After I said goodbye to Ryan, I leaned against my front door, looking around my house, trying to figure out what to do next. I needed to pack a suitcase of my personal necessities, and my guitars, but other than that, I was pretty sure I was done. The whole summer we’d be on the road, and I wasn’t even nervous. In fact, I was thrilled. I just hoped that whatever Ryan wrote about us didn’t include any of Carmen’s shenanigans, and that she kept those antics to a minimum this go around. We’d had a few issues in the past, and while I was perfectly fine with her being a partier - I had my moments too - but she had a short fuse, which got her into trouble. It was something I really wanted to keep out of the press this tour.

As I tossed a variety of clothes, hairspray, and other toiletries into my giant suitcase, my thoughts shifted to the writer. He was definitely not what I would have expected, and I couldn’t help but be seriously attracted to him; anyone would be. Not only did he have piercing blue eyes, and a smile to die for, but also the way he watched me so intently sent shivers down my spine in a good way. It would have been almost unnerving if he weren’t so damn delicous. His hair was a dark blond, and he had a scruffy beard that absolutely worked for me. When he tried to shake my hand to be professional, I totally went in for a hug because that’s just how we are in my family.

I giggled at how awkward that moment was, and hoped we’d all be able to loosen up and be comfortable on the road together. Three and a half months together is a long time, and toward the end, we’re all tired and on edge. This was our chance, the big tour, and nothing could go wrong. I needed this guy to say amazing things about us, so I reminded myself to keep it professional, regardless of how hot he was.

That night, while soaking in a glorious lavender-scented bubble bath, I texted Carmen to make sure she was packed. While she didn’t really need me to mother her, it was my basic obsessive-compulsive need to check in on her, regardless.

Sister! Are you packed and ready for tomorrow?

Of course I am. What are you doing? Bubble bath?

Haha yes. Are you out partying?

I always took a bubble bath the last night before we headed out on the road, since I didn’t know when I’d get to again, and she always went out partying in downtown Nashville. It was our standard.

I may or may not have a hangover tomorrow, if that is what you’re asking me lol.

Be careful, sister. Big day tomorrow. I love you.

I love you more. I’ll be there. Don’t worry.

I started to put my phone down when my phone pinged with another text from Carmen.

Did you talk to Dad about the letter?

No, not yet. I don’t want to deal with it today.

I had forgotten for a brief moment that day that I had a stalker, and lived a normal life. I didn’t want to argue with my dad again over having personal security. It made me feel separated from the fans, like I was too good to let them near me.

If you don’t call him I will.

I rolled my eyes, and smiled. We were in our thirties, and we still threatened each other with calls to our parents about the other’s behavior.

I’ll talk to him about it in the morning when we see him. I’m enjoying my bath right now.

Uh huh. Did the writer join you in the tub? Lol

I laughed out loud at her reply, feeling myself get embarrassed. As absurd as her comment was, the thought actually turned me on. I sunk lower into the bubbles, as the warm water surrounded me up to the nape of my neck, leaving only my hands out to text her.

Shut up. He went to his hotel.

You should totally hit that. He’s hot. You need some dick.

OMG fuck you. Stay out of trouble tonight. I’ll see you in the morning. I love you sister.

Love you too. Don’t worry about me. Night sister xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

She loved teasing me about men, and with good reason, I suppose. Since my ex and I had split up about six months ago, I really hadn’t bothered with men at all. Besides the fact that I wanted to focus on my music and writing more than anything, we were getting busy with planning for the tour. And, in all honesty, I just didn’t want to get involved with someone again. James and I had split up after dating off and on for about two years, and it was never a great relationship. He was also a musician, and his ego was through the roof.

He didn’t take me seriously as an artist, and constantly put down the work my sister and I did. I stayed with him because it was convenient, but he wasn’t loyal at all and when I finally pulled the trigger and ended things, he acted like he was devastated. It was nothing but a shit show. He made a huge scene at a bar downtown, yelled at me in public, and ended up getting thrown out by the end of it all. My dad thought he might be the one who was sending me the threatening letters, but James never cared enough to do anything like that. It had to be a weird fan or something. I didn’t want to think about it either way. I put my phone down and shut my eyes, deeply inhaling the lavender and eucalyptus, enjoying the warm water relaxing my muscles.

The tour was going to be our big break. We had a couple albums out, but this was our moment, and I was so happy to be sharing it with my sister. As far as Carmen went, I had to admit, even if she showed up feeling like garbage from a night of partying, she never missed a practice, she never missed a show, and she was never late. That was the deal we made all along - we’d treat this business as an honor to be a part of, because it was.

I spent the rest of the evening experiencing every emotion imaginable, from being excited and having the giggles, to frustration over the loss of my lip balm, to worry that I was forgetting something. When my head finally hit the pillow after a fresh box of hair dye and the remainder of my fussing, I smiled at the adventure that awaited us the next day.