Where Love Grows

Never Coming Down

"Beckett, Easton," Hunter got the boys attention, "come with me to take Millie out." We arrived in London, Ontario for Trackside Music fest. We were a week into the summer show season and Sutton just hadn't been herself since school ended a few weeks ago. She distanced herself from me for the first time ever.

"Sutton?" I sat on the bunk across from her.

"Yes?"

"We're in London, can you come out?" She pulled the curtain back. "I have tried to give you space but it's really hard for me to see you unhappy and not know why. Can you please talk to me?" She sighed and began to unload on me.

"It's embarrassing."

"It's okay. Your brothers and dad aren't here."

"It's about Jake. He kissed me, then asked me to be his girlfriend. I said I don't know and he looked so upset and hasn't really talked to me since."

"Oh, sweetie." I whispered, but she continued.

"I texted him, and I told him that I'm not around this summer and I wouldn't see him until school started again. It would just be weird to be a couple if we didn't see each other for six weeks." She handed me her phone.

S: I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. I like you, I just don't know how we could be a couple if I am gone all summer.

J: We could have tried. Have fun on the road.

I handed it back, her eyes were teary, "I don't even know what to say." she sighed, tossing her phone into her bunk.

"You don't have to say anything. I know it hurts. Take a break from it, and come to sound check with me. Lots of people want to see you." I encouraged her to get up, get changed and I did her hair in a fishtail braid. "When did you get so tall? You're like my height."

"I dunno," she chuckled, turning and staring my in the eyes, "think I'll get any taller?"

"Probably not, sorry." I laughed and excused myself to get changed. Hunter returned with Millie and the boys. We headed over to sound check and followed it up with a dinner in the city with Stephanie and Dustin.

They showed us sonograms of their twins, both of them beaming with pride. "We are so excited. They're due October twenty seventh."

Beckett piped up, "Do babies actually come when they're supposed to?"

I answered honestly, "You were about five days late, Easton was just on time and Sutton was a few days early. So it kind of depends on the baby."

"I remember when you were born Sutton," Stephanie said, "Your mom didn't stop working. She was performing at CMA fan fest just about a month before you were born."

Sutton smiled, "I remember being picked up from school when Beckett was born. Amy and Sam took us to McDonalds." I nodded. "Are you having boys or girls?"

"It's a surprise," Dustin said, "we just want them to be healthy." His smile was contagious.

"I can't wait for baby snuggles." I said, sipping my drink. We turned in after dinner in preparation for a busy festival weekend ahead of us.

"You're both going to be great parents." Hunter raised his glass, toasting Steph and Dustin.

"Hello London!" The crowd was amazing and although it was over cast, humidity was full force. "My name is Jenna Hayes." I played through my set and saw Hunter side stage. "Thank you London. Put your hands together for this next performer. I hope you're ready to get a little crazy with Hunter Hayes!" The audience roared, the band and I headed off stage. I swiped a quick kiss from Hunter before he took the stage. I watched him from the side in the company of the kids.

"Awesome job mom," Easton hugged me, "it's so cool that everyone sings with you."

"That's one of my favourite parts." I smiled. Hunter's set was amazing and he came off stage smiling and sweating buckets. We headed back for a shower and down time before our shared set later this evening.

"Jenna!" I heard a familiar voice as we headed back to the bus and saw Ryan, one of the radio hosts I spoke to quite frequently in Ontario. "Hey, how's it going?" Everyone stopped as he introduced himself and greeted the kids.

"We are good, just finished our sets. Time for lunch."

"Well I would love to have you guys back over if you have time. Your last set is tonight, right?" Hunter and I nodded, promising to come back. Once Hunter and I were washed up, we invited Ryan onto the bus and did our interview there.

"What better way to see a snippet of our life than being on our bus." I chuckled, and Ryan agreed.

"This looks so comfy, and your kids sleep where?"

"They get the bunks," Hunter smiled, "they love it, I think?"

"We do!" Easton and Beckett said from the back of the bus. The conversation continued, discussing where else we would be this summer, and plans for more music. As a treat we performed an acoustic version of Heaven Can Wait on the bus and Sutton joined in to sing.

"Thank you so much for your time," Ryan shook everyone's hand and we snapped a quick picture before he headed out. We got the kids fed and geared up to go back on stage.

The sun was setting which helped lower the temperature a fair amount. We were on a different stage which was a bit smaller and intimate for the acoustic set. The audience sang along to every song. We mixed in a few other songs like Somebody's Heart Break and A Life That's Good, which I think the crowd loved. We enjoyed the second day of the festival speaking to radio stations and friends before packing up and going to Toronto for a tour show with opener Henley Chappelle.