Madison's POV

Last night's show had gone as well as could be expected. Ryan and I performed our number like usual, as if there wasn't anything wrong between us. The only difference was instead of whispering little sexual comments in my ear, he whispered "I'm sorry." Maybe I should give him a chance to explain. Although I don't know what kind of explanation he could give me that would make any of this alright. I was simply a bet. Nothing he could say would make that okay.

He was also drinking again. That much was obvious. I avoided him as much as I could, but I could not ignore the whiskey bottles that littered the bus. Nor could I ignore the taste of whiskey on his lips when he kissed me after our performance. He didn't appear to be outwardly drunk, but then again, I tried not to pay that much attention to him.

Last night he caught me off guard by performing a brand new song. It was not on his usual set list, and he even admitted it was a new song.

The words were stuck in my head. Sure it was a typical Ryan Blaney heartache/whiskey laden tune that he was so well known for, but something seemed different about this one. Something I couldn't quite put my finger on, but there was something in my gut that was telling me that this was about me, or related to me. I couldn't shake that feeling. Was I the reason he started drinking again? Was he suffering because of what had happened between us, or was this just another song?

Nothin's gonna change your mind
Nothin's gonna change my love
Might as well toss this last dance
Jukebox quarter up
I've done everything I can
It don't matter where it lands
Ain't a damn thing I can do
It's heads you win, tails I lose

Yeah right. Ryan Blaney did not write a heartbreak song over me. I am nothing to him but a hole to stick his dick into. A cheap bet. I'm worth less to him than a bottle of scotch.

Yet why did I feel as if he were singing this to me?

However, I didn't have time to dwell on it. I had entirely too much on my mind. Thank God Kevin would be back in the morning. His absence had led me to get myself into a sticky situation that had he been around, I would have avoided. Not that I'm blaming him by any means. He deserved to have some family time. Delana and the kids deserved to have their time with him. However, I know I never would have made a move on Ryan in his presence. I just had no idea what I would say to him when he returned.

I had spoken to Kevin a few days ago. He had called to check in on me to see how I was doing with the New Orleans show quickly approaching. I had lied and said that everything was fine. I didn't want him worrying about me. He brought up New Orleans again and said he was trying to line up a new opening act for the night so I could skip that show and just rejoin Ryan in Houston. He could have fabricated an illness for me that caused me to back out.

I adamantly refused. I lied again and told him that I had overreacted. I wasn't worried about my father and I didn't think he was going to try anything. The truth was, I was still scared, but although I was still angry with Ryan and Chase, I didn't want to cause any trouble and it would be a last minute change and cause scheduling headaches for multiple parties.

Kevin and I debated back and forth, and in the end he reluctantly agreed, although he was still doubling down on security.

Now, my nerves were kicking in. I felt like there was a ticking time bomb ready to go off and I was really wishing I had gone along with his plan.

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Kevin's POV

Entering the bus I was left in a state of shock. The place was a mess with pizza boxes, fast food bags, empty coffee cups and worst of all, bottles of whiskey littering the place.

I left them alone for a fucking week and this is what I come back to.

I was fuming. I thought I could trust them to not go wild in my absence, but I was clearly wrong. Worst of all was seeing Ryan asleep in his bunk with a half empty bottle of Jack at his side, letting me know he had fallen off the wagon.

"Wake your dumbass up." I kicked his bunk and yelled next to his ear.

"What the fuck man?" He threw his arm over his eyes.

"You're drinking again. Why Ryan?" I asked, trying to make an effort to soften my tone once I got a good look at him because he didn't look so good, and not in a drunken or hungover sense. He looked...sad. I could see it in his eyes. They weren't bloodshot, but they were dull. Pained.

"I fucked up man. I did something stupid and blew any chance I may have had with her." The sullen tone was gone, replaced by genuine remorse.

"Do I even want to know?" I asked, bracing myself.

"No you really don't. Just know that it's my fault. Feel free to kick my ass at any time or what was it you said?...break my pretty face."

"We'll talk about it later. Chase, wake up." I shook the sleeping figure on the couch. Now he looked hungover, and began griping and bitching about being woken up, but I had bigger things to worry about. "I need to talk to both of you before I go check on Madi. This is extremely important, and I need both of you to listen to what I have to say, and above all else, Madi needs your support."

I knew I had both of their attention.

"As you are aware, we are going to New Orleans tomorrow. What I am about to tell you is private.
It's Madi's story, but I need you both to be aware of the situation." I looked at each of them to make sure they were still listening.

"We will be close to Madi's hometown. Seven years ago she left there and swore that she would never return to Louisiana. But then she signed on for this deal and it was too late to back out of the date, so I promised her that I would be here with her and that I would hire extra security because her father is a loose cannon and he may try to get to her."

I paused to take a breath and continued on before they could ask any questions, although I could see they were itching to speak.

"For years, he ran a meth lab out of the rusted old trailer they called home. He threatened her to keep quiet and forced her to buy supplies. She spent most of her life living in fear, but when the time was right, she left town, and turned him in to the authorities along the way. In their investigation, they also learned he was involved in sex trafficking as well. She testified against him and had him put away. At that time he promised payback but obviously couldn't do anything. He was released about six months ago and has made threats against her." I finished with a deep, weary sigh. I ran my hands through my hair and could have sworn it felt even thinner.

"Why has he not been arrested again? Ryan asked.

"Because the police can't do anything. He's made a few verbal threats, but that's it and it's not enough to charge him with anything. There is only her and my word." I sighed again.

"So he has to actually do something to her for the police to step in? That's bullshit." Ryan spat out.

"I agree, but that's the way the law works. Technically he hasn't done anything. It sucks, but there's nothing we can do." I explained.

"Why don't we cancel the damn show then?" Ryan argued. "Why the hell would we risk putting her in danger?"

"I tried. I called and talked to her a few days ago. She's been stressed about it. I've been trying to line up another opening act. I was close to closing a deal. I told her I would pull her from the show and would personally get someone else to take her place, but she flat out refused. She said she's not worried and she made a commitment and she wasn't backing out."

"I don't like this Kevin." Chase spoke for the first time.

"I don't like it either. If there's even a chance that she's in danger, then we need to put out a press release or whatever stating that due to circumstances beyond our control, the show has been canceled and just refund everyone their money." Ryan argued.

I wasn't sure what had happened between Ryan and Madi, but I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Ryan really did care about her. Maybe more than just care. Ever since he rescued that puppy, he had started showing more of the kid I used to know. Showing the ability to care for someone other than himself.

"It's not that easy Ryan. There's a lot more that goes into it than that." I also explained. I know that canceling a show so close could open us up to potential lawsuits for breach of contract. However nothing mattered more than Madi's safety. I had to respect her wishes though.

"Chase...tell them I lost my voice and can't perform. That should work." Ryan turned to Chase, almost in desperation. I was once again caught off guard.

"She wants to perform." I replied, although I was seriously considering Ryan's suggestion despite Madi's wishes. Sure it was a shitty thing to do to the fans, and it would also put the heat on Ryan. I was seriously torn between what my gut wanted and what Madi wanted.

"What can we do?" Chase asked.

"Just support her. Make sure she knows you have her back. We have extra security and I don't want her going anywhere alone, just in case."

"I won't leave her side." Ryan vowed. I was certain he meant that. I would not push him for details on what might or might not have happened between them. That was up to them to work out. I really hope they figure things out.

"Good. We're gonna get her through this. Now I'm going to talk to Madi, so the two of you can get up off your lazy asses and clean up this pig sty." I had to throw that last bit out there just so I could be the hardass.

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Madison's POV

"You're back!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around Kevin's neck as soon as I opened my bedroom door.

"Of course I am. I promised you I would be and I was not going to break that promise." Kevin returned my hug.

"I know you wouldn't. I'm just really glad to see you. I missed you."

He stepped back, looked at me then frowned. "What the hell happened Madi? Ryan is drinking. The place is a mess. You look like your dog just died." Dammit I could never get anything past him.

"A lot. Ryan and I got close...but you really don't want to hear about that. Now we're...not...I don't want to talk about it." I stammered.

"That's pretty much what Ryan said, also that he fucked up. I have no idea what happened Madi, but whatever it is...he seems genuinely sorry."

"I don't want to talk about it Kev." I sighed.

"Alright. I won't push. I need to know how you are really doing. I talked to the guys. I wanted to be aware of the situation. They suggested we cancel the show, and I'm in full agreement. Chase is ready to put out a press release that Ryan lost his voice. Everyone who bought a ticket will be...."

"No." I said adamantly. "I told you I am fine. We are not canceling the show. We're sold out and I'm not about to let any of the fans down or put Ryan in the hot seat. I told you I am fine. I haven't heard from...my sperm donor since right after he was released. I don't think anything is going to happen. The show is still gonna go on. I am still gonna go on." It was a lie. I was not fine. I really didn't think anything would happen, I was just stressed out about the fact that I was going to be returning to my home state. Once I hit the stage, nothing else would matter.

He looked resigned, as he should be. He leaned down and kissed the top of my head. "Okay honey. Just know we all have your back. Ryan included. Whatever it is...I'm not asking...I hope you get resolved.

He then left, leaving me thinking that maybe I should give Ryan a chance to explain himself. Not that there's a whole lot of explaining when a bet is involved, and not that I'm sure I even trust him. It's just that I miss him.