Sterling had been together for six years, since Katie was a newly-minted eighteen year-old high school graduate, but they had never before spent so much time together without a break from one another.The guys in the band had noticed how much attention Katie was getting from Blake Jackson, but if it bothered them, nobody said anything. She wasn’t sure if she was just being touchy, but it seemed like they might come to resent her for the special treatment. As it was, everybody on board their bus was snappish with each other, and nobody was getting along. It was disappointing, really, to not be able to enjoy the tour when it would be over so soon.The tension on the Sterling tour bus was thick when Blake called. Katie accepted his invitation for dinner in Knoxville as soon as the question left his lips.“Yes, I’d love to. I gotta get out of here!” she said breathlessly.“Well, darlin’, I think I’m just going to let myself believe that you’re excited to see me. I’d hate to think that I’m just an easy means of escape,”
