Despite Jace’s opinion of me, I’d never wanted to cause him pain.
Jace left us without another word, heading toward bus one, no doubt content that his altruistic deed for the day was done. Rhett, however, despite everyone waiting on us, took another second to spin me around so he could look down at me directly. He took in my expression closely as he asked, “Are you sure? Once we’re on the bus, it doesn’t tend to stop except for gas. Security protocols and all that. We’ll have hours before our next concert venue, and then days after that before we end up in New York. If you’re not comfortable, I’m happy to take the staff bus with you.”
How was this guy even real? His words had my eyes burning, and maybe it was just that I’d been in a terrible cycle—treated like worthless trash and half the time homeless—that actually being treated with decency hit me harder than expected.
“I’m sure. I’d rather you be safe, even if I have to endure a little awkwardness between Jace and me.”Understatement of the century.The only thing that could make it more awkward was if Angelo suddenly joined the tour too.
He examined my face one last time before he gave a resolute nod and reached out to wrap his left hand around my right. We walked hand in hand to the biggest bus, and when we reached the steps, I looked up to find Tom standing at the top. “About fucking time,” he snarled, but further words were cut off when Rhett shot a dark look his way. “Just get inside,” he finished, before scurrying off like the rat he was.
Hurrying up, I reached the top and had a quick look around. Dora had taken care of the main bus yesterday, so this was my first time seeing the band’s personal bus, and I wasn’t all that surprised to see how much larger and more luxurious it was than the other two. Everything was done in black, chrome, and gray accents. Sleek and modern. It was fancy, but still… “Why don’t you fly and make the rest of your crew use the buses?” I asked as Rhett ushered me forward. “It would be much faster.” I was stating the obvious, but I mean, if time was money, as Tom had so eloquently shouted before…
“Flo is scared of flying,” Rhett said simply as the doors closed behind us. Moving further into the space, I noticed that the driver was readying to leave. He looked to be in his late fifties, with thinning gray hair and a cheerful smile he shot my way as he welcomed us onboard.
At least one person wasn’t pissed by our little standoff outside.
I could hear the other band members chatting in the back of the bus, sounding like they were organizing bunks and getting settled. Everyone except Grayson, who sat behind the table staring at his phone. He looked up briefly to give us a nod but, in usual fashion, didn’t say anything else.
This “man of mystery” thing he had going on both intrigued and scared me. I couldn’t shake the memory of how he’d touched my lip last night when he’d accused me ofpretendingto be insecure.
Rhett pushed us along the main walkway, and I saw that their bunks were larger with much better bedding than the ones I’d made up on the other buses. “I’m taking the bedroom,” Rhett called as he moved us past the bunks. I waited for a protest from someone—mostly Florence and Tom since they were a couple—but there was no complaint.
I actually thought I heard, just as Rhett opened the door for me to enter before him, Florence say something about himfinallysleeping again. She sounded happy and not pissed that I was taking the room that was, no doubt, usually reserved for them.
Before I could hear anything else, we were inside, and as Rhett closed the door behind us, I relaxed and looked around once more. “These buses are unbelievable,” I said with a laugh. “It’s hard to believe how much they fit in here.”
He laughed too, seemingly relaxed as well. He released my hand to move forward and drop onto the edge of the large bed. It was covered in a thick, navy blanket, with at least eight plump pillows adorning the head. No lie, it was a cozy-looking bed. I’d only woken up a few hours ago, so there was no reason I should be wanting to crawl my way across and snuggle into the depths.
My gaze dragged across Rhett as he sprawled back before he patted the spot beside him, indicating I should take a seat next to him.Okay, maybe there was one reason.We had some unfinished business I really wanted to jump back into. But maybe not on a crowded tour bus with my angry ex.
“We’re about to take off,” Rhett warned me, and I stumbled forward as the bus picked up speed. Rhett caught me as I landed on the bed, helping me straighten up.
Looking around, since this was definitely not the time to focus on how his hands felt on my bare arms, I noticed that there wasn’t much else in this room. The giant bed frame took up most of the space, but I did see a small closet in the right corner. Rhett noticed the direction of my gaze. “I had Tom bring a few more sets of clothes for you. And some toiletries. They should be in there.”
Rhett had clearly been planning for me to be in here with him from the start. “You’re too good to me,” I said softly, glancing down at the new clothing again. “I’m never going to be able to repay you. But thank you.”
“It’s nothing,” he said, and it was clear he meant it. “Don’t even worry about tallying this up. It’s just one person helping another out. I’d hope you’d do the same if the roles were reversed.”
“Of course,” I said immediately, and I meant it. I’d always tried to help when I could. “I’ve never had much, but I have always shared. It’s, honestly, how some of us on minimum wage survived during the hard times.”
Rhett dropped his hand over mine and squeezed lightly, and we sat in a comfortable silence for a few seconds as the bus picked up speed, going over a few bumps as the driver negotiated the alley and got us out on the road.
“Come on,” Rhett said suddenly, jumping to his feet again and holding a hand out to me. “You won’t want to miss the exit.”
I had no idea what he was talking about until we were back in the front of the bus, along with all of the band and Tom, each of them staring out the tinted windows. As I leaned forward and peered out, I couldn’t help the gasp that escaped.
Fans lined the streets in the hundreds—maybe thousands—cheering and screaming as they waved the buses on. “How did they know you were leaving at this time?” I breathed, shaking my head at how famous they actually were. Sometimes I forgot due to how normal they were in person.
“They follow our tours and wait for hours in the hopes of catching us,” Florence said, and I was surprised that she talked directly to me without any attitude. “And this grassroots tour has been planned for over a year, and everyone knows we’re playing in all the old venues from when we first entered the music scene. It’s been a big deal.”
Tom, on the other hand, was still a cunt. “Don’t get used to it, princess,” he sneered. “As soon as we get to New York, you’re off the tour and we can stop having drama for me to clean up.”
Florence smacked him on the shoulder. “Tom,” she said in a rush. “Enough, okay. Billie’s had a rough few days, and honestly, the last thing any woman needs after almost being kidnapped and raped is anothermanbeing an asshole to her.”
Her voice broke on a few of the words, and I wondered at her story. She hadn’t been particularly warm to me, and I’d expected nothing more, really, since everyone here was team Jace. But in this moment, I felt a small female bond forming. When her gaze drifted over her shoulder in my direction, I shot her a thankful smile. She didn’t return it, but that didn’t matter. Her gesture had already been made.
In a different life, maybe we’d have even been friends.
Jace caught my eye then, his expression blank, but at least he wasn’t sneering at me. There was no greater reminder than him of thedifferent lifeI could have had, and it was almost too much for me to handle.
