I flop on the couch. He could be getting the drugs from anywhere. I’m sure it’s not hard to find a shady character at one of these shows. I haven’t noticed him talking to anyone, but I’m not always around either. Surely the guys would’ve picked up on it by now if he was having secret meetings.
My phone ringing pulls me from my thoughts. Liv’s face lights up my screen, and I smile.
“Hey, babe.”
“Hey, are you busy?”
“Nope. Not even a little. What’s up?”
Cinnamon comes strolling through the bus and hops up beside me. I drag her into my lap. Travis has been hogging all the snuggles. He begged me to leave her on the bus the other night while I stayed in my hotel. He didn’t have to beg hard. The hotel wasn’t pet-friendly. I was willing to sneak her in anyway. Instead, I let her stay with him. The girl got to snuggle the man whose cock I’ve been dreaming about the last few nights. That’s not a joke, either. Last night I had a dream that I was eating a donut from his perfect dick. I woke up with my core throbbing.
“Ellie?” Liv’s voice hits my ears again.
I shake my head, plastering on another smile. “Sorry, what’s up?”
“I was thinking about the final show. It’s a big deal, right?This has been a pretty lengthy tour for their first go. I think we should commemorate it somehow. Since it’s only a few hours away, I want to be there, but don’t tell Penn. I want to surprise him.”
“Oh my God, you’re coming! Yay!”
“Yes. Pacey and his mom, too!”
“Aw, he’s going to love that. You’re such a good girlfriend, Liv.”
She gives me a shy smile. “I was thinking how amazing it would be if we could get someone there for each of the guys? But I need your help because you know them better than I do. Obviously, Katie for Tanner. I know how you feel about her, so I’ll handle that one.”
I snort. “Good luck with that.”
“Both of his parents are gone, that much I know. He was raised by his grandfather, who I imagine is way too old to be traveling anyway.” I nod along. Tanner doesn’t talk about his family. I have no idea if his parents are dead or just deadbeats. “Liam has an older brother, Seth. His parents are divorced, so I’m thinking we invite him. Can you have a ticket set aside in case he can make it?”
“You got it. Do you want me to reach out to him? Ya know, since he tried to sleep with you the first time you met him?” I tease.
Her face turns red. “I think we’re past that, but sure, that would be great.”
“Done.” I tap my notes app and add a reminder. “What else?”
“That leaves Travis,” she says, wincing. “He doesn’t really have anyone.”
My chest squeezes. He acts like he isn’t bothered by his parents’ lack of interest in his life, but I know it has to hurt. My parents are the most supportive people I know. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
“Penn’s family will be there and they’re like a second family to him, but...”
She doesn’t need to finish her sentence. If everyone except Travis has someone there, we can’t go through with it. I’d volunteer myself, but somehow, I doubt that would make him feel better.
“I’ll reach out to his parents. I’ll beg them if I have to.” I’ll even offer to fly them here first class on my dime.
“What if they say no?”
The ache in my chest throbs more. “I don’t know. You just focus on Katie. Somehow, I feel like that will be just as challenging as Travis’s parents.”
She makes a face. Poor girl. She loves to see the best in people, but she doesn’t know Katie that well. She’s getting better at confrontation, though. She has guns, and she sticks to them now, especially with her family. I have no doubt she can take on Katie. Her approach will likely kill her with kindness anyway, and you can’t be mean to Liv. It’s physically impossible. It’s like hating a puppy.
“Ok, keep me posted, and remember, no one can know.” She makes a zipping motion over her lips, and I do the same.
More secrets.Yay.
43
TRAVIS
