by Finn, Thia
****
The morning passed quickly as they dealt with all of the last minute details. When they all left for lunch, everyone went separate ways to collect their belongings for loading on the bus that afternoon, but Chandler and KeeMac left together on his bike.
He took her straight back to her house, without any of the nonsense or his usual witty conversation. When he pulled up to the curb in front of her place he didn’t bother to turn off the bike or even hop off. He took her helmet from her, and said, “Hey, I have a lot to do before I can leave to take my shit back to the bus. Do you have a way to get back to the studio with your things besides the damn bus?”
She didn’t know what had changed since this morning but he was acting different. “Yeah, sure. My friend said she could pick me up when I was ready.” It was a lie since she didn’t have any friends in Austin, but if she told him she would cab it, he might get pissed. At least he would have been yesterday. Today she wasn’t so sure.
“Great, see you later then.” He stowed her helmet and took off. He knew she had to wonder what was going on. While he ran that morning he decided them getting together wasn’t a good idea, and then relented and picked her up. It had been on his mind all morning at the studio, and being around the rest of the band, he decided putting some space between them now was the best plan, and it had to start it before they stepped on the bus.
Chandler packed her last minute items but couldn’t stop thinking about what happened. Maybe she’d gotten the wrong signals from him last night. Or maybe he was a typical prick, like most of the guys she had been around, who liked to bait girls, lead them on, make them feel special and the second the girl start to respond, BOOM, his ego is inflated and he’s on to the next conquest. Either way, she wasn’t going to overthink it. She had too much to look forward to on this tour to worry about him.
He had already come and gone with his things by the time she got back to the studio that evening, so she unloaded her favorite Jon Hart duffel and weekender bag, and carried her Gibson Hummingbird acoustic guitar, another parent gift for a job well done, to the bus. Having the keyboard on the bus wouldn’t be feasible but she could play her guitar when she wanted and it offered her a sense of security she seemed to need; a piece of home to take on the road with her.
This was her first time to see a tour bus up-close and she was surprised at how well-appointed it was. For a bus, this wasn’t such an uncomfortable setup. It obviously wasn’t brand new or custom built for AD, but it was in good condition and clean, which was a relief to Chandler. It must have been at least forty-feet long, and the outside was sleek black and chrome with dark-tinted windows. Inside, the living space was comfortably appointed in leather upholstery and shiny wood accents in warm tones. The two couches and the couple of lounge chairs and end tables were oriented around the TV on the front wall. Beyond the front seating area was a decent-sized kitchen with a full-sized fridge, stove, full-sized sink, and a microwave, and dining table with a U-shaped booth where they could all comfortably sit together. Beyond the main living area there were six bunks, stacked three high, on either side of the long hallway to the one bathroom, and then one actual bedroom at the very back. The small bathroom had a shower and she knew they would all be vying for time in there. Sharing a bathroom with five guys should be interesting. She had never shared a room or a bathroom with anyone, so she wondered how this was all going to work.
Choosing one of the empty bunks on the bottom, Chandler hoped she wasn’t being presumptuous about where she was supposed to sleep. She was flexible and could move if they wanted her somewhere else, but she unloaded a few days of clothes into the small dresser space, opting to keep the rest in her suitcase until she needed them. Since she was short, she was able to put some things at the foot of her bunk where they wouldn’t be in her way. These had obviously been built for guys resembling her bandmates who started at six foot and got taller. On the small cubbies built into the bunk, she put her electronic devices that offered entertainment to help pass the hours.
She looked around and decided she could do this. Living here for eight weeks wouldn’t be so bad. Of course, she was alone on the bus right then and knew four smoking hot, muscled guys were going to take up a lot of space. The kitchen area was across from a dinette where four could sit, and it butted up against a long leather couch. Two more leather chairs were across from the couch, so there would be enough seats for everyone. A big flat screen hung on a wall behind the steps coming in the bus. She imagined all sorts of games and movies would entertain the group or maybe there was a satellite system on the bus that would provide them with some TV options. Chandler prayed that porn wasn’t going to be the norm but with these guys, who knew. She was staring blankly at the black screen when Carter and Gunner climbed up the steps.
“Well, look who we have here, Carter. Chan all to ourselves for a change.” Gunner cocked up an eyebrow then cracked up laughing. He seemed pretty harmless to Chandler until he gave her that leering look.
“Don’t be an asshole before we even get on the road. You’ll scare the shit out her, and she’ll be running away the first chance she gets.” Carter gave her a brief smile before heading to the back of the bus.
“Remember, Chan, you can run but you can’t hide. The bus is too small for playing hide-and-seek. We could try if you want. I’ll be glad to hide you.”
“Dude, you’re such a perv. Leave her alone,” Carter yelled to him from the back while deciding where to store his belongings. “Did you choose a spot already, Chan?”
“Yes, I took one of the bottom ones. Hope y’all don’t mind,” she asked tentatively.
“Why sure, Cupcake,” Gunner leaned down and winked at her. “You can sleep wherever you want. I’m sure any of us would even be happy to share our bunk if you’re in need of cuddling or get cold or whatever.” This time he waggled his eyebrows at her. It was hard to take him seriously because he was so damn cute. Chandler couldn’t help herself when she laughed out loud in his face.
“You are really a funny guy, Gunner. Do you plan to use those kinds of lines to get girls to come back to the bus with you, because if they have half a brain it’s not going to happen?” Carter laughed so hard at Chandler’s retort that put Gunner in his place that he was gasping for air.
“Oh man! I love this girl already. She fucking cut you off at the knees, bro. Guess you’ll think twice about being a prick to her again, at least for a while.” Carter held up his hand to fist bump Chandler, and it only took a second for her to realize what he was doing and respond.
Gunner shook his head, looking deeply hurt. “You bruise me deeply, Cupcake. Here I was, thinking we were going to be spending some quality time getting to know each other.” He gave her a mock pout and then he smiled. “I see now how it’s gonna be between us though.”
Chandler said a little prayer to herself about scoring some points with at least two of the members. She hoped she would win them all over before the trip ended for her.
Chapter Nine
The hot Texas sun had already reached scorching temperatures by the time everyone assembled in the parking lot ready to leave. Cash would be riding with them today so he had been there first that morning, too. Chandler wondered if the guy ever slept.
KeeMac greeted her like the rest of the band, and she was glad he didn’t try to make it awkward for her. Krissy and Ryan were the last to arrive and couldn’t seem to keep their hands off each other since she wouldn’t see him for at least a few weeks. Chandler was sad for both of them even though she had never been in love like they appeared to be.
“I’ll see you in no time at all, Kitten,” Ryan told her quietly at the bus door.
“I know, it’s just that you’ll be out there without me. I know what the groupies for Frission are like. I hate that they’ll always be around to tempt you. I hope this is the last time y’all go on tour for a while, Ryan.”
“Krissy, you know I would never touch those skanks. You’ve seen what they look like
and besides you should trust me more than that.” He looked at her disappointedly. There was no way he would address the tour comment now. They’d been down this road already.
“I know. It’s just a lot of temptation knowing they will be everywhere y’all stop. Those girls are willing to do whatever to whoever looks at them.”
“Exactly. That kinda nasty ass is the last thing I would ever want.” He laughed and even though Krissy gave him a small smile, she didn’t look completely convinced.
Ryan kissed her one last time hard on the lips and smacked her lightly on the ass when she turned away. “I’ll see you in a couple of weeks at the most. I love you, babe,” he said, climbing the steps.
She smiled and blew him a kiss. “I love you, too.”
By the time they were all loaded, Peri had her arms wrapped around Krissy, consoling and reassuring her they would see each other soon. Peri and Krissy planned to fly out when the band arrived in Denver for the big festival at Red Rock toward the end of the tour but she knew they might see them before that. She doubted Krissy and Ryan would be able to hold out that long, and the band would cover a lot of miles before then. Getting through Austin this time of the morning would be the longest part of today’s trip but the band was too pumped about starting the tour for any of them to go back to sleep.
“I think I’ll make coffee. Does anyone else want some?” Chandler offered. She received nods of thanks from all but Ryan. She could tell that he was exhausted, probably from no sleep last night. Leaving Krissy behind must be killing him. Her obvious lack of trust of him seemed to set him on edge, and he already seemed a little distraught and distracted. It was going to make eight weeks seem a heck of a lot longer for those two if his girl started out not believing in him.
The band talked about nothing in particular, and Cash spent the entire trip on the phone arranging things further down the line. Frission was already in Dallas, having arrived the night before. Only Gunner and KeeMac had met any of their band’s members and that had been backstage after one of their concerts. Everyone knew Frission’s music and they were all stoked about opening for them. As a seasoned band they had been around a long time and had a huge following. Cash hoped Frission’s notoriety would help propel Assured Distraction into the limelight he knew would get things moving for them.
Finally arriving at the venue in Dallas was exciting for the band. Their time was short though since they were the second opening act and they were only given time for a brief sound check. The first opener was a local band with a large following that helped get the show off to a great start. AD came on stage nervous and slightly on edge. Instead of it causing problems though, it helped them start their set off on high energy that only built more as they performed. By the time Gunner ripped off his sweaty t-shirt from behind his kit, the crowd was going wild for them. The music the band played was rock in its purest form and the fans loved it. When a shirtless KeeMac started playing the chords for the final song, girls were screaming and the entire band was caught-up in the experience. He and Ryan played back-to-back like they were one person creating the music.
When the last song was over, they threw their picks and drumsticks to the frenzied audience and the band left the stage at a full run. The adrenaline that built-up during the show was now coursing through them more than from any show they had ever performed. They all knew it was just the beginning for Assured Distraction.
Security herded the group back to the bus as soon as they were finished, with no time for after-parties, fans, groupies, or socializing with the other bands. They would be heading for Albuquerque before they had time to think or expend the high-octane energy from their best performance yet. Gunner, Carter, and KeeMac grumbled about it but Cash told them there would be plenty of time for that later.
Cash kept an eye on Chandler when they got back on the bus. She seemed quiet and had little to say about their performance. As everyone settled in, he moved to sit next to her, “Hey Chandler, so, what did you think about your first performance with this bunch of clowns?”
“Oh, it was great! I’m guess I’m still a little overwhelmed by it all. I’ve done a lot of performances but nothing like that.” Her eyes were wide, and she seemed a bit shell-shocked.
“Is it the biggest fucking crowd you’ve ever played in front of?” Ryan asked.
“Definitely, but it was awesome, you know? I was so nervous when we first got out there but when Gunner started counting out the first song, it just felt right to me, and I got into the music and I knew it was all going to be great. I mean, did y’all think it was great, too?” The words seemed to tumble out of her.
The group looked at her like she had missed something. When they left the venue, you could hear all four with whoops and yelling for miles, and no one had paid attention to what she was doing. With the fans who had managed to get around to where the buses were loaded, security was tight all the way to the bus through the crowd, so she had gone unnoticed.
“You have to be shitting me, Cupcake. It was fucking awesome! You did a great job.” Gunner wrapped his arms around her and lifted her completely off the couch in a bear hug. He shook her back and forth squeezing the air out of her lungs until she couldn’t breathe but she was laughing and thrilled with his enthusiasm and compliment. They all laughed at him as he had included her in the celebration. Popping the caps off beer bottles, the band rehashed the performance, and the talk was loud for several hours as they wound down from the post stage high.
KeeMac and Cash stayed up talking band business when all of the others went to their beds. When Cash started making his couch sleep ready, KeeMac said goodnight and made his way to the back since he’d won the bedroom for the first week on the bus. Lying down on the bed, he thought about Chandler being in her bunk just steps away. He wanted to spend more time with her but was still hesitant about where it might lead.
Ah, fuck it. He got back up and walked up the aisle to her bunk. He slowly pulled back the curtain a little to find her back to him and the soft glow of her e-reader lighting up the space. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “You awake, Chan?” She nearly hit the top of her bunk.
“What the hell, Keeton! You scared me to death!” she hissed. She recovered quickly when she saw him smolder at her as only he could. Normally she might have been afraid, but right then - being looked at that way - made her weak and sent a new kind of thrill through her body. Being on stage was an adrenaline high that, unlike the guys, she still hadn’t worked herself down from. What is it about playing for a wild audience like that with a group of guys that girls would drop their panties over?
Whispering to her, he said, “Come back to my room and talk to me. Neither of us can sleep, and Cash is on the couch.” That was all it took to convince her. She would wonder later what possessed her to accept his invitation.
Standing beside the bed, he held out his arm for her to get in first and after a little hesitation, she decided to climb in while he shut the flimsy door. KeeMac’s body took up most of the room until he lay down beside her. They were facing each other now on the bed, and the look he gave her made her feel like he was only thinking of one thing.
“So, what did you want to talk about, Keeton?” She was still pissed at all those mixed messages before they left town. “Oh wait, let me start. Exactly what was all that about the night before we left?”
“Yeah, I know. I acted like a dick to you. I’m sorry. After I kissed you I thought I was fucking up before we even left, so I made you shut the damn door and lock it, before we ended up doing something we both might have regretted. I am truly sorry. I thought about calling you when I got back to my house but decided it was better that I let it go.
Chandler was fuming by the time he finished with his confession. “Don’t you think I’m smart enough to make my own decisions about what I might want or not want? In case you didn’t notice, I’m a grown woman and can make up my own mind. I would have asked you to stay if I wanted you to.” She knew in her mind that she wou
ld never have had enough courage to pull that off that night but it sounded good now. With her mind still amped up from the show, she had the courage now though.
She put her hand around the back of his head into his thick blond hair and tugged him forward for a kiss never taking her eyes off his. It was just light at first but when she ran her tongue across his lower lip, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her over his body, sucking her tongue into his mouth. He pulled her in tighter and rolled until she was almost underneath him, deepening the kiss even more. Both her arms were around his neck now and she was enjoying the feel of the length of her body captured by his. His jean-clad leg moved between hers and pressed harder into her core, only her thin sleeping shorts and panties between them.
He was trailing kisses down her neck, and nibbling just below her ear before he licked the spot lightly with the tip of his warm tongue. Her breath hitched in her throat when he did it a second time at the juncture of her neck and shoulder, the perfect spot for nipping at and soothing with a slow wet lick. Chandler had never felt anything so wonderful and thrilling. When his hand found the hem of her tank top and skimmed over the skin just above her shorts, she thought she might possibly combust. He slid the shirt up, his fingers barely caressing the skin over her ribs until they found the underside of her breast where he lightly grazed the skin with his fingertips causing her to shiver a little.
“My God, Chan, what are you doing to me?” was all he got out of his mouth before she sucked his bottom lip into her mouth. His whole hand covered her breast, kneading softly at first then rolling her pebbled nipple between his thumb and index finger hard enough to make her moan into his mouth. Giving the nipple a slight tug, she shivered again and he knew he just had to taste her skin. He pulled away to remove her top. A reluctant look passed over her face before he looked down at her and murmured the word ‘beautiful’ and closed his lips over the stiff peak sending a rush of wetness from her and a slow low moan from deep in her throat.