Hopefully, finally, neither will I.

Chapter Forty-Two

I pull my chirping cell phone from my purse, excited to see Asher’s name across the screen.

“Hi.” I hold my finger up to Kenzi as I move across the store to a quieter area.

“Hey, baby.” Swoon. “Whatchya up to?”

“I’m at the furniture store with Kenzi and Tia.”

“Ahh. I can’t wait to see all the new stuff when I get home. I owe you eight years of shopping, so have at it.” I can hear his smile in his voice, and it sends a quick pang to my chest. I miss him. I knew I would, but I’d underestimated how much, and it’s only been two weeks so far.

“Where are you guys today?” I lose track of the different cities and states he mentions.

“We’re in Pennsylvania. Playing a cool little club tonight. I’ll send you some pictures.”

“I’d like that.” I save all the photos he sends me since Kenzi taught me how. I probably look at his pictures more than what would be considered normal.

“Me and the guys are getting ready to run out and grab a bite to eat. I wanted to call you first and tell you I’m thinking about you, and I miss you.”

My lips curve into a slow smile. “I miss you too.”

“I’ll call you tonight when I get back on the bus. It might be kinda late, though.”

I glance around to make sure Kenzi isn’t in earshot. “I might go to sleep early. I feel like I’m getting a cold.”

“Are you okay?” Concern threads through his voice. “There’s a bunch of cold meds in the upstairs hall closet. Storm has this killer drink he makes for colds. I’ll text you the recipe. He swears by it. We have bottles of vitamin C too. Start taking those when you get home.”

The way he cares about me warms my heart, and a tinge of guilt creeps through me.

“I will,” I assure him. “It’s just a cold. I don’t want you worrying about me or sending a doctor to the house or anything crazy like that, okay?” I’m only half-teasing, because that’s the kind of thing Asher would do.

“So I shouldn’t show up tonight with a stethoscope and a thermometer?”

I giggle. “As much as I’d love to see you, let’s not do that. I think you make a much better rock star than a doctor.”

“Damn.” A sigh whooshes in my ear. “I was lookin’ forward to examining you.”

Asher’s fun, teasing side has been making appearances during our talks and texts the past few days, and I hope it stays. His subtle flirting is endearing and sexy.

Not wanting to get lost in his voice in the middle of the store, I say, “Kenzi’s waiting for me, so I should go. Call me tonight, but don’t worry if I don’t answer. It’ll only be because I fell asleep.”

“Okay. Take care of yourself, sweetheart. Tell Kenzi I love her and not to worry about Tor. All he does is talk about her and Tia.”

“I’ll tell her. Have fun tonight.”

“Was that Dad?” Kenzi asks when I find her in the lamp section.

I nod. “He sounds happy. He said to tell you he loves you and that Tor is talking about you and the baby nonstop.”

She breaks out into a big smile and glances at the baby in her stroller, smiling up at us and waving her hands. Tia’s wearing a black T-shirt that says I’m with the band across the front in big pink letters, and she couldn’t be more adorable. “I feel silly worrying…but I miss him. We haven’t been apart since we got married.”

“I’m sure he misses you just as much.”

Her cheeks turn a light shade of pink. “I know. I guess I’m just not used to this from this side. I grew up watching you and Dad on stage. I saw how the fans flirted with you both, and you always just smiled and ignored it. I’m not exactly thrilled about the idea of girls gawking at my husband, giving him lots of attention. He’s not used to it like Daddy is.”

I touch her arm. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Tor loves you. I’m sure he has zero interest in anyone else.” Not to mention Asher would kill him if he caught even the slightest hint that Tor was straying mentally or physically.

She pushes her hair behind her shoulder, and I catch a shade of apprehension in her eyes. “I know. It just makes me uncomfortable. I’m glad he went, though. He was so crazy excited. He literally practiced night and day after Dad asked him to join them. If I didn’t have the baby, I would’ve loved to have gone with them and seen him and Daddy on stage together. When they swing back home and play local, you can bet your ass I’m going to be there. You should come with me. Daddy would love it.”