Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Somehow I get to the elevator and push the right button to take me to the floor where Maddie and I have a room.
I slowly shamble to the room and get the key card to unlock the door with a click.
When I walk in, Maddie grabs me, hugging me. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t.”
She doesn’t know how true my words are, because if her brother doesn’t want me, I don’t want anyone else.
I’m only twenty-two. Chances are I’ll meet someone else eventually. But right now, I imagine myself as a spinster living on the ranch, working alongside my father…for the rest of my life.
I convinced Maddie to continue her sightseeing plans with Brock, Callie, and Donny this morning. I convinced her to tell them that I was a little nauseated from something I ate last night. I stayed back in the room, took a shower, and then sat around feeling miserable.
They pick me up at lunchtime.
“You feeling better?” Maddie asks.
“Hey, sis.” Donny says. “I’m sorry you ate something bad.”
“Yeah, I’m fine now, though.”
Maddie gives me a sympathetic gaze.
She wouldn’t tell any of them that I was gone all night. I know I can trust her to be discreet and keep my secrets.
We end up at a small sandwich shop for lunch, where I order a curried chicken sandwich called coronation chicken. The bread is white and moist, but it tastes dry like sawdust against my tongue.
I have to snap out of this. We’re going to afternoon tea to meet Ennis Ainsley. I force my lips to curve into a smile.
I gather all my strength to engage in the conversation among the rest of our party.
By the end of the meal, after my sandwich—which turned out to be delicious—and a lot of water, I feel somewhat better.
Not great, but I’ll deal.
We walk around London for the next hour until it’s time for tea. Because of our time constraint, Brock suggests the Tower Bridge, a suspension bridge that crosses the River Thames. It’s striking—two towers are connected by a walkway and drawbridge.
The Tower of London and St. Katharine Docks are nearby, but unfortunately we don’t have the time to visit them today. We admire the majestic bridge and take lots of photos. Then we take a cab to Ennis Ainsley’s house.
We’re on the outskirts of London, near the countryside. The house is a gorgeous stone mansion, and I wish Diana were here to see it. It’s stately, with an imposing facade and meticulous architectural details—including majestic columns and arched windows—that she would appreciate. The gray stone appears to be granite, though I can’t tell for sure. The expansive grounds are beautifully landscaped and feature lush gardens, a manicured lawn, and a cobblestone driveway leading to the main entrance.
“Wow.” Maddie’s eyes go wide.
“Yeah, our family paid Ennis really well,” Brock says. “Rory and I were amazed at this place when we came. Wait until you meet his British butler, Havisham.”
“I know,” Maddie says. “Rory told me all about him. A real British gentleman’s gentleman.”
We exit the cab, and I steel myself. I’ve managed to keep from crying all day, and my eyes are finally looking somewhat normal. I skipped the mascara this morning after my shower. I didn’t want raccoon eyes again.
“You’re going to love Ennis,” Brock says, knocking on the door. “He’s awesome.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Jesse
“Damn it, Cage,” I yell. “Could you fucking keep up?”
Rory and the guys all drop their jaws and stare at me.
Of course they do.
I never yell during rehearsal. Okay…maybe never is too harsh a word, but rarely.
“Jess, what’s your problem?” Rory demands.
“My problem is our cousin has been late on his entrance each time we’ve played the damned song, Ror.”
“He hasn’t,” Rory says.
I turn to face my sister. “You questioning my ear?”
“Yeah,” Rory says. “I am. You were supposed to go right back to your room and get some sleep last night. Did you?”
“No, he didn’t.”
I glare at Dragon sitting behind his drum set. “Thanks a lot.”
“Listen, Jess,” Dragon says. “This tour means everything to all of us. Not just you. We need you at the top of your game. Right now you’re not. I don’t know what the hell you were doing until one in the morning when you finally came back to our room, but whatever it was, you need to fucking move past it and get on board here.”
I glare at Dragon again. These are the most words he’s ever said at one time.
At least in front of the whole band.
“You stayed out late?” Cage says. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“I don’t owe any of you an explanation.”
“Fine,” Rory says, “but if it were any of the rest of us who were fucking up today, you’d demand an explanation.”
She’s not wrong.
I’ve always been the de facto leader of this band.