“Kiss my ass.”
“Tick-tock, young lady.”
“Fine!” she said, storming out of Josh's office.
She hailed a cab and got home in time for a quick shower and a rushed packing. She didn’t know what to expect on the tour so she did the exact opposite of what she did at work- packed everything that she felt was potentially useful. Her phone rang. It was Josh.
“Yeah?” she said into the phone.
“At the airport yet?”
“No. And I won’t make it in time if you keep calling me.”
“I’ve only called once and it’s a mobile phone. It doesn’t affect your walking. I’ll be texting you your pick-up’s number. Just in case you don’t see him the instant you land. But I doubt you’d have to search for him.”
“Thanks.”
“Have a safe trip.”
“Bye.”
Nicole stuffed her phone in her bag. This was no dream. It was really happening. She had to get grip of herself and quickly too. She dragged her suitcase out into the hall and locked her apartment door.
This tour had better be worth it.
The first thing that hit Nicole was that she had made terrible decisions when it came to the outfits she had packed. The only word that came to mind now that she was here was ‘cold’. She knew there was only so much the light sweater she had in her suitcase could do. She silently cursed Josh for not giving her enough time to prepare. If she did, she would have had enough time to google the climate conditions. She had never been to Dahlonega, GA in her whole life and as her tough luck would have it, the band decided to kick-off their tour at their origins. And their origins were deep in the Appalachian Mountains. High altitude and wind that could cut right through you. And that’s what it did as she waited in the semi-covered vestibule outside the airport terminal, waiting for her ride. If it is this cold by afternoon, it’s going to be brutal by night or even dawn!
She looked around again to see if there was anyone who even remotely looked like he was looking for someone. Nothing. She had been waiting for about thirty minutes now without any sign of the person that was to pick her up and she was beginning to get uncomfortable. One taxi pulled up and she started to walk towards it, but the driver got out and greeted a man who came out behind her. She got out her phone and dialed the number Josh had texted her. This was ridiculous.
The phone rang twice before it went to voicemail. She dialed the number again only to hit the machine straight up this time with an automated response that the phone was now off. Nicole felt anger rush up her spine. She couldn’t believe the audacity of this. He had ended the call and turned off his phone, whoever it was.
Another thirty minutes went by and there was still no sign of this person. She felt her blood boil over in spite of the cold. If they didn’t want her to do the interview, they could have just turned it down. She was cold and tired and still had no clear idea of what the days to come held for her. She watched as more people stomped out of the terminal and then dispersed, leaving her to wait. She didn’t want to call Josh, but she didn’t have any options. She whipped out her phone and called her boss. He answered on the third ring.
“Settling in well?” he answered right away.
“Oh yeah, it’s great. Did you know that airport security will give you the evil eye if you stand around outside their terminal too long? Maybe if I’m lucky I’ll get kidnapped by a hillbilly with no teeth.”
“Wait, what’s going on?” He sounded genuinely concerned. “Are you ok?”
“No one’s come to pick me up! Your guy is a no show. I’ve been waiting for an hour. My calls to him are going straight to voicemail. Phone’s off. ”
“Shit.”
“Is there anyone I can call? I’m cold and tired and kind of freaking out here. I don’t see a Starbucks. I don’t think they have Starbucks here, Josh!”
“Just relax. Sit tight. I’ll call Ben now. Just give me five minutes. Maybe less.”
“Who in the hell is Ben?”
“The group’s manager.”
“Just do something soon please? I have a real pretty mouth and that’s not a good thing to have here!”
“Hang in there. Don’t get into any strange vans or pickup trucks, no matter how much candy is offered.” he said.
“Great. Thanks,” she replied and ended the call. She felt mentally drained already. To think that she hadn’t even started working yet. She sank onto a bench and felt the cold metal bite into her butt through her jeans. She felt her phone vibrate against her thigh and she hurriedly answered Josh's call.
“Someone will be with you soon,” he said.
“Someone? Like the someone who was supposed to meet up with me?” She sighed. “I’m sorry,” she added quickly. “I’m just very tired and cranky.”
“It’s alright. Ben is coming to get you himself this time.”
“Thanks a million, Josh.”
“You’re welcome. Call me when you are rested.”
“Did you say call you when I’m arrested?!”
“What? No. Call me when you’ve rested. Slept. Napped.”
“Oh, ok. Bye,” Nicole said.
“Bye.”
She folded her hands in her laps once more and waited for her savior to arrive. She was too tired to hope he would show up so she just sat gazing, yet not seeing, the people that passed by her. She fought to keep her eyes open when a voice jolted her back to reality.
“Are you Nicole?” the voice said.
She looked towards the direction the voice came from and saw a man approaching her, stepping up onto the curb. She sat up quickly and gave the man a once over. Broad shouldered and easily over six feet tall. He wore black jeans and a white t-shirt which framed a body used to hard work. He had a pair of sunglasses in his hand, which he put on once she looked over at him.
“That’s me!” she replied and got on her feet. He was cute in a baby boy manner and she felt herself soften a little, some of her anger fizzling out. If this young man was the manager of the band, then he must be pretty good. Just the kind of person she needed in her expose.
“I’m Greg. I’m really sorry you had to wait so long before anyone got out here to get you.”
“Oh. I tried calling you as soon as I landed.”
“That wasn’t me. That was Michael.”
“Oh.” She was confused already and she didn’t bother to hide it. That made it three names in just a couple of minutes. “Michael?”
“Michael was supposed to pick you up but he was…indisposed. Then I guess your boss called Ben, who called me because I was closer. So, here we are.”
“Oh.” She said again.
“Can we get going? We’ll talk on the way. That yours?” he asked, pointing at her suitcase and she nodded in assent. He picked it up and held out an arm to her amusement.
Maybe this would not be so terrible after all. It’d been a long time since she’d had a gentleman walk with her like this. A life dedicated to her career didn’t allow her to meet gentlemen.She laughed, put her hand through the crook of his arm and left the terminal she hoped to never see again.
Dahlonega was remote. Very remote. But God, it was beautiful. Lush spruce trees towered ten stories high everywhere she looked. The winding twisting roads that ran through the mountains switched back and forth, making her delirious. Just when she thought she’d seen it all, there would be a break in the trees and suddenly this majestic vista would open up, stretching out for hundreds of miles. The setting sun gave everything a purple glow.
Tired as she was, she found herself chatting up with Greg throughout the drive to the band’s house. He had a charm about him. Boy, did he ever! She found herself laughing at all his jokes and even wiping up one or two stray tears that got loose because she was laughing too hard. And he wasn’t trying too hard to impress. He was just that smooth.
“You’re pretty cool.” She said eventually.
“Cool? I’m awesome.” He replied with a throaty laugh.
“No, really. One would think you’d have your guard up, what with me being a journalist and all. Are you all like that?”
“No, not everyone is as awesome as I am. But really, I can’t help being me. I fail to realize most times that my life, our life, is now public knowledge and I can’t stop being myself. It’s who I am. I am who I am.”
“I like that. I think we could use that, Greg.”
“Hmm. Ever the journalist, aren’t you?”
“It’s what I am paid to do. It’s why I’m here. Like you, I can’t help but be who I am.”
“So is this how you operate? Get a guy all loose and comfortable then dig in to find those juicy details? You’re good. I’m onto you, so it won’t work. But you are good.”
“Thanks.” She replied and smiled. “Are the others just as unrestrained as you are?”
“You’d have to ask them yourself.”
“So, off the record, is there anyone in particular that I might have a problem with?”
“We were on the record the whole time?”
“Maybe not the whole time.”
“Just a heads up, but Michael could do without the attention. Doesn’t like the fact that his life is all out there for the world to see now.”
“Any advice?”
“Just be you, no pretense, and you’ll be fine. We could be a crazy bunch sometimes.”
“Noted.”
“You’re good to meet the group,” he said, pulling up to a large wooden gate stretching across the dirt road.
Beyond it, through the trees, Nicole could make out the outline of the large building at the heart of the compound. Like a log cabin fortress on top of this mountain, it had a certain raw dominance that was both impressive and arrogant.
How fitting.
“She’s here!” Greg announced as he led Nicole in through the front door of the large mountaintop building. He put her suitcase down in the foyer and excused himself quickly, darting to a nearby bathroom while still wearing his sunglasses.
Nicole stood there awkwardly as two men emerged from the kitchen in the back.
Deep blue eyes stared back at her as she was waiting to be introduced to the band. The eyes smiled at her like their owners, these handsome men with big, happy voices that made the ladies melt into goo. They all had similar features. Tall, broad shouldered, barrel chested and hairy with smiles that were welcoming and jovial. The kind of smile that gave you hope and made tomorrow look beautiful regardless. It was no wonder they amassed such a huge following in such little time. Nicole couldn’t help but be taken by their hospitality and positivity. Californians were friendly, but not like this.
Greg rejoined them from the bathroom, no longer wearing his sunglasses. “Alright you animals, this is Nicole. Nicole, these are the animals,” Greg was saying when another one of them walked in. “Ah! Here he is. Meet Ben. He’s our manager and the eldest of the Clan.”
Ben gave Greg a strange look, but before Nicole could consider what it meant he took her hand in his. His grip was firm yet protective. “I’m really sorry it took so long to get you here. I had no idea Michael would be a no show. That’s not how we treat our guests.”
“It’s nothing.” She replied. “Greg got me here safe and sound. No harm done,” she added with a grin.
“I’m glad he did. And I look forward to the next week. It’s an exciting time for all of us,” Ben grinned back.
“I bet,” she said and turned to the next person Greg was facing.
“That is Abel and Tanner. Abel plays the drums and Tanner the banjo.” She shook both their hands and turned to Greg again. “And I am Greg. Bass and supporting vocalist. We all take vocals as you know.”
“Yeah I do. And Michael?”
“Guitar, lead vocalist, not in at the moment.” Abel said.
“I see.”
“I’ll lead you to your room now. You need all the rest you can get before the road trip starts tomorrow.” Greg said and went for her bag again like he did at the airport. Nicole was struck by how much of a gentleman he was. His girlfriend is one hell of a lucky woman.
Her room was the last on the corridor. She hoped this was not some sort of last minute arrangement to make sure she got next to nothing on them. She tried to figure out how far out her room was from the sitting room they were all gathered. She dismissed the thought. She was just being paranoid about this whole thing. Greg opened the door and propped her luggage beside the bed. He stepped back and waited for her to sit on the bed before moving towards the door.
“Make yourself comfortable. Do you need anything? Something to snack on, a drink or whatever?”
“No. I’m good. I just need a little nap.” She replied stifling a yawn. She was a lot more tired than she realized. Sleep was the only solution.
“Are you sure? You sure you’re not hungry? You’ve probably had nothing today but airline peanuts.”
Nicole nodded. “I am hungry, but right now I think a little nap would do me more good than anything else.”
“Ma used to say that a hungry guest stays with bad hosts. I’ll come get you for dinner.”
“That would be lovely.” Then she added,”You’re one hell of a gentleman.”
“I know.”
“Cocky too. Interesting. Still, your girlfriend is a lucky woman.”
“That sounds like one of your journalist questions. I decline to answer it.”
She chuckled. “Fine, don’t answer. For the record, I didn’t even ask a question.”
If there was anything this band wasn’t, it was quiet. Nicole had hoped she would get some sleep before it was time for supper. That would let her get to work that evening. All she needed was a brief insight into their lives, see what they did and how they coped backstage and then get one or two fancy quotes from them and her job was done. As the tour came to an end, she would be handing in her article and then moving on to the next thing.
But that wasn’t the case. She had been tossing and turning in bed for the better part of an hour and sleep was nowhere in sight. To make matters worse the guys had been loud, their boisterous conversation and occasional bellowing challenges ringing through the thin walls. But their happy mood was contagious so she reminded herself that being upset was as much of a choice as being happy. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and threw the covers off.
She got out of bed, had a quick shower in the attached bathroom and pulled on a pair of trousers and a tee. Might as well go see what all the commotion is about. She was walking past the room beside hers when she heard raised voices. It was none of her business and she was just going to walk on ahead to the sitting room but something drew her back.
She’d always had a curious streak. It got her into all sorts of trouble growing up. Peeking, peeping and eavesdropping were as natural to her as breathing. She was the first to tell all her classmates what boys had down there. She was the only one brave enough to look at the roadkill raccoon during that field trip to the history museum. She’d always felt a pang of guilt, but like an addict who can’t beat their fix, she would never turn down an opportunity to snoop. It’s why she was a journalist in the first place.
One of the raised voices was one she knew: Greg's. Never could she have guessed he was capable of raising his voice but then she knew nothing about him. Then she heard a growl, a deep one that sounded nothing like she had ever heard. Some primal instinct inside her triggered, a gift from her ancestors that pumped adrenaline through her veins and told her to run. But she couldn’t: she was rooted to the spot. They started up again and she put off the growl to her imagination. That surely didn’t come from in there.
Bucking Bearback (BBW Shifter Cowboy Western Romance) (Bear Ranchers Book 5) Page 82