“So,” Travis instructs, “if you need time away from everyone, there’s no shame in retreating to your bedroom and locking the door. If we’re all riding on the same bus and you want quiet, any bedroom on the other buses is fair game, except the crew bus. This is the only way we’ve been able to keep fights to a minimum.”
Everyone agrees to the rules Travis gave the group, except for one.Pick your shit up. No strangers in our living quarters. Don’t steal labeled food. Formal meet and greets are set by Katelyn, and backstage passes are for family and close friends only. Use practical jokes sparingly. Bow down and kiss Travis’s feet.
That last one got a lot of empty plastic cups thrown at his head. Then we all had to clean it up. It was so worth it, though. I’m already falling in love with my new little family, and I’m looking forward to getting this tour underway.
“Is everyone staying on this bus until the next stop?” Paul, the driver of this bus, asks.
Travis looks around to everyone, but his eyes land on mine. “Are you?”
We all agree that we’re staying together for now. The energy is high, the mood is good, and we’re all excited to be part of this tour. Drew starts a conversation about doing a multi-artist project with Sound Bar, Fireflies, and me. I think it’s a great idea, and I’m all for exploring the possibility.
The bus door closes and our caravan officially hits the road. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I’m way too happy to already find a text message from Luke.
Luke: Left yet?
Me: Just now.
Luke: Be careful. Have fun. I love you.
Me: I love you, too. Do I get to see you Valentine’s?
Luke: Not sure yet, babe. Damn, I hope so.
Me: I’ll book as soon as you tell me to. I miss you.
Luke: I miss you, too. Gotta go—I’m back in the ring.
Me: Knock ’em out for me!
Luke: Everything I do is for you.
“That must be your man,” Cami states. “That smile on your face can only be from one thing.”
Everyone ribs me about sexting with Luke already when we’re not even out of Atlanta yet. “We don’t sext,” I state emphatically.
“Damn, Andi. That’s cold to just cut him off like that,” Mike accuses me.
“We FaceTime. We’re both visual creatures. We have to see it,” I retort with a straight face.
Mike’s face turns bright red, and he struggles for a comeback. Unable to hold my laughter back any longer, I have tears running down my cheeks within seconds. Somewhere amid my laughter, I think Mike threatens me with swift retaliation. Whatever—it was so worth it to see his face.
As I look around, still highly amused at getting the best of Mike, Travis’s demeanor catches my eye. He’s leaned back in his chair, slightly slumped and obviously comfortable. His hazel eyes have darkened to green and are narrowed at me, but they’re dancing with blatant humor. One hand is at his cheek, his fingers casually propping his head up. His lips slowly curl up into a panty-dropping, sultry, sensual smile.
Damn. Did someone turn up the heat in here?
