Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 144435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
I think we all knew we were walking a tightrope, in danger of falling off the side. How many times did we see the same shit play out around us? Friends picked up the bottle to drown out the world and damn near drowned themselves instead.
When Jax started down that road, I was worried as fuck he wouldn't make it out. I was afraid I'd be attending his funeral. I never told him that, but I think he knows. I think he resented me for it for a long time, but we're good now. We talked through our shit in Vegas. If I had to do it over again, though, I'd walk away for the same reasons. He mattered more than any of this shit. We all did.
"I'm glad you guys got out," she whispers. "I mean, it was tough news to swallow when I was eleven, and you broke my heart, but now that I know a little more about what you guys went through, I'm glad. Most of your old fans feel the same way, you know. We want what's best for you guys. It feels a little like we grew up together in a weird way. We support you no matter what you do."
"I'm getting that," I murmur. I've heard the same sentiment from some of the other girls since we started the tour. They support us no matter what. That's what I've always loved about our fans. The screaming and chasing us and sneaking into our hotels and crazy shit drove us fucking nuts, but the normal fans? They were always badass.
She beams at me, turning back to her computer.
"So I broke your heart, huh?" I say after a moment, unable to resist teasing her since she let that tidbit slip.
"Yes." She looks up at me with wide eyes. "Are you kidding me? I cried for days when you guys announced that you were going on hiatus. Even my diary was sick of my crap that week, Crue."
"Please send my apologies to your diary then," I say, chuckling. Fuck, she's funny. "And please send your diary to me. I'm dying to read the entries from that week."
"Deary diary," she says dramatically, placing the back of her hand on her forehead like she's in some old movie. Her strong southern accent shines through. "It's been two days since Soul Obsession broke up. I don't think they were kidding. Why does it hurt so bad? Doesn't Crue know how much I love him? I can't even listen to their songs without crying now. As soon as I hear his voice, I feel like my heart is breaking all over again. This sucks. Love, Ireland. PS: I aced my math test."
By the time she's finished, I'm grinning ear to ear. "Is that an actual entry, or did you make it up on the fly?"
"I'll never tell," she says, her cheeks pink. "What happens in the diary stays in the diary. Those are the rules."
"The rules are bullshit. I want to see this diary."
"Well, take it up with womankind. I didn't make the rules. I was just grandmothered into them on account of being born with a vagina." She shrugs. "I'm not violating the sisterhood to sate your morbid curiosity."
"You better ask your next question," I growl. "Because the more you talk, the more I want to kiss the words from your lips, Éire."
She squeaks, slapping a hand over her mouth. As if that'll stop me. When it comes to her, I don't think there's much that'll stand in my way. I want this girl more than I've ever wanted anything, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
I'm going to end up married by the end of this tour. If I don't, I'll be mad as hell about it.
Mason is probably laughing his ass off right now.
"Crue."
I stop halfway to the stage when Shelby calls my name, her eyes laser-focused on me. I'm not surprised she's back here waiting for me. I honestly expected to find her waiting after rehearsal earlier.
I reverse course, heading in her direction so she can speak her piece. Ireland's her baby sister. She won't be satisfied until she gets to say it. But if she thinks whatever she has to say is going to stop me from claiming her sister, she's wrong.
My decision was made five minutes after I met Ireland. Spending half the afternoon with her only cemented it. If anyone on this earth was made for me, it's that bright, fiery little redhead. She's sweet as pie and sassy as hell in the same damn breath. She may also be one of the smartest people I've met in a long time. It's a little frightening how much information she remembers, not just about me and the band or music but about anything she's ever read.