Danger. Shelby’s way too fucking smart.
I pull her down next to me, wrapping my arm around her. “Now, how would I have done that, chickadee? I’m on the other side of the country.”
She presses her palm against my chest and sits up again. “I don’t know. I’m sure your club has friends in low places.”
“Nice song reference.” I bop the tip of her nose and she swats my hand away.
“I’m serious.” She rests her hand over my heart. “I don’t want something so dark staining your soul. He’s not worth it.”
“Trust me, I’ve done worse and my soul is content with my choices.” Maybe that means I don’t have a soul, but that can’t be true. Not when everything inside me wants to wrap around this woman and protect her until I die.
“Logan,” she whispers.
“It’s done, Shelby. Jackson said Suggs hung himself.” My voice takes on a harsher edge. Because I’m annoyed she’s accusing me of murder or because she’s right?
“Damn. He couldn’t even get shanked in prison?”
“And you’re worried about my soul?” I give her a wry smile.
“I’m worried about my own soul too,” she says. “Sometimes I don’t like the person that experience turned me into.”
How is that possible? “What—strong and brave?”
“Mean. Bitter. Scared.”
“I don’t see any of that.”
“That’s because you make me better.”
“Like medicine?” I try again for a light tone but she doesn’t smile.
“Kinda.” Her nose wrinkles and she glances away. “I acted ugly last night.”
“How?”
“We ran into Glenna Wilson outside the auditorium. I kinda told her off.”
“Good. She deserves it.”
“That’s what Dawson said.”
“How was he?”
“Nice. He made sure I was comfortable but he said he was afraid to touch me because he didn’t want you to beat him to death.” She fixes her pissy little stink eye on me. “Did you threaten him?”
I wink at her. “That’s between me and Dawson.”
Chapter Sixty-Two
Shelby
“On the road again…” I can’t help singing the same few lines over and over while I finish my shower. The awards show was fun and I’ve enjoyed all the primping and pampering that went along with it. The hotel is lovely, but damn I’m eager to settle into my RV and get back to the tour.
“Rolling out in thirty!” Rooster shouts.
“I’m almost done!”
“I’m teasing.” His voice sounds a little closer now. “Take as long as you need. Want me to run downstairs and grab some coffee?”
“Nope.” I shut the shower off and slide the door open. Rooster’s waiting for me with a towel in each hand. I wrap my hair first, then dry off with the other one. “I would love it if you’d help me dry my hair, though.”
“You’ve got it.”
My heart thumps. I reach for him, skimming my fingers over his shoulder. “You make me swoon, Logan Randall, you know that?”
He touches my cheek and smiles faintly. “I always want you to feel that way.”
“You never told me how the heck you made it back here so fast.” I watch his reflection while I drag a comb through my wet hair.
“Jiggy and I didn’t make it to Washington.”
That’s weird. I thought it was important to pay them a visit. “Where’d you go?”
He fiddles with the blow dryer. “Just a small town on the border.”
Border of where?
But he flicks on the dryer and I don’t have a chance to ask.
By the time we’re finished, I’ve forgotten the question.
Downstairs, we find a small cafe on the first floor of the hotel. The lobby’s bustling with people. No one seems to be paying attention to anyone, though. The inconspicuous hotel security guards stationed at each entrance definitely reassure me.
I slip on my big sunglasses but leave my hair down. In a town full of real celebrities, no one should care enough to recognize lil’ ol’ Shelby Morgan.
“What else do you want?” Rooster asks as we approach the counter. “Besides coffee.”
“One of those little egg-white thingies.”
“They’re like two bites. You sure you only want one?”
“Maybe two.”
The corner of his mouth curls up. “Two spinach and cheese egg-bites and a large coffee.”
Could I love this man any more than I already do? “Have I mentioned how happy I am that you’re here?”
“Yeah, but I don’t mind hearing it again.” He curls his arm around my waist. “Jiggy should be here soon. Then we’ll get on the road. Stop and see some beaches.”
“I feel bad you made him ride all by himself.”
Rooster laughs. “Don’t. He badgered the hell out of me for not going to the show with you.”
“Aww. You know I’m not mad about it, right?”
“Yeah, chickadee. I know. Still, won’t happen again. Promise.”
As we approach the counter, he releases me to pull out his wallet. I unzip my purse but the stern side-eye he gives me has my fingers zipping it shut. “Go grab us a table,” he suggests.
I glance at the small, cluttered seating area. Except for one lone woman wearing an enormous sun hat, the space is empty. Everyone seems to be taking their orders to go.
I snake my way through the tables and chairs, finally deciding on a spot in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.
The heat from outside’s already beating against the glass. Glad I’m wearing shorts. Maybe I can get a little color on my legs later.
Rooster’s gaze constantly searches the surrounding area as he waits for our order. Every so often, his eyes land on me and he smiles.
My gaze wanders, stopping on the girl in the hat who seems to be gawking at my man.
Hands off, lady.
Can’t blame her, though. Rooster’s one exquisitely-sculpted man. I spend a few moments enjoying the way he stands, confident and calm. Hands in his pockets. Wide shoulders back, chest lifted. He likes wearin’ his jeans a lil’ on the baggy side, which suits me fine. No one else needs to know about the firm rear end he’s hiding under that denim.
Finally, the clerk hands him his order. Rooster catches me eyeballin’ him as he turns and heads my way. He lifts his eyebrows, a playful expression rippling over his face.
“Whatcha lookin’ at, chickadee?” he says as he sets the small green tray in front of me.
I bat my lashes and answer in a slow drawl, “How sexy you look in those jeans.”
“That right?” His gaze drops to my crossed legs peekin’ out from under the table. “Did I tell you how much I’m looking forward to staring at those sleek legs of yours on our drive to San Francisco?”
“Yes, but you can tell me again.”
“Can’t wait.” He leans down and kisses my cheek. “I’m gonna run to our room and grab the rest of our stuff, load up the truck, and move it around front so we’re ready to go when Jiggy arrives.”