been yourself lately.” They all nodded, and Levi grabbed another brownie.

“Guys, I won’t break!” I took a sip of the whiskey and grimaced as it burned its way down to my stomach.

“We think you need to get out and do something fun. Will you come out dancing with us tonight?”

I shuddered, remember the last time I’d gone out dancing, I’d ended up shot. Dancing wasn’t really on my to-do list right now. “Guys, I really appreciate the thought, but I just can’t.”

I knew they really were worried about me. They didn’t think I noticed, but they were all walking on eggshells around me. When they weren’t watching their steps, they were hovering, ready to serve. One of them always walked me back and forth to my trailer, and I couldn’t turn around without another asking how they could help.

“Look guys, I love each and every one of you, but it’s just going to take some time.” I knocked back the last of my whiskey. ”Besides, you’ll be happy to know I have a lunch date tomorrow.”

“I’m here to meet some friends.” I walked up to the maître d’. Big dark sunglasses hid my eyes, and a stylish ladies’ fedora covered my red hair, which I had pinned up on top of my head. I wasn’t instantly recognized yet, but I’d had several run-ins with fans, so I took precautions.

“Right this way, please.” I followed the greeter to the back of the restaurant where Harper and Kinsey were completely engrossed in each other. “Can I bring you anything to drink?” she asked as she handed me a menu.

“Just a sparkling water, please.”

“Maggie!” Kinsey squealed as she and Harper jumped up and sandwiched me in a hug.

“I’m so glad you came!” Harper squeezed me before taking my hands and sitting across the table from me.

“You both look so good!”

“Well, Kinsey has some news.” Harper looked sideways at Kinsey and smiled.

“Tell me!” I looked expectantly at Kinsey. “I need some good news.”

“Well, I was going to wait until the food came, but Mason and I are pregnant!”

“Oh my God! Kinsey, Congratulations! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“You had so much going on, but I just couldn’t wait any longer!” She smiled and turned her eyes to Harper. “She has some news too.” Then Kinsey elbowed Harper, who shot her a dirty look.

“You too?!”

“Kinsey!” Harper looked at me. “Damon asked me to marry him!”

“Oh, wow! I’m so happy for you!” I gripped both their hands. It felt so wonderful to be surrounded by such good friends. “I’m so lucky to have both of you in my life. I don’t see nearly enough of you, but it’s so nice to know you guys are always there for me.”

Kinsey sighed. “Oh, Mags, we were so worried about you.”

“Your parents called us. Your mom was freaking out, but she didn’t want to upset your dad. I told them you were okay and called a home health agency. They sent someone to help your mom, and that seemed to calm her down.”

“Thank you so much. I really didn’t want to worry them. I don’t know how my mother does it.”