“I admit my actions aren’t always palatable, but I couldn’t just tell her what my half-brother was up to, because she wouldn’t have believed me. She had to see it with her own two eyes in order for it to be real.”
His expression goes from hostile to neutral, but I can tell he still doesn’t trust me. Not that I need him to. I just need to take the edge off his hate.
“If you could bring her to me, I’d be happy to discuss what transpired. Maybe then she’ll know peace.”
His eyes lower to the table, and I see his golden cheeks tint with color. “I can’t. She’s not coming back to the bus.”
Apparently, I’m not the only one who’s wronged Bianca.
“If you think it would help her, I could call?—”
“Don’t reach out to her,” he says. “She’s in a good place, and I don’t want to derail her.”
Nodding, I say, “Of course.”
As he edges out of the booth, I say, “Could I ask you a favor?”
He looks almost offended by my request.
“My family has been in a bit of an uproar since Bianca left, which is one of the reasons I’m on this bus. Toxic was kind enough to help me when I desperately needed it, but unfortunately, some of his friends have been acting…well, not like friends. I was hoping you wouldn’t ostracize him for helping a woman in need.”
“He won’t get shit for me, but I think things will go better for him when you’re gone.”
“Then I guess it’s good I’ll only be here for a few more days.”
He walks off, leaving me with a sense of accomplishment as I’d figured he would be the hardest Hunk to convert to my cause.
By now, the bus is awake and teeming with energy. Thankfully, I’m no longer the pariah I once was. Fewer Hunks glare in my direction and even Vanessa gives a soft smile as she rushes past me.
My work isn’t done, but it’s a start, and when my plan finally coalesces, Natasha is going to realize what a mistake it was to fuck with me and my Hunk.
TWENTY-THREE
Toxic
When Samantha agreedto stay on the tour bus for a week, I felt pure joy. Now, it’s hard not to feel despair because of all the trouble I’ve found myself in.
As they say, the math just ain’t mathing.
If it weren’t for little droid, I could buckle down and get most of the unexpected debt paid off in five years. It wouldn’t be fun, but I have very few expenses living aboard the bus, and the pay has always been good.
But little droid changes everything, and now Samantha’s presence aboard the bus has become a curse because it’s a reminder of something I desperately want but can never have.
Looking at the numbers, I can’t provide for a family, let alone spend any meaningful time with Samantha or the baby. The only way that would be possible is if Samantha would agree to live in an RV, which I can no longer afford.
Which makes that no longer possible as well.
“Hey, do you mind helping me with the lights?” Vanessa asks in a chipper voice.
Surprised that she would speak to me, let alone ask me for help, I say, “Just tell me what you need.”
The work is arduous, as the special bulbs are more delicate than typical light bulbs, and we have to swap out twenty of them, but it feels good to be useful.
When we’re done, Prince approaches, and I brace for impact. He’s been back on the bus for a day, and I’m not too proud to admit I’ve been avoiding him. I’m no coward, but I don’t need additional stress, which he all but promises.
“Hey, man. Sorry if I was a dick when you asked to go on for me,” he says as he pulls on his workout gloves.
“No need to be. You were right. I shouldn’t have begged for your spot.”
