7
Lucky
As the busbegan its trek out of Philadelphia and towards Washington DC, Lucky replayed her reaction to Jude over in her head. She wasn't worried about him taking over and making it his show anymore. He gave her the impression he didn't even want to bethere.
Stretching out on the comfortable leather seats, she figured she should talk to him. They wouldn't have gotten such a sweet ride if it wasn't for him. The least she could do was thank him. Besides, maybe she needed toapologize.
She lifted her head to look over the seats and saw Jude had his earbuds in. Her heart flipped and she put her hand on her chest as she wondered when that would stop happening. She didn't want to bother him if he was busy, but she knew if she didn't talk to him then, she would never get the guts to do itlater.
Sucking in a deep breath, she counted down from three and stood up. She chewed her bottom lip nervously as she walked the couple of aisles to the back of the bus to meet one of heridols.
His eyes were closed, but his foot tapped to the music so she knew he was awake. With his sleeves pushed up to just under his elbows, he revealed part of what she knew was a full sleeve tattoo. She thought about how many times she wished she could see that tattoo up close and admired the deep orange koi swimming up the wild sea of black and greywaves.
"Jude?" shewhispered.
She couldn't speak louder. Her nerves were getting the best of her again. Giving up, she began to turn back to her seat when he grabbed her hand and she felt a bolt of electricity shoot through her, making her heartpound.
"Where you going?" heasked.
"Oh, I just didn't want to bother you. I'll come backlater."
"You're herenow.What?"
"I…I wanted to thank you for the bus and…apologize for before if I acted a little…" she said, stammering, unable to get the rightwordsout.
"Bitchy?"
As she looked at him, his bright green eyes with golden flecks dug into her soul. She hated him for calling her out, even if he was right. He wasn't anything like she imagined, and that angered herevenmore.
"You'd better learn the songs on time. It's been a while since you've played, so I'm sure you've gotten rusty," she said, hoping she got a little of that bitch backinher.
Upset and disappointed, she walked back to her seat and sank down into it. She thought about that quote about never meeting an idol because they never lived up to your expectations. Pulling out her notebook, she began writing as she tried to forgetabouthim.
"Your stuff is good," Jude said as he stood in the centeraisle.
"Sure it's not toobitchy?"
He laughed and pushed her bag aside as he sat in the seat next to her. His shoulders were so broad, they rubbed against hers in the oversized seat. Feeling his heat so close to her, she fought her instinct to giggle and blush like alittlegirl.
"It's my turn to apologize. I think I let my ego get the betterofme."
"Don't let it happen again," sheteased.
"I can't promise that," he said with a laugh before walking back tohisseat.
Watching him walk away, she thought about how gorgeous he was. She still couldn't believe he was going to play drums in her band. It was a dream come true. When she thought of how many late nights she spent in the rehearsal studios at school, trying to get drummers to play like him, it blew her mind. Now, not only was he part of her band but he was just a fewfeetaway.
She peeked through the seats and could see his long legs stretched out on his seat, his boots worn and dirty. Letting her eyes travel up his jeans, she couldn't help it and held her breath when they stopped at his bulge and wondered if the rumorsweretrue.
Her eyes moved up over his tight tan t-shirt that clung enviously to his muscular chest. Shifting in her seat so she could see him better, she noticed a silver chain around his neck. The stubble over his jaw. Hissmile.
She was so focused on him that her mind had shut off. As her eyes continued to take in every inch of him, they made their way up to his smiling green eyes, which stared right backather.
Quickly moving to hide, she looked away and tried to focus on the passing trees and cars on the highway as her cheeks burned with embarrassment.Was he still looking?She wanted to know but was afraid to look. She thought she heard him laugh and felt herstomachknot.
Scolding herself, she forced herself to pick up her notebook again. She had to remember that she was no longer the fan and he was just Jude Morrison. But he would never be just Jude Morrison, the fast beating of her heartguaranteedthat.
Because of Jude's introduction at breakfast and the bad traffic they ran into, the bus took them directly to the theater. Lucky had always wanted to see Washington DC and visit the museums and monuments, but she realized she'd never get to see anything but hotels and theaters while she wasontour.
