Jace (Kings of Country 1)

“Y’all are awesome,” Heather piped up. “Thank you, like so much, for all of this. I know Jace can be a pain sometimes, so knowing he has people looking out for him is a big deal to me. Especially since I can’t be around very much.”

“Ouch.” Jace pressed a hand to his chest. Heather’s lack of a filter wasn’t always a good thing.

“Which part?” Travis used his fork to scoop off something chocolate. “The part where s

he’s thanking us for being your friend or the part where she’s apologizing about you being a pain?” He was laughing.

Emmy was too. Hell, even Heather was now.

“I’m not sure.” Jace shook his head, his gaze darting to his phone.

“She’ll be here.” Travis sighed. “It’s been less than an hour, man. Show some dignity.”

It was his turn to laugh.

“I think it’s super cool she’s taking Becca Sinclair under her wing. Thank you.” Heather took the plate with sample bites from Emmy Lou. “She’s like this orphan with a grandpa who’s super old and Tig Whitman heard her singing at some berry festival thing or something and saw potential and now she’s singing with you guys.”

“All that?” Jace nudged her.

“How old is she?” Travis asked. “She looks, like, twelve?”

“She better be legal.” Jace shook his head. “She downed two drinks at the mixer like they were water.” And today, her nerves. A little performance anxiety was one thing, but what the hell was Tig Whitman thinking, putting her on the big stage? Maybe when she wasn’t dripping sweat and white as a sheet, but now? It seemed unfair to her and the fans looking for a good show.

“Something going on there.” Travis nodded.

“I think it’s sweet.” Heather sighed. “Not that she has baggage, but that Tiger Whitman is going to help her dreams come true.”

“Any second now, a singing cricket in a top hat is going to come in and sing about wishes and hopes and dreams.” Travis took a massive bite of cheesecake.

“Pinocchio was his favorite,” Emmy Lou explained. “He went as Jiminy Cricket for Halloween one year.”

Travis glared her way. “I suddenly have a craving for carrot cake.”

“Aww.” Heather was a little too starry-eyed over Travis King. “I bet you looked adorable.”

“I was all about the blue fairy.” Travis shrugged. “She was hot.”

“And just like that, the awws fade away.” Emmy Lou sighed. “You’re supposed to be sharing.”

“I only want what I want.”

Travis had managed to pull most of the plates directly in front of him. He was taking random bites and swatting her fork away with his.

Jace’s phone vibrated.

Not coming. Sorry. I’ll see you tomorrow.

“She on her way?” Travis picked up his phone. “Oh, hey. Dad texted.” He stopped eating and set his fork down. “We need to get home.”

“What’s wrong?” Heather asked.

“He just said home 911. Which means get our asses home.” Travis flagged down the waiter. “Can we get to-go boxes?” He glanced at his phone. “Says Sawyer is en route. Will drop y’all at home on the way.”

Is everything okay? Need anything?

Krystal didn’t respond to Jace’s text. By the time he and Heather were delivered to their front door, the mood between Travis and Emmy had declined into long silent stares out the window and the occasional obligatory response to Heather.

“I’m bummed out.” Heather waved the dark SUV off. “Think everything is okay?”