We ordered drinks and found a table to sit at.
“I’m kind of disappointed we’re not being swarmed by fans,” Milo said.
“It’s because Riot’s not here,” Violet explained. “Everyone recognizes him, but the rest of us fly under the radar.”
Cash smiled. “I like the anonymity. It’s the best of both worlds. Famous on stage, peace and quiet the rest of the time.”
“That might change after this tour,” I said. “The four of you might become a lot more famous by Christmas.”
Milo clinked his beer against mine. “Cheers to that.”
I stayed quiet and listened while the three of them chatted about the show and the setlist. Cash wanted to swap out a few songs, but Violet insisted we wait at least three shows before making any changes. Milo announced that he wanted more drum solos in the next show, but Cash and Violet ignored him. I got the impression that was something Milo demanded after every show.
After two drinks, we closed out our tab and walked back to the tour bus.
“This isn’t the crazy rock and roll lifestyle I expected,” I told them. “I thought we’d be partying until three in the morning.”
“It’s early in the tour,” Cash said. “We might get progressively more crazy after a few more shows.”
“I can guarantee it!” Milo said, throwing an arm around my shoulder and squeezing me close for a brief moment.
“Are we hitting the road tonight?” I asked.
“Eww,” Violet said, while Milo blurted out, “Fuck no.”
“We’re staying put until morning,” Cash explained. “The next show is in three days in Fort Worth, so we’re not in a rush. We’ll probably leave around noon. Or whenever we wake up and feel like it.”
Back on the tour bus, I changed into pajamas and claimed one of the bunks. Violet was sprawled out on the larger bed, watching YouTube videos on an iPad.
“I don’t share,” she said when she noticed me watching. “Not because I don’t want to. I love a good cuddle. But Dana is jealous as hell.”
“And she’s been cool as hell about the band thing,” Milo added. “We don’t want to piss her off.”
“Because her dad provided the tour bus?” I asked.
“Exactly!” Milo replied.
“But also because we don’t want to piss off my partner,” Violet snapped. “Happy wife, happy life.”
“I thought you hated calling her your wife,” Milo said.
“It was necessary for the rhyme.”
I slid into the bunk and stretched out my legs. It was more comfortable than I expected, and I felt my entire body relax after a long day of new experiences.
I still couldn’t believe this was my life for the next three months. It felt like a dream that I would wake from at any moment.
I was beginning to drift to sleep when Riot returned. The lights were off except for the glow of Violet’s iPad, but from my vantage in the bunk I could see halfway up the bus. Riot stripped off his shirt, revealing a back that was covered in muscles and tattoos. He pulled out a duffel bag and took his time changing into fresh clothes.
When he stripped off his jeans, I knew I should look away or close the privacy curtain. But I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He was so outrageously sexy, even while wearing only a pair of boxers.
He stepped into some sweatpants and a T-shirt, then turned in my direction. I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep as he stopped in front of my bunk, then climbed up into the one above me.
“Riot?” I whispered.
“Roxie.”
“Where’d you go?” I asked. “After the show.”
