Whiskey Bent & Hellbound *AU*

Chapter 12

Madison's POV

It's been a few days since Ryan rescued Sturgill, and the energy and vibe on the bus has over gone a drastic change. It's actually been fun.

Sturgill is settling in nicely. He's the sweetest pup and everyone is spoiling him, especially Ryan. It's been completely unexpected, but Ryan is like a different person. He's....nice. Funny. He's not making nearly as many of his usual sexual comments towards me. I can actually breathe. He still hasn't said whether or not he's keeping Sturgill, but I think he just might. He's getting pretty attached to that dog and I really think Sturgill's been good for him. His personality has done a complete 180, which I'm extremely grateful for. It's been much easier being on the bus with him the last few days.

However, today, I'm not feeling so lighthearted. My nerves are catching up with me because tonight is the night. Ryan and I are about to become "official", and it's stressing me out.

"Madi...your usual." Chase said, handing me my coffee. "Where's Ryan and Kevin?"

"They took Sturgill out. They'll be back soon." I replied. It was strange how we had all settled into a nice little routine in just a matter of days. Every morning, Ryan and I took turns walking Sturgill. Kevin always came with us while Chase went and got coffee and breakfast for everyone. He had even saved my more complicated coffee order to his favorites on his Starbucks app. He said that made it easier. Chase was starting to grow on me a little. He wasn't as bad as I had thought in the beginning, although he still intimidated me a bit.

"You okay Madi?" He asked, taking a seat next to me at the table. He had even taken to calling me Madi. Him and Ryan both and I didn't even bother trying to correct them.

"Yeah. I'm good." It was a bit of a lie, but I just didn't feel comfortable enough with Chase yet to open up to him about the nerves I was feeling. I needed Kevin to calm me down. I probably should have taken Sturgill out this morning, but Ryan and Kevin were already gone by the time I got up.

"Tonight is gonna be great. Rehearsals went flawlessly. Y'all killed it on the new song. Just do it like rehearsal and everything will be fine." Chase said, and I guess he knew me a little better than I thought because he knew what was on my mind. The only problem was that I was going to actually have to kiss Ryan tonight. We didn't rehearse that. Oh he tried, but I refused. Maybe I should've gone with it and got it out of the way before kissing him for the first time in front of forty thousand people.

"I'm just overthinking things. I'm fine." I replied.

"Maybe you should talk to Ryan about it. You know to try and put the nerves to rest. I know he doesn't show it, but I'm sure he's a little nervous about tonight too." Chase suggested.

Yeah right. Like I would tell Ryan I was nervous about kissing him on stage. I would never hear the end of it. It would only inflate his ego even more to know that he made me nervous. Well, not him, but the whole situation. I also highly doubt he was nervous either. He was too full of himself.

"It's fine Chase. Really."

"Okay. Just remember if you need anything, you have Kevin, and you also have me." He smiled and now I was wondering why he was being so nice.

"Will do. Thanks for the coffee." I said, ending the conversation.

Chase then handed me the bag with my blueberry muffin. He looked like he wanted to say more, but Ryan and Kevin entered the bus with Sturgill. Just what I needed to distract myself and I focused my attention on the puppy, loving up on him and laughing while he smothered me with puppy kisses. Dogs just make everything better.

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

I stood backstage awaiting my cue while Ryan performed. My heart about to beat itself right out of my chest as I watched, taking a few deep breaths. I had just changed my outfit after my set. The black sequined mini dress with cutouts on each side would never have passed the Kevin approved test in the past...but that was in the past. This was the new me. I was embracing the change. I was about to enter into a relationship with the bad boy of country music. My appearance deserved a makeover.