Page 45 of Belonging to Them

“Oh, no,” she says, shaking her head.“I’ve been picking up items over the past few months.We should be set.”

I’m willing to bet she’s only been purchasing necessary items, not fun things.Taking her hand in mine, I say, “I want to throw you a baby shower.For you, and for my future niece or nephew.Will you let me?”

“You really want to do that?”she asks.

I nod.

“Well,” she says, “I don’t have many friends to invite, but even if it’s just us two, it would be fun.Sure, you can throw a shower for the baby.I’d really like that.”

* * *

Sebastian

There’s always an element of controlled chaos after a show.At least we don’t have the added confusion of being in a different venue—sticking to the same casino makes it easier to have a routine rather than folks wondering where to go afterward.

“Bash, are you coming with us for dinner?”Pat asks.“We’re grabbing showers to wash off the grime, then grabbing a bite.”

“No, thanks.I’ll get room service.”

“You sure, old man?”Landen asks from behind her.

The “old man” shit shouldn’t get to me.I honestly don’t care.Aging is better than the alternative, which is dying.But the way he phrased it with Ella in the picture, it just rubbed me the wrong fucking way.

Ella doesn’t think I’m too old for her, and she’s the one whose opinion matters.Not fucking Landen’s.

Ignoring Landen, I say to Pat, “Thanks for the invite.Maybe we could get lunch tomorrow.”

“That sounds great,” she says.“It’ll be good to have a last hurrah before we go back East.”

I wave at her, Landen, and Bret, then head up to my room.I have to dodge a couple of fans who somehow found their way onto my floor, but security is already escorting them away before they can become a problem.

Once I’m safely inside my suite, I lean against the closed door and sigh.Maybe I am too old for this.Not for music, but for massive shows like this, in big venues.

Or maybe it isn’t age, so much as just knowing what’s important now.And right now, what’s important is my little princess.Kingston called me earlier today to explain what’s going on with her brother’s girlfriend and the possible pregnancy, and I’ve been mildly concerned ever since.I’m really fucking glad Kingston will be back in San Esteban tomorrow.

It’s midnight, but maybe she isn’t sleeping yet.I send her a quick text.

No response.

Sighing, I toss my phone on the sofa and grab the room service menu.I’m trying to decide what to order when my phone rings.

It’s Ella, and my heart immediately lifts.“Hey, princess,” I say.

“Daddy.”She sighs.“I miss you.”

“I miss you, too.I’ll be home in just a couple of days.Were you sleeping?”

“Not yet, just climbing into bed.”

I wish I was there.“How’s everything over there?How’s the demon cat?”

“He’s good.I think he misses you.”

“That’s a fucking lie,” I say with a laugh.

She laughs, too, and it sounds like music.When she quiets, I can hear fabric rustling.

“You were literally getting into bed when I called, weren’t you?”I ask.