Page 158 of Hard Rock Tease

Chapter Twenty-One

Isatin the tour bus and waited, playing with my phones and jiggling my foot. It was the exact same position I’d been in on my first day, waiting for the band members to show up and find out I’d been assigned to the same tour bus as them.

Jayce had shown up first. He’d looked me over, heat in his eyes. That had been the first real moment between us, the beginning of our liaison. So much had changed since that first day.

I hoped Deena gave Jayce my message as soon as possible. Although I knew he’d need a few minutes to himself, I’d asked her to tell him to meet me in the tour bus as soon as the concert was over. I’d told her I needed to speak to him about important work stuff. I’d kept it vague, feeling bad about lying to her, but I needed to have this conversation as soon as possible while I still had the courage.

I’d also sent a message to Neil, saying I’d like to talk with him. I hadn’t told him too many details, not wanting to get pulled into a conversation through text. Some conversations were better had in person.

Especially a conversation like the one I was planning to have with the both of them.

I’d simply said that maybe I’d been too hasty and that we needed to talk things over. His response had been immediate and predictable.

What about Jayce?

That’s part of what I want to talk to you about.

He’d inquired more, but I hadn’t responded.

I went over the speech I’d prepared in my head. How the hell did you begin that type of conversation?

Hi Neil, we’re better off as friends, but I know we’re still hot for each other, so do you want to have goodbye sex with my other lover?

I’d have to think of something better to say than that.

Footsteps sounded on the pavement outside and I sat up straight, taking a deep breath in. Who was going to be first?

An unfamiliar face walked through the tour bus door, a fresh-faced young girl with long blond hair. She didn’t look like a member of the crew. In fact, I couldn’t recall ever seeing her before. I glanced down at the staff badge hanging from her neck. Perhaps she was new and needed help.

She looked around the tour bus in wonder, taking in the leather sofas, the big screen TV, the snacks laid out on the table.

“Can I help you?”

She finally narrowed her focus on me, glaring at me, not speaking.

“I’m sorry, but you really shouldn’t be here. This is the band’s tour bus.”

The girl sneered. “Then why the hell are you here?”

“I work with the band,” I said, taken aback. Not like I owed her an explanation.

“I knew it,” her eyes narrowed. “You’re the goddamn whore who’s been following them around.”

Whoa. Who the hell was this girl?

“I think you need to leave now,” I said, making my voice firm and hard.

“No, I don’t think I do. I think you’re the one who’s going to leave. You’re going to walk out of this bus and leave Jayce alone.”

“Excuse me?” I said, astonished at her words and her tone.

“You heard me.”

“If you don’t leave I’m going to call security.”

“I don’t think you will.”

The girl reached into her purse and pulled out a gun.