Page 20 of Follow the Rhythm (Fairview City Omegaverse #2)

T he first three dates of the tour went as well as I could have ever hoped for. The crowd was loving us, and so was the press. All the hours onstage were incredible. There was nothing like the high of feeding off an audience’s energy.

It was all the time in between that was the problem.

The tour bus was top of the line, but there was no escaping the fact that I was spending hours locked in one place, stuck in my thoughts.

Bea wasn’t a help. I could tell she was already regretting agreeing to go on the tour with me, and part of me hoped she would decide to go home. The other part was weak and held onto her like a lifeline. Fighting with her was better than fighting myself.

The other major problem was Jess. After seeing a hint of the girl I knew - funny and sweet, even if she didn’t want to show it - all I wanted was more.

I wanted to be the Ellis she knew again, even if just for a minute.

Her scent was another distraction. Even though she wore descenters pretty much constantly, I’d sometimes catch a tantalizing hint of her tart and spicy scent.

I made up excuses to find her in the common areas of the bus, where she was usually either watching something with Grace or reading, headphones in her ears.

I noticed Kieran was never far away from her. The thought of him and Jess made me wildly jealous, but only because I knew I’d completely fucked my chances years ago, even if I was interested. Which, I reminded myself, I wasn’t.

We arrived a day early for the fourth tour date, and Charlie, that handsome genius, had booked us all hotel rooms. The prospect of a night off the claustrophobic bus was heavenly.

“Room keys,” Charlie said, climbing into our bus when we pulled into the hotel’s circular drive. Grace cheered as he distributed them.

“Thank god, I need a bath. Bring the bags up,” Bea said and snatched our keys from him. She passed me one before fleeing.

“I don’t get one?” Jess asked, empty-handed.

“Oh, I told him we would share a room!” Grace said brightly, splaying the room keys like playing cards.

Jess looked at him like he’d completely betrayed her. Charlie grinned that infectious grin.

“Don’t worry, it’s a suite.”

“Thanks, I guess,” Jess grumbled. Grace seemed completely oblivious and skipped off the bus after Kieran.

As I grabbed my jacket from the closet in the main area, I overheard Charlie murmur, “Of course, if you wanted to have a break from Grace, my door is open.”

My heart pounded. Were they fucking? The thought of them together was more than intriguing. Desire pulsed through me, sudden and impossible to ignore.

“You asshole. Did she even ask for us to share a room?”

Charlie laughed. “Yes, but I could’ve told her no. I’m in room 1506. Maybe I’ll see you later, beautiful.”

Jess was standing stock still, her hands clenched at her sides. We were the only ones left on the bus, and she seemed unaware I was still there. I cleared my throat, and she jumped.

“So you and the tour manager, huh?”

Jess flushed; whether from anger or embarrassment, I couldn’t tell. “That’s none of your business.”

I raised my hands. “You’ve made that abundantly clear, darling. But inquiring minds want to know… is he as good in bed as he looks? He seems like he’d be very generous .”

Her cheeks blazed as she scowled at me. She crossed her arms defensively, but that just pressed her breasts together. I couldn’t help but look.

“He’s a very good listener. Very obedient. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination.”

My cock was responding inconveniently to the image of Jess bossing Charlie around. I cleared my throat again. “Maybe I’ll just go up to his room and find out for myself.”

Jess’s jaw dropped even as her pupils dilated. Her scent grew almost imperceptibly stronger. I felt a stab of satisfaction, right alongside the surge of dangerous lust.

“You can’t,” she said after a moment.

“And why not?”

Her brow furrowed, but she didn’t say anything. I recognized that face. She was thinking too much.

“Relax, darling. I’m only joking. He’s too sweet for my taste.” I knew my fluid sexuality hadn’t shocked her; we’d spent plenty of time discussing our celebrity crushes, men and women. “He’s not your usual type either.”

Jess scoffed. “As if you know anything about ‘my type.’”

“If I recall correctly, your preferences ran more towards sparkling vampires,” I teased.

Jess gave an outraged yelp and pushed my shoulder with both hands. I barely moved, which made her even angrier. “You promised we would never speak about my Twilight phase again!”

“Do you still have the DVD box set?” I asked innocently.

Jess groaned, then cracked a reluctant smile. “I actually do. It’s okay, though. I like them ironically now.”

“Oh good, as long as it’s ironic , you’re safe.” I smiled down at her. Something in my heart eased, just being with her, talking like we used to. I wanted to spin the moment out as long as I could.

Grace poked her head in the door. “Hey, you. Get out here, I want to check out the room.”

“Coming,” Jess said, breaking our eye contact, and turned to follow her.

I took three deep breaths, clearing my head, before heading out myself.

Bea and I took full advantage of the minibar.

At first, it was fun. I was pleasantly drunk, the kind that made me feel warm, happy, and at peace with the world.

This stage wouldn’t last long, so I’d enjoy it while it lasted.

Bea could be charming when she wanted, and she was on top form that night thanks to the comfortable room.

“We should be staying in rooms like this every night.” She sighed, wallowing in the middle of the king-sized bed next to me. “You know I’m accustomed to a certain level of luxury.”

I laughed. Bea’s family was filthy rich.

“I’m so sorry you have to slum it, but such is the life of a groupie.”

“Well, let’s make the most of it, then.” Bea rolled to the side of the bed, rummaging in her bag until she found a prescription bottle. She gave it a little shake. My heart sank.

“Where did you get that?”

Bea smiled wickedly. “I have my ways.”

I sighed and closed my eyes.

“Come on, you’re so boring,” Bea whined, climbing on top of me to straddle my hips. She was gorgeous, the epitome of British good breeding. “Let’s invite one of your rabid fans up; you know there’s a bunch of them down there waiting for you. We would make their dreams come true.”

She traced her hand along my chest. Bea loved bringing other people into our bed so they could watch us fuck. It was some kind of power play, and I was usually game. But that night, the thought was exhausting.

“Open up,” she said, holding what I figured was a benzo to my lips.

I sat up, and she fell to the side.

“I’ve told you, I’m not doing that shit anymore,” I said wearily, nodding at the pill in her hand.

“Fine.” Bea rolled her eyes and took it herself.

I rubbed my temples and downed another of the mini bottles of tequila. I was quickly leaving my pleasant buzz behind.

“Are you ever going to get over it?” Bea asked.

I looked at her. “He was my best friend.”

“Right. But it’s been over a year. And it’s not like taking one is going to kill you. You should know that.”

Guilt and shame pooled in my stomach. But anger bubbled up too. I rolled off the bed and looked down at her.

“Does being so cruel make you feel better about yourself?” I asked.

Bea gave a sarcastic laugh. “No, I feel incredible about myself all the time, thanks.”

“That’s right. Daddy’s perfect little angel, who couldn’t finish university and can’t hold down a real job,” I said nastily.

Bea jumped up on her knees and got in my face. “Fuck you. At least I haven’t killed someone.”

Her coldly beautiful face was set in a sneer of pure venom. Hatred poured through me.

“Get out,” she said suddenly. “I can’t stand looking at you.”

“The feeling is mutual.” I grabbed my jacket, along with another two mini bottles, and stormed out into the hallway. The hotel had a bar; it was probably still open.

I unscrewed the bottles and drank from both at the same time.

“Hey. You need to head upstairs, man,” a voice said. “We’re closing.”

I picked my head up off my crossed arms. The bartender was looking at me, concerned.

“Right. Cheers, mate.” I got off my stool, and the world tilted unpleasantly.

The bartender sighed. “Do you need me to call someone?”

I shook my head and smiled. “I’m golden.”

I stumbled into the lift after traversing the expanse of the lobby and punched a few numbers. One was probably my floor.

When the door dinged, I pushed myself off the back wall of the lift and into a hallway.

Bloody hotels. All the floors always looked the same.

I wracked my brain trying to remember my room number.

I groped in my jacket pocket for the key, but it didn’t have a label.

My legs weren’t cooperating. I bounced between the sides of the hallway like a table tennis ball.

“Fuck,” I said, louder than I meant to. I reached for my phone, but it was missing. “FUCK!”

A door opened at the end of the hall, and an older man glared at me. “It’s two in the morning, asshole.”

“I’m so sorry to disturb you. But I seem to have gotten lost.”

“Shhhh,” he said, even more annoyed.

“You shhh,” I said.

Another door opened, closer to me. A blonde head poked out, and for a moment I thought it was Bea.

“Goddamnit, Ellis, I thought that was your voice,” Grace said. “Sorry, sir, I’ll take care of it.”

She grabbed my wrist and yanked me into the room. It was dark, but she switched on a lamp. The room was small, with just a seating area and a door leading off the wall on each side.

“What the fuck are you doing? Go back to your room.” She sniffed me. “Jesus, you’re wasted, aren’t you?”

“Obviously,” I replied crisply. “I can’t remember what room I’m in. And I don’t have my phone.”

A door opened, and Jess stepped into the room. She was wearing an oversized t-shirt that hung to her mid-thigh. I had a mad impulse to yank off my own shirt and give it to her to wear instead.

“Oh god. What is he doing here?” she asked Grace.

“He was wandering around the hallway, waking people up. He’s drunk.”

“Well, he can’t stay here. Tell him to go back to his room.”

“I’m right here, ladies. And I wish I could, but unfortunately, I seem to have forgotten my room number,” I said with a little pout.

“He said he doesn’t have his phone either,” Grace said, ignoring me.

Jess sighed. “You’re a fucking disaster,” she said to me.

“No arguments here,” I said. “Can’t you take pity on me?”

Jess rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Grace?”

“Stay in the room. I don’t want you to get us all kicked out. And be quiet,” Grace said sternly.

“Angels, both of you.” I bowed my head in thanks, then stumbled towards the couch and collapsed onto it. I tried to wrestle my jacket off and gave up, was similarly unsuccessful in prying off my boots, and resigned myself to sleeping fully clothed.

I heard another sigh. A lamp switched on, and I felt a yank on my boot. Jess pulled them off roughly and dropped them on the floor with a thud. “Sit up,” she commanded.

I let her help me out of my jacket, which she also chucked into a heap.

“Don’t move,” she said, pointing her finger in my face, and I nodded meekly.

She returned a few moments later with a glass of water. I chugged it gratefully.

She sat in the chair across from me, her feet tucked under her just like I remembered.

“I promise I won’t leave the room. You should go get to sleep.”

“Are you alright?” she asked.

“I’m grand,” I answered.

She studied me, her eyes shining in the warm glow of the lamp. “I don’t think you are.”

I closed my eyes. I was so tired, in every sense of the word. I meant to respond, to say something witty, but sleep pulled me under.