Steer, Dex, and Pants take off to help Dawson, while Ice and Jigsaw hang back with us in my dressing room.
Jiggy moseys over to me with his hands jammed in his pockets. “You relieved it’s over, songbird?”
“Relieved. A little sad. But feeling accomplished too.”
He quickly glances at Rooster, then back to me. “Not that you care about my opinion but I’m proud of you. You’re braver than most, Shelby.”
What an unexpected sentiment from Jiggy. “That’s so sweet. Thank you.” I pat his arm. “And I do care what you think.”
Anya watches Jiggy return to Rooster’s side with wide eyes. “I had no idea he was such a sweetheart. Everyone talks about Jigsaw like he’s some serial killer.”
“I’m sure he has his moments. Especially if he’s protecting the club or someone.”
“Oh, definitely.” She glances at Ice.
We left the door to the dressing room wide open. The atmosphere backstage is in high-party mode. Trent runs in and punches his fists in the air when he sees me. “Last show! Woo!”
Laughing, I hug him and we jump up and down, much like we did the day we signed on for the tour. “Are Abram and Kenny around?” I ask.
“They’re hanging with the Thundersmoke dudes.”
Huh. Weird. Thundersmoke’s been so standoffish the whole tour. “That’s good.”
His gaze strays over my shoulder and his body freezes in place.
“Oh, sorry.” I reach for Anya and pull her forward. “Anya, this is my friend and guitar player, Trent. Trent, this is a friend of mine, Anya.”
Crimson spreads from Trent’s cheeks to his forehead. He can’t seem to figure out how to work his tongue and stands there staring.
Guess Trent watches porn.
“Nice to meet you, Trent,” Anya says.
“Uh, yeah.” Trent recovers the manners I know dang well his momma smacked into him with a wooden spoon while he was growin’ up. “Nice to meet you too. Glad you could catch our last show.”
Trent’s gaze shoots over my shoulder and he backs up. If I had to guess, I’d say three six-foot plus bikers are looming behind me.
“What’s up, Trent?” Rooster holds out his hand and Trent shakes it. Then he introduces Trent to Ice.
I release a relieved breath, silently thanking Rooster for letting Ice know Trent’s not a threat without embarrassing him.
I don’t want anything to ruin the last show.
Rooster
I can’t take my eyes off Shelby.
Nothing new there, I’m always watching her. But tonight, damn. Pride’s beating a drum inside my chest. The arena’s huge, usually reserved for football games and mega-concerts. The stage is in the center with fans seated almost all the way around. Not a lot of places for the crew or security to stay out of sight.
Anya and Ice are right down in front of the stage. Shelby even waved to them as soon as she came out.
“You’ve got an in with Ice forever now,” Jiggy shouts in my ear.
“How so?”
He cocks his head. “Shelby going out of her way to give his girl the full experience.”
I snort and turn back to the stage. Ice has made it clear that’s not their situation but that’s none of Jiggy’s business.
Even though most of my attention’s on Shelby, it’s hard to miss Dawson jogging up and down the hallway behind us.
“What’s his deal?” I ask Jiggy.
He turns and shrugs. “Last show jitters?”
Earlier he’d stopped by to ask Shelby to come out during his last song. He’d warned her he invited Thundersmoke to do the same, which was classy of him, I had to admit.
Shelby closes her set with White Knight. For some reason, tonight, those first lines stir up more feelings than usual.
“You all right?” Jiggy nudges my shoulder.
“Proud of her. Happy she closed with this song. That’s all.”
His head swivels between the stage and me a few times but he thankfully keeps his opinions to himself.
“Thank you, Nashville!” Shelby shouts and waves to the crowd.
The lights wink out.
The crowd roars their approval of her performance.
People continue screaming and chanting her name as she runs off the stage.
“Logan!” she squeals, slamming into my body. I lift her up in my arms, giving her a quick spin. Breathless, laughing, sweaty and smiling, she peppers my face with kisses.
“So proud of you, chickadee,” I murmur between kisses. “You were fantastic.” Fuck if I’m not running out of words to adequately describe how amazing she is every night.
“Thank you,” she whispers against my lips. “Thank you so much.”
Laughing, she uncurls one arm from around my neck and reaches for Jigsaw, drawing him into our embrace.
“Thank you too, Jiggy.” She plants a big kiss on his cheek.
Startled, or freaked out, he freezes for a second. His helpless eyes meet mine. I nod and he relaxes.
“Anytime, songbird.” He pats her on the back.
I release her and she runs over to hug Trent. The two of them dance around in a circle together. Even her bass player and drummer join in on the celebration, which is nice since they’ve been aloof most of the tour.
Greg pulls the four of them into a huddle. After a few words, Kenny and Abram disappear down the hallway. Greg hugs Shelby tight, saying something to her I can’t overhear.
“You sure we can’t break at least one finger?” Jiggy asks me.
“Nah. Greg’s all right.” The moment Greg’s having with Shelby seems more fatherly than anything.
“I guess he’s kinda grown on me,” Jiggy agrees.
“Will you check on Ice?” I ask. “Meet us in Shelby’s dressing room. Unless they’re staying out front.”
“Sure.” He slaps my shoulder and heads toward the door that leads to the arena.
Careful to stay out of the way of the guys setting up Thundersmoke’s set, I walk up behind Shelby.
Greg nods at me and holds out his hand. “Thank you for everything, Logan.”
“You’re welcome.” I shake his hand, not sure what else to say.
I curl my arm around Shelby’s shoulders and she leans into me. Together, we head to her dressing room. I don’t bother closing the door behind us, enough people will be in and out that there’s no point.
Shelby can’t stop wringing her hands and marching around the room.
“You all right?” I ask, dropping onto the couch. Maybe if I settle down it’ll help her relax.
“I don’t know,” she says, shaking her arms again. “I’m so…I want to do a million things but I also kinda want to lay on the floor and take a nap.”
“It’s the adrenaline.” I hold out my hand. “Come here.”
She rushes over, crashing into my legs. “Was I okay? I flubbed the intro to Big Lies. So stupid. Not like I’ve done it a million times or anything—”
“Shhh.” I place my finger against her lips. “I didn’t notice any mistakes.”
She opens her mouth but I press my finger against her lips harder and shake my head. “Let me finish.”