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“I know you’ve met everyone before, but this is different.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders.
She leans into me. Having her in my arms amazes me at how comfortable I am. There’s no tension. No walking on eggshells, no wondering if I’m going to say or do the wrong thing.
“Nervous but excited.”
“Well, my parents are very chill. It’s a bonus that you already know one of my sisters.”
“Ah yes, the one who can make or break my career.”
I give her a bit of the side eye. “Elle’s not like that. You know this. Today, when you see her, she will be with Ben and their boys, Peyton and Noah, and their babies. She’s a lot different around family.”
“I love this place,” Hendrix says as the tour bus pulls up to the MGM Grand. This is where we’ll be playing tomorrow nightfor the final show of the tour. Looking out the windows, there’s the familiar chaos of Vegas mixed with something new and exciting.
“Holy shit,” Hendrix says from the front of the bus. “Look at this crowd.”
Fans start screaming as the bus pulls up to the designated drop off. Honestly, I’m surprised there are so many people waiting for us.
“Should we get off and give the fans what they want?” Keane asks.
I shrug and figure Elle’s going to come out and tell us what’s happening. It’s not like we have to get off the bus right now. I continue looking out the window toward the hotel, while some of the others are on the other side, pointing out fans and reading the signs they have.
Three very large men come out of the hotel, with my sister following behind them. She’s wearing one of those baby carriers over her chest. I angle my head, trying to see the rest of my family.
Elle boards, looking exhausted, happy, and glowing. She looks at each of us and then a wide smile forms over her lips. “After months and months of stops, this is it. If I don’t tell you tonight after the shows over, I’m so freaking proud to be your manager.”
Whichever boy she has fusses. She bounces up and down to soothe him. “This lobby area is clear, and the security team will keep the fans at bay. There are a lot of fans in the hotel so if at any time you want to go somewhere, let me know and I’ll get you an escort. 4225 West is also here so the fans and their moms are very happy.” Elle rolls her eyes.
“We have the lazy river reserved today for a private party,” she adds. “It’ll be all our families.”
“Are Jamie and the kids here?” Ajay asks.
Elle nods. “Yep, and all settled in their suite. Just waiting for you. And your parents are here,” she says looking at Wynonna and Priscilla, who look elated. My heart dips a bit knowing no one is waiting for Justine. I know bits and pieces about her life but haven’t asked for more. Someday, she’ll tell me.
I hold Justine’s hand as we get off the bus, loving the way it feels in mine. As soon as we get into this part of the hotel, a security guard directs us toward an elevator. He steps inside, swipes a card and the presses the button from the second to top.
Next to me, Ajay rocks back and forth, with anticipation. I can’t imagine being on tour and not having my family with me. I don’t know how he’s made it.
The door opens and Evelyn screams my name. “Quinnnnnnn!” She launches herself into my arms, ignoring her dad.
“Hey, sweet girl. I hear we are going to the pool later.”
She nods. “Grandpa said I can sit on his lap.”
“No, me,” James says as Ajay scopes him up.
“You can sit on my lap,” Ajay says. “I’ve missed you.”
“K,” James says as he hugs his father. Ajay’s moving down the hall fast toward his wife, who runs toward him. I watch the for a second and then tell Evelyn to go to her parents.
“Mom and dad are in here,” Elle says as she comes up behind me. I lift the blanket covering one of my nephews and peak at the sleeping baby. “Jett?”
“Why do you think it’s Jett?”
“Because Jett is a very Elle name,” I tell her.
My sister cackles and nods. “Yes, this is Jett.” She pulls the blanket all the way off so others can see him. Dana melts, Chandler says she wants to babysit, while Hendrix says Hendrix would’ve made a badass name.
“He’s very cute,” Justine says as she touches his dark hair.