Page 96 of Without You

Mm hmm. I’ll just bet he is. Super country music star Chase Stanton is shy. That’s why he gets in front of crowds of thousands on a weekly basis. “Shy, huh? I didn’t get that from when I met him at all.”

She’s pacing around the small office. “I know. I know. It sounds like a bunch of bullcrap, but I’m not sure that it is.”

“Why’s that?”

“I think… I don’t know what I think. I’ve heard how people have a stage persona and I think that’s what happens with him. But one on one, or small groups of people, they’re shy and nervous.”

“Maybe. So what are you thinking about the job, then?”

“I really have no idea,” she admits.

“It sounds like a good opportunity.”

“Is it, though? Being on a bus with a bunch of guys I’ve never met, traveling from city to city? The money he is offering is crazy but I don’t know if I even want to do something like this. Is that weird of me? Wouldn’t most people be chomping at the bit to basically spend months with a celebrity?”

I want to smile at her indecision but resist the urge.

“I don’t know about most people, but a fair amount would, yes. That doesn’t make you weird for not being sure you want to do it, though. It’s your preference. What I’m confused about is if hiring a massage therapist to travel with him is normal. That seems… extreme, right?”

“That’s what I asked him.”

“And?”

She wrinkles her nose. “He didn’t really give me a straight answer.”

Awesome. That’s super reassuring.

Which is my sarcastic way of thinking that this feels all kinds of fucked up. He’s absolutely into her. I can hardly blame him, but how am I supposed to compete with a country music star?

I don’t want to come off like a jealous asshole, but that’s exactly what I am. However, I’ve never shied away from a challenge before and don’t plan on starting now. Not when it means the difference of having Katie in my life or not. She’s too important to me. And, fuck it, I’m worthy of her. Sure, I’m not Chase Stanton, but I’m Brody Redding, dammit. “I would assume this would be normal for professional athletes.”

“Right. I said that, too. He said he has an old injury from a bad car accident and has found he feels physically better if he gets massages and it would just be easier if I came along.”

“Yeah, that’s not a straight answer,” I agree. “Maybe he wants someone who can learn his body?” I ask, feeling sick to my stomach for even saying it. Of course I’m okay with her job as a massage therapist, but that’s when she’s working for clients. Not some guy who sings on stage for a living and wants to get in her pants. “I wish I could give you a stronger opinion on this, but I’m afraid it’s not really my place, and I know I won’t be able to stay partial. When does he want an answer?”

She chews on her bottom lip and looks nervous when she answers, “Monday.”

Shit. He isn’t messing around. He’s actually going for her. Something in me says it has nothing to do with her massaging capabilities and everything to do with him wanting her with him. Why? He’s known her for what… a day?

I open my mouth to respond when my phone rings. I look at it, see it’s Johnny, and hit ignore.

He immediately calls again.

“What is it?” I answer, irritated by his interruption.

“Finally you picked up! I’m on my way to you. You need to stay on the phone with me until I get there, okay?”

“What the hell, man? I’m in the middle of something here,” I tell him, about to hang up.

“Don’t hang up. I mean it. Chad should be there soon. Do you know where Katie is?”

I make eye contact with Katie and she turns her head in question, mouthing the word ‘what’. I stand up, alert and nervous. “She’s here with me. What the hell is going on?”

“Good. Good. Just… stay on the line. I’ll be there in two minutes.”

“Johnny, you’re seriously pissing me off. Would you just tell me what you’re freaking out about? Is it my parents? Are they okay?”

“They’re okay, as far as I know.”

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