“Y’all get the BDSM schedule worked out?”
Cheyenne’s head snapped around, her eyes perusing Brendon’s face, then darting over to Kaleb’s.
Kaleb chuckled. “It’s all worked out.”
“What?” Brendon asked, looking at her.
“BDSM?” she questioned.
The smirk that tilted his sexy full lips made Cheyenne’s insides sing.
“And no, before you ask, it’s not my thing. I just happened to know they were workin’ on it, that’s all.”
Cheyenne nodded, returning her attention to Mason, who was trying to get her to take one of the cars from the basket.
“When do you go back on the road, Chey?” Zoey asked.
Cheyenne didn’t look up as she said, “I’ve got a few more months to get things in order. Preston, my manager, sent me a text yesterday. He mentioned a couple of summer venues that were askin’ for me. And Dalton’s got his farm tour. He’s asked me to join this time.”
“Do you miss it?”
Cheyenne met Zoey’s curious gaze, ignoring Brendon, who was watching her intently.
“I do,” she said honestly. “It’s in my blood.”
“Not ready to settle down just yet, huh?” Kaleb teased.
She did her best not to look at Brendon as she said, “Not yet, no.”
Zoey seemed to have picked up on the tension that suddenly filled the room, her head turning back and forth as she watched her and Brendon. Cheyenne could practically feel his disappointment. Then again, she could’ve merely been projecting that. These days, she was more confused than ever, but she’d promised herself not to think about it.
“Did Kylie get the upstairs done yet?” Zoey’s change of subject was welcome and likely due to the fact that the oversized kitchen suddenly felt as though the walls were closing in on them.
“Almost.” Pushing to her feet, Cheyenne smiled down at Mason. “I’ll be right back, kiddo. Come on,” she said to Zoey, “I’ll show you.”
When they got upstairs, out of earshot, Cheyenne wasn’t surprised when Zoey said, “Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to imply …”
“No, don’t worry about it. Things are good right now.”
Cheyenne flipped on the light in the master bedroom and led Zoey to the bathroom.
“Holy shit! This is magnificent, Chey. Wow.”
“Like it? It’s now my favorite room in the whole house.”
“I bet it is.” Zoey busied herself with checking things out, turning on the numerous showerheads then turning them off. She ventured to the massive jetted tub that sat in one corner. The only thing it lacked was the tile surround, which was supposed to be completed by the end of the week. The slate tile had been put on the floors and the walls, but after careful consideration—and Bill’s expertise—Cheyenne had been convinced to go with a smaller tile for the outer edge of the tub.
“So … uh … this thing with you and Brendon … It seems serious.”
Cheyenne nodded, not sure what to say to that. It did seem serious, but maybe that was simply her perception. She’d yet to talk to Brendon about his feelings or what he wanted from her long-term—if anything. But she welcomed Zoey’s questions. They were friends, and she found she could talk to her without feeling as though she were being judged.
Zoey leaned her hip against the sink, her hand coming to rest over her slightly rounded belly. “Talk to me, Chey. What’s on your mind?”
Cheyenne peered behind her into the bedroom to make sure they didn’t have any curious ears listening in.
“I think I kinda fell in love with him,” Cheyenne admitted softly.
Zoey’s eyes rounded, glowing with happiness. “That’s fantastic, Chey. We all knew it would happen one day. Have you told him?”
“No,” she answered quickly. “And I don’t think I can.”
“How come?” Zoey’s brows angled down with her confusion.
“Because our lives don’t mesh all that well. Well, right now bein’ an exception.”
“You mean your life on the road?”
Cheyenne nodded.
“But you said you loved him,” Zoey reasoned.
“I know. But that doesn’t mean I can just call a halt to my career and spend all my time here.”
“Whoa there, Nelly. What’re you talkin’ about?”
“He wants to be here. It’s where his life is,” Cheyenne explained.
“And what makes you think Brendon wouldn’t compromise?”
Cheyenne shrugged. “It’s just a feelin’. Life on the road’s not easy. I live on a bus, Zoey.”