The incessant chirping of a bird slowly surfaced Lacey from a deep sleep. She realized it was the alarm on her phone being so rude. Reaching over to the nightstand, she swiped the alarm to make it stop. Flipping over on her back, she realized she wasn’t wearing any clothing. Instantly the events of last night replayed in her mind.

Her arm reached out for Dalton, but his side of the bed was empty.

Her heart sank. He had just left her? She sat up slowly, looking around the room. There was no evidence of him having ever been there until she looked at his pillow. A small white piece of paper lay atop his pillow. He’d left a note.

“We’ll talk later. Have to get ready. –D.”

A sense of dread filled her stomach. What did that mean? Was he already regretting sleeping with her? No. He didn’t say that. Stop making something out of nothing. Wait until you talk to him. Don’t make snap judgements. You always do that. She continued mentally berating herself.

“Okay. Let’s just play it cool. Just another day on the road trip to stardom. Get it together, Lace.” she coached herself.

She got out of bed to shower and prep for the busy day ahead. Her standard jeans and t-shirt made her question her wardrobe choices as she looked at herself in the mirror.

“Look, just because you slept with him, doesn’t mean you have to change who you are. Be you.” The woman in the mirror told her.

Taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders, she put a wall around her heart and a smile on her face to prepare for the day.

She knocked on Jesse’s door first. “Five minutes, Jess.” Beau’s door was next. “Five minutes, Beau.”

She stood in front of Dalton’s door and hesitated, her hand raised. “Oh, for Pete’s sake. Suck it up, girl.” Verbally kicking her own self, she rapped on his door. “Five minutes, Dalton.”

Texting the car service, she verified they were downstairs and waiting. First stop was the morning radio show, then the final sound checks and final show preparations at the stadium. Followed-up by an afternoon television talk show and another radio interview. It was going to be a whirlwind of a day.

Beau entered the hallway first, followed by Jesse. Lacey couldn’t help feeling self-conscious. They knew each other so well. She felt like she was wearing a sign that said, “I did it with Dalton last night.”

Finally, Dalton’s door opened, and he entered the hallway looking as sexy as ever. His hair was still slightly damp from his shower. He looked refreshed and ready to take on the world.

“Hey, good morning, all. Are we ready to rock Houston’s world?”

Jesse grumbled. “Only after I’ve had three cups of coffee.”

Dalton didn’t even look at her. He led the way to the elevator like it was just another normal concert morning. He held the elevator door open for all to board, then leaned against the back wall.

“Anything change in our agenda today, Lacey?” Beau asked on the ride down in the elevator.

“No. Still the same. We are headed to the morning radio show first, then it’s a stop at the children’s hospital before heading to the stadium. Final run through, afternoon radio and television spot then a couple hours downtime until the show. I’ve send all the details to your phone with contacts, names interviewing you etc. Look it over. If you have any questions, let me know.”

“Looks like we better eat our Wheaties this morning, guys and gals.” Dalton teased.

He had yet to make eye contact with her. Two could play this game and act like nothing had ever happened even if it killed her.

They arrived at the radio station greeted by a large fan base out front holding Peach Logic signs and chanting Dalton’s name.

“Lord, as if his ego wasn’t big enough.” Jesse muttered.

As they were escorted through the group, the band took time to sign autographs and thank fans for their support. One woman reached out and grabbed Dalton’s t-shirt, managing to plant a loud smacking kiss on his lips before security removed her.

He laughed it off and continued to wave as they entered the building.

“You might want to use some mouthwash. You never know where her mouth has been.” Jesse commented as they rode up to the top floor of the high-rise building.

“I’ll never understand why people thinks it’s okay to just grab and basically molest us.  We’re still people for Christ’s sake. That’s one thing I’ll never get used to. I hate it.” Beau shook his head in disgust.

“It’s a fine line of insanity with fans. They feel like they know you even though they really don’t. Gives them a false sense of comfort to invade your personal space, and let’s face it. There really isn’t any personal space once you enter this realm of fame. People want to get close to you because of your music.” Lacey made perfect sense.

“It can easily get out of hand, although some of you seem to enjoy it more than others.” Her sarcasm wasn’t missed on Dalton.

“Hey, I can’t help that they love me.” He grinned but there was something else in his eyes. Lacey couldn’t read what it was, but it was there and then it wasn’t.

Introductions were made to the station personnel while the group got ready to go on air. They had just entered the studio when Lacey’s phone went off. It was the crew manager. She held up the phone to Jesse and stepped outside of the studio just on the other side of the sound booth where she could still here them on air.

Issues with locating the playlist for tonight’s show, Beau’s keyboard stand had broken and they needed some screws, and the caterer had some questions and was looking for her.

She told Ned to take a breath. She would print out a new set list when she got there, the screws were in the toolbox in a silver box and she would call the caterer.

It was always crazy the day of the show, but she loved every minute of it.

“You’re really good at that.” Gabe had come up behind her.

“Oh! Good Morning, and thank you, but I’m just doing my job.”

“And a whole lot more from the looks of it. Do they realize how lucky they are to have you?”

They both looked in the booth where the band was firing away at the questions they were being asked. Somehow it always came back to the band’s personal lives. Inquiring minds wanted to know every detail.

“Dalton, our most popular question sent in by listeners is one asking if there is someone special in your life? Someone you are involved with romantically?”

“Ah, Roy, now, we can’t disappoint our female fans, can we? No, there is no one special in my life right now. So, don’t be disappointed ladies. I’m not taken yet.” Dalton was looking directly at Lacey through the glass. She wondered if he could hear her heart shatter at his words. She heard him loud and clear.

Stumbling a few steps, she felt tears begin to form. She had to get away from there before Dalton or one of the others saw her.

“He’s an ass, Lacey. He doesn’t know what he’s missing out on. Come on. I’ve got you.” Gabe put his arm around her and ushered her out of the studio. “Just lean on me. I’m here for you.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. He does know, and he still doesn’t want me apparently.” She hiccupped as they left the building.

Gabe stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and looked down at Lacey, waiting.

“He came to my room last night after I got back. We…we…oh, God! This is awful.” Lacey burst into tears. She couldn’t stop them.

“Oh, honey. Then that makes him an even bigger ass. Let’s get you out of here. Coffee makes everything better when you can’t have whiskey, right?”

Gabe was so sweet. He took her to a coffee shop just up the block, and they sat for an hour just talking…about the show, about being on the road, about Dalton. He was right. He was a good listener.

“Gabe, you really didn’t have to do this, but I’m glad you did. Thank you.”

“I told you last night that I understood. I meant it. Now, I have one question for you.”

She lookup from her coffee cup, her head tilted. “What’s that?”

“Well, you’ve had a good cry and gotten it off your chest, so now what are you going to do about it?”

“What do you mean? I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

“Let me tell you what you need to do. You need to put your big girl panties on and your pointed-toe boots. You are going to finish out this tour with your head held high and my shoulder to lean on. Never let him see how much it hurts.”

“I don’t like to play games, Gabe. I don’t know that I can do that.”

“Listen, it’s not playing games, honey. It’s called survival mode. You’ve going to be stuck inside that bus for at least three more weeks. How else are you going to make it through? Make him think it doesn’t matter to you either. Believe me, a man never wanted anything more than when he couldn’t have it. Warped but true.”

She laughed at that. Maybe Gabe had a valid point. Being on the bus with Dalton after last night and pretending nothing had happened between them was going to excruciating, but she had to do it. She just hadn’t expected it to hurt this much.

Her phone buzzed. It was Jesse asking where she was. They were finished with the interview and ready to head back.

“Tell them to go on. You can ride to the stadium with me if you want to.” Gabe offered.

“Okay. Thanks. Gives me a little more time to prep mentally to face Dalton.”

She sent Jesse a reply text letting her know she was with Gabe and would meet them at the stadium

They finished their coffee and called the car to pick them up.

Her phone buzzed again. This time it was Dalton.

“We need to talk.” his text read.

She looked at Gabe. “And so, it begins.”

“No worries. We’re good. I’ll see you at stadium. I’m with Gabe.” She sent back to Dalton.

A few minutes later her phone buzzed again.

“Why are you with him?” he asked.

“I was up for a quickie and you weren’t available. He volunteered.” She hit send.

“DAMN IT, LACEY!” He didn’t find humor in her response.

She hit the button on her phone to put it to sleep and slipped it in her pocket. She wasn’t going to continue to argue with him via text. She was sure it was coming face-to-face anyway.

Sure, enough as they pulled into the stadium and exited the car, Dalton was waiting for her at the entrance.

“I’ll see you inside, Gabe.”

“You sure?” he asked her.

“Yes, she’s sure. Now beat it.” Dalton stepped up.

“Look, you may be…” Gabe stepped in front of her.

She stopped him with a touch to his forearm. “It’s okay, Gabe. Go on.”

He gave Dalton a death stare before going around him and into the building.

“What? You need a protector now? What the hell was that all about? What the fuck is going on, Lacey?”

“Hey! Watch it. I warned you before, Dalton. Don’t talk to me like that.” She made to go around him inside the building, but he stayed on her heels.

He grabbed her arm to halt her. “Lacey.”

“What is it, Dalton? I have things to do.”

“You weren’t too busy to have coffee or whatever it was you were doing with Gabe. Now you’re too busy to talk to me? What gives? After last night…”

“After last night what? We had great sex last night, so? You got your rocks off. I’ll admit it was an amazing night. Does that make you feel better, but like you said this morning, it didn’t mean anything, did it?”

“When did I say that? I never said that.” He pushed her against the wall.

“You might as well have.” Her voice stuttered slightly.

“Lace, I would never say that about you.” His voice had softened.

She stared at her feet. “You said there was no one special in your life. Same thing, Dalton.” Her was brave enough to look him in the eye.

“Awe, Lace, that was radio. It didn’t mean anything. It was for the fans. You should know that. We don’t share personal stuff on air. It’s part of the whole Peach Logic thing.”

“What? You being groped by every female you meet and pretending I don’t exist?”

“What we did last night was between you and me. No one else. I don’t want to share that with anyone. It’s nobody’s business but ours. Can you understand that?” he caressed her cheek.

“You just left me this morning. Then nothing. What was I supposed to think? Then the radio interview…”

“I didn’t mean to hurt you, Lace. I’m sorry. I can see that it did. We didn’t have time to talk. Maybe I should have woken you up, but you were sleeping so peacefully, I wanted to let you sleep. I figured we would talk this afternoon. I…I’m still trying to figure this out too, ya know.” For the first time Lacey realized Dalton was just as unsure about what was to happen next as she was.

“Do you know all I’ve been able to think about this morning is making love to you. Over and over, last night has replayed in my mind God, I almost couldn’t stand up in the sound booth. Everyone would have known something was up, if you get my drift.”

Imagining Dalton with a hard-on for her, made her smile. Did she really have that effect on him? The idea thrilled her.

She stepped into him, her finger tracing the buttons on the front of his shirt.

“Serves you right.” She teased.

“Maybe it does, but I think you deserve to be punished too. Only fair if you ask me.”

“I didn’t.” she pushed back.

He didn’t answer this time. He pushed her back against the wall and invaded her mouth with his, his tongue dually with hers.

The kiss was hot and wet and full of need. His arm circling her lower back pulled her in tight against him.

A cough broke them apart.

“Eh, sound check in five, man.” It was one of the crewmen.

“I’ll be there. Thanks.” Dalton did remove his forehead from hers.

“Crappy timing.” He grunted as he placed a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

“Yeah, well, probably for the best.”

“Look, this is murky water for me, Lace. I…we need to really talk, okay? Tonight. After the show.  Come to my room, please? So, we can be alone and uninterrupted.”

“Okay.”

“Good.” He planted a quick kiss before he pushed off the wall. “Now try and keep your hands to yourself. I’ve got a show to get ready for.” He teased as he jaunted away.

She leaned back against the wall, catching her breath. He always left her breathless. Good Lord, what had she gotten herself into. She still had no idea where they stood, only that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. Where did that leave them?

No more time to daydream about Dalton. She had work to do of her own.

“Where’s the set list?” Jesse was looking through the stand on stand as Lacey walked on.

“Here it is. They couldn’t find it, so I had to reprint it.”

“There you are. God, my dressing room is a disaster. Can you get it straightened out please? It looks like they just dumped everything and left.”

“I’m on it.”

“You’re an angel. Thank you.”

“Anybody need anything while I’m making a store run later?”

“If you wouldn’t mind, my sugar staff is low. And my paper.” Beau chimed in.

“You got it, and it’s never a problem.” She smiled at Beau.

Dalton was looking at her differently. It felt more intimate. Like they were sharing a secret. She guessed they were…well, them and a crew member, and Gabe. She didn’t like keeping secrets from Beau and Jesse. She was going to have to talk to Dalton about that.

“Oh, my God! The two of you had sex, didn’t you?” Lacey’s head dropped to her chest, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment at Jesse’s exclamation.

“Dude!” Beau hissed at Dalton.

Dalton walked over to Lacey and placed a protective arm around her.

“Jess, come on. We were going to tell you. We are still trying to figure this out ourselves. So, until we do, can you give us a little space? Please?” Dalton kissed Lacey’s forehead.

“Now, could you get out of here so I can concentrate on something other than wanting to get your pants off?” he whispered for her ears only. Her blush deepened.

“I could get used to that.” She whispered back and patted his butt.

Lacey headed off to sort out Jesse’s wardrobe for tonight.

Jesse was the first to speak.

“Is this going to be a problem, D?” concern filled her tone.

“Only if you make it one.”

“I don’t want to see either of you get hurt.”

“I don’t intend to hurt her, Jess.”

“That’s what they all say. Just be careful, okay?”

“Noted. Now can we play some music please?” Dalton gave the band thumbs up to begin.

For the next three hours, the trio strutted across the stage, lining up their act and getting the lighting just right. This part was always more exhausting than the actual show for them.

Dalton chugged a bottle of water. “I think that’s a wrap folks.”

“Yeah. I think we’re ready.” Beau added.

“I need a nap…and food…not necessarily in that order.” Jesse said.

“You’re in luck. I have food in your dressing rooms. Towels are on the counters for you to shower and change. We have an hour before we must leave for the station. Chop. Chop.”

“She’s such a task master sometimes.” Jess teased.

“You should see her in the bedroom.” It slipped out before Dalton realized what he had said.

Everyone stood stock still, then burst out laughing at the same time. Lacey swatted him with a hand towel she had in her back pocket.

“Sorry. It just slipped out, honey.” He grabbed her and pulled her in for a big bear of a hug. She melted into him.

“Remember what you said about boundaries? That was one of them.” She teased.

“It’s just Beau and Jess.”

“Does Jess tell you about the guys she sleeps with?”

“Gross! God, no.” Dalton scrunched up his face with distaste.

“Exactly.” Lacey made her point.

“Got it. No more bedroom talks in front of the others.”

“Exactly.”

“Thank You. I almost lost my appetite at the thought.” Jess shuttered.

Their laughter filtered through the stage.

“You guys go on down to the dressing room. I’ve got a few more things to check on.” Lacey told them.

Dalton had finished showering, changing and grabbing a bite to eat. He headed back to the stage in search of Lacey.

He was rounding the corner from backstage when he heard a ruckus dead center. He looked over to see an overhead light swinging precariously where the crew up above had been working on it. He looked to the light, then to Lacey. She was directly in its downward path. He screamed out her name as it broke free. He raced across the stage, barreling into her midriff and carrying her like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder. Seconds later the light crashed down onto the stage.

He’d saved her. Her eyes were wide with shock as he slid her down his body and just held her. Both their hearts were racing from the adrenaline pumping through their veins.

“I…you…God, Dalton. If you hadn’t…”

“But I did. You’re safe. Apparently, I need to keep a closer eye on you.”

“I’d prefer your hands.” She said trying to lighten the mood.

He kissed her then in front of everyone, all their pent-up emotions pouring into that one kiss. The fear, the hunger, the need – all on display for everyone to see.

“Don’t make me get the fire extinguisher, because I will.” They heard Jess threaten.

The broke apart to whistles and howls from the crew and stage hands.

“You’ve gone and done it now, D.”

“Well, I definitely plan on doing it again.” He teased.

Jesse made a gagging sound.

“You promised not to share, D. I mean it. I’ll upchuck right here.”

“We have a big enough mess that needs cleaned up. We don’t need to add that to it.” He warned Jess.

“Look, you guys go on. You can’t be late. I’ll stay here and get this mess cleaned up. If I have time, I’ll meet you at the station. Just text me if you need anything. If not, I’ll see you back here later.”

Dalton surprised her by picking her up and planting one last kiss.

“That scared the shit out of me, by the way.” He squeezed her tight. “I don’t know what I would have done if something happened to you.”

“Thanks to you nothing did. Now go. Or you’re going to be late.” She stole her own quick peck and walked off.

“Oh, man. You got it bad.” Beau said as they left the stadium.

Dalton was thinking the exact same thing.