by Emily Snow
I don’t think I could have been more disgusted with Gage.
I had to get out of the bus. I had to go somewhere to rid my mind of what I’d seen and heard earlier that morning. I had no right to be upset, but it seemed like he was rubbing it in my face. What was his point? Was he still mad over the measly kiss I didn’t give? I was so frustrated I couldn’t even see straight. When I got ready to plan a mini adventure, Gage and Penelope were already gone, and I was glad. I didn’t want to see him.
Who knew anyone could be so disrespectful? And how dumb was she to sleep with him while people were around? Careless broads like her were why rockers ran over every girl that crossed their paths.
The bus was in a parking lot, but it was surrounded with trees, trees, and more trees. Trudging forward, I clutched my sketchbook beneath my arm and went straight through. A few mosquitos and gnats buzzed around my head. Some kind of water source was nearby and I wanted to find it. I kept moving forward, hoping to come across some sort of serenity. I just wanted to allow nature to consume me and help me forget and live on.
And then I found it.
Centered between tons of large boulders and hovering trees providing shade was a lake. It was a warm day and I had on my sunglasses, along with some jean shorts and an orange tank. It felt nice as I stepped beneath the shade of the trees. The grass was softer than I thought it would be so I sat and placed my sketchbook in front of me.
I didn’t want to draw yet. I just wanted to take it in. The breeze was nice. In the shade it wasn’t too hot. It was just right, actually. I finally decided to get started. I took a pencil out of my white satchel Ben bought for me a while ago and opened my sketchbook to a clean page. I drew the lake first and then all its surroundings. I drew the birds perched on tree branches and even on top of the boulders, the various flowers sprouting near the edge of the lake. I don’t know why, but seeing one of the grey birds flying by reminded me of what I said to Gage the night before.
A single dove.
That, I certainly was and I didn’t give a damn about it. I would rather be single and happy than in a relationship and miserable. The right one was coming for me. I wasn’t rushing to be found or even introduced. I just had to wait for the right moment and that moment was going to be after I started a career and a real life for myself.
Sad to say, but I’d never been in a relationship in my entire life. I’d never kissed a boy or even held hands with one. The closest I’d gotten was with Gage at the club the first night of the tour and then after square dancing when we almost kissed. I don’t even know why I allowed him, of all people, get that close to me.
I shook my head. I was fucking insane, but I had a right to be. I couldn’t allow anyone to walk into my life and try and steal my heart away from me. They had to work for it. I had high standards and it may have been because my mom stooped so low and I never wanted to be like her.
Ever.
It also could’ve been because of all the books I read. I read so much that words were a big deal to me, almost as much as art. Words consumed me until my eyes crossed from reading too much. Plus, finding a new book boyfriend to love was always better than finding a guy in real life to fit my expectations. It was a mental thing only a few could understand.
My high expectations were probably the number one reason I was still single. Ben always said it was a good thing, but sometimes I felt like it wasn’t. Sometimes I felt the need to stop being a stuck-up, picky brat and give in to someone for a change. But the person had to be at least halfway decent. I didn’t want a one-night stand kind of guy. I wanted someone who would invest more if I were to actually give a relationship a try.
My surroundings became calmer as I dropped my sketchbook and took in the view of the lake again. It had really put me at ease. I was able to let some stuff go and I’d even forgotten about Gage and Penelope’s little shindig on the bus.
But then a crackle came from behind me. My head whipped toward the sound and I waited for whoever or whatever it was to step out. I hoped it wasn’t a large reptile or animal of some kind. I was deathly afraid of reptiles and if it were a large animal… well, I guess I was just dead.
The crackling happened again and I didn’t look away. I then saw a black tennis shoe step out first. My eyes traveled up the lanky length of his legs and then his FIRENINE T-shirt. I finally met his dark-brown eyes that were just as confused as mine and then gasped, taking in the purplish bruise around his right eye.
In an instant, Deed took a step back, placing his sunglasses over his eyes rapidly. “Eliza,” he said. He sounded cool, but I could tell by the bothered look on his face he was far from it.
“Deed.” I stood to my feet quickly, staring at him. “W-what happened to your eye?”
“What do you mean?” he asked as if I were an idiot.
“Deed, I’m not stupid. Let me take a look at it.”
“Um, no.”
“Deed—”
I marched toward him, but he took a step back and shook his head. “Eliza, back the hell up and mind your own fucking business, all right?”
I ignored him. “Is that why you were late to the concert last night?”
His lips remained sealed.
“Deed, I swear you can talk to me. What happened?”
His tongue ran across his dry lips as he took another step away, shaking his head. “I don’t have to explain shit to you. I didn’t mean to run into you out here anyway. I’m going back—”
“Has anyone else seen your eye?”
“No, so don’t go around the bus telling everyone about it. I’ve been blaming the sunglasses on a hangover.”
“What really happened?”
He scowled. “Even if I were to tell you, what would you do about it, Eliza?”
“I—I would tell Ben or the boys. It seems like you got jumped or purposely beaten up.”
He shrugged. “Shit happens.”
I folded my arms. “You’re being ridiculous.”
“And you’re being nosey.”
My mouth clamped shut. I couldn’t disagree and say I wasn’t.
“Look, whatever you do, don’t tell the band about it. It’s whatever.”
Before I could respond, Deed turned his back to me and took off, leaving me completely stumped. I wanted to chase after him just to find out. What could he have possibly done to get a black eye? It sort of freaked me out.
I wasn’t the kind of person who brought darkness to light. I had my own closet that I never wanted to open and memories I never wanted to relive again, so instead of chasing after Deed, I grabbed my sketchbook, slid my pencil into my satchel, and headed for the bus.
“All right, let’s go!” Ben yelled from the front door of the bus. Snickering, I crossed my legs on the couch and pretended to watch TV. I wasn’t really a TV person—plus, the entire time I’d been listening in on Gage and Penelope arguing outside. It was sort of my entertainment.
All I could make out was her being upset that she couldn’t ride with him on our bus to the next city. He’d already bought her a plane ticket to go back home. The next city stop was Orlando, Florida, and their new FireNine tour bus was waiting there. I was glad about it. I was growing tired of the boys being around… specifically Gage.
Gage stepped onto the bus with a heavy sigh. I turned slowly to look at him, but he was already looking at me. He didn’t say anything, though. Instead, he turned for the hallway and the bathroom door shut behind him.
Deed, Roy, and Montana stepped onto the bus next. Deed still wore a dark pair of sunglasses. I could feel him looking at me through them, but he didn’t say a thing. He most likely thought I was going to bring something up, but I knew better. I doubt I had it in me to mention it in front of everyone anyway.
“This is a twenty-hour ride so get ready, boys,” Ben said, the door slamming shut behind him. The boys groaned as they parted ways. Deed went for his bunk, Roy went for his room, but Montana came for the couch across from me.
“S’up, E
liza? Didn’t see you at the club last night.”
“I don’t really do clubs.” I hated repeating myself.
Montana nodded, looking at the TV. A movie with Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis was playing, and I found it kind of interesting. I wondered if it were possible to have benefits with a friend of the opposite sex. To have a guy I could mess around with whenever I’d like with no feelings involved until I was ready. It sounded like a good plan to me. No feelings, no problems. No attachments. Just fun.
Just as the thought came to mind, it seemed like luck had come my way. The door swung open and when I looked toward it, my jaw literally dropped. He had on dark-blue jeans, a tight black T-shirt, and his hair was dirty blond. A few pieces of hair hung in his light-green eyes, but his smile was contagious. As he looked at me briefly, I felt my knees lock and my body ooze with warm excitement. He had a rugged look about him because of his couple-day-old stubble, but it was sexy all the same. His jawline was firm, all man, and his nose not too pointy or too crooked. Just right.
His black camera hung from his neck. A bag was slung on his shoulder and the handle of his suitcase was locked between his fingers. I didn’t know who this guy was, but obviously Ben did because, from the kitchen, he yelled excitedly and rushed in the hot guy’s direction.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Cal!” Ben exclaimed. He ushered the phenomenal “Cal” inside and he looked around before dropping his bags in the corner.
“So where’s a guy like me supposed to sleep?” he asked Ben. “I’m not too big so I don’t need much space.” He chuckled.
Ben laughed with him. “Don’t worry. The couch is available for tonight. The boys will have their tour bus back tomorrow so the rooms will be empty for the rest of the tour. I’m so glad you’ve decided to take us up on the offer, though. A journalist like you is exactly what we need to get FireNine that extra buzz.”
A journalist? When I found out what he was, I licked my lips. He was a man who dealt with words. Check one on the list of friends with benefits material.
“I wouldn’t have missed it, Ben. I love this band’s music and to get the full effect should be fun. I’ve been looking forward to it since you contacted me about it.”
“Well, great.” Ben turned around to look at me and I looked away quickly before Cal could see me staring at him. “Eliza, come here, sweetie,” Ben insisted.
I hesitated. What I had on was rather hideous—a pair of black-and-red running shorts with a red T-shirt to match. I wasn’t dressed to impress at all and being introduced to Cal so underdressed kind of bothered me. Meeting him for the first time meant I should’ve been rocking some nice jeans and a blouse that was a bit revealing. For a guy like him, I was supposed to make him do a double take, make his jaw drop, his head spin—something.
I had to remain bold, though.
I stood slowly and made my way to Ben’s side. As I got closer, Ben wrapped his arm around my shoulders, looking at Cal, who was already looking at me. “Cal, I’d like you to meet my daughter, Eliza Smith.”
Cal’s head tilted as his eyes scanned me from head to toe. As he did, I fidgeted. Cal then took my hand and kissed the skin on top. “It’s a pleasure, really.” My cheeks caught on fire as he looked at me beneath his blond eyelashes. His green eyes were so clear yet hard as he observed every aspect of my face. I wondered if he found me attractive because he was attracting the hell out of me. “They call me Cal, but my full name is Calvin Avery.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Cal,” I said boldly, although I could feel my voice wanting to waver.
“Ben!” someone shouted from the front door of the bus. It sounded like Terri. Ben pulled his arm away from my shoulders and took a step forward with a sigh.
“I’ll be right back,” he said hurriedly.
This was one moment I didn’t want Ben to leave me alone… with Calvin Avery. A sexy Calvin Avery whom I couldn’t be so confident around. He was really something to look at. Beneath his shirt I could make out the creases that defined his upper half. Through his jeans, I knew he was carrying a rather large package. He looked like he had it all.
“So, Eliza,” he finally sighed. “What brought you on tour with a bunch of men?”
Finally blinking, I looked from Cal to Montana, who was currently lying on his back, his eyelids droopy, on the verge of falling asleep. “Ben thought it would be nice for me to come along with him this year. I had nothing else to do this summer so…” I shrugged. “I just went with it.”
Cal nodded. “Has it been fun for you so far? You seem rather… bored.” He looked around, as if we were supposed to be throwing some kind of animalistic party.
“It’s been pretty chill so far. It’ll probably pick up in Orlando.”
“Considering that we’ll be staying there for five days, it just might. It’ll give me a chance to get to know each band member personally… and maybe a few others around.” He winked and my cheeks heated as he bent down to grab his suitcase. I couldn’t believe it. Calvin Avery was flirting with me?
“Ben?” a deep voice called from the hallway. I knew who the voice belonged to. Gage, of course.
He stepped around the corner and at first sight of Cal, his eyes narrowed. “Who are you?”
“Ho-ly shit.” Cal dropped his bags and rushed for Gage. Gage looked at him, slightly inconspicuous, before shaking the hand Cal held out toward him. “I’m Calvin Avery, but you can call me Cal. I work for It’s Real magazine, and I’ve been asked to write an article on you and the band in August after the tour is over. I have to say, it’s going to be amazing to be up close and personal with you guys and to get the full effect. I know the readers will love to read about my adventure and road trip with you all, the ladies especially.”
Gage forced a laugh, looking from Cal to me. “That’s great. I can’t wait to get to know you… I guess,” he said, looking at Cal again. Cal nodded and Gage glanced at me once more before going for the stairs of the bus and stepping outside.
“This should be fun,” Cal said, sighing as he took in the feel of the bus. He looked at Montana, who was snoring. He’d fallen asleep that fast. “So, Eliza, would you like to show me around the bus?”
I snorted a laugh. “I can, but there’s not much to see.” I stepped to his side and looked at the kitchen. “That’s obviously the kitchen,” I said, pointing at it.
He nodded, smirking. I slightly oozed on the inside, holding back on a grin.
I turned for the hallway but stepped past the first bedroom. That was the room Roy was in and I refused to go in because he always made situations awkward. He could have been cutting kittens’ heads off in there… Okay, that wasn’t true, but that’s how much he creeped me out. We passed the bunks and I mentioned to Cal the top bunk was Gage’s and the bottom one was Deed’s. My room was diagonally across from it and I swung the door open. I was slightly embarrassed as I took it in from a bystander’s point of view.
The bed wasn’t made. I had pencils and drawing paper all over the place. Paint was sitting in the corner, and my clothes weren’t too organized in my suitcase. I grabbed the door handle and tried to shut the door after telling him it was my room, but he held up his hand and pressed his palm against it to stop me.
“Hold on now.” He chuckled. “Are you embarrassed about me seeing your room?”
I shook my head as he took a step in. “No. It’s just not too clean right now.”
“Hey”—he shrugged—“clean isn’t even in my vocabulary. I hate cleaning. It’s just something I’ve despised for ages. And besides…” He sighed, reaching for one of the pencils on my bed. “I kind of like dirty girls.”
He’d definitely lit another fire within my cheeks. He noticed the way I tried to control my girly emotions and laughed smoothly. “Shall we continue the tour?” I asked.
“We shall,” he said, dropping the pencil on the bed and following me out. I led him down the hallway and showed him the bathroom. Afterward, I mentioned that the last two bedrooms belonge
d to Montana and Ben.
“For a bus, it’s kind of big,” he said as we stepped into the living room again.
“Yeah. It’s big, but I kind of love it.”
“A girl who loves big things,” he said, smirking. “You know, Eliza, you’re making me more and more interested in you by the second.”
I giggled, blushing. “How?”
“It wouldn’t be fair to tell you unless we get to know one another, now would it?”
“Get to know one another how, exactly?” I asked, my head tilting. I was still smiling, which shocked me a little.
“We have almost two months ahead of us. I’m sure we can figure it out way before the tour is over.”
I laughed. I couldn’t doubt he was flirting with me. It was obvious, and as someone who didn’t really care for guys who flirted with me, I was finding it fun with Cal. He was adorable, especially when he smiled and his cheeks sank in, revealing his dimples. I couldn’t deny it.
The front door of the bus swung open and in came Gage again. He looked at us and then noticed how close I stood in front of Cal. Gage’s hazel eyes were like steel and, if I wasn’t mistaken, held a hint of aggravation. I figured he was still upset about his argument with Penelope, but I took a step back anyway.
“Gage, you don’t mind if I get a few questions in with you tonight, do you?” Cal asked, taking a step back as well. “I have some from the fans, but I won’t bombard you with them. I have a few for the whole band, but it seems like everyone wants to hear what you have to say most.”
Gage shrugged. “Happens when you’re lead singer of a band.”
“Cocky much?” I teased.
He laughed at me, running a hand through his hair. “Never that, Sweet Ellie. Never that. Just confident.”
Cal laughed with him and then went for his suitcase. “Great. When would you like to start?”
“We could do it now.” Gage sighed. “I have plenty of time to practice my vocals later.”