Chapter 45
I spent the next few days in rehearsals with my band during the day, and with Logan every night. We were getting into a groove, Logan and I, settling into a rhythm with our lives.
"We're not going to practice tomorrow, but let's get to the Powder Keg Tavern a bit early to warm up," I said to my band after rehearsal the night before our first public concert.
"Sounds good," Brett said as he laid his guitar in its case.
Over the past week, we had tightened our songs to perfection. I nodded as I laid my guitar in its case.
A moment later, a hand rested on my back. I turned around and it was Noah. "Don't worry, lass. You're ready. We're all ready."
I nodded and then wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders and pulled him in for a hug. Over the past week, he had become a teddy bear-like a brother to me. "Thanks, Noah," I said, and then patted his back as I pulled back. "You guys sound great."
"And so do you," he said in his Irish brogue. "Well, I have to get home to Stacy. She's due any day now and getting a bit cranky."
I knew he was joking. I smiled, knowing that he adored his wife. He had been married for five years, and they were expecting their first child. "Are you sure that she's going to be okay with you going on tour?"
He shrugged. "The baby will be born before I have to go, and then we'll be home within six months."
I closed my guitar case. "Yeah, but that's six months."
He shrugged as he picked up his guitar case. "I'll come home when I can." Then, he placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "Go home and get some rest."
I nodded, smiling.
"And tell that boyfriend of yours to leave you alone tonight!" he joked. "You need to be ready tomorrow night."
I laughed. "I will be. Don't you worry." I slung my jacket over my shoulder and picked up my guitar case and purse. "And you leave Sue alone tonight, too."
Noah laughed until tears came to his eyes. "At this stage of pregnancy, I'm lucky if I get a blow job."
"Hey, hey!" I said, holding my hands up in surrender as everyone laughed. "Too much info! I'll see you guys tomorrow night."
Everyone laughed as I headed toward the door. Outside, Craig was waiting.
Noah frowned and his eyebrows pulled together as he looked at Craig, leaning against the railing at the bottom of the stairs, obviously waiting for me. "I'll see you later, Allie. And drive straight home," Noah said as he gave Craig a dirty look.
"Yes, Daddy," I joked. I knew that I was going to have to have a talk with Noah about Craig. He was just my agent, and now he was our agent.
Noah laughed. "I've got your daddy right here," he joked.
"Hey, hey!" I said as I walked down the stairs. "I won't tell Sue that you said that!"
He laughed. "Go ahead! I tell her that all the time!"
I chuckled as I shook my head. "Go home!"
"You, too!" he said, and then narrowed his eyes at Craig before heading to his car.
Brett, Wyatt, and Shawn were headed toward their cars, but stopped to make sure that I was okay. I waved to them in assurance. They waved back, and a moment later, they were gone.
"So, how did it go?" Craig asked as he pushed away from the railing.
"Good." I headed toward my car, but he followed. I heard his footsteps resonating along the pavement behind me. "I think we're ready." When I got to my car, I opened the hood and placed my guitar inside then turned to face Craig. "So, what brings you here tonight?"
He shrugged. "Just wanted to check on you to make sure that you were ready."
I smiled. "Thanks. I appreciate it, but I have to get home. I'll see you tomorrow." I opened the car door and was ready to slide in when he stopped me.
"Alyssa, you got a minute?" he asked expectantly.
I let out a sigh and looked at him over the roof of the car as I stood with the door open. "Yeah. What's up?"
He took a step closer and, somehow, I didn't feel comfortable. "I don't know how to say this "
"Then, don't," I said, a bit too abruptly. "Craig, I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"I don't know how to say this, but be careful with Logan," Craig finished.
I shook my head as anger welled up inside of me. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Craig took another step closer. "Alyssa, you have your whole career ahead of you. Don't let anyone or anything stand in the way of it."
I slammed the car door. "Who said that he was going to 'stand in the way' of my career? He has a career of his own, too. In fact, we don't have much time before we go on our separate tours and then I won't see him for a while." I clenched my keys in my hand. "And who the hell do you think you are, Craig?"
"Your manager." He clenched his jaw as he ground his teeth together.
"Yes, you are," I said, taking a step toward him. "You may run my professional life, but you do not run my personal life. Got it? Let's
just keep things professional between us."
He nodded once, but said nothing as he clenched his fists at his side.
I took a deep breath to calm myself. "Look: I know you mean well, but just stay out of my personal life."
"No; you look," Craig said, just inches away from me. "Your personal life reflects your professional life. The sooner you realize that, the better. Just be careful."
I nodded, a bit uncomfortable by the close proximity. "Noted. Well, I have to go. Have a good night."
He nodded again, and then turned and headed toward his car. After opening his driver's side door, he paused for a moment, waiting for me to leave.
I rolled my eyes as I slid into my car and locked the doors. Craig would never hurt me, I knew, but I didn't like that he had so much interest in my personal life. Although the tour hadn't started yet, I knew that I was going to have a problem keeping my personal life and my professional life separate.
