Page 71 of Feuds and Interludes
My doctor called me back right away and I told her what was going on.
“I’m sorry, Boone, but you know what I’m going to say. Complete vocal rest for two weeks minimum. I’m also sending you a referral to my colleague up there to have them scope your throat. Let’s make sure we’re dealing with strain and not something more serious.”
“Fiiiiiine,” I groaned. “I’ll get with my producer and rearrange the schedule.” I’d never done it before and I hated to do it now, but the alternative was continuing this route and blowing out my voice, which wouldn’t help anyone.
We agreed to chat after I saw her colleague and hung up. Then it was time to talk to Morrison and Leland.
“Makes total sense,” More said. “I didn’t want to push, but I think it’s a good idea. We were going to take a trip to London to see my mum the week after anyway. Why don’t we take the week off and regroup? You guys are welcome to stay and use the studio if you want. Butler told me y’all are doing Rocktoberfest with him. That’s rad.”
I thanked him and was able to breathe a little easier.
“Your grandmother and Bruce should be here soon to go over the gala plans.”
“Great,” I told him. “See you in a bit.”
My bandmates were relieved as well.
“Man, am I really that bad?”
“Not bad, exactly,” Annie started. “But youarehuman, Boone, and you tend to push yourself too hard.”
“And in turn, the two of you, huh?”
They looked at each other and then back at me.
“Sometimes.”
I blew out a breath and blinked away the burning in my eyes.“I’m sorry. You deserve better from me and you’re going toget it. Why don’t you two take off for a few days? Go home, go on an adventure…my treat?”
“And you promise you’ll rest?” Annie asked, raising her eyebrow.
“I promise. Morrison said we’re fine to take time off. Him and Leland are going to head across the pond for a week and we can finish up recording when they get back. We have use of the lodge and studio for rehearsing while they’re gone. I’m going to see a doctor tomorrow in Portland. I’ll follow orders, I swear.”
“I have been wanting to go up to Seattle to the MoPop museum,” she said with an eyebrow raised. “They have some cool exhibits going on.”
“Awesome. I’m serious, it’s on me. Go have fun. I promise I’ll be better when you get back.”
I could tell they weren’t sure they could trust me on my own. I’d have to prove it to them. And to Shane. He’d been worried about me today, too, and I didn’t want our whole relationship to be about me and my physical issues.
I sent the twins on their way to dinner and then to pack, and I went in search of Shane. Rose said he’d gone up to his room to change before the grandparents arrived, so I climbed the steps and went in the opposite direction of my room. I heard him playing acoustic guitar before I got to his door. I knocked before opening it, and my breath caught when I saw him in the window seat with his guitar. He’d lit candles and was watching the rain outside the window.
He looked up and smiled as I closed the door. I couldn’t believe we’d gone from nearly coming to blows a few months ago to him looking at me as though I lit up the room when I walked in.
“Hey.”
I walked over and sat next to him in the spacious window seat. “I come bringing news,” I said, trying to speak softly.
He set the guitar down and turned to face me with one knee up and the other foot planted on the floor. He held his arms out, and I scooted over into his space. I was finally able to let go of the tension as he wrapped me up in his strong arms.
“I called my doctor and I’m on vocal rest. I need to go into Portland tomorrow and have my throat scoped.”
He held me tighter and exhaled.“I’m so glad you made that call.”
I’d rested my head on his chest, and I looked up at him. “I hate this.”
“Did you know I had to have surgery? I had a node. Fucking sucked. Right after our first tour.”
“I didn’t know that,” I said. “How scary.”
