“What are you doing out here? It’s like one in the morning.” Maysie walked towards me, a sweater wrapped around her.

“It’s cold, you should be inside,” I said with concern. “Won’t Jordan be wondering where you are?”

Maysie waved away my comment. “You know how he is. A tornado could hit and he’d sleep through it.” She sat down on a small stone bench and patted the spot beside her. “You can’t sleep either?”

I shrugged and sat down. “Not really. I didn’t want to wake Sophie up so I thought I’d get some fresh air.”

“Insomnia must be catching,” Maysie laughed, rubbing her hands together, trying to keep them warm.

“You should have worn some gloves. You’re going to get sick and Jordan’s going to come and beat my ass because I let you sit out here when it’s freezing,” I scolded her good-naturedly.

“Psh. Jordan can be overprotective. He seems to forget sometimes that I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself,” Maysie said.

“He just loves you, Mays. He doesn’t want anything to happen to you. You’re lucky to have someone who cares so much about you,” I said softly, feeling a strange lump in my throat. Maysie’s expression was penetrating and a little disconcerting.

“So, the tour’s almost over,” she said, changing the subject.

I pulled up the collar of my coat. A breeze had picked up and my ass was already going numb. “Yeah and it’s not looking as though the label’s in a rush to put us on another one. I was talking with Josh the other day and he says he could hook us up with some gigs in the city once we’re home, but we’ll see.”

Maysie nodded, pushing her hair out of her face. “That could be good. But I also think that you guys could use a break.”

“I’m glad Jordan made us save most of our advance and royalty earnings instead of blowing through it like rock stars. At least we can take the time to figure out our next step,” I said.

Maysie nodded in agreement. “It was great of Mr. Levitt to help you guys invest your money. I don’t know many rock and rollers who have IRAs,” she snickered.

“We’re so hardcore,” I retorted.

“Just smart. At least you won’t feel pressured to make any sudden decisions. You have some time to really think things through.”

I nodded. “Yeah. I just keep thinking it might be time to grow up a little bit. Maybe get a real job.” Stability had a nice ring to it. Music was my dream. It always had been. But what was I left with when the dream was over? Do I keep chasing it?

Or do I find a new one?

“I’ve gotten an offer from a PR firm to work for them as a publicist,” Maysie stated.

I looked at her in surprise. “Oh wow. That’s awesome! I didn’t know you were looking for another job. What will we do without you there to put a foot up all our asses?” I moaned. I was joking, but I meant it. Maysie was the one that made sure we took care of ourselves and made it to shows on time. She was like a sister and a mother all rolled up into one. And she was damn easy to talk to. Jordan was a lucky guy.

“I guess you’ll have to put your own foot up your asses.” She frowned. “Wait. That doesn’t sound right.”

“And painful,” I laughed.

“I’m not sure if I’m going to take it. But I do know that I need something for me. I can’t follow Jordan around forever, no matter what he decides. And with things being so—well—up in the air for the band, I figured I needed to plan for the future. I can do a lot of the work from home or on the road as needed so it’s not like I have to uproot my life. Which is good considering Jordan and I would eventually like to start a family.”

“Haven’t even gotten down the aisle yet and you’re already talking babies?” I teased.

Maysie swatted my arm playfully. “Some of us want the white picket fence, Mitch.”

“That comes with the tatted and pierced husband? That doesn’t sound very Norman Rockwell.”

Maysie rolled her eyes. “Everyone’s happily ever after is different. I like the look of mine.”

Her words made me pause. “You know, if there’s no Generation Rejects, I’m not sure what else I could do. I never went to college like Jordan. I don’t have family money to fall back on like Garrett and I sure as hell don’t have Cole’s luck to always land on my feet. I’m good at playing music. That’s about it.”

Maysie patted my knee. “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard you say. I know for a fact you’re good at a lot of stuff.”

I raised my eyebrows speculatively. “Oh really, like what?”

“Well, you make one hell of a Chicken Parmigiana,” she offered and I snapped my fingers.

“There you go! If rock star doesn’t pan out, I have a future as a one-cook wonder!”

Maysie clicked her tongue in exasperation. “Don’t be so down on yourself. I have no doubt that you’ll figure something out.”

“You sound like my mom,” I said, meaning it as a compliment. My mother was an eternal optimist. Maysie was a lot like her in that respect.

“Mrs. Abrams is a smart, smart lady. And her chocolate chip cookies are like crack,” Maysie retorted.

“That they are. I’m sure she’ll have some waiting for me when we get back to Bakersville,” I said, my voice trailing off. I shook my head and stared out across the courtyard. “Damn. We’re going back to Bakersville. This time next week we’ll be home. That’s kind of weird.”

Maysie cocked her head to the side looking thoughtful. “Weird? Why is that?”

“I’m just not the same guy who left all those years ago to become a rock star,” I muttered.

Maysie put her arm around my shoulder and leaned into me. “None of you are. But it’s not like you haven’t been back. This isn’t any different.”

I looked over at Jordan’s fiancé and grimaced. “It’s different this time and you know it.”

Maysie looked confused.

“Because it could be for good,” I explained.

“Bakersville isn’t such a bad place to be. Your parents are there. You have roots and family and friends,” Maysie said, ever the optimist.

“Yeah and my parents are still living in the house I grew up in. And my high school gym teacher still lives down the road. And the girl I lost my virginity to still works at the dentist’s office in town.”

My parents and my gym teacher weren’t the only ones that lived in Bakersville. There were other people I’d be coming home to. Other situations I’d have to deal with.

Being on the road and away from it all made it easier to handle. The occasional weekend visit was bearable because I was able to leave again. Because she would be gone after a few days.

Living back in Bakersville would force Gracie and I to co-exist.

I wasn’t sure what that would mean for us. For me.

For my fucking sanity.

“Maybe I should look for my white picket fence,” I mused, giving her a cheeky grin. She bumped her shoulder with mine.

“Why not? You deserve it.”

“Yeah, well you and Piper make it look easy. For the rest of us, not so much.”

“You and Sophie could have that, you know. If it’s what you want,” Maysie pointed out and I shrugged. Sometimes no response was the best response. Otherwise you ended up saying things better left unsaid.

Maysie looked like she wanted to push the issue, but she changed the subject. “Well, since we’re sitting here talking about white picket fences and all, Jordan and I set a wedding date.”

I grinned at her and let out a whoop. “Finally! Took you guys long enough!”

Maysie’s eyes brightened. “Yeah, I just told the girls tonight. We’re getting married on August 20th. Now I just have to figure out everything else. We don’t want anything big and elaborate. Just something small with the people we care about.”

I put my arm around her and gave her a sideways hug. “That’s great, Mays. You know anything you need, I’m your man.”

“Thanks, Mitch. That means a lot. You, Cole, and Garrett have become like family to me. Blood doesn’t mean everything,” Maysie remarked with a sad smile.