Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Old Jesse is back.
But that’s okay. I love both Jesses. I love everything about each of them.
“So Mads…” I turn to my friend. “How was your evening?”
“Good. I had dinner with Brock and Rory, and they went straight up to their room afterward, but I decided to hang out down here for a while. I was just about to call it a night when Dave strode through the doors.”
“How convenient,” Jesse says dryly.
I resist an eye roll. I love the man, but really? They’re having a drink. One drink.
On the other hand…Jesse and I fell for each other, and we didn’t even have a date beforehand.
I’ve seen a certain chemistry between Maddie and Dave at Murphy’s bar back home. Dave is a decent pool player, but he’s the worst in our family. He’s also a big flirt—he’s one of the three original Rake-a-teers, of course—which is often why his pool game sucks. He’s too busy charming the ladies, and Maddie’s usually among them.
“Have you checked in to your room yet?” I ask.
“Yeah. I checked in online, dumped my bags there, and came right back down to meet Maddie.”
“So they didn’t lose your luggage.” From Jesse.
Still a sore spot, even though it arrived the next day.
To be fair, the trip didn’t start out great for Jesse. He was the only one of our party stuck in an uncomfortable coach seat. Not a big deal for some, but he’s tall with superlong legs, so it must have been uncomfortable. Then the airline lost his luggage. It was still in Denver. He struggled with awful jet lag, but Rory got him through it, and their first concert was a massive success. But then Dragon got high with two groupies and wound up OD’ing. Jesse just found out today that Dragon won’t be returning for the rest of the tour. He’s going home and entering rehab.
So yeah… The trip had a rough start for Jesse.
But he and I are together now.
Of course, that’s also bugging him because one, he thinks I’m too young to commit, and two, our career paths seem at odds.
I’m a romantic at heart. I think true love can conquer any conflict.
I guess we’ll see.
As far as I’m concerned, Dave being here is a plus. He can hang with Maddie and give Jesse and me more alone time together.
She may be thinking the same thing, according to the radiant glow on her face and in her dark eyes.
I was hoping Jesse and I could go straight back to his room, but his rigid stance indicates he’s not going anywhere until he sees his youngest sister safely to bed.
“So you came here,” I say, “but we’re leaving tomorrow to go to Glasgow.”
Dave takes a sip of his beer and nods. “I know. I got the whole itinerary from Brock before you guys left. He wanted someone in the States to know where you were at all times in case of an emergency.”
“Then who’s the emergency contact now?” Jesse asks pointedly.
“It was going to be Dale.” Dave takes another drink. “But when I tried to give him the info, he told me that he and Ashley were heading to London to hang with Donny and Callie. So I gave Henry and Brad all the info before I left.”
“Great.” Jesse gestures to a server. “I’m going to need a drink here.”
We each had only two drinks at dinner—I had Scotch and he had beer, and then we both had wine—so no harm in another.
The server comes quickly. “Yes, sir?”
“Bourbon, neat,” Jesse says.
“Brand?”
“Surprise me.”
She turns to me. “Ma’am?”
“Same, but I’ll have the best you’ve got.”
Jesse gives me an evil eye, but I ignore him. So I can afford good booze. Sue me.
“Bring him the same,” Dave says. “It’s all on me.”
Jesse glares at Dave, but at least he doesn’t say anything. How can he? Brock is paying for his substitute drummer. I know it sticks in his craw, but he’ll soon see that the Steels are generous people who don’t expect anything in return.
I hope so, anyway.
“So seriously,” I say to my cousin. “What made you decide to come here?”
Dave drains the last of his beer. “I need some time off, Bree. I’ve been working with Dad and Uncle Joe nonstop since all the shit went down with the trafficking and then Wendy Madigan. Now that she’s gone and we don’t have any dark shadows hanging over us, I felt it was time to take a vacation.”
I open my mouth, but he gestures me to stay quiet.
“I know, I know. Steels don’t take vacations. Unless they finish college early and want to follow rockers around.” He grins.
I give him a friendly swat.
“Anyway,” Dave continues, “I’ve never seen Europe, and since Don and Brock are both here—”
“Donny’s leaving after the UK portion,” I remind him.
“Right. I know that. I found out when I talked to Dale. Anyway, once Donny and Callie return to the States, I figured you and Brock might enjoy some company.”