Kat was a couple of rows away from her but across the aisle. She always looked perfect. Too perfect. Lucky wondered how anyone could look so flawless withoutmuchrest.
Lucky wanted to trust Kat, but she couldn't help the nagging voice in her head that said not to. She knew Kat was the popular girl in school, probably had lots of boyfriends and never spent a weekend alone. She thought Kat could teach her so much about life and being on the road. But it was Kat's idea to let Ross and his friend join them on the bus. If Kat was so smart, why didn't she see them for whotheywere?
She decided to ask Kat if she heard anything. Maybe Ross or Mark told her something before the bus left. As she approached her, the bus swerved and knocked Lucky into the seat behind Kat, who was talking on herphone.
"We're almost to Phoenix," Kat said. "You have to come. You told me this would be my tour! The label doesn't care about some fat chick. They specifically asked for me,remember?"
Shocked, Lucky couldn't move as a cold flush ran through her body. She thought Kat was her friend. Jude was right, not everyone was who theyseemed.
"If you're not in Phoenix, I'm leaving. Let this tour go on without me. You promised this was my big break, and I'm not even in the spotlight," Kat said. "That fucking drummer, I don't care who he is." Kat was silent for a moment. "I thought I told you. The drummer cracked under pressure." She was quiet again. "Yes. With Jude fucking Morrison, can youbelieveit?"
Lucky had heard enough. She quietly got up and returned to her seat. Grabbing her phone, she wondered if she could get Kat off the tour but remembered what she said was right--the label specifically wanted her there. Her heart sank alittle.
She knew Richard Black wouldn't give her tour to Kat. They were her songs, and Kat couldn't string two words together unless they were written for her. So who was shetalkingto?
As the bus turned off the highway, she realized she never changed like Jude told her to. She grabbed a pair of loose fitting jeans, a purple print floral tank top, and a grey cowl neck knit top with short dolman sleeves. While she changed, the bus stopped and she heard everyonegetoff.
When she finished changing, she grabbed her messenger bag, slung it across her body, and left the bus. It was late morning and the sun was high in the sky. Shielding her eyes, she saw most of the band under the canopy of the hotel entrance. Nearby, a motorcycle growled to astart.
Turning towards the sound, she saw a dark copper Harley Davidson that glowed with bright chrome and black leather. Jude sat on it in his jeans and a thin leather jacket over a faded blue t-shirt, his hands on the handles. As she approached, she overheard the two men talking to Jude about themotorcycle.
"It’s the latest model Fat Boy. When it came in, we immediately thought of you. We can arrange for it to be at your home after this tourisover."
"Thanks guys," said Jude, "but I'm just going to borrow it fortheday."
"Of course, whateveryouwant."
When Jude saw Lucky, he gave her that crooked smile that made her heart speed up. "Ever been on one ofthese?"
"No. Isitsafe?"
Jude laughed. "I'll help you on. Let's get going before anyone decides tobotherus."
Lucky looked over towards the hotel entrance and saw a group of women clustered together, looking in their direction. By now she knew exactly what they were looking at, but she couldn't blame them. Jude wasgorgeous.
He held her hand as she swung her leg over the back of the bike, then they put on the helmets given to them by the salesmen. She wrapped her arms around his waist, happily pressing her body against him, as hedroveaway.
The purr of the engine was all she could hear as they drove. As they hit the highway, she began to relax and enjoyed the wind whipping through her hair. She loved being so close to Jude and thought if they did nothing else, just the ride alone madeherday.
As they rode, she watched the terrain change from the dry desert and cactus, with the dark mountains in the distance, to seeing pine and juniper trees with dark red mountains. The air felt cooler and her ears softly popped as they continued theirdrive.
Pulling into a quaint town a few hours later, they drove down a quiet street and parked the bike. He took her hand as they walked up back towards the main street where there were shops along both sides oftheroad.
"This is an old artist community. I come here all the time when I just want to get away and appreciate the beauty,"hesaid.
She marveled at the red rocks surrounding them, some jutting into shapes and images like clouds. The streets were filled with tourists window shopping, but no one seemed tonoticeJude.
They walked in and out of shops, looking at paintings and sculptures by local artisans. Lucky was in heaven. She always hoped to one day see the world and when she first heard about the tour, she thought it was the start of that. She imagined spending time seeing each city and learning what made themunique.
She had no idea being on tour meant nothing but buses and hotels. It made the tour disappointing, despite it making her dream of being a professional musiciancometrue.
Stopping to sit to share a bowl of homemade ice cream at a busy shop, Lucky pulled her cell phone out of her bag. "I can't believe this. I've got tons of texts andvoicemails."
"Fromwho?"
"One sec, there's one from Jordan. It just says Richard Black was looking for me and it’s important. Yup, I have voicemail fromhimtoo."
"Lucky, this is Richard. Call me as soon as you get this. I'm at the hotel." She listened to another voicemail from him. "Lucky, Richard. It’s important. Things sound like they're escalating. I'm worried about you. You're not ready for this.Pleasecall."
