Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 57804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
“I’m almost a year into my sobriety,” I told her. “This place has helped me heal, even if it doesn’t really feel like home yet.”
Delilah’s face softened as she smiled in a warm manner.
“I’m glad you’ve made it this far. I know it’s easy to get swept up in the insanity of the entertainment industry. It’s brutal,” she said.
It was nice that she got it. The others weren’t from big, demanding cities. They just didn’t realize how intense it was being surrounded by so many intimidating and influential people. As a kid, I was swayed so easily by the wrong crowd. Then, I became part of that crowd that people needed to avoid.
“Ryder mentioned you guys used to play a little music together back in the day,” I mentioned as I flipped the eggs.
Delilah glanced away from me and sipped on her coffee for a second.
“A little. We did a few performances at some local events,” she replied.
Something told me she was holding back a little. Or maybe a lot. There had been some weird tension between her and Ryder last night. If they had known each other for years, what had happened in their past?
“And we did a damn good job.”
I whipped around at the sound of Ryder’s voice to see him coming down the stairs in a pair of lounge shorts and a black t-shirt.
“Oh, I bet,” I said, my eyes flickering over to Delilah to see her peer at Ryder with wide eyes. Oh, yeah, there was something going on between those two. At some points, she seemed awed by his presence. At other points, it was like she acted distant toward him.
“Even when your guitar string broke during that Christmas play,” Delilah said with a small laugh.
“What can I say? We’re a good team,” Ryder replied as he brushed past her to make himself a cup of coffee.
I caught Delilah smiling to herself, which made me smirk a little. I would bet my sweet Dodge Challenger that she had a raging crush on Ryder back in the day. Maybe even now. I wondered what she thought when she learned that he wanted his band to collaborate with her.
I had a feeling that pushed her decision to come here.
“There’s the rest of the guys,” I said as I peered out of the kitchen window above the sink to see Jesse and Amos piling out of Wyatt’s Ford truck.
“I’m going to put on pants,” Delilah replied before setting her coffee mug down.
“Aw, don’t be shy now,” I said with a chuckle, unable to help myself. I liked teasing her and making her get all flustered.
Ryder nudged me, giving me a look that told me to behave.
Delilah had already hurried up the stairs.
I grinned to myself as I switched off the stove, looking forward to any other moments alone that I got to spend with New York’s finest.
Chapter 6
Delilah
What had I gotten myself into?
All throughout breakfast, I couldn’t help but sneak a few peeks at Carson, who always grinned when he caught my eyes. He was so effortlessly charming with his bold compliments and sly looks. I quickly slipped down a slope and couldn’t help but admit that he was insanely attractive.
He seemed interested in me, but that was probably his nature toward all women he found somewhat attractive. He was a natural flirt, and I didn’t need to be getting mixed up with an ex-alcoholic and party person. His past was loaded with complicated baggage, and the last thing I needed to do was top off my own issues.
“So, what now?” I asked once everyone finished eating and putting up their dishes. It was interesting how all the guys acted like the ranch house was their home. They were completely comfortable going anywhere or doing anything in here, but I used to be like that too. Now, this place was a reminder of how Ryder literally hit it and quit it. How humiliating.
“Carson, Wyatt, and I have to run some errands in town,” Ryder said. “Amos has a singing lesson to teach.”
“You teach singing lessons?” I asked Amos.
Amos nodded with a look of satisfaction on his face.
“I took them all throughout my twenties to better my voice, so I figured I could spread around what I learned,” Amos explained.
With each conversation, I learned more and more interesting things about these guys, and I had a feeling there was plenty left for me to find out. In a way, that excited me.
“What are you doing?” I asked Jesse as he put on a tan jacket.
“Feeding the cattle. Want to come along?” Jesse asked as he lifted an eyebrow at me.
The guys had been really nice and accommodating since I got here, including Ryder. They let me sleep here so that I didn’t have to keep traveling back and forth to the studio. They fed me well and listened to me talk with actual interest gleaming in their eyes. The least I could do was help feed the cattle.