Free Ember by K.T. Fisher Page B

never do that to yourself.” She makes a point of looking down at my stomach. A warm feeling spreads within me as I realize that my friends have faith in me, even after everything I did to them.
    “Don’t get me wrong,” she continues. “I love touring with the guys, and I love spending time with my brother, but I need to relax from everything.”
    “It can be hard,” I agree.
    Crystal nods, but I get the slight feeling she’s not just talking about being on tour. I hope she isn’t having any troubles.
    “Besides, all I want to do is chill out and watch as many movies as possible,” she laughs.
    “Sounds perfect.” Our hands slap in the air as we high five.
    “What’s happening here then?” I hear Cole ask.
    “We have your house all to ourselves while you’re away, so you better be nice,” Crystal teases him.
    “What do you mean?” Cole asks, his frown deepening and he looks confused.
    “I persuaded Lacey to go with you,” I simply answer.
    Cole immediately comes toward me with his hands clamping on my shoulders. “You did?”
    I nod my head. “She’s upstairs packing.”
    I start to laugh as Cole picks me up and begins to spin me around. “I fucking love you,” he growls and kisses my forehead before running upstairs, I’m assuming, to find Lacey.
    “You didn’t tell him about Ria and Paige,” Crystal snickers.
    “I know,” I laugh with her.
    We walk outside together to see how the loading is doing. Booker is leaning against the bus, looking down at his phone.
    “Taking a break?” I tease him.
    He smiles as he looks at me, but when he sees Crystal, the smile disappears.
    “Where’s your bag?” he asks her.
    Crystal clears her throat. “I’m not coming.”
    I’m shocked to see that Booker looks a little let down. “Why?”
    “I’ve decided to chill here with Rox,” she says, and then she slings her arm around my shoulder and widely grins at Booker. Something is going on here, I can feel it.
    “I thought you liked touring with us?” Booker asks, and steps closer.
    “I do, Book,” Crystal lets me go and places her hands on her hips. “Just not all the time. I need a break and I need to relax.”
    He stares at her for a little while. “Someone giving you grief?”
    I see Crystal tense. “What? No!”
    “Then why do you need to relax?” he demands. Something is definitely happening here. Booker wouldn’t be acting like this if it wasn’t.
    Feeling as if I need to give these two some privacy, I sneak back inside and literally bump into Mason.
    “Shit! Sorry, Rox,” he apologizes.
    “No, it was my fault.” I feel my cheeks burn from the embarrassment.
    “Where’re you sneaking off to?” he asks.
    “Nowhere, I just needed to get away from those two,” I point over my shoulder to Crystal and Booker. “It got a little heavy.”
    Mason laughs. “Yeah, I decided to stay out of that a long time ago.”
    “So I am right?” I knew it!
    Mason shakes his head. “Don’t get involved. It’s complicated.
    “My lips are sealed.” I’m acting like a fucking teenage girl!
    “I just heard the girls are coming along. You sure you’re ok with that?” He looks a little concerned. If it was anyone else, I would be annoyed, but, oddly, Mason’s obvious concern for me makes me happy.
    “I’m certain.” Mason nods his head, accepting it and moving on.
    “I’ll keep in touch,” he says, his eyes searching all over my face. “I promise this time.”
    “I know.” My voice comes out quiet and thick with emotion.
    Mason takes a step closer to me and caresses my cheek softly. “I’m here for you, at any time.”
    I nod my head, unable to say a word, and then watch him as he collects his bag and walks outside to the tour bus. Ria comes running down the stairs, her large bag in hand and jumps to my side.
    “I am so excited!” she squeals.
    Really? I didn’t notice.
    “Where’s the rest?” I ask her.
    “Paige is nearly done packing, and well, I don’t know about