by Ruby Rowe
“Baby, that article was supposed to launch your career as a journalist and give the band more exposure.”
“But at what expense? I’m not divulging everyone’s secrets, so if people find the article superficial and boring, it will only hurt my career.”
He points at my laptop. “What are you writing now?”
“I’m doing some freelance work. This story is about the pros and cons of boarding schools.”
“That sounds painful. Angel, no. Call your dad right now, and tell him you’re doing the article. The band can handle it.”
“I’m worried the others will feel differently.”
“I’ll give them a heads-up. They want to support you as much as I do.”
“If you’re sure...”
“I am. Now, let me give you a pro for that story you’re writing.” Sliding a hand in my hair, he gives me a flirty grin before he kisses me softly and moves his mouth to my ear. “My experience from fucking you in one is that those schoolgirl skirts make guys horny as hell.”
Flinging my head back, I laugh. “I think the parents and schools would list that as a con.” Tripp trails his lips down my neck to my chest, and I hum from how nice it feels.
“Oh, excuse me,” Olivia says from the doorway. We look at her, and she blushes as she balances on her crutches. “I didn’t know I was interrupting.”
“It’s OK,” I reply. Tripp grumbles his disagreement as he rises, so I stifle a laugh. “Where’s Zain?”
“He boarded the crew’s bus after the show. Z said he had to talk to them about something, but he’s going to have the drivers stop soon so he can get back on ours.”
“Fuck,” Tripp mumbles as he stands. “I’ll be in my bunk. Come join me soon,” he adds. His hooded gaze warns that he’ll come find me if I don’t. He has sex on the brain, and so do I, but I’m also worried about the shape Zain will be in when he boards our bus. I can’t believe he left Olivia alone when she has a sprained ankle. Thank goodness that’s all it was.
“Wanna talk?” I ask before I pat the space beside me.
“Sure. I was going to sew, but after getting no sleep last night, I’m exhausted. The pain pills aren’t helping that any.”
“Yeah, I guess all of us have been up for over twenty-four hours. Since I hadn’t noticed, I must be getting used to this lifestyle.”
Propping her crutches beside her, Olivia sighs.
“I’m sorry I caused this mess. I don’t know why you and Tripp aren’t furious with me.”
“I invited you on this journey, so I feel somewhat to blame for your injury. I know firsthand about the pressures of touring with a rock band … and Zain Richie.”
“He insists he has a handle on things.”
“I hope so. If not, I’m going to feel even worse for bringing you on the road with us.”
“I made the decision to come even after knowing he liked to party. What I didn’t know was how frequently he did it or how easily I’d get sucked into it.” Leaning her head against the couch, Olivia closes her eyes. “I didn’t know love could be so dangerous.”
I don’t reply. Instead, I let her fall asleep while I worry about what lies ahead. I wish Nathan would tell me that my plan will work out. It has to, or I may never forgive myself.
Tripp
After having phenomenal sex with Apple, she tells me that Olivia fell asleep upright in the back lounge. I keep thinking about how her foot’s not propped up and how Zain is living it up on the crew’s bus to hide his behavior from Olivia.
Before Nathan died, I always worried about others, and now that I’ve let Apple in, I’m becoming the old me again. Having my heart closed-off was easier in some ways.
Knowing I won’t fall asleep without fixing this situation, I ease Apple off my chest and pull on my jeans and t-shirt. I leave the bunk and find Olivia still sleeping in the back lounge. Her bandaged foot is on the ground while she sleeps upright with her head hanging over her chest. Poor girl. This is bullshit.
I stride to the front of the bus.
“Harry, I need you to stop at the next exit.”
“Sure.” I press Zain’s name on my phone and wait for him to answer.
“Man, what’s up?”
“We’re stopping the buses. Your ass better get back on ours immediately.”
“Don’t bark orders at me.”
“Olivia fell asleep sitting up while waiting on your sorry ass. Isn’t her foot supposed to be propped up?”
“I thought she’d be asleep in my bunk.”
“She would be if you were here. Come help her to bed.”
“Chill. I was having us stop soon.”
“You should’ve never left her alone to begin with.” I end the call, pissed that I had to make it in the first place. For years, I was either saving Nathan or being a shoulder for Faith to cry on. Actually, there were countless nights I had to do both. I refuse to live that life again, so I’m putting a stop to this shit now.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Olivia
“Good morning. You didn’t sleep as long as I expected,” Zain says as I hobble into the common area of the tour bus.
“My foot wouldn’t let me. It’s hurting this morning.”
“Let me get your coffee,” he replies as he hurries off the couch.
“Did you even sleep?” I ask him as we meet at the counter.
“I crashed in my bunk for a few hours after I put you to bed in yours. I figured you needed more space for your ankle.” While he pours my cup of coffee, I kiss his cheek.
“That was thoughtful of you.”
“Uh, it was no trouble.” He flits his gaze to Tripp and back to me. “Sit down, and I’ll fix you some breakfast.”
“A granola bar will suffice.”
“OK. One granola bar coming up.”
As I hobble to the table, I notice everyone staring at me. Well, minus Pete. His eyes are glued to his phone like usual. Aiden moves to sit next to him so that Zain and I can sit together across from them.
I take a bite of my granola bar and watch my coffee swish back and forth in its cup from how hard Zain’s tapping his foot. I look around only to find everyone still staring.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“Don’t freak out,” Zain says.
“About what?”
“Paparazzi cornered your dad and Ken outside of some law office this morning. It’s all over the news and the Web. They were questioning Ken about your engagement and breakup, and they asked your dad what he thought about us dating. They both declined to comment. One of the reporters also asked about your injury. I guess someone from the clinic leaked it.”
I cover my face. “Oh, my God. This was my worst fear.”
“It’ll be all right. Like Pete always says, ‘If it won’t matter in six months, then it’s not worth worrying about now.’ ” He looks across the table while kicking his manager’s leg beneath it. “Right, Pete?”
“Right, except we don’t know if this will matter in six months. The last thing this band needed was more drama.”
“Thanks, Peter.”
Exhaling loudly, Pete stands. “Look, this group keeps growing, so I think it’s time the band hire a PR person. When a problem arises, the label doesn’t do shit other than bitch at me. I can’t manage both the tour and the drama you create. It’s time someone else extinguishes your fires.”
“How long did it take you to think up that last line?” Faith asks from behind me. I guarantee she’s wearing her bitch face. “I’m not paying for Zain’s and Olivia’s idiocy. I mean, who jumps on the bed at their ages?”
Jerking around to face her, Zain glares, “Who has the nerve to fuck the CEO of her label? Oh, right. That’s you. You wanna talk about drama? Let’s go there.”
“Fuck you, Z.”
“Apologize to Liv for that comment, and I’ll apologize for mine.”
“Fine. Olivia, I’m sorry I insinuated you’re an idiot. I forgot that Zain feeding you drugs was the true cau
se of your accident.”
In a flash, Zain is out of his seat, but Aiden and Tripp are just as fast. They grab hold of Z like they’re preventing him from hitting Faith. He’d never do that. Would he? Geez. What’s up with everyone this morning?
“Stop!” I shout. Freezing, the group looks at me. “I caused today’s drama, so I’ll handle it. None of you need to spend your hard-earned money because of me.”
“This isn’t about you,” Pete says. “It’s been going on for years with this band, and I’m sick of fixing every issue. So, either we hire someone to start on our next tour, or I’m out.”
“You’d honestly quit?” Zain asks.
“Did you not see how fast you and Faith turned on each other? Every time I think this band is maturing, one of you slings insults.” He points to his head. “I’m getting fucking gray hair already.”
“I’m sorry,” Zain says as he averts his gaze.
“Same,” Faith murmurs.
Pete slides out of his seat, “I’m taking a nap, and everyone better be in better moods when I wake up. We need some good press at the special meet and greet tonight.”
He leaves the room, and the silence left with us is awkward. I need to break the ice.
“What’s special about the next meet and greet?” I ask.
Zain takes his seat again. “A local radio station in Newark is going live from the green room because of a contest they held for our fans.”
“I need a calendar.”
“I’ll get you a copy,” Faith says as she yanks on my ponytail to pull my head back. Her face appears above mine, and she smirks before giving me a soft, lingering kiss on the lips.
Holy shit.
As she backs away, I realize I’ve closed my eyes. “Sorry I was a bitch. I didn’t get much sleep last night.” Letting my hair go, she tousles Zain’s. “Tell me the next time you two are having fun in bed, and I’ll join you.” She winks, and my mouth falls open.
“Ignore her,” Aiden says. “She likes to deflect when she’s called out for being a bitch. Also, she’s not into three-ways.”
“You would know, Sasquatch,” she says to him before heading to the bunk room.
Zain shakes his head. “Faith’s nuts, and it wouldn’t matter if she was into threesomes because I’m not sharing my girl.” He grins my way. “Although, that kiss was hot.”
“I would’ve brushed my teeth right when I woke up had I known I was going to experience my first girl-on-girl action.”
Everyone chuckles as the heat creeps up my neck.
“I knew you were a freak like the rest of us,” Z says before giving me a side hug. I really love this bunch, but I hate when they fight, which I’ve noticed is often. I need to post something on social media about my ankle. That’s at least one problem I can fix.
While Zain showers, I post on my Instagram account a photo of my foot, along with the caption This is what happens when you trip over a pair of shoes on a crowded tour bus.
I mean, I can’t exactly tell the truth. In seconds, my phone blows up with text messages from Landon. Blair calls, so I stop replying to my brother to answer her.
“Hello,” I say.
“How are you?” she asks with concern in her voice.
“It’s only a sprain. I’m fine. Really.”
“I saw some photos online of you partying somewhere, and you’ve drunk dialed me in the middle of the night several times over the past week.”
I snicker. “Sorry about that. We’re pretty wound up after the concerts.”
“It sounds like you’re having fun. Is Zain still everything you thought he would be and more?”
“I’m in deep, Blair. I never felt this kind of love for Ken. I’m a little worried I’m going to lose myself in Zain’s world.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“I’m overwhelmed by his life, is all, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it. I think I just need more time to adjust. Now, fill me in on your world.”
Blair tells me about her flavor of the month, and as she shares some gossip about other people we know, Zain appears at my bunk.
“I have to go, girl. Give our friends hugs for me, and please check on Landon. I need to know Ken hasn’t pulled any sneaky shit.”
“Sure thing. Take care, and remember that I’m here for you.”
“I know. Love you, Blair Bear.”
“Love you, too.” Tossing my phone on the mattress, I smile at Zain and breathe in his clean scent. He’s bare-chested as he stands at the open curtain. “Blair’s worried about me.”
“Is it because of your ankle?”
“That, and she knows we’re partying a lot.”
“Did you tell her she doesn’t need to worry?”
“I told her I was fine.” Looking at the bed, I pick at the blanket. “I mean, I did tell her I’m overwhelmed. It’s not easy keeping up with you and your friends.”
“I went to the crew’s bus last night so you wouldn’t feel like you had to party.”
“Wait. You told me you needed to talk to them about something.”
“We did talk.” He grins. “We just happened to get shitfaced while doing it.”
“You intentionally left me alone to go party. What happened to spoiling me while I was hurt?”
“I’m sorry.” Zain runs a hand over his wet hair, messing it up further. “Tripp set me straight last night, so I know I should’ve stayed here with you, but I’m not used to having a girlfriend. You need to cut me some slack.”
“I’ll forgive you if you spend tonight with only me … sober.”
He brings his dark eyebrows together.
“Completely sober? I can’t remember the last time I didn’t at least drink.”
“That’s bad. I was looking for adventure when I came on this trip, but I didn’t know you medicated yourself every hour of the day. Promise me you won’t tonight.”
“Look, I’ve gotta drink, but I promise I won’t do anything else. Now, let me in your bunk so I can love on you. You know I hate it when you’re disappointed in me. I’m going to make you forget all about your ankle pain.”
Zain
“Dad. What are you doing here?” I ask him after I enter my dressing room in Newark, New Jersey. Sweat drips from my shaggy hair as I still catch my breath from the show.
Leon stands from the couch and gives me a hug.
“Hi, Son. Since you’ve gone public with a girl, I figured I should come meet her. I’ve always told you not to get serious with a woman until you were older, but I see you didn’t listen to your old man.”
Grabbing an ice-cold beer from the mini fridge, I pop the cap and take a long drink.
“I’m not you, meaning I won’t see other women while I’m with Olivia. We won’t have the same problems you and Mom had.”
“You say that now, but what happens when she can’t be on the road with you? Your mom got sick of traveling, and that’s when things went awry.”
“Apple’s adjusting to being on the road with Tripp. She loves it, so I’m hoping it’ll be the same for Olivia.”
“You’re too busy and young to settle down.”
I chug the rest of my beer and crunch the can in my hand. My dad’s pissing me off.
“I wasn’t too young when you had that chick make a man out of me.”
With his hands resting loosely in the pockets of his jeans, he draws his head back.
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Forget it.”
Dad points at me. “Boy, I gave you everything you ever wanted.”
“Yeah, and plenty I didn’t ask for.”
“So, what? Is this the age when you think your parents ruined your life? Is this girl putting those kinds of thoughts in your head?”
“Olivia’s perfect, and I better never hear you insinuate otherwise. You haven’t even met her.”
“All I know is that you were never this angry with me before you met her.”
“Can we just drop it?”
Thinking about the promise I made to Olivia, I say, “I can’t.”
“You can’t what?”
Fuck. If he thinks Liv’s leading me around by the balls, I’ll only get another lecture. He already has a negative opinion of her.
“Nothing. Sounds like fun.”
“Where is this hot girlfriend of yours?”
I roll my eyes. “She’s working on the bus.”
“Damn, she’s not the princess type, huh? Maybe I’ll like her after all.”
I think about what type of woman Liv is. I’m not even sure other than she’s my type.
“Olivia’s not after my money.”
“Good to know.”
“I need to get to the green room to greet fans. Are you coming?”
“Sure. I imagine some of them are my fans, too.” He winks, and I struggle not to roll my eyes again. This night is going to go badly. I sense it already.
Olivia
Wanting a break from sewing Apple’s next outfit, I continue to work on Faith’s purple cape instead. Harry’s been sleeping in his bunk, and the near silence on the bus has helped ease my anxiety immensely. I hadn’t realized how little alone time I’ve had until this evening.
Thinking I hear the bus door, I release the foot pedal on my sewing machine. The sound of heavy footsteps grows closer before Nash appears at the doorway.
“Excuse me, but Zain asked that I deliver a message.”
“What’s up?” I smile since Nash is being his formal self and looking so differently than everyone else on this tour. He’s at least sporting a black polo shirt tonight, rather than the white one he typically wears.
“His dad, Leon, showed up unexpectedly and is hosting a party tonight. Zain said he’s sorry but he has to attend and wants you there.”