“Thank you,” was all he said.
I knew there was no use in encouraging him to take more. He’d made up his mind, and I didn’t see the purpose in starting an argument I couldn’t win. “Anytime,” I said.
He grabbed my jacket from where I’d dropped it on the floor and helped me put it back on. I moved to open the door, but he stopped me, pulling me into his arms and holding me tightly to his chest. I hugged him back, breathing in the scent of him. It was moments like this that I was going to miss when I left tomorrow.
“I worry about you,” I said. “I hate leaving you like this.”
“I’ll be fine,” he assured me, kissing the top of my head. “I’ll try to take it easy. Conserve my strength or something.”
Conserve strength? With shows to do?
He knew I wasn’t buying it, but neither of us wanted to say it out loud.
“I’ll only be gone a couple of days,” I added, more in an effort to make myself feel better than anything.
“Would you listen to us?” Trey said, and I could hear the smile in his tone. “We sound like a couple of lovesick teenagers with a sick, co-dependency thing going on.”
“We’re not far from it,” I said, making him laugh. “If it weren’t for the blood thing, we’d be good.”
“We’ll be good, anyway,” he said. There wasn’t much else to say. As much as I wanted to stay like that in his arms, we headed back out to meet the guys on their bus.
Neon climbed on the bus just long enough to announce that “You Only Live Twice” had climbed to number six on the billboard charts, and had reached number three on iTunes. We broke out celebratory Mountain Dews, since that was the beverage of choice on the band bus, and ate chips and salsa as we talked about how the radio promo the guys had been busting their butts at was paying off amazingly. They weren’t comfortable in the success, though. Far from it. They wanted to make sure Neon was still in the process of scheduling whatever appearances and events he could manage in the next few cities. Neon assured them that he was on top of it, and I knew they appreciated that he was doing such a great job. They would never forget Wes, and though the dedication they did for him during the show was a happy tribute, the pain of his loss was evident to anyone who paid attention at all during the song. They would never stop missing Wes, but having Neon pick up the slack and get the job done was a huge weight off all of their shoulders. I was grateful they had him.
Thirty minutes after Neon’s announcement, we were rolling down the highway, and Trey and the guys were absorbed in a conversation about Legos, of all things. Five minutes into it I was beginning to understand the Lego guitar Trey displayed like a trophy at home on the wall in his studio. It was apparently a band-wide obsession that usually gets worse out on the road. Twenty minutes later, the conversation had gone from childhood memories of building with the blocks to a full-blown competition between all of the guys to come up with the coolest Lego creation. They’d even decided they would show off their projects to the fans online and let the fans vote on a winner. I was comfortable at the end of the weird horseshoe shaped sofa that curved around the TV in the back of the bus, my sketchbook in hand. Trey sat next to me, and every now and then he’d turn his head to look at me, giving me a grin that made the rest of the guys disappear for an instant. I used my charcoals to capture the scene on my canvas paper, getting lost in the act of drawing.
I didn’t have to say it out loud to see that Trey recognized I’d been right about him feeding from me tonight. This night was a very realistic demonstration of what life was like on this bus. There was zero privacy, and my flight tomorrow was early enough in the day that Trey would probably still be in the middle of doing some promo work when it was time for me to head to the airport. He’d have gone thirsty if we’d waited. I just hoped he’d taken enough to sustain him while I was gone. He was a mystery in so many ways. I still couldn’t be sure why he required fresh blood so often, but not many vampires were exerting themselves in the way that Trey does when he’s onstage. I imagined that had something to do with it. We still weren’t sure what his moon-given talent would be yet, either. A little part of me wondered if knowing that might shed some light on his frequent need to feed.
After the rules of the Lego competition were set, the guys all became engrossed in a video game I didn’t know anything about. Despite Jonas’s insistence that he was going to teach me how to play like a boss – whatever that meant – I was happy to sit this one out. When my drawing was finished, I set my stuff aside and pulled my feet up, curling up on the sofa with my head resting on Trey’s lap. He stopped what he was doing long enough to straighten a blanket over me and kiss me on the temple. I watched the screen with mild curiosity, but I had ask which player was in which square so I knew who was winning. I don’t remember falling asleep, but at some point I realized Trey was cradling me in his arms. I stirred but Trey said, “I’ve got you,” as he rose to his feet. He carried me the ten feet to the bunks and gently placed me in mine, pulling the blankets up over me. “Sleep good,” he whispered, poking his head in to kiss my forehead.
“You, too,” I managed. Trey smiled at me and then climbed into his own bunk, just opposite of mine. I remembered falling back to sleep, because I couldn’t stop thinking about how I wouldn’t have traded that tiny bunk on a bus full of rowdy guys for the most beautiful, peaceful palace on the planet. I was more content than I had felt all day long. Thoughts of my impending trip back home, and Trey’s struggle to get by without me were forgotten, at least until morning.
Chapter 11
Aurora
I HADN’T ANTICIPATED JUST how hard it would be for me to leave Trey for a few days. I wouldn’t be gone long, but the rushed goodbye kiss and hug we’d shared before he’d climbed into the waiting car with his brothers to head to a local radio station wasn’t satisfying in the least. I’d worried about him the entire flight, and I wondered how much of it was the sense of responsibility I felt for him as his maker, and how much of it was because he was my husband. Whatever the ratio, I had a whole new appreciation for Antonio and his patience with me. I couldn’t imagine the weight of having more than one vampire to teach and care for. I had no idea how he did it. I made a mental note to thank him, as small a gesture as that seemed in the scheme of things, I owed him at least that much. I’d created vinyl stencils of Trey’s tattoo for him so he could stay on top of airbrushing it without me. I just hoped he’d manage to get enough blood while I was gone.
I stood in front of The Waking Moon, eyeing the paintings on display through the large windows. It was strange being home. I don’t know how I’d expected to feel being here again, but this wasn’t quite it. I saw Kacie coming down the stairs from the loft, and I enjoyed the look on her face as she noticed me through the windows. She waved happily and took the stairs two at a time as I opened the door and walked inside.
“You made it,” she said, coming to throw her arms around me.
I hugged her back, genuinely happy to see her. My new-found sister role to three brothers had improved my hugging skills dramatically. “Long flight,” I said, “But I’m here.” I walked around, pleasantly surprised at how well organized everything seemed. The place looks great,” I added. “You’re doing a great job, Kace.” She beamed at me, and I knew O’Shea was partly responsible for the sparkle in her eyes.
“Thanks,” she said. “I’m glad you approve.”
“Have you eaten lunch?” I asked.
“Not yet,” she said.
“Order us something. I’m buying. We have a lot of catching up to do.” I smiled at her and she grinned back at me, pulling her phone from her pocket.
Forty minutes later when the food arrived, I was already in need of a break from pouring over the books. Kacie had done everything just as I’d asked while I was away, but running a business long-distance always made for some headaches. Kacie and I took the food upstairs to the loft and pulled up chairs to the small table in the corner to eat. I realized as we talked abou
t the boys and ate that she and I hadn’t enjoyed this kind of relationship before Trey came along. He’d forced me out of my comfort zone in so many ways. Kacie and I had always gotten along, but more in an employee/employer type way. Trey and the guys had taught me that I could still relate to humans in ways I hadn’t thought possible It was only natural that it trickled down into my relationship with Kacie, as well. I’d been missing out not knowing Kacie in this way, but Trey had been the only one who made me brave enough to let my guard down long enough to find out. Kacie was full of questions, and I expected nothing less from her. She wanted details about what it was like to be on tour, what it was like being in Trey’s world, and of course she wanted to hear everything about O’Shea that I could think of. More than once I burst out laughing at her antics.
“What are the fans like? I mean, the ones at the album launch party were cool, but are they all like that?”
“I’m sure they’re not all cracked up about me, but for the most part they’ve been really accepting of Trey and I. I can’t ask for more than that, really.”
Kacie’s trip to Miami seemed to be paying off. She’d taken my portfolio to some big corporations there to see if they’d considering displaying my pieces in their offices and lobbies. Four of the five businesses she’d visited had already agreed. “The best part is,” Kacie rambled on, “Their clientele can afford the price tag for your pieces.”
“And you’ve got the brochures and business cards to be delivered along with them?” I asked.
“They’re all packaged up and ready to go. The shipping company will be here first thing in the morning to pick up the pieces for both of the banks, and the other two businesses are all lined up for deliveries late next week.”
“Sounds perfect,” I said.
She and I spent the next four hours coming up with a specific schedule and plan for everything that needed to happen once I left town again. I didn’t want to overwhelm her, and so the schedule was a great way for me to know what was happening, and when, without giving Kacie too much to do on any given week. She was still keeping the studio open for me four days a week, and while she could accomplish a lot while she was there during those hours, I didn’t like the idea of piling too much on her at once. When we felt like we had a good plan that worked for both of us, I thanked her again for her loyalty and hard work. She responded by hugging me and telling me that she was happy to be doing it all. I gave her the rest of the night off and found myself standing in the loft alone when the moon made her presence known in the Florida sky.
I turned on some music, enjoying my old playlist, and the Catalyst songs that popped up on it randomly, and I varnished several paintings. I was overcome with memories as I worked. In just a short time, Trey had managed to leave an imprint on every part of my life, including my time here at work. I could see him vividly, sitting on the floor with his guitar and writing songs for Until Sanity. In the moment, I’d realized I was witnessing something special, but I couldn’t have known exactly what would come of those nights I’d spent painting while he wrote hit songs. Now I was seeing first-hand what had come of it. Thousands of fans were singing those words right along with him each night the band performed them live. It was surreal to think about, even after having witnessed it over and over on the tour. I guessed that was what Trey meant when he said there are things you never get used to. Things you never take for granted.
As if on cue, my phone rang, and I pulled it from my pocket to see Trey’s face smiling up at me from my screen. I grinned and turned the music down, answering it with a slide of my finger.
“Hey,” he said. “Miss me yet?”
“Are you kidding? I missed you the moment my cab drove away.”
“Same here,” he said.
“It’s good just to hear your voice,” I told him. “How was the show?”
“Great,” he said. “The crowd was really into it.”
“Aren’t they always?” I teased. His laugh made my heart soar, and I clutched the phone closer to my ear to enjoy it.
“You got me there,” he said. “Did you get any work done, or has it been nothing but manicures and girl talk all day?”
“We got in our fair share of both,” I admitted. “Minus the manicures.”
“When is your lecture tomorrow?”
“After lunch.”
“You’ll do great,” he said, encouragingly. “How long do you think you’ll need to get everything else sorted out?”
“A couple of days,” I said. “Although now that I’m saying it out loud that sounds like an eternity.”
“We’ll manage,” he said, and I could tell he was trying to make it easier on me. “Just no surprises on my end,” he added. “I need to have plenty of warning so I can let all my girlfriends know to take off before you get back.”
“Funny, funny,” I said, grinning.
“Sleep good tonight,” he said.
“Fat chance.” I sighed. “But I’ll do my best.”
“That’s my girl.” The line was silent for a moment and then he said, “Good luck at the university, and call me when you get a break tomorrow to let me know how it went.”
“Will do.... I love you,” I said.
“I love you, too.”
I put my phone back in my pocket and turned the music back up. If I was going to get any sleep tonight, I was going to have to work myself tired. I picked up my brush for varnishing and set to work.
Chapter 12
Aurora
GOING HOME FELT STRANGE, and not just because that giant mansion of Trey’s – correction – ours, was empty. I half-expected Cowboy to bark and greet me at the front door, like he’d always done. It was late enough that I didn’t have to spend time hanging out and wondering what to do with myself, but sleeping in the king-sized bed alone was just weird. And I couldn’t decide whether I could actually smell Trey on the pillows, or if I was just imagining it. I’d slept for a few hours and climbed out of bed around eight to shower and get ready. When I’d told Kacie I wanted to get as much done as possible while I was back in Florida, she had taken me seriously. I didn’t mind being busy, especially since it help keep my mind off wondering what I was missing on the tour. First on the agenda was a trip to The University of South Florida Contemporary Art Museum to donate a painting. Then I was giving a lecture at the University’s art department. They were expecting me at one o’clock, and the drive was only about an hour, so I had time to meet Kacie at The Waking Moon and practice my lecture on her before I loaded up the painting and hit the road.
I’d been working on the lecture on and off for about a week, and although public speaking definitely wasn’t my forte, I was feeling surprisingly confident as I arrived. I credited Trey for it. Being with him, seeing him speak so confidently to every interviewer, radio DJ, photographer, and even paparazzi that he was constantly faced with made me realize that the key was just to be myself. I gave that a try, and after the initial nerve-wracking panic that hit me as I was introduced to the students, I settled into a groove and was able to deliver my lecture smoothly and without too many hiccups. I met with the head of the University’s museum after the lecture and presented him with my painting. He’d been gracious and professional, and asked me to please come back soon and visit the University again.
I’d called Trey from the Interstate on my way back to Clearwater and told him all about my day. He was really excited for me, and he kept reminding me that he’d been right when he’d said I was going to nail my lecture. We only chatted for a few minutes before he had to go, but it had been good to hear his voice, if only briefly. I called Kacie next to let her know the lecture had been a success. I went straight to The Waking Moon when I got back to town and spent the next five hours in the loft upstairs painting. Painting on the road wasn’t exactly ideal, but I’d been making the best of it. It was working, and it was the only way to be with Trey and still work at the same time. I was grateful that my career was one that I could take on the road. It would have bee
n really hard to stop working for the length of the tour, so I was glad I hadn’t had to face that, but being back in my space was rejuvenating. We hadn’t been on tour for long, but I’d already been so many places, seen so many cities, and met so many people that I never would have otherwise.
I found inspiration in the travel, and I was jotting down ideas and sketching quick reminders so I wouldn’t lose any of it in my head before I had a chance to get it down on canvas. I painted a cityscape with the moon hovering behind the tall buildings, oversized and overpowering, but beautiful at the same time. I also began a piece that involved Trey and the guys on an outdoor stage, the moon acting as a giant spotlight in the sky in the top right corner. Faceless fans in the crowd made up a sea of people facing the stage. I didn’t finish the second piece, but I knew I could work on it again tomorrow night. It was just after ten when my phone rang and I picked it up to see Mark’s face on the screen. I smiled and answered.
“Hey stranger,” he said, his tone light.
“Hey yourself.”
“We still on for drinks tonight?” he asked.
“Who else am I going to drink with?” I teased.
“I just finished my shift at the hospital,” he said. “I’m on my way to pick up Hana now. We can be at Sanguine in half an hour.”
“I’ll meet you there,” I said. “And Mark?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks. I really need this.”
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