Page 110 of Loved Out Loud
“Not at all. She would have wanted you to have it.”
I slip the ring out of the bag and slide it on my right ring finger. There’s just a flake of a pear-shaped diamond set atop the yellow gold. Small. Delicate. Understated but timelessly classic.
Sierra and Dan stand as soon as we walk out of the room, both of them coming to embrace us. We go downstairs and hail a taxi instead of calling on an uber. Several flashes catch me off guard as Dan holds the door of the cab open for me. Three men with cameras call my name.
“Not today, you assholes,” Sierra says as she and Dan form a wall in front of me and I slip down low beside my mom in the back seat.
“How did they even know where I’d be?” I ask as Dan climbs in the front seat and the driver takes off.
“Who knows? They’re like roaches, always finding their way to places they shouldn’t be.” Dan turns back to me. “I’m sorry. I should have checked first.”
“It’s okay.” I pat his hand. “When are you heading back to the band?”
“Whenever you do.”
“Huh?” I rub my temples. “I thought you were just coming to fly back with me.”
“No. Stone hired me on full time as your bodyguard.”
I consider arguing but then realize it might actually be a good thing, considering what just happened. Once things calm down, and I’m out of the public eye though, he’ll go back. Whether Stone likes it or not.
The cab pulls up to our building and Dan, Mom, and I get out. Sierra gives me a quick hug and tells me to let her know if I need anything before she gets back in the cab and it takes off.
We go inside and take the elevator up to the eighth floor. I’m dead on my feet, so when Mom asks if I want anything to eat I tell her no.
“You can take my room,” I tell Dan. “I’ll sleep with Mom.”
“I can take the couch,” he says.
I interrupt him with a shake of my head. “I would sleep in Mom’s bed tonight either way. It’s not a problem at all.”
I don’t bother to wait for a response, walking down the short hall and falling onto her mattress. I’m out before my eyes even fully close.
“Hazel.” The covers are yanked off me violently. “You have to get up and shower and eat.”
“Just let me rot.” I push my head under the pillow, hoping it works like the last time. I’ve been in bed for a couple days now, but what’s one more when you’re drowning in grief?
Two arms slide beneath me, startling me as I’m lifted out of the bed. I turn my head, and my eyes meet Dan’s. “Sorry. I’m under orders.”
“From whom?”
“Your mom and Stone.” He grimaces. “And you smell horrendous.”
I turn my head and sniff my shoulder, blinking rapidly when I get a whiff. He’s not kidding. “Sorry.”
He sets me down. “Don’t apologize. We’re all worried about you.”
“I’m fine.” I notice the black dress hanging in the bathroom and give him a quizzical look. “Why is this in here?”
“Your grandma’s celebration of life is tonight.”
“What?” I reach for my phone, but it’s dead. “That would mean I’ve been in bed for five days.”
“Yes.” He nods.
“You’ve just been hanging around here the whole time?”
“Yeah.”
