I grab some sleep shorts and a tank top. “I walked on the tour bus and caught Travis getting a blow job.”
She drops the yarn and brings the phone closer to her face. “What?”
“Yep. Right there on the couch. Some girl going to town on him.”
She winces. “Ah. I don’t need the visuals. Where was everyone? And what is it with these guys and blow jobs? First Penn, now this.” I grin at the reminder of how my best friend met the love of her life and the lead guitarist of LooseThreads. He was getting a blowie near the bathrooms of the bar they were playing at. Gave Liv quite the show.
“They must love a good head job,” I muse.
“Hey!”
“Sorry!” I say, and she laughs. “Anyway, the guys were all out getting food, and Calvin asked me to see if Travis wanted anything. I pop on the bus and run right into that. He didn’t even get to finish.” He didn’t seem that upset. I’d definitely be pouting if I were close to an orgasm and someone showed up and cockblocked me.
“Wow, I feel like I should be shocked, but I’m not. I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner, to be honest. Are you ok?”
I laugh her off. “I’m fine, but I feel bad about ruining his bj.”
“Well, maybe go offer to help him finish,” she says, staring dead into my eyes through the phone.
I blink. Then, at the same time, we both burst into laughter. “Penn has done a number on you. You’re such a slut now!” We laugh harder until we’re both struggling to breathe, and my stomach cramps. “I better get some sleep. I’m going to dye Travis’s hair tomorrow, he’s going pink. I’ll be sure to send you photos.”
“K. Love you.”
BIowing her a kiss, I end the call and set my alarm for six before slipping into the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. Packing for the tour was a nightmare. The guys had so much stuff they needed to bring, which is understandable, but that meant I had to pack light. All my good skin care stuff had to be poured into tiny travel-size bottles. I’ve had to skimp to make it last.
My clothes are an assortment of jumpsuits and slacks, with only a few casual outfits and sleep sets. I’ve been rotating and mixing and matching, but it’s getting stale. I love clothes and shoes, and the desire to buy a new outfit in every city has called to me like a siren. But then I remember, I have to takethem to the laundromat every few days and realize I’m better off.
I crawl under the heavy white comforter of the hotel bed, thankful the guys don’t skimp on my room. It’s a basic king bed with a small kitchenette. The carpet is red and outdated, but it’s clean and bed-bug-free. I pull my eye mask down and fall asleep within minutes.
“Hmm…hot pink, pastel, fuchsia,”I muse to no one as I browse the drugstore selection of hair dye. Travis’s hair is basically white and takes color well. I tap my lip in thought, then grab a box of cotton candy pink. I move through the aisles until I find the medicine, then I grab a box of sleep aid in hopes of helping him get some much-needed rest.
I was supposed to do this yesterday, but time got away from me while I was working. I’m against Travis using sleeping pills. I’m afraid he’ll drink with them, but he promised he wouldn’t, so here I am.
I pluck some snacks off the shelf and head to the checkout. I dump everything on the counter, and the young guy behind the register starts ringing me up. My eyes wander to the last-minute impulse buys. There’s a small section of lipstick that I browse quickly, plucking a cherry red from the shelf, and add it to the goodies that I’m charging to Travis’s card. I snicker to myself, knowing he will be none the wiser.
With my bags in hand, I stroll out of the store and head toward my hotel. I’m passing by a cute coffee shop when a familiar shape catches my eye. I stop, turning my head to look, and find Calvin in the alleyway between the coffee shop and a clothing boutique. He’s talking to a man dressed in baggyjeans and a ripped hoodie. They’re extremely close, shoulders almost touching.
He’s been acting strange lately. Late-night calls, hushed tones. His eyes are always sliding side to side like he’s waiting for someone to pop out of the bushes.
The shady character pulls something from his pocket, and I step forward, squinting to see, because, well...I’m nosey. The guy drops it into Calvin’s hand, and he slips it into his pocket before I can catch what it is.
The man suddenly turns, locking eyes with me. I stare back, and Calvin glances over his shoulder, lips thinning into an unpleasant line when he spots me. I give him a wide, toothy smile, and the stranger takes off in the other direction.
“Making new friends?” I ask, as Calvin falls into step with me.
“Are you following me?” he questions, tone snarky.
“No.” I hold up the bags. “I was at the store. Why are you being shady?”
He tucks his hands into his khaki pants and shrugs. “I’m not. I was buying some pot.”
“Pot?”
“Yep. Helps me sleep.”
“Well, you don’t need to hide that from me. I don’t care if you smoke.”
“It feels unprofessional. So I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t blab to the guys.”
