Taming the Storm

“Thank you,” I say with sincerity.

“Nothing to thank me for.” He releases me, stepping away. “I’m gonna hit the sack now—alone.” He emphasizes the last word. “So, don’t try to follow me to bed.”

“Good night, Tom.” I force a smile, feeling bereft without his touch, and squashing the feeling of disappointment that he’s going to bed.

I turn back to making my hot chocolate.

“Ly?” Tom says.

“Yeah.” I look at him over my shoulder.

“Not all men are cheating idiots. Rally, Dex, Chad—all muts.”

“Muts,” I agree with nod.

“Your guy is out there. One who won’t be a mut. There’s a guy who deserves an awesome girl like you.”

My heart starts thumpity-thumping again.

And I can’t help but hear that ridiculous, over-romanticized voice in the back of my mind that’s telling me if I ever saw stupid and trusted a guy in that way again…then I would want it to be Tom.

A Few Days Later—Sketchy-Looking Bar at a Truck Stop, Somewhere Between Kansas and Missouri

We’re seven days into the tour. We’ve already done six shows.

I’d say I’m exhausted, and I am, but I’m loving every minute of it!

We’re currently somewhere between Kansas and Missouri in a bar called—

Actually, I have no clue what the name of the bar is.

Before heading to Jefferson City to play a show tomorrow night, we have a rare night off.

And we’re at a truck stop.

When on the road, glamour doesn’t come into it.

I did just want to chill and have a quiet night on the bus, but the guys talked me into coming out for dinner with everyone.

So, here I am, finishing off my fries after eating half of a very questionable burger.

The food might be a bit sketchy here, but the beer on tap rocks! I’m two pints in and ready for another. I’m ready for that other beer because I’ve had to endure watching Ashlee paw over Tom during the entire dinner. Granted, he’s kept his hands to himself, but it hasn’t stopped him from flirting right back with her.

And he’s barely spoken to me—let alone, looked at me.

Hard to take when I’ve had his attention all week.

Yes, I know exactly how I sound, which is why I’m seriously considering banging my head against this table any second now.

“You all right, honey?” Shannon pulls up a chair beside me at the end of the table.

“I’m great.” I give her a megawatt smile to emphasize the fact that I really am.

Even though I’m kind of not.

I’m feeling all these confusing things about Tom. The more time I spend with him, the more I like him.

But I don’t want to like him. I can’t like him.

And it really pisses me off when I have to see other women all over him.

I know it’s irrational, and it’s my shit to deal with, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less, especially when it’s happening right in front of me.

I’ve really gotten to like Shannon after spending more time with her. Ashlee, not so much. If she’s not hitting on my boys or Tom, she’s busy looking in the mirror.

Shannon smiles at me and pats my hand. “Honey, when a girl tells me she’s all right and I get to see all her teeth in that smile, then I know she’s far from all right.” She looks down the table at Tom and then back to me.

“It’s Tom, right?” she asks, lowering her voice.

Realizing that I’m worrying my lower lip with my teeth, I immediately stop it, freeing my lip. “I’m fine. Maybe just a bit tired, but that’s it.”

She smiles and shakes her head. “He’s not interested in Ashlee. If he wanted her, he would have done her by now, probably in the restroom. I know Tom. Spent a long time on the road with him and the boys way back when. If Tom wants something, he just takes it. No foreplay—in the figurative sense.” She takes a drink of her beer, reminding me that I’m in dire need of another.

“I know you said nothing is going on between you and Tom. Tom also heavily highlighted that fact to me. Sure, there might not be anything physical going on between the two of you, but currently, the level of sexual tension between you and Tom is enough to light the whole city of LA for a year.”

I stare at her. “Don’t be crazy.” I sweep her statement away with my hand.

“Deny it all you want, but I see what I see. And what I see is some serious eye-fucking going on between you two. Either Tom is a changed man—he has seemed different lately—or you’re holding off on him, which I can’t figure out. Any red-blooded woman would be dragging that man back to her bed and not letting him out for days. And I speak from experience there.”

I can’t help it. I wince at the reminder of the fact that Shannon and Tom have history—of the sexual kind.

“See!” She points a red talon at my face. “There it is. It bothers the crap out of you whenever I mention me screwing Tom years ago. Girl, you have the serious hots for him. And he clearly has them for you. So, do something about it before someone else turns his head, and you’re left wishing you had.” She picks her beer up as she stands and sashays back over to her table.

If only it were that easy…

I pick up my glass to have a drink, and then I remember it’s empty. Fuck. I decide to hit the restroom first before getting another drink.

On my way back to the bar, a few women pass me, and I hear them gushing excitedly about Tom Carter being in the bar. I guess he’s been spotted.