by Unknown
When my eyes finally lock on to hers and she smirks, like she fucking knows that she has shocked me, before she bounds up to me knocking my elbow playfully with hers. "Come on grab something so we can get out of here." The smirk grows into a full blown smile making her eyes twinkle with amusement.
Shaking my head for the second time in less than 5 minutes, I turn around grabbing the first thing I see. It's a giant case with God knows what in it but it makes every muscle taught just to lift it. This gives me an idea, so I set the case down and pull off my leather jacket, tossing it on my bike. My black t-shirt is tight around my biceps and chest. Let's see how she like it.
I pick up the case just as Nell is bounding back out of the trailer again. She trips slightly, skidding to a stop, her jaw nearly hits the ground as I pass her on the ramp. It's my turn to smirk until she says, "You know, that has wheels." She snickers then laughs as I drop the case, pushing it in, then turning around catching her eyes checking out my ass.
I walk back out grabbing another big case but rolling it in this time.
"So why are we moving equipment? You know we pay the roadies to do this job right?"
Cocking a hip she replies "Now who’s the Princess?"
Turning to respond I'm interrupted by the roar of Ashton riding up on her white and black Victory Hammer S. Jumping off the bike and yanking her helmet off, spilling her long platinum blonde hair to her shoulders, she squeals in excitement, and jump onto my back. I spin her around laughing, I set her down putting her into a headlock, and she start punching my kidney several times in rapped subsection.
"Ow!" I shout letting her go. She pushes her hair out of her face and laughs. "Fuck, why did I ever teach you that?"
"Cause you said I needed to learn to defend myself against Finn and Ryker remember?" She laughs. She notices Nell, looks at me with a smirk, then back at Nell. Stepping forward reaching out a hand meeting Nell's half way.
"Uh, hi, I'm Ashton. You must be the new tour manager." Ashton's smile turn malicious as she adds, "And so you know, not all of us are pigs that are betting you won't make it a week with us."
I can't help but make a strangled sound. She's trying to get my ass in trouble already, the devious spawn of Satan. Grabbing Ashton in to another headlock I rub my hand in her hair, messing it up, causing her to buck and shriek, which of course causes me to laugh.
"Oh no I messed up your pretty hair!" I mock
"Jaden, I'm going to fucking kick your ass! You know how long it take to fix the rats nest!" Now that she's spitting mad I let her go, stepping out of arms reach, just in case she takes a swing. She stands and I can't help but start cracking up again. Her hair is the most perfect equivalent of a rats nest.
"Hey are you going to play with your hair or help us load this shit up." Chuckling as she glares at me.
"Don't we have roadies to do this?"
Shrugging and turn around to find a confused look on Nell's face. "Everything okay?" I ask her.
"Oh yeah great. I was just enjoying the show." She spins around heading off to put more equipment in the trailer. I figure I will dig for now since we hardly know each other and she looked so sad but I will get her to tell me eventually.
Chapter 7
Nell
Watching the easy camaraderie made me feel a little awkward and a little jealous. As an only child in the house I missed out on the sibling front. My mother was so invested in my music that I was home schooled, so I never got to play with other children. It wasn't until after she dead that I convinced my father to let me go to a private school, not knowing that I would be tortured by the other girls. In fact, I had not had a friend until I met Gemma and I was so grateful.
Putting the last of the cases in and helping Ashton and Jaden secure their bikes, we were ready to head out. Ryker and Finn were just pulling up as we were securing the trailer door. Ryker driving a big black and chrome Mercedes G65. Finn in a jacked up bright neon green Jeep Wrangler. The parked next to my Tesla as we walked over and introductions were made.
Being with the whole group was overwhelming to say the least. I obviously had seen the band members on TV but up close they were all so damn gorgeous.
Ryker's hair is so dark brown it’s almost black, with shaved sides leaving it long on the top. He brushes the long part back with his tattooed hand a lot when he is nervous. His beard is the kind you just want to burry your fingers into and drag him close. I wonder if he would let me touch it. His dark mahogany eyes should have been illegal. They are warm and inviting like chocolate. Wearing a V-neck t-shirt it looked like every inch of him is covered in black and grey tattoos.
Where Ryker is all dark, Finn is the exact opposite with his dark ginger hair and freckles and beautiful emerald green eyes, he looked like he just walked off the Highlands. At 6’8 with shoulders like a linebacker and legs resembling tree trunks, Finn was a great Adonis of a man. And just like, Jaden and Ryker, he is covered in tattoos but these where all in color. Old school traditional styled artwork stretched up both arms, he ever has several on his neck and I was curious to see if he had them elsewhere.
Ashton has a mane of platinum blonde hair and eyes that are so dark brown they are almost black. Her hair is now pulled up in a messy bun, and wearing worn boyfriend jeans, with a white t-shirt and black leather jacket, she was stunning. Unlike the boys she only has a tattoo here and there on her beautiful porcelain skin.
And Jaden, while I find everyone in the band attractive no one sets my body on fire like Jaden does. His mossy green eyes make my insides melt, while that damn smirk makes me want to rip his clothes off with my teeth. He’s tall, at least 6’2 and solid muscle from the looks of things. His hair is cut short on the side and left long on top styled in a fohawk most of the time. The ink that covers his arms is a mix of heavy black and grey with colored stuff mixed in. All over it leaning towards an Asian inspiration with pho dogs, koi fish, dragons, lotus and peonies, all of it beautiful.
Ryker, Finn, and Ashton are talking about Portland and I realize I am ogling the band about the same time Jaden notices. He nudges me with an elbow, turning my attention to him, he gives me a dazzling smile. His smile is so devastating that an intense shiver cruses through me. His eyes lock on my lips, his smile fades and his eyes become seductive, his tongue jets out to lick his plush bottom lip and I bite down on to my own. He steps forward into my personal space reaching his hand forward. I try to step back but my traitorous legs are not cooperating. He grabs my chin popping my lip from between my teeth once again. Shaking his head he leans in even closer but veers to the right and whispers,
"I told you to take better care of this lip." The last half of the sentence coming out in a soft growl, blowing his warm breath on my ear, sending tingle bunnies shivering through my body. Putting his nose at the base of my neck, he inhales my scent, and once again, my panties are wet. Jaden pulls back, his eyes have darkened to a deep green, when a snort causes him to jump back. Ryker, Finn, and Ashton have paused their conversation to stare at us. Ryker and Finn start howling while Ashton looks concerned.
"Say hello to sexual tension!" shouts a grinning Ryker.
"Shit, I got turned on from that little show. I might need a minute in the bathroom before we lead out." Finn adjusts himself in his jeans and receives a smack in the stomach from Ashton as she rolls her eyes and walks off towards the bus. Ryker slaps Jaden on the back.
"Sweating the new manager, huh?"
"Nah, she's hot but too innocent for me." He joins in on the laughter watching me closely. I feel a blush, as humiliation rush into my cheeks. I spin toward the bus and walking away before he can see the hurt and tears in my eyes.
Ugh, what is wrong with me? Damn it, I don't even like the asshole. Why do I feel so rejected? I am here to do a job not swoon and cry after the lead douche hole. Stomping up the bus stairs I meet Ashton's stare as she lounges on the couch with a video game controller in her hands.
"So you seem nice, so I'm going to give you a heads up. Watch
out for Jaden. He’s a good guy but don’t get your hopes up." Her assumption pisses me off even more.
"I have no intention of falling into that assholes wake of casualties and while your concern for me is a nice gesture it's unnecessary. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
"Hmm prickly, I'll be sure to remember that." With a wink to me, she turns towards the tv, where her game is starting. I wonder through the kitchen to the back of the bus, where the six bunks that will be our rooms for the next few months are stacked three on each side of the bus. To the left, after the bunks, is a bathroom the size of closet, then a door leading into the bedroom that takes up the whole back end of the bus. A king sized bed sits on one side of the room, where several dressers line the wall under the opposite, along the back is a glassed in tile shower. If someone was in the bed while someone else was in the shower, the show would be pretty fantastic.
Stepping back into the hallway, I decided to pick a bunk and go for a top one since they had a bit more head space and hopefully would feel less coffin like. I head into the kitchen to grab some masking tape and a pen. Ripping off a piece, sticking it by my bunk, and writing my name in it. With my bunk secure I also decided to assign everyone else their bunks mainly so I can avoid being on top of The Asshole. I put him on the very bottom of the other stack of bunks, Ryker above him, and Finn on top since he was so tall. There girls on one side boys on the other. I felt like a pre-school teacher and the band might get pissy but oh well, I was the boss.
I hear the guy enter the bus and we are pulling out of the security lot. When we go over a speedbump I lose my balance and letting out a tiny scream, I land on my ass. Jaden rushes back, concern written all over his face, with Ryker and Finn on his heels.
“Are you okay?” He asks.
“What happened?” from Ryker.
“I’m fine, my knights, I think I Just bruised my ass is all.” I grumble, reaching out a hand for someone to help me up.
“Would you like me to kiss it better?” Ryker flirts with a smirk.
“Shut it and go away.” Say Jaden thumping him on the chest before reaching out to help me up.
“Thanks.” I say to him, trying to pull my hand from his grip but he hangs on tight.
Cupping my cheek in his big hand, his thumb brushing back and forth. His gaze rests on my lips and when his are just a breath away he pauses. "Every time you chew that lip it makes me jealous...I want my teeth sinking to be into that soft... pink… flesh." Dropping his forehead against mine, he lets out a grown. He quickly backs up, mutters a sorry, and walks off to the front of the bus.
Chapter 8
Jaden
She was going to drive him insane. How the hell was he supposed to keep his hands off her for the next 3 months? Especially when sitting there looking all sweet and scared. I usually run away from the innocent ones. They became too attached, too needy, too fucking complicated. A distraction is what I need.
I walk up to the front of the bus and sit down in one of the captains’ chairs. Cash is curled up on the couch between Finn and Ashton, battling it out on the ice in the newest NHL game. Ryker occupies the other chair and is messing with his phone. Glancing up he smirks, making my next thought, oh fucking hell...
"New chick’s fucking hot eh?"
"What are you from fucking Canadian all of a sudden?" My weak attempt of deflecting only earns me a bigger smirk. "What do you have planned for tomorrow night?"
"Probably get shit faced and pass out on the bus. Not like I am going to visit Hitler." Referring to his father.
"Wanna hit Pink's?"
"Fuck yeah! You guys in?" He asks Ashton and Finn.
"Don’t ask stupid questions, of course we are in.” Finn says.
“No, “we” aren’t, I have date.” Ashton says.
“What! With who?” Finn cheeriness now gone.
“A friend.”
“We are your only friends and we are going to Pink’s” He barks and Ashton rolls her eyes.
“GOAL!” She yells and jumps up dancing, rubbing it in Finn’s face, while he just pouted at her. Someday the dude was going to wake up and realize how great she is and hate himself for being stupid for so long. Hopefully she would still be waiting, I wouldn’t blame her for moving on.
Just then Nell heads out of the back of the bus, twisting her hands together, she clears her throat to get everyone's attention.
"Uh, so I have a couple suggestions/ideas to run past you guys if you could give me a few minutes." Ashton pauses the games and everyone directs their attention towards Nell.
"I know the band is very private, you rarely give interviews or do public appearances but I was thinking, what if we hired someone, that we could trust, to films and take pictures during the tour. We could have interviews with the band, full live footage of the concert, and just general backstage cli…"
"No.” I cut in, “First off how do you plan to find someone we can trust? Second, and I speak for everyone, our private lives are private, end of story." I say irritated.
"I understand your concerns, however I have someone you can trust. And you will have full control and final say over what gets put into the video. Her purpose isn't to follow you into the bathroom or even go talk to your families. That it more than what I was thinking. I believe that the fans would really like to see your personalities. See how you joke around with each other, hear about how you got started in music, and how you guys met, etc. We can figure the semantics over the next couple weeks. Part of Toven's Circus draw is the mystery and we don't want to lose that, just add a little peek insides, and leave them wanting more."
"I guess you're not as dumb as Jaden implied you were." Ryker and his shit eating grin announces and I punch him in the arm, hard.
"Sorry about him. He’s a misogynist." I give her my most innocent look, laughing, when she shakes her head, like she already knows I haven't been innocent a day in my life.
"Okay children can we get back on point?" Finn laughs from the couch. "So the person I am talking about is Gemma Oswald. She graduated from UC Berkley with a BA in photography. She minored in videography. She is flying into Portland, Saturday evening and will be backstage before the show. I was thinking the band could talk about it and meet her. Then let me know what you think. I was thinking, even if you choose to say no, that she should shoot the show on Saturday, as it's a hometown show, and the fans are going to be insane. She has to fly out the next morning but she will leave whatever she shoots behind for the band to look over and decide or just keep, so you have it as a keep sake of your glory days. You’re not going to be young forever you know." She jokes.
I look around making eye contact with each person, silently they give me their opinion. I finally face her and nod saying, "We will give it a shot but a contract will need to be written up and a gag order implemented."
"Of course. We can get the labels lawyers on it right away." A huge smile breaks out on her face. “Now the second idea, when I was 14, I was at a Green Day concert,”
“Green Day really?” Finn groans, “There is no hope for you.”
“Don’t be a dick, I was 14 and at least it wasn’t Backstreet Boys or N’Sync.” She laughs before continuing, “Anyway, they were one of the greatest shows I have ever been too” A collective scoffing sounds around the room and she just rolls her eyes and continues. “At one point they turned the house lights on and asked the crowd if there were any guitar players in the audience that new how to play “Basket Case” Several people raised their hands and they pulled this kid that was about 17 up on the stage. The proceeded to do this with drummers, bass, and then a singer. Those four people, mostly kids, proceeded to perform “Basket Case” in front of 10,000 screaming fan alongside three legends in the music world.” She stops, her arms are open wide a huge smile on her face, like she just delivered gold at our feet.
“Annnnd?” Finn asks.
“And!? Really now who is hopeless. It was fucking incredible! The greatest moment for those
four people that they will never forget and neither will those 10,000 fans that were a part of it.”
“Annnd you want us, to do this?” asks Ryker completely confused.
“I think it’s an epic idea.” Ashton says with a big grin. :”How fucking awesome would that have been for one of us when we were young? I would love to do that for our fans.” She turns to me, hope written all over her face. Once again I look to Finn and Ryker for their opinion, they both look unsure so I know I will need to add my weight.