Page 49 of The Wiener Across the Way

I was splashing water on my face when a soft knock on the door warned me that it was a different kind of showtime. I called out, hoping my voice didn’t betray my exhaustion. “Come in.”

Penelope walked in, Declan and Pooh trailing behind her. The sight of them was like a balm, but it also reminded me how much I had to keep up appearances.

“You were phenomenal, Kelsey,” Penelope said, her eyes scanning my face with concern. “But you look a bit... off.”

I dabbed my face dry with a towel, forcing a smile. “Just the usual post-show adrenaline crash. I’ll be fine.”

Declan stepped forward, Pooh wagging her tail beside him. “You sure? You look like you could use some rest.”

I hated that they could both see through me, but I wasn’t about to admit it. “I’m good, really. Just need to eat something. Maybe a power nap before the next gig.”

Penelope eyed me, not quite convinced. “I can postpone the Saddle Creek show again if you’re not up to it.”

“No, no, absolutely not.” No way I was letting those fans wait on me a second time, not to mention, I did not have the mental energy to deal with the fallout from the record label or the haranguing I’d get from Skeeter. “The show must go on, right? I’ve never let a little tiredness stop me before.”

Declan came closer, his gaze soft but filled with a silent question. Pooh, sensing the mood, sat down at my feet, her head tilted as if she, too, was worried.

“I appreciate the concern, guys, but I’ve got this.” I moved to the vanity, grabbing a wipe to finish removing the stage makeup. “I can’t disappoint all those fans waiting at Saddle Creek. Or your whole-ass family. How many Kingmans are here? Every single one in the whole wide world?”

Declan chuckled, but his eyes remained on me, full of unspoken care. He accepted my change of topic, but I hadn’t fooled him. “Sometimes I lose track of how many brothers I have. But they’re all here. Hayes took my request to bring me clothes as an invitation to come up to Aspen. And once Princess Kingman found out, that meant everyone else knew. It’s not like any of us can say no to her.”

A giggle popped out, and it felt good. “No, I don’t suppose you can. It was fun to see people in the audience I know in real life. So, I guess, thanks for bringing them along to the show.”

Penelope clapped her hands together. “Okay, let’s get going if we’re feeding you and sneaking in that power nap.”

Declan picked up Pooh and used her to point at Penelope. “She’s definitely getting that nap, even if we have to guard her door.”

Back at the hotel, I went straight to focusing on my songwriting notebook. Tonight’s acoustic show was supposed to be my new stuff and I didn’t have any new stuff. Declan watched me from across the room, a knowing smile on his lips.

“You should take that nap, Kels.” His voice was gentle yet firm, and it did something funny to my lower belly. Something flippity-floppy.

I shook my head, stubbornly clinging to my notebook. “We’re waiting for food, and I need every spare minute to work on this song. I want to try it out tonight.”

Declan walked over and gently but decisively closed the notebook. “The song can wait. You need to rest, even if it’s just for a few minutes. The food will be here when you wake up.”

“I don’t need a babysitter.” I knew full well he was just being nice, trying to take care of me. And that’s what made me snap at him. Because I was scared I was going to fall for him.

Nobody took care of me but me. Well, and people I paid to take care of me. Declan was neither of those things. He caredbecause he was... good. Yeah, not because he was in love with me. Nope.

He didn’t even flinch at my petulance. Probably from years of actual babysitting a little sister. In fact, he chuckled like he was about to enjoy what was going to happen.

“Think of me as your personal relaxation coach.” He crossed to me in three steps and wrapped his hands around my waist. Then he picked me up.

He.

Picked.

Me.

Up.

I gasped and squealed and threw my arms around his neck. “What are you doing? Put me down. You can’t just carry me around.”

The last time I’d been picked up by anyone, I was probably five or six. I was taller than my dad by the time I was twelve, so it wasn’t like I was the kind of girl anyone just randomly picked up and threw around. I’d been way too big for anyone to do that in a very long time.

“Sweetheart, I’m making it my job to carry you around.” To prove his point, he took me from a princess carry to throwing me over his shoulder like a rag doll. And then he slapped me on the ass. “I was built for carrying you to bed.”

Eep. To bed?

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