Chapter Eight
One Year Later
As the buzzing hum reverberated through my ears, I pinched my eyes shut and bit down on my lip. “Hang in there, Angel,” Jake said, his voice cutting through the pain.
I squeezed hold of his hand. Being too much of a chicken, I didn’t want to watch the needle entering my skin. Sure, I had drawn blood from countless people in nursing school, but this was different. This was…me. My skin. My blood. My pain.
“Damn, you’re going to look so sexy with this ink,” Jake mused.
My eyes popped open to stare into his twinkling blue ones. “You think?”
“Mmm, I’m pretty f*cking sure.”
“Please, with the way you act around her, she could wear a Hefty bag, and you’d want to bang her,” Steve, Jake’s favorite tattoo artist, teased.
“Can I help I married a woman who is sexy as hell?” Jake countered with a cocky grin.
Steve snorted. “Not touching that one, dude. You’ll just wanna kick my ass if I say anything about Abby.”
“Or tattoo ‘Property of Jake’ on her forehead,” another artist quipped.
Jake rolled his eyes. “She is mine. Aren’t you, Angel?”
I gritted my teeth through another round of needle pain before I responded. “You’re so cute when you’re a possessive caveman.”
Jake nipped my bottom lip with his teeth before giving me a lingering kiss. I guess most people would have found our one year wedding anniversary gifts to each other a little odd, but I was thrilled beyond belief to finally be getting a tattoo. I’d talked about doing it since I’d first met Jake, but like a lot of things, the time hadn’t been right. For some reason, I’d decided that my foot and ankle were the places I wanted to start with, which of course were the worst for pain.
“Okay, we’re done outlining,” Steve said.
Peeking open one of my eyes, I gazed down at my foot. “Oh wow,” I murmured, as I took it all in. It was a vine of flowers that also included a butterfly. The vine itself was made up of lines of song lyrics as well as scripture I liked. It started across the top of my foot and went all the way up to wrap my ankle.
“Think you’re going to live through the coloring?” Steve teased.
Oh God, there was more? I gulped. “I’ll be fine.”
“Maybe you should give her a leather strap to bite on,” AJ suggested from his chair across the room. When I glared at him, he chuckled. He and Mia were also getting more ink as well. For AJ, it was having Mia and Bella’s name written on his chest above his heart, and for Mia, it was an infinity symbol on her wrist with AJ’s and Bella’s initials.
“Don’t listen to him, Abby. He about pissed his pants when I did his half sleeve,” Becs, the only female tattoo artist, said with a grin.
“Whatever,” AJ replied.
As Steve started in on the pastel coloring of flower, I gritted my teeth. Focusing on Jake, I eyed the temporary tattoo on his pec. “It sure was luck that your left side was the side you hadn’t gone crazy with the tattoos,” I remarked.
“I knew I was saving it for someone special,” Jake replied, with a wink.
“Yeah, I bet.”
As the needle tapped along my skin, I stared at the cursive lettering over Jake’s heart. In a few hours, he would have Angel forever inked on him. It didn’t bother me that it wasn’t actually my name. Everyone knew who Angel was. There was no mistaking that it was anyone other than me. The very thought caused a surge a love to pulse through me.
When I looked back over the last year, I had so many wonderful memories to reflect on. It had sped by in a bliss-filled blur of mine and Jake’s love. We remodeled the house to make it more into mine and Jake’s home, rather than Susan’s. In between tour stops, we returned to our honeymoon island to have some alone time. Sure, we’d had our arguments and disagreements about everything from paint choices to my wardrobe. Now that we were married, Jake suddenly wanted my stage dresses to be longer and show less cleavage. Basically, he would have been happy if I had gone out on stage in a nun’s habit. That was probably the longest we hadn’t spoken to each other since our honeymoon blow-up. I’d even slept on AJ and Mia’s bus because I was so pissed at his Neanderthal ideas. He’d come around the next morning with flowers and a grand apology. Mia had snatched Bella up and taken her for breakfast in the diner before our vigorous makeup sex could scar her.
While it had been a wonderful year, it had also been stressful, intense, busy, and at times absolutely manic. Another album released and another cross-country tour had meant more and more time away from home. Jake had finally consented to bring furry Angel along with us because I was so homesick for her. Having a dog on our bus was definitely interesting, but it inspired Mia to bring Jack Sparrow along on hers and AJ’s bus. Miraculously, the two animals got along pretty well when we all hung out together. Both seemed united in their protectiveness of Bella.
Jake’s and my duet, Music of the Soul, shot to number one the day it was released, and everyone was talking about a repeat win at the Grammy’s. The label was looking into booking our European tour. While I should have been the happiest woman on the face of the earth, something was missing. Deep down I knew what it was, but I didn’t dare voice my longing to Jake or anyone else. I just tried to keep the faith that one day I would have the desires of my heart—one day I would have a baby of my own.
In the meantime, I channeled my maternal instincts into spoiling Jude, Melody, and Bella. I was also thrilled when Brayden and Lily announced that they were going to have a third, and final, child. Bray had finally talked Lily into buying their own bus and using her teaching degree to homeschool the kids while we were out on tour. The guys of Runaway Train were positively domestic now with their wives and children along. Only Rhys was still unattached. He spent his time on the bus with my brothers, and I didn’t even want to know what kind of bachelor debauchery they were up to.
Just when I thought I couldn’t take any more of the shading, Steve eased off. As he traded out colors, a sharp pain in my side caused me to grimace and suck in a breath.
“Hey now, I wasn’t even doing anything,” Steve said.
“I know. It’s not you,” I moaned.
Jake’s brows furrowed. “What’s wrong, Angel?”
“It’s my side, down low. I keep having these pains.”
“You should get them checked out.”
“I’m sure it’s just a cyst. I used to get them all the time when I was younger. Of course, I thought the birth control was supposed to stop them since I wasn’t ovulating.”
Now it was Jake’s turn to grimace. “Um, seriously, babe. TMI.”
I cocked my head at him. “Oh please. Like you can’t hear the word ovulation.”
“I’d prefer not to.”
With a teasing tone, I said, “Ovary…fallopian tube…uterus.”
“That’s enough,” he said, with a shudder.
“You’re too funny getting all riled about the female reproductive system.”
“Just promise me you’ll get it checked out.”
I held up my hand like I was swearing an oath. “As soon as we get back to Atlanta, I’ll go see my doctor.”
“Good.” His fingers caressed my face. “I don’t want to think of anything happening to you, least of all, you being in pain.”
“You’re so sweet and good to me,” I murmured, as I gazed into his eyes.
A gagging sound came at my feet. When we glared at Steve, he held up his hands. “Sorry. But it’s hard for me to do this when I think I’m going to puke.”
“Douchebag,” Jake muttered, which caused Steve to grin.
I held out my hand to Jake, and like the wonderful husband he was, he took it and squeezed encouragingly. “Best anniversary present ever,” I said, with a smile.
“How will we top it next year? Sky diving?”
I shuddered. “Not with my fear of heights.”
“Go back to our island and stay naked for days.”
Steve cleared his throat. “What?” I asked.
“Are you trying to kill me? That statement either puts a totally inappropriate picture of Abby in my head—” At Jake’s low growl, Steve shook his head. “Or, I see you and your naked ass parading around. Neither is a win-win situation.”
“Finish the damn tattoo,” Jake ordered.
Steve narrowed his eyes. “You forget that I’m working on you next. Don’t make me take out my aggression on you.”
Becs stepped up with an ink gun in her hand. “Why don’t I help things along and take care of Jake?”
“Then I can’t hold his hand for support,” I whined.
Jake grinned. “Besides, this twatcanoe,” he motioned at Steve,” is the only one who does my ink.”
“He really doesn’t think a woman can do it,” AJ called.
“Shut up, dickweed,” Jake muttered. He glanced at Becs and shook his head. “I appreciate your offer, and despite what that a*shole over there says, I have confidence in your work, despite the fact you’re a chick. But my lovely wife needs me, so I’m staying here.”
I smiled. “My hero.”
“No more talking, especially the lovey-dovey shit,” Steve instructed.
“I thought the customer was always right,” I countered.
“Not in my parlor,” he replied before he brought the needle back to my skin.
I sucked in a breath as Jake hovered over me. His breath warmed against my ear. “As long I whisper to you, Mr. Jackass can’t get his panties in a twist,” he whispered.
“Thank you,” I replied.
“Do you know what I’m going to do when I get you home and into our bed?” After I shook my head, he replied, “I’m going to strip you down and bury my face between your legs until you scream my name.”
His words caused my face to flush as well as a tingle between my legs. He continued to whisper all the naughty things he intended to do to me and for us to do when we got back home. By the time he finished, Steve was done with the shading of my tattoo. As I sat up to admire it, I secretly hoped there wouldn’t be a puddle of wetness left on the chair that Jake’s sexy words had induced.
“Like it?” Steve asked.
“I love it. It’s amazing.”
He gave me a genuine smile. “I’m glad you like it. It’s always an honor taking one’s tattoo virginity.” While I laughed, Jake gave a contemptuous grunt. “Your turn,” Steve said pleasantly to Jake. As Becs put on a thin layer of ointment and got ready to wrap my foot, Jake sat down in the chair opposite me to get inked.
As the needle entered Jake’s skin, he met my gaze. His dark blue eyes burned with desire, and I felt my cheeks flushing. “Remember everything I said earlier?” My breath hitched as I bobbed my head furiously. “Just as soon as we get home. Every. Single. Thing.”
A shiver of anticipation and need went over me. “What about your chest and my foot?” I dared to ask.
With a sexy grin, he replied, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
I had never wanted a tattoo to be finished more than I did his because I knew I had an amazing night waiting for me.
After a multi-orgasmic, all-night sexathon, Jake and I barely made it to the bus at seven am when the caravan was pulling out for the next tour stop. We immediately headed straight for the bedroom and crashed. The following day we pulled into Louisiana. Between my foot and ankle aching from the tattoo and my side continuing to hurt, I felt like ass through most of the morning’s rehearsal. The instant we were through, I streaked off the stage, desperate for some Advil. I barely gave Jake a fleeting kiss before heading for the bus. Once I had stripped down to my sweatpants and a T-shirt and thrown back some pills, I headed over to AJ and Mia’s bus for some downtime with Bella.
Coloring pictures and watching movies helped to take my mind off the pain. But when dinner rolled around, I was hurting so badly I couldn’t eat. As I swept my full plate into the trash, Mia eyed me. “Are you okay?” I could tell her spidey-nurse senses were tingling.
“Just a little achy from the tat and then there’s this stupid pain in my side.”
“Which side?”
“Right.”
“You still have your appendix?”
“Yeah. This is an intense, dull ache. Not like the typical stabbing, shooting pain of an appendix.”
Mia crossed her arms over her chest. “Intense and dull sounds like an oxymoron, but I get what you’re saying.”
“I’ll be okay.”
“You sure about that?”
I sighed. “Look, if it gets too much, I’ll go to the emergency room after the show, okay?”
“You better.”
I couldn’t help smiling at her expression. “You’re so bossy.”
“I’m a board certified nurse. I don’t have the option not to be bossy.” Her lips quirked up in a smile. “Plus, I’m married to AJ. We both know he needs a firm hand.”
I giggled. “Yep, you got that one right.”
Jody, one of our bodyguards, poked his head in the bus. “Abby, it’s time for you to go to the arena to get ready.”
“Hope you feel better.”
“Thanks,” I replied, before heading down the stairs to follow Jody. The Advil I’d taken before I tried to eat dinner kicked-in, and I felt a little better while Marion was doing my hair and makeup. But by the time the show started, the pain was back with a vengeance. As I sang and danced and interacted with the audience, I wanted nothing more than to just lie down.
The show went by in a blur, including when Jake came out for us to do our duets together. When we finished our last song, Jake took the microphone and smiled into the audience. “You guys ready to get rid of us yet?”
The roar of the fans grew even louder to the point where my ears rang with the noise. He turned to me and grinned before leaning back into the microphone. “Maybe the lovely Mrs. Slater and myself could be persuaded to sing just one more song.”
Usually, the first act left the stage during set changes and house music played. Jake and I had talked about doing something to keep the fans engaged between the shows. It was also a way to bridge the musical gap between Jacob’s Ladder, which was country rock, and then Runaway Train, which was pop/rock. Since Jake had learned guitar at his grandfather’s knee to all the classic Johnny Cash songs, he suggested we do a little bit of Johnny and June. I had just enough sassy in me to capture June’s show style, so I was all for it.
After we finished our set of duets, we then sang Jackson together. I usually really got in to the performance, wagging my finger at Jake, playfully shoving him, giving him lip that went along with the lyrics, but tonight, as I handed off my guitar to a roadie, the pain in my side raged so hard I didn’t know if I would be able to perform. During my set with Jacob’s Ladder, it had grown even more intense. I’d even popped four more Advil during our costume change. The last thing I wanted to do was have to go the emergency room in some random city, but at the same time, I knew if it wasn’t better by morning, then I had to go.
When the last chord echoed through the stadium, Jake leaned over and kissed me. “Give it up for my own little spitfire!” I forced a smile to myself as the audience roared and clapped.
“And to my very own Johnny sans all the black clothes,” I said.
The roadies took Eli’s guitar while Gabe came out from behind the drum set. “Show some big love for Jacob’s Ladder!” Jake shouted into the mic.
Sandwiched by my brothers, I clasped both their hands before bowing. I had to grit my teeth when it came time to pick myself up. It took everything within me to smile into the microphone and say, “Goodnight everybody and God Bless!”
Jake gave me a brief kiss before heading off the opposite side of the stage for his entrance with Runaway Train. When I started off stage, the pain in my side grew so intense it caused me to stagger momentarily. Once I had regained my footing, I drew in a few deep breaths before continuing into the wings. Gritting my teeth, I wove in and out of the roadies and stage crew. As I bypassed the backstage waiting room, Eli called to me. “Where are you going?”
I glanced over my shoulder. “Back to the bus. I want to lie down.”
Eli’s brows furrowed. “You okay, sis? You look kinda pale.”
Since I didn’t want to worry them unnecessarily, I nodded. “I’m fine. I just need some more Advil that’s all and to lie down for a little while.”
“Jody, make sure Abby gets to the bus okay,” Gabe instructed.
I rolled my eyes at their being so overprotective. “Guys, I’m fine.”
“Just shut up and let Jody do his job,” Eli replied.
Since the pain had grown even more intense, I merely nodded. In silence, Jody followed me to Jake’s and my bus. Without the driver, Jody had to unlock the door. “Perry is inside with the rest of the crew. Will you be okay by yourself?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Okay, I’ll lock the door behind you.”
“Thanks,” I murmured.
When I started up the stairs, I felt something trickling between my legs. Pain seized me so hard I bent double and screamed in agony. My knees gave way, and I collapsed onto the floor. With trembling hands, I felt of the stickiness that ran down my thighs. Bringing it up to the light I saw it was dark red blood. “Oh God,” I muttered.
Reaching out, I grasped hold of the side of the couch and tried to pull myself up. I knew my cell phone was somewhere in the bedroom, and I desperately needed to get to it. When I flung myself onto the couch, the stabbing pain caused me to shriek again. On trembling legs, I took two steps. A roar came through my head as everything grew black. I pitched forward and fell to the ground before everything faded around me, and I was enveloped in the darkness.