by L. T. Varner
I had to admit; Daniel has a great body underneath all his goofy T-shirts. I stood up and seductively took off my shirt, walking toward him and laughing, knowing I was completely messing with him.
“Stop,” he said, grabbing the remote and turning the music up full blast.
Of course, Daniel has a disco ball on his bus, I thought to myself, laughing as the light bounced off the silver ball reflecting all around us. He returned to his position by the shower and nodded at me to continue. I started walking toward him doing my little strip tease and unhooked my bra, but kept it still covering my boobs. I stood two feet away and smiled at him, taking the same position he had.
“Your turn, dirty boy,” I said as seductively as I could while dropping my bra by his feet.
He smiled his best sexy smile and slowly popped the button on his jeans, sliding them down his legs. I watched him, trying to read him and decide how far this was going to go. We were so competitive with each other, so this could be dangerous.
“Your turn, dirty girl,” he said, kicking his jeans toward me.
I slid my sweatpants down my legs, and they hit the floor. I saw him looking me up and down, and I smiled at him and nodded that it was his turn. He only had on his boxers now, and I only had on my boy shorts.
“You’re not playing fair by keeping your arm over your boobs,” he said, smiling at me almost like he was daring me to show him mine.
I lowered my arm and gave him a full view of my breasts as I just smiled at him. It took a minute for him to take his eyes away from my chest. Finally, he shook his head and walked toward me.
“You need a very cold shower, dirty girl,” he said, grabbing my hand and pulling me to the bathroom. I kept laughing trying to pull away from him as he turned the water to cold.
“Stop it, Daniel! I don’t need a cold shower. You’re the one pitching a tent, not me,” I said through my giggles.
He started pushing me in, and I pulled him in with me. We both screamed as the cold water sprayed down on us because neither one of us was letting the other go. We both started trying to get out while keeping the other one in. He was laughing as hard as I was.
“Danni, don’t you dare grab me there unless you are going to finish me off,” he yelled, laughing as I tried to rip his boxers away.
“Dammit, Daniel, they are both the same size, stop touching them, you little pervert,” I yelled, prying his hand off my boobs as he acted like he was surprised he was touching them.
This was very typical behavior for us, even though it was the first time we had seen each other naked. Carrying on laughing and groping each other, the music suddenly stopped. The lights came back on, and we just looked at each other with shock on our faces.
Daniel looked at me and without trying to be quiet said, “Stay here, I think we have company.”
“Where else would I go, you idiot,” I said, laughing.
“Who’s there?” Daniel asked, looking at me while finally turning off the water. We couldn’t help ourselves and kept laughing and then it was a fight to see who could stay in the shower and not get out.
Collin ripped open the shower door and yelled, “Is it possible you two could fucking try to act like adults for once!” His voice trailed off when he saw us both wearing nothing but our underwear.
To make it much worse, Daniel’s arm was wrapped around my chest, the only reason my boobs were covered up. Judging by the look on Collin’s face, I knew he was extremely pissed off. I could practically see the fire in his eyes as he directed his glare toward me.
Daniel let go of me and pushed me out, saying, “Quit screwing around so I can take a shower.”
I was suddenly standing in front of Collin, dripping wet in just my underwear. This was a little awkward, to say the least. After a brief pause, I stepped around him when he made no move to get out of my way. I grabbed my sweatpants off the floor and my bra that was by his foot. While trying to cover my chest and hold my clothes, I passed him again to get to the bedroom. He only glared at me, and I could feel Steph’s eyes on us even though Collin had apparently forgotten that she was there. After backing into the bedroom, I shut the door and started laughing with my heart practically beating out of my chest.
I found a towel and started drying off when Daniel walked in wearing nothing but a towel. He looked utterly amused and asked, “How much trouble do you think we’re in?”
“He can’t say much considering he’s out there with her,” I mumbled, pulling a new shirt on.
“You can take her, Danni, I have faith in you,” he said, while pulling on sweats, as well.
I threw a pillow at him while laughing at how nothing was serious to him.
“Nice shirt,” he said as I glanced down at the band shirt of his I was wearing.
“I’m running out of clean clothes,” I said as I finished getting dressed.
“Get out so I can finish getting dressed, you dirty girl. I know this rocking body does something for you, but we are in enough trouble.” I left the room before he could grab me again.
I walked out hoping they had left. Instead, I saw them sitting on the couch together. Collin didn’t look at me. I knew he was mad and figured I should just leave him alone. I noticed they both had a beer, and I grabbed one out of the cooler. Sitting down across from them was extremely uncomfortable, except Steph seemed clueless.
“You and Daniel seem to have a lot of fun together,” Steph said a little too perky.
“Yes, we do. He is that naughty, annoying little brother I never had.”
“And you are that annoying, bossy big sister with no hot friends,” Daniel said, sitting down beside me and taking my beer.
Collin chimed in without looking at either one of us and said, “I don’t know too many brothers and sisters that play around naked in the shower together.”
Daniel and I just looked at each other and told the other to “grow up” at the same time before we started fighting over my beer. Little bastard always steals whatever I’m drinking.
Apparently, Daniel thought he should have some more fun with Collin and started trying to push his buttons.
Steph asked, “Are you two any more than just friends?”
Daniel answered, “Nothing more than friends that fuck as long as she keeps her face covered.”
“Oh, don’t even get me started on Daniel farting during sex. He is such a pig,” I said through my laughter as he tackled me to shut me up. I looked at Daniel and said “You know that thing you did with your tongue last night was awesome. I’ve meant to tell you all day.”
He responded, “The way you arched your back and moaned was hot as hell, baby.”
We were trying so hard not to laugh and just play along because Steph believed all of it. After ten minutes of us going on and on, Collin finally hit the end of his limit.
“Pull over at the next stop so we can get off this fucking bus,” Collin snapped at the bus driver.
Daniel still had one trick left to play and asked, “Steph, has Collin shown you the new video yet?”
If looks could kill, Daniel would be dead by the daggers Collin was sending him.
“No, he said it wasn’t ready yet,” Steph said, putting her empty beer can in the trash.
Daniel took out my laptop and pulled up the video. Then he handed it to her and said, “It just came out two days ago, you should see it. Our fans love it.”
I wondered if perhaps we had gone too far as she watched the video. Then her eyes got huge, and her lips pressed together firmly. Oh boy, was she pissed.
“Wow. That is some video, Collin,” Steph snapped, handing the laptop back to Daniel.
She turned toward Collin and said, “You never told me that was why you were using her in the video.” Now she was pointing and glaring at me.
Collin rolled his eyes with his back toward Steph and mumbled, “When it comes to my music and videos I don’t need to explain or ask permission from you, so don’t even start your bitching.”
But, of c
ourse, she did until we were able to pull over and let them off.
Chapter 20
So Frustrated
After staying on Daniel’s bus for a week, I finally walked into my house. Dropping my bag in the hall, I bowed my head in frustration as I took in the wedding crap everywhere. Why me, Lord? Why do I have to endure this? I maneuvered through the decorations and piles of brightly colored stacks of card stock. They are going all out for this, I thought, seeing a business card for a wedding planner. I couldn’t wait for my schoolhouse to be done so I wouldn’t have to live with all this.
Three days later I was working at the schoolhouse trying to clean up the landscaping when I saw Dad’s tour bus pull into the refurbished bus barn. I didn’t give it much thought as I had my headphones turned up high, trying to drown out the tractor I was riding. I only had a couple of months to go before I could move in and the landscapers were coming tomorrow to start working on the grounds. I turned around to make one last pass when I noticed a group of guys standing by the barn talking to Dad and Uncle Tony. I was curious who he had brought home now.
Dad started waving for me to come over when I parked the tractor and shut off the engine. I was wearing a sheer white tank top with a bikini top underneath and shorts as I was attempting to get some sun, I didn’t want to meet people this way. I guess I was out of luck since they all started walking in my direction. I climbed down from the tractor and finally waved back at my dad.
While Dad made introductions, I half listened until he finally noticed I was practically standing behind them. The group made me uncomfortable. Uncle Tony moved up behind me. Sensing my uneasiness, he pulled me toward him and put his arm around me. He always made me feel safe as he and Dad were in the habit of blocking unworthy men from getting to me.
“Relax, Lil, I will keep you safe,” Uncle Tony whispered in my ear. I hated that nickname.
It was some up-and-coming band that had asked to work with Dad and Uncle Tony. He had invited them here to the schoolhouse to work in the new studio, considering that it had been completed for a month now. Dad made sure that was the first thing finished, and he quickly put it to use.
They looked like typical rock stars with their crazy hair, tattoos, and torn-up clothes. I started to excuse myself when Dad questioned if I was playing tonight, I nodded yes. He told me that they would come down and watch the show.
I got to the bar ten minutes late, as usual, and just as they always did, everyone started yelling at me for being late. Tardiness was my thing. Dad was convinced that this was my way of doing the opposite of what everyone told me to do. I knew he was right, but it was fun how worked up Mike would get waiting for me.
After a successful set, I was trying to make my way to the bar when I ran into one of the guys I had met with my dad earlier. He towered over me, smiled, and grabbed my arm when I tried to sidestep him.
“Let me buy you a drink, Danni,” he said, leaning close to my ear to be heard over the DJ.
I knew that this guy had probably been drinking all day judging by the alcohol radiating off his breath and the slur in his voice.
“Sorry, I am at work. I can’t drink while I’m working,” I said, giving him a friendly smile.
In response, he grabbed me around the waist and crushed his body into mine. I cringed, trying to hold back the urge to throw up on him. He smelled like he hadn’t showered in days. I tried to push him off, but he wouldn’t let go of me.
“I saw you in Collin’s video. You looked hot. I’m good friends with him.”
“What exactly is your point here?” I asked, still trying to obtain some distance between us.
“Collin told me that you fuck like a champ. I’m up for anything if you want to have a little fun with me,” he slurred before he licked my neck and I gagged.
His hands gripped my ass as he tried to pull me up. I pushed back while attempting to get Chuck’s attention.
“Collin told me you like it rough. I am all for you playing hard to get.”
Instantly I froze and felt like I couldn’t catch my breath. Why would Collin say something so horrible and what on Earth would make this idiot think it was okay to talk to me like this? As rage filled me, I shoved him hard enough that he stumbled backward, all while smiling at me like he thought this was foreplay.
“So, asshole, you think I like it rough?” I said as he lurched closer to me.
“I am going to have so much fun with you,” he said when I took another step back, running into an older guy behind me.
I had had enough of this. My vision was blurred with rage, and I suddenly wanted to kill him. Without thinking out my plan of action, I punched him as hard as I could. He tried to step closer yet again.
Fuck, that hurt! My hand instantly started throbbing. Then I saw the blood start pouring out of his nose as he looked at me completely stunned.
“You fucking bitch!” he yelled. Before I knew what he was doing, he punched me back. The world went dark.
I opened my eyes seeing stars and the rafters of the bar. What the hell? Oh, now I really am going to kill him.
“Stop it, Danni. You are bleeding all over. Hold still,” Mike said, kneeling over me and taking a towel from Chuck.
“You okay, boss?” Chuck asked, leaning down to help me sit up. “I threw that asshole out and may or may not have punched him a few times for you.”
I saw double, and my nose throbbed as Mike held the towel under it. Chuck took a bag of ice from Jackie and placed it on the bridge of my nose. This shit hurts. Note to self: never get punched in the nose again.
“You okay?” Mike asked, looking down at me while holding the towel.
“I think he broke my nose.”
Mike and Chuck both laughed, and Mike said, “Yeah Danni, I think he did. But, if it makes you feel better, I think you broke his nose first.”
Fifteen minutes later I started to feel extremely light-headed. My nose was still gushing blood as I sat in my office chair.
“Mike, how much blood can I lose without passing out?” I asked as he decided it was time to go to the hospital. That might be a good idea.
Apparently I answered my question since I woke up in the passenger seat of my SUV a couple of minutes later.
“Danni, welcome back. Stay awake for me, okay? We are almost to the hospital,” Mike said, driving like a crazy person.
Nausea started rolling over me. Unfortunately, I was one of those people who threw up from intense pain. It was an awful trait that I’d had, and hated, all my life. Oh, my night just keeps getting better and better, I thought.
We made it to the hospital after pulling over for me to throw up. Mark met us at the doors.
“You called him?” I mumbled as Mark opened my door and started looking me over.
“Yes, Danni, Mike called me. I am a Registered Nurse so I’m going to help you and you’re going to let me. Oh, and no bitching about it either,” Mark commanded as he pulled me out of the SUV.
A couple of minutes later in a private room, Mark stuffed cotton up my nose as another nurse opened packages of gauze. It’s pretty hard to lie still when you want to throw up, and thankfully Mark realized my dilemma just in time to put a trash can in front of me. I threw up yet again, and it didn’t even rattle Mark. He just kept working around me.
When the doctor finally came in after a round of X-rays, Mark filled him in on what had happened. The doctor said something about resetting the bone. I didn’t want to stay here any longer than I had to.
“Mark, where is Mike? I want to go home,” I said trying to push myself up into a sitting position.
“He is in the hall yelling at someone on his phone.”
I wondered who he could be yelling at. Mark pushed me back down and motioned to another nurse to hand over the clipboard she was holding.
“Okay, Danni, here it is. We are going to knock you out and reset your nose. If we don’t, it won’t heal right, and you could have breathing problems. So, please sign here because we can get you i
n surgery in less than twenty minutes.”
“I don’t want surgery, Mark! I am fine. Just tell Mike I’m ready to go home,” I said, pushing his clipboard away.
The next morning after losing that argument, I started coming out of the anesthesia. At first, I didn’t want to open my eyes because it felt so good to sleep, but my nose and head were throbbing. I tried to bring my hands up to my face when I felt restraints on my wrists.
I heard Mike say, “It’s okay, Danni, surgery is over. You should heal up just fine. How much pain are you in?”
I groaned, “What’s going on? My nose and head hurt! Can I go home?”
I could hear Mike laugh and then say, “They fixed your nose. The doctor wants you to wake up more before they give you any more pain medicine, and yes, hopefully later today you can go home.”
Then I heard someone else say, “You have had a pretty rough night, young lady. How are you feeling?”
I opened my eyes and tried to blink away the blurriness when I saw an older man in a white coat looking down at me. He introduced himself as “Doctor Todd” and explained the surgery and what I should expect to feel like for the next couple days. Next, he changed the cotton stuffed up my nose and indicated that all was looking fine.
The doctor said, “We are going to help you sit up on the count of three. Ready?”
I nodded, and he continued, “Your sense of balance might be off for a while, so you have to take it slow.”
I am not helpless. I just broke my nose, it’s not like a head injury or anything. The doctor counted to three, and I was pulled upright by Mike and Mark, or so I assumed. See? I’m fine. My sense of balance is just fine. It was at that moment that whoever was on my left pushed me back over.
“Why am I leaning over? This is not comfortable,” I said, trying to move back.
I heard a huge laugh and instantly recognized it.
“Sweet Daniel, is that you?” I asked with a huge smile on my face.
Daniel whispered in my ear, “Hi, dirty girl. Didn’t stay out of trouble long, did you? And, you can’t make fun of my snoring anymore because you have done it all night and it’s annoying and not sexy at all.”