Something in the Water

Turn It Up

"I cannot believe I have two shows left," I looked over my list of guests, "and Hunt, then you're on." I looked up as we were enjoying our morning coffees.

Montana: Chris Lane X
Salt Lake City: Lauren Alaina X
Phoenix: Chase Rice
Tucson: Hunter :-)

We spent the day after my show in Montana for Sutton's birthday. As a family, we went on a  trail ride in the mountains, had a birthday dinner and then enjoyed cake with the bands and tour friends. The shows were dwindling down and we had ten days at home before Hunter's tour took off and we would be back on the road. "I have loved having you out with me. Gosh darn it though I miss our bed. And our house." Hunter smiled and reached his hand across the table. "I'm glad we can come back together before school starts. The kids are gonna miss you. I will absolutely, totally miss you." He kissed my hand.

"Are you still okay with how busy things are getting?" I nodded, "I appreciate you letting me piggy back on to the Lady A tour." I smiled. It was going to be a long go, Hunter would be away from us for about eleven weeks.

"You would support me the same way, I could never say no to you." My phone buzzed, it was a text from Courtney.

C: ACM Honours! Jenna: performing, Hunter got an award! Lifting Lives award! Congrats guys!

I  squealed and slid the phone to Hunter. "Check that out!"

"Oh wow that's amazing!" Hunter's phone buzzed, an email with all the details from Courtney regarding the show and award. "August twenty second...." his voice drifted, I could tell he was looking through his tour calendar. "Our show the day before is in Houston. I'll fly back and fly out again." He emailed Courtney back quick and I returned to holding his hands, gently massaging them as we made small talk.

The drive from Utah to Phoenix was long and barren, but we made plans to stop and check out the Grand Canyon. The kids were excited to get out and explore the park. We took plenty of pictures, walked along the trail a little with Millie and after an hour, we headed back into the bus for a rest. "Alright my loves, we still have a good amount of driving," I looked at my watch figuring we would arrive in Phoenix around four thirty, "when we arrive I have to go straight to my sound check." The kids piled onto the bed and watched Netflix while Hunter and I lounged on the couch. "I love this bus, I love that the kids are big enough to sleep in the bunks..." my voice drifted off as Hunter leaned in for a kiss that turned into a series of kisses. He guided me over top of him, continuing to kiss me until we heard a little voice, "Mommy the tablet is dead." Beckett's grey eyes were piercing as he wasn't quite sure what he walked over to. I got up to get the charger when he asked, "Why were you on top of dad?"

"No reason." I walked him to the back of the bus, plugged in the tablet and went back to the couches, "Now where were we?" I smiled and Hunter welcomed me back over his lap and we continued kissing.

He pulled away for a moment to whisper, "how is it the kids got the bed and we are out here?" I shrugged and kissed him some more.

"Tonight, I don't care how tired I say I am, I gotta get me some of you." I whispered and kissed him. He agreed and I got up off of him, "more coffee?" He nodded and I poured us each a mug and we talked about tonight's show.

"Chase Rice," I scrolled through my phone, "Ready Set Roll...." my voice drifted off for a moment, "oh it's got some naughty words." Hunter shrugged.

"I'm sure the kids have heard us say things. The important thing is they don't repeat it." I nodded. Hunter and I interrupted the movie party in the back of the bus and decided to get the kids a snack and to lay down in their bunks for the last three hours of the ride. "Mommy needs a nap okay?"

"Jen, wake up babe," Hunter kissed my cheek, "we're in Phoenix. Chase is on his way over." I got up, brushed my teeth and cleaned up my appearance before tying my wild wavy hair into a high pony. Hunter gathered the kids and we got into the arena just as Chase arrived.

"Hey! Good to see you," he hugged me, shook Hunter's hand and high fived the kids, "thank you for coming."

"It's my pleasure to be a guest on one of the hottest tours right now." He smiled, "The bottle of whiskey didn't hurt either." He turned to Hunter, "Was it from your distillery?" He nodded and they got talking while I situated the kids and got geared up. Thank goodness the equipment and the band left Utah straight after the show whereas I needed the kids in a hotel room for one night to shower and get a solid sleep.

"Chase?" I called into the mic. He climbed up the steps and we worked through the song twice to iron out any bumps. We high fived, broke for dinner and in a whirlwind I was back onstage.

"Hey there Phoenix! I want you to get up on your feet, and get ready to dance because Chase Rice is here!" On that cue, we started and as per our practice, I did the choruses and the second verse, otherwise I just danced along. The crowd loved it and as per the routine on this leg, the stage went black before I went back up for the encore with Dustin.

"Cheers y'all, fifty shows down, one more to go!"