“So, she was your kid sister?”

He nods. “She was eight when she died.”

How awful. Her life hadn’t even begun and yet it was ripped away at such an early age.

I tilt my head. “How old where you?”

“Sixteen.”

My heart crumbles a little. “That’s so young to have to deal with something like that. What happened to her?”

Zach pulls his lips into a tight line and stares up at the ceiling, clearly fighting back emotion.

It’s always on the news that most tragedies where a child dies, some sort of preventable negligence occurred. I want to ask so badly if that’s what happened, but when I glance up at Zach for answers he grows still.

“Don’t,” he says. “Whatever you’ve got going through your mind, let’s not even talk about it.”

Instead of pushing the issue further, I back off and give the topic space. It’s obvious from his change of mood that he still has issues dealing with her death, and who am I to push him to open up to me. After all, I am still just some woman he slept with. We barely know each other.

I sigh and return my head to his chest and study the contours of his abs. I have to accept this night for what it is. Just sex.

It’s not long before my eyes grow heavy and I’m fast asleep.

RIFF

I lay awake and watch her sleep against me. She’s so beautiful. Her pouty lips drift open and she breathes slowly. She’s peaceful and it’s amazing to watch someone completely relax when they sleep.

I’ve drifted in and out all night, but now that the sun’s up, I know it’ll be a matter of time before we walk out of this room and I never see her again. So I don’t want to waste any more time sleeping.

It’s been a long time since anyone has asked me about Hailey’s tattoo. Even longer still since anyone has cared enough to try to pump me for details about her. I knew Kitten was different from all the other women I’ve been with. That’s why I wanted her so much.

The ringtone on my cell plays throughout the quiet room. I snatch it off the nightstand and without looking at the caller ID, I answer, “Somebody better be dead.”

A bitter laugh rolls through my earpiece and my stomach clenches. “You might as well call me that.”

My jaw tenses. “What do you want, Dad? I told you to never call me.”

He huffs into the phone. “I would be happy to never speak to your piece of shit ass again, but seeing as how there’s no payment in my bank account yet, I figured I’d better call to make sure you haven’t forgotten about your dear, old Dad.”

I squeeze the phone in my hand. “Nice to know I’m your fucking meal ticket.”

“You listen to me you little bastard. That money better be in my account today, or so help me—”

Blind rage overtakes me and makes me forget Aubrey’s asleep on my chest as I shout, “Or you’ll what? Beat my ass? Sorry old man, but that bridge has long been crossed and we won’t be going back over it. You’re lucky I send shit. One of these days I’m going to tell you to fuck off.”

He laughs. “Idle threats, son. We both know you owe me, so get me my fucking money!”

Before I can get another word in, Dad hangs up on me.

Fucking asshole.

I would give anything to be able to cut him out of my life. He’s an old, bitter man who loves to make me feel like a fuck-up every chance he gets.

Disgusted, I toss my phone back on the nightstand. My eyes shoot down to study Kitten. Not once has she made a move like she’s awake, which is a small miracle from God considering I basically screamed in her ear.

My relationship with my father is something I don’t want anyone to know about, let alone witness first hand. I hate the fact that the guys in the band know about my past at all, but I hate even more that Trip and Tyke were witness to it. I hate people’s fucking sympathy more than anything in the world. I’m a piece of shit and deserve none. I deserve the hell I’ve been through.

Aubrey stirs in my arms, and I tense.

Shit. She probably did hear that after all.

She stretches her slender arms out and yawns before she peers up at me through those sexy, long lashes of hers. She smiles and then snuggles back into me. “Good morning.”

Relief floods me. Surely if she heard that fight she’d be asking me who I was talking too. I’m glad I don’t have to give her some lame-ass lie to try to cover up who I am. I don’t need her knowing I’m a fucked up mess.

“Mornin’. You hungry? I can order us up some room service before we head back to the bus, or maybe we can go another round while we still have some privacy?”

She bites her bottom lip after she runs her tongue across it. “I think another round is definitely called for before breakfast.”

Aubrey rises up and presses her lips to mine.

I really do like the way this girl thinks.

As things start to get good, Aubrey’s cell rings. What the fuck is with all the calls this morning?

She tries to pull away, but I only squeeze her in my arms tighter which causes her to giggle. “Zach, I have to get that. It could be Lanie.”

“Make it quick.” I hold her a second longer before letting her go.

Kitten answers on the fourth ring. “Hello?” Her tone is raspy and slow.

She listens for a few seconds to the person on the other end of the line, and I notice how adorable she is when she tries to concentrate. I lean in and nibble on her neck.