His eyes jerk open, his face twisting into a scowl. “What the fuck? Ilooktired? Rude. What are you, the nap police? When I’m tired I sleep,” he bites out defensively.
“Don’t get mad. I was just asking. We’re all worried about you.”
He climbs off the bed, staring down at me, scowl still firmly intact. “You’reallworried about me, huh? Is everyone talking shit behind my back or something?”
I shake my head, reaching for his arm. “No,” I rush out, but he shakes me off.
“Fuck this.” He spins on his heel and heads for the front of the bus.
My shoulders sag.Shit.
“You fuckers have something to say to me?” he yells.
“What are you talking about?” Tanner asks.
“Anyone else worried about my goddamn sleep schedule?”
I step quietly into the main area of the bus. Calvin and Tanner are at the table, and Liam and Penn are on the couch,watching everything unfold. Penn glances at me. I send him a silent apology. I thought maybe if I talked to Travis alone, he’d open up to me. Silly girl.
“Ellie says you’reworried about me. What has you so concerned? Hm? The fact that I go out on stage every night and fuckin’ kill it? Because I don’t see a problem here.” No one mentions his slip last night. Immediately after the show, Tanner approached him, and he brushed it off like it wasn’t a big deal.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” I say. “I just knew you were having trouble sleeping before and wanted to make sure that wasn’t happening again. No one ever sees you sleep.”
“No one sees you sleep, either, Ellie. Does that mean you have a problem? Are you watching me 24/7?”
“No, I?—”
“Fuck, why are you so obsessed with me?” he asks, turning to face me.
My muscles tense, and he lets out a sarcastic laugh. My face grows hot.Obsessed?Fuck him.
“I was worried. But hey, I’ll stop giving a shit. Sleep or don’t.”
“Maybe Ellie should learn to mind her business. There you go, shooting off your big mouth again,” Calvin butts in. “Maybe you should ride with the crew from now on.”
My fingers twitch. I’ve never punched anyone before, but I have phenomenal aim and hidden strength underneath this small frame. I bet I could knock him on his ass.
“No, that’s—” Penn starts, but Travis cuts him off.
“Great fucking idea.”
I suck in a breath, tears threatening to surface.
“Guys…” Liam attempts to chime in.
“We’re not making any decisions right now. Trav, chill. Let’s talk about this,” Penn says, but Travis shakes his head.
“I don’t have anything to say! You guys are the ones shit talking. Well, here I am. Let’s hear it.”
“I’m going to go to my hotel.” I start toward the front of the bus.
“I think that’s best,” Calvin says.
I snarl at him, unable to help myself, and he grins.
“I mean it about the crew bus, Ellie,” Travis says to my back.
My eyes sting and I clench my jaw hard, trying to keep my lip from trembling.
