by Lyra Parish
When the sound of movement slowed, I decided to make my way back to the bus. I knew my face was swollen from tears, so I avoided making eye contact as much as possible. I opened my curtain and my mouth flew open.
Inside of my bunk, on the roadie bus, was Ace Hathway. I looked at him like he was crazy and he held his finger over his mouth. Someone walked by and I closed the curtain really quick and removed my shoes. I stood there, staring at the ceiling contemplating what I would do. Our bus was full so it was either sleep sitting up at the table, or on the small sofa that held two people, or climb up top and be with Ace.
Jenny stood in the hallway and tilted her head at me.
"Are you okay?" She opened her arms and gave me a big hug.
"My dad had a heart attack and my mother is so stubborn, she's demanded I stay here."
"I'm so sorry. Only five shows left. It’ll fly by. Seriously."
Jenny started removing her shoes, too, and changed into some pajamas in the hallway. "Did Ace find you?"
"No," I said quickly and she turned her head and looked at me.
"Okay," she laughed. "He was looking for you outside about twenty-five minutes ago. I know he's my brother and he's a douche, but he does have a kind heart. I swear to it. I'm not being a biased little sister."
I crossed my arms and looked at her. We hadn't gotten a chance to discuss that in detail. "Yeah. About that."
"I didn't want you think any differently of me. Not many people know. That's why I go by Jenny instead of Jennifer. I want to be taken seriously in the industry—not ride the coattails of my big brothers."
"Hey. I understand. Don't worry about it." I yawned.
She hugged me, then crawled into her bunk. "Good-night."
"Nighty," I said, then hurriedly put my foot on the edge of her bunk and pulled myself up to where Ace occupied half of the space. He reached his arms out to me and held me. At first, I was hesitant, but realized it was either that or be completely uncomfortable.
Our faces were mere inches from one another and his breath brushed against my cheeks.
"Why are you here?" I whispered.
"Don't you understand? I want to be with you."
Our voices were low. Excitement and electricity shot through my body, starting at the pit of my stomach and trailing through my heart. I swallowed and closed my eyes. Our lips crashed together with such fervor that it felt like a million years had kept us apart. His opposite hand trailed through my hair and his thumb brushed against my cheek. When we pulled away, we were both gasping for air. I felt like I was breathing hard enough for everyone in the bus to hear me. But Ace didn't stop there. He nibbled on my bottom lip, tugging at it enough to drive me absolutely insane. When he closed his eyes, his eyelashes hit the tops of my cheeks. I didn't ever want to forget that moment. It was one I wanted to remember for the rest of my life. He made me feel things that I’d never felt before. And all at once, I had a strange sense of adoration for him for taking me away from the thoughts that were so eager to consume me and not trying to have sex with me. He was content with being there and so was I.
All I could think about was Ace here with me right now treating me as though I were so fragile and precious. His touch on my skin pulled me back to reality and I didn't want him to stop. I snuggled closer into his arms and he kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes and smiled. Minutes passed and I snuggled closer to him and allowed myself to drift to sleep. His touch and the warmth of his body comforted me. If I hadn't known better, I would have said I was dreaming, but when I woke up, he was still there, holding me as if both of our lives depended on it. I rolled over and his hand found its way under my shirt and rested on my stomach. Butterflies erupted inside of me, flying and fluttering throughout my body. This was more than a one-night stand. This was Ace being my knight in shining armor, saving me once again. I smiled against his neck and closed my eyes.
I didn't know how he would sneak out of here without everyone seeing him, but I didn't care. Ace was a smart guy and he would figure it out. Honestly, he could worry about that in the morning.
26
Ace
I would have held her until the end of time if that were what I needed to do to make sure she was okay. Before I got on the bus, I asked the driver to make up a safety issue so he could dismiss anyone on the bus. When he did, I snuck on so no one would see me. It was important for me to be here, but it was even more important for me to be discreet. The last thing she or I needed was to have this being spread around online or rumors to rummage among the group. Honestly I don't care because I have nothing to hide, but I knew it was important to her. She wanted to be taken seriously and if she was seen making out with the lead singer of the band she was trying to get an interview with, then some people wouldn't give her words any clout.
There was no denying that I felt something for her, something I hadn't felt for a woman in a long time. It wasn't purely physical, even though she was sexy as hell, but it was emotional too. I connected with her on a deeper level than I had connected with anyone in my lifetime. Fuck me if I'd let that pass me by. Sometimes a person had to go out on a ledge and take a look, even if it was a suicide mission. For her, I'd walk the ledge. I had been lost in a world of meaningless sex, and I felt like I’d finally found the light at the end of the tunnel.
The bus rocked to a stop and my eyes fluttered open. I watched her sleep for a few minutes and smiled. Elizabeth was a natural beauty. She didn't need makeup or to primp; she was beautiful being herself. I ran my fingers through her soft blonde hair and pulled the light blanket up over her body.
"I like you, Elizabeth Riley. I'm sorry for upsetting you," I whispered.
When she didn't respond, I knew she was lost in sleep. She mumbled my name and I pulled her even closer to me. Body heat radiated from her and I wanted to bask in it. I wanted to do so every night until the tour was over, and then after the tour ended. That one fact made me realize how done for I was. Elizabeth Riley had accomplished the unthinkable—she captured my heart. How was the mouse able to tame the lion?
She wrapped her arm around my body and I lay there, allowing the moment to leave an imprint on my soul.
I had fallen asleep and woke up almost in a panic. I couldn't be on this bus as everyone was hustling and bustling around. It would be too obvious and the rumor mill would go absolutely crazy. I was used to it, but I felt a need to protect her.
"Elizabeth," I whispered in her ear.
She looked at me with hooded eyes and snuggled into the crook of my neck.
"I've got to go, babe. Want to come with me?"
Her eyes popped open. "Okay."
"I've got to get out first." I gave her a little side grin.
"How?"
"Climb across me."
I licked my lips as she looped her leg over mine until she was straddling me. Before she could move, I grabbed her ass and held her there for a few more seconds. When she leaned down to kiss me, her breasts pressed against my chest and her hair cascaded around my face.
"Fuck," I whispered into her mouth when I felt my dick wake up. I know she felt it too because she slowly rolled her hips on my growing hardness. I growled, knowing I couldn't take the teasing, but I wanted the fierce woman inside her to take control. She pulled my bottom lip into her mouth and sucked it, causing my eyes to roll in the back of my head. My fingertips trailed up her shirt, slowly touching her skin, until her bare breasts rested in my hand. Her nipples were rock hard and I knew if I was persistent, I could have her. She would have willingly given herself to me because she was as turned on as me, but I wouldn't do it like this. I wanted it to mean something. Ace-fucking-Hathway was a changed man. I ran my fingers down her side and steadied her waist with my hands, then kissed her like the sun wasn't going to rise again.
"You're beautiful," I said, low enough for only her to hear.
I knew she could feel my hardness and I exhaled a ragged breath, knowing if this were to continue, I'd rip her clothes from her body and make
sweet love to her in that small ass compartment.
"We have to stop," I said, not believing the words that left my mouth.
She tilted her head at me.
"Not like this. I want to enjoy you. Lay you down on my bed and worship every inch of your body the way it deserves to be worshipped. I want to make love to you really fucking slow until you beg for it to be harder. I don't want to rush, and I want to be as loud as I want. Then I want to spend the day with you lying there until you're ready for rounds two and three."
She trailed kisses on my lips, up my cheek, down my neck, then back to my ear where she nibbled on my lobe. "I'll take a rain check."
Spikes of pleasure jolted through me and she slid from my body and lay on the opposite side of me. I adjusted myself in my pants and waited for the hard-on to subside, but after a few minutes, I knew it wasn't going anywhere. Great, I'd have blue balls once again, and Elizabeth Riley was to blame.
"You did this," I said, glancing down to the bulge in my pants.
"I know," she said proudly as she leaned over and kissed me.
"I'm going to go now while I have the chance."
"I'd beg you to stay, but I understand. I'm going to stay here. I'm so tired."
I kissed her one last time before I slid out of the bunk and made my way through the silent, dark bus. I ran to my bus and hurriedly keyed in the code to the door and stepped on, gasping for air. It was all too intense. Something that I should have expected would happen in such close proximity of her.
Elizabeth was destroying every wall and act that I had put on. She didn't care about the fame. She didn't give two shits about the fortune. I knew she wasn't in it for either of those things, which made the deal even sweeter. What we had wasn't based on who I was, and to find that, it was special.
Elizabeth was transforming me into the man I always wanted to be for a woman. I would be that man, if she would give me the chance.
27
Elizabeth
Had that happened? Had Ace-freaking-Hathway snuck into and slept in my bunk with me for the majority of the night? Had I kissed him like it was the last time I would ever see him again? I pulled the blanket up to my chin, but couldn't hide the huge smile that lingered on my face.
Ace.
I felt like I was dreaming. The side of Ace that I witnessed tonight made him … desirable. I swallowed and squeezed my legs together. What the hell was I doing? All I knew was moments ago, I wanted Ace Hathway, and I wanted him all to myself. I was greedy with his mouth, touch, and most importantly, him. I sighed, closed my eyes, and dreamt about the possibilities. I couldn't help but quietly giggle at the fantasy.
Hours later I woke up, and it was like Ace Hathway hadn't visited me. No one knew he was in my bunk and there was no way I could tell Jenny. I dressed and walked off the bus and sucked in a deep breath. Thin wisps of clouds streamed across the pink-purple sky. The permanent smile on my face wasn't going away any time soon. I walked across the parking lot, enjoying the cool breeze across my skin and walked up the steps that led to a huge stage. I walked across it and stood in the middle, trying to imagine looking out at a group of hungry fans. It was almost too much to imagine.
Though we were here, the show wasn't until tomorrow, and the big party was on Saturday. Today was break day and I wanted to use my time wisely and see the sights. After all, it was New York. I’d been here a few times on business, but it was a quick fly in and fly out type deal. Jack didn't quite like for us to have fun—ever. Saturday was the wrap-up party where a thousand people would be dressed in fancy clothes. The senior editor for the Rolling Stone magazine would be there, along with many other people I'd love to rub elbows with.
I hurried and dialed my mother's number. No answer. Not hearing from her had me worried. I hung up and dialed again . . . no answer. In instances like this, no news was not good news.
My phone vibrated in my hand and I answered it in one ring.
"Honey," Mom said, sounding exhausted.
"Hey."
"Your dad is doing better. I was on my way heading back to the hospital," she said.
"I can be home by this afternoon." I stopped walking and stood in the middle of the stage. I felt guilty for staying.
"You'd sit here doing nothing. Whether you’re here or there won't change things, okay?"
"I could keep you company."
"Your aunt is keeping me plenty enough company. Grannie is flying in today too."
"Okay. Please, please let me know if anything changes."
"He's going to be fine, Elizabeth. He's hardheaded. I'm going to drink a cup of coffee and then head up there. I'll call you only if I need to. I don't want you to worry."
"I love you, Mom."
"Love you too."
She gave me a deflated chuckle and hung up. I sucked in a deep breath and exhaled it as I looked back out at the empty venue that would be full of crazed fans then made up my mind I would do what my parents wanted—stay. She wanted me to succeed and I knew I'd do no good being there.
"I'll give you that interview, if you go on one date with me tonight. I give you my word."
Ace scared the shit out of me and I jumped. My heart sped up; not sure if it was because Ace was there or because I was jerked from my thoughts so abruptly.
"Your word? I can cash that in?" I popped an eyebrow at him.
"You don't trust me?" He crossed his arms and gave me a grin.
"Ace," I smiled, "I trust you."
He turned and walked away smiling.
"What time?" I said loudly before he was out of sight.
"Seven," he said. I could hear the smile in his voice as I watched him walk down the steps. I kept my eyes on him until he was out of sight, never turning back around to look at me. I relaxed a bit then was startled again.
"There are about a million women who would sell their souls to be in your shoes," Miley said.
"Shit! You scared me."
Once the realization set in that she knew what was going on, my face contorted.
"Look, I'm not going to say shit about it. Your secret is safe with me. I won't tell a soul," she said. There weren't many people who I trusted, but Miley's word was one that I would never question.
A wave of relief washed over me. "Thank you."
"I'm not trying to be nosey, but we all would have eventually known anyway. Ace doesn't do relationships. He sure as hell doesn't do dates. Especially not with journalists."
And that's when the nerves kicked in.
"Yeah, right. He's the man that's broken a million hearts, isn't he?"
"Only because he has said no to that many women."
I didn't have any words. I didn't know what to say. Miley was making me overthink this whole date thing.
"He's a great guy, Elizabeth. Don't break his heart," she said before walking away, not even giving me the chance to respond.
Me break his heart? She has this backwards. If anything, Ace would be breaking mine. A small part of me was waiting for the bottom to break through, but I felt what we had was real. It felt real to me. I hoped I wasn’t wrong. I actually had to hold back nervous laughter. Things were not adding up in my headspace. I knew that he’d brought one woman back to the bus with him after the first show. How many others had there been before I arrived? I had to stop this self-imposed mindfuck. In the whole scheme of things, did any of it matter? No, because he had changed.
I walked back to the bus and pulled my suitcase from underneath. I grabbed my white just-in-case sundress and a pair of wedges that wrapped up my legs and tied in cute little bows. I hoped it would be good enough. I hoped I would be good enough. If someone would have told me weeks ago, I would be going on a date with the lead singer of Band of Brothers, Ace-the-biggest-known-douchebag-in-the-music-industry-Hathway, I would have laughed. He puts on a display for people, but I didn't believe that person in the magazines and tabloids was the same man. No. I think he was doing it to protect himself and his heart.
After shoving my suit
case back under the bus, I turned my head to scope the parking lot. Ace was standing outside of the bus chatting with his brothers. They looked like Ray-Ban poster children with their jeans that tapered at the ankles and button up shirts. He held a bottle of water tightly in his hand, staring me down as he nodded in response to something Jex had said.
A smile hit my lips when I boarded the bus. As I walked down the middle of the hallway, I kept my eyes on Ace through the long wall of tinted windows. The bus was positioned perfectly for me to see him genuinely smiling. Instead of remembering him as the asshole that I wanted to dodge with every particle of my being not too long ago, I'd remember him how he was this last week. I pulled my camera from my shoulder, zoomed in and took a shot through the tinted glass.
A few of the sound guys boarded the bus along with one of their personal assistants.
"What you so smiley about today?" James, the audio engineer, asked.
"We've got five shows, then I can go home. That's enough to make me smile for the next week and a half."
They all nodded their heads and agreed.
Being on tour was fun, but I did miss being home. I missed the California breeze and beach. I missed the comfort of my own bed. Oh and I missed my cat, ZZTop. The miss list was forever long. But I knew once the tour was over, I'd begin to miss touring. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Couldn't I have the best of both worlds?
28
Ace