“I’ve been brainstorming the beat. I think I’ve got something tasty for you.” I grabbed a nearby bass guitar and plucked a few notes for him.
Riot nodded in time with the beat. “Not bad.”
“You’ll have other inspirations,” I said, cutting straight to the heart of the problem. “That’s how it works.”
“None like her,” he said, staring off at nothing. “I’m telling you, man. There’s something special about her.”
“I think you have ulterior motives for inviting her on tour.”
“You’re wrong.”
He said it emphatically, but I’d known Riot a long time. I could see through it. He always reacted angrily when he was caught in a lie. A holdover for the abusive family he grew up in, probably.
But I wouldn’t say that to his face.
“I can’t explain it,” he said. “She had this aura about her. I don’t even believe in auras or whatever the fuck you want to call it, but she stuck out in an arena full of people.”
I started to make a comment about how her massive cleavage was the reason she stuck out to Riot, but I stopped myself. Because, deep down, I couldalmostsee what he meant. I’d noticed Roxie during the concert myself, and I had been utterly captivated by her presence when she came backstage afterward.
That was another thing I wouldn’t admit to Riot.
“We have a lot to look forward to,” I reminded. “This is our first tour as headliners. Our big break.”
“Yeah, big break,” Riot muttered.
The roadies arrived and started loading our instruments. We had an equipment van for all of our equipment, and a separate tour bus just for the band members. Milo and Violet were watching the tour bus back into alley next to the equipment van.
“Look at that baby!” Milo exclaimed. “I didn’t think we could afford something this nice!”
“Violet’s new father-in-law owns a dealership,” I said. “Got us a special deal.”
“Way to marry into royalty, Vi,” Milo said.
“That’s not why I married her!” she protested.
“Keep telling yourself that.”
Violet smacked Milo, who let out a surprised yelp.
Our overall mood was improving as we climbed onto the bus. Even Riot started smiling as we jokingly argued over who would get the big bed in the back, and who would be stuck on one of the four bunks.
As she usually did, Violet put her foot down. “We’ll share the bed.”
“Didn’t think you swung that way anymore,” I teased.
She rolled her eyes at me. “I mean we’ll rotate who sleeps there. Switching out every night.”
“I can live with that,” Riot said.
“You don’t want to snuggle with me?” Milo asked. “I’ve been told that I’m generous with the covers.”
“Pass,” Riot and Violet said at the same time.
We climbed down the stairs out of the tour bus.
Andshewas there.
Roxie stood at the edge of the loading area, hands shoved into the pockets of her jeans. A thrill of excitement ran up my spine at the sight of her; she looked as stunning today as she had the other night.
