“We don’t have to figure everything out today. I’m here to tell you that I want to try. I don’t want anyone else. Only you. Always you. No more taking it one day at a time. We do whatever it takes to be together starting now.”
I nodded. “I only want you too. I kind of hate everyone else. I have five years of dating scars to prove it.”
I buried my face in his neck. He was right. We didn’t need to figure everything out today. He wanted to try, and I couldn’t ask for more than that.
“Come with me tomorrow? We can fly out in the morning?”
“Okay, I will,” I said, as I wrapped my arms around his neck and his lips found mine.
“I need you right now, Ivy.” He picked me up off the couch and walked toward my bedroom as my head fell back in laughter.
I knew in that moment that everything would be okay.
I flew to New York with Ty. I’d never been on a private plane before, and I imagined it would be hard to fly commercial after experiencing this. No airports. No security. You just waltzed right on the plane and headed to your destination.
“Everything okay with work?” Ty asked as we stepped off the plane and walked to a waiting car on the runway. Ty was a big country star, yet here he was worrying about my little business back in Willow Springs.
“Yep. I have everything under control for Maura’s wedding, which is still a ways off and our next big event. Kathleen is going to take the lead on the baby shower we are throwing next month.”
The driver, Colby, introduced himself as he opened the car door. We slipped inside and Ty reached for my hand. “Are you all right with her taking charge of the baby shower?”
I laughed. He knew me. Could I be a bit of a control freak? Absolutely. I’d been this way my entire life. So, this was me really stepping outside the box. Flying to New York on a whim for Ty’s concert. All in the name of love. I believed that for Ty and me, love would be enough. It had to be. Because I didn’t want to do life without him.
We’d ended up in bed shortly after he’d knocked on my door and asked me to give things a try. I’d made a call to Kathleen and told her I was leaving town and she’d squealed with excitement. I’d FaceTimed the girls this morning so they could see us as we boarded the plane. They’d all sent text messages telling me to just go with it. Not to overthink it. I loved Ty, no doubt about it, so I was going to trust that this would all work out.
I didn’t know how.
I was just going to take a huge leap of faith that everything would be okay.
“Yep. She’s got this. I’d already drawn up a few sketches for the décor, and Kathleen has a gift for the details. I told her I’d be back in a few days and jump right back in with her. That’s fine, right? I can fly back when you leave for your next show?”
I guess that’s something I should have asked before buckling up and agreeing to fly the friendly skies in style.
He laughed. “Absolutely. You can fly back any time you want. And you can also come meet me at other shows whenever you can sneak away. We can check some dates over the next few days and schedule your flights with the pilot.”
“I guess it’s kind of like when you get asked to meet someone for dinner, but this time I’m just jet-setting to another state.” I chuckled.
“I probably need to prepare you for what it’s like, Ive. You’ll be backstage with me until I go on, and you can sit right there beside the stage and watch the show if you’d like. Rayne will be there too, but she stays out of the view of the crowd because they’re choosing to keep their relationship under wraps, which Zane is thrilled about because he would prefer if we were all single.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head.
“How do you think he’ll feel about me coming right now? He doesn’t like the idea of you having a girlfriend, if that’s even what we’re calling this,” I said, suddenly feeling unsure about putting a label on it.
“That’s what we’re fucking calling it, and I don’t give a shit what he thinks. This is exclusive, Ive, we’re going to fucking make this work.” The venom he said this with was confirming and exciting though I still felt unsure how this was all going to work out, but I was damn sure going to try knowing Ty was all in.
“We are sitting down with the label on Monday to talk about the tour schedule. I’ve talked to Jo, Zack, and Smith and we all want to cut the tours way back and do maybe half the shows this year, and then continue to cut back a little more each year. We can spend more time in the studio.”
I nodded. It was hard to believe that he was saying this, because this was all that I wanted. A chance.
A chance at happiness with Ty.
“Why does he care how many shows you do?”
“It’s all about the money for him. This band has made his career as well as all of ours. He’s a behind-the-scenes guy, and he’s made a name for himself. But it’s never enough. I think he’d like me to stay single forever and just keep touring.”
“Why does being single matter?” I asked, because I didn’t understand Zane’s motivation.
“I think Zane lives in fear. Fear that I won’t want to keep going. Fear that I’ll want a different life and I’ll leave. Fear that his cash cow won’t be there.”
“Is it ever enough? Doesn’t he have other clients?” I asked as we came to a stop behind a building.
“I’m his only client. He’s been with me from the start.” He kissed my temple before putting the glass partition down between us and the driver. “Colby, can you take Ivy’s luggage over to the hotel and have them put it in our room, please?”
“Yes, sir. I’ll be waiting out here after the show.”
“Thank you.” Ty nodded and reached for my hand. “You ready?”
There were a few people gathering near the car and Ty made a quick call. “We’re here.”
“What’s happening?” I asked.
“Nothing. It’s a small group, but I always wait for my guys to walk inside with me just in case. People can get a little aggressive.”
My stomach dropped. Two large men came out the back door and made their way to the car. One of the guys opened the door while the other guy asked the group to stand back a bit. Ty reached for my hand, and we stepped out of the car.
“Is this the girl from Willow Springs? Is this a thing?” someone shouted. There were a few people there with cameras, but most appeared to just be interested fans.
Ty never spoke. He gripped my hand and tugged me behind him while one of his guys led the way and the other was so close to me, I could feel his breath on my neck. Once we were inside, I gazed around. I thanked both of the men that had come out to get us.