Page 16

"Are you going somewhere?" I asked.

London shook her head, but she didn't look up.

"It looks like you're packing."

She sighed , folding a shirt and placing it in her suitcase. "I'm just refolding everything. It's relaxing, Aurora. You should try it."

As I watched London unfold then refold various clothing items, she seemed to lose herself in the repetition. I actually did see how it could be a good, calming distraction . The line between her brows didn't ease though.

"Also, I want to be ready."

"For what?" I prompted.

"Just to leave when the time comes."

I tried to catch her gaze. "But Ryker apologized. I don't think he wants you to go."

She laughed, and it wasn't a happy sound. "He never wanted me here in the first place."

"London, he was jealous."

"I've played that game before, remember? It never worked." London scoffed. "Ryker couldn't care less if I lived or died."

That was one hundred percent false.

She knew it as well as I did.

Before I could tell her, London added, "He was right about one thing. I can't stay here forever."

"Bored with tour life already?" I quipped, hoping to make her smile.

Her lips turned up. " Not with you around."

In the next breath, she sobered.

"Seriously though, I need to get back . My business isn't going to run itself."

My ears perked at that. "What do you do?"

"I create, model and sell my own jewelry," she said.

"That sounds awesome."

"It's just a small online business, but the money's helping pay my way through college."

Intrigued, I asked, "Can I see some of your pieces?"

London nodded then held out her arm . "I designed these bracelets."

"So pretty."

"Yeah, it took me forever to get the beading just right."

The multi-colored bracelets were simple, delicate, and the colors created an ombre effect, going from a deep teal to the palest sky blue.

"I also do friendship bracelets," she said, pointing to a few on her other wrist . "They're my bestseller. I'll make you one if you want."

"Oh, yes please, I'd love that!"

"You got it."

"What about that one?" I asked, pointing to the only bracelet that didn't seem to go with the rest. It sparkled, looking like it was made of tiny stars.

"Oh," she said, cheeks turning pink as she touched the shimmering silver metal. " This was a gift."

I smiled . "From someone special?"

"Yeah."

"Boyfriend?" I asked.

"I wish."

Suspicion had my eyes going wide. "Ryker got you that didn't he?"

"Technically, it was from him and Fe for my 16 th birthday. But honestly, I love it and like to think Ryker picked it for me himself."

London sighed.

"Pretty pathetic, huh?"

I shook my head. "Not at all. Loving someone's never pathetic."

"Take it from me, Aurora," she said. "Love can be a terrible thing."

With that, she went back to folding, and I left to give her some privacy. The guys were doing another fan event. I'd decided to hang back with London and try to cheer her up . Not sure I succeeded. As I grabbed my laptop, stepped off of the bus and walked across the street, I found Ryker standing there, back propped up against a tree, staring straight ahead . He didn't flinch as I joined him.

"Ryker," I said.

"Aurora," he said back.

"How are you?"

"Never better. You?"

" I'm good. London seems a little down though. Maybe you should go talk to her."

He shook his head. "She doesn't want to see me."

"You're wrong."

Ryker gazed fixedly at the bus, directly at the window where London's bunk would be . I couldn't help thinking that anyone would be a better person to speak to him. Felix was his brother; the guys were his best friends; Taylor, Izzy, Essie, even the crew knew him much better than me.

But London was my friend, and I wanted to be worthy of that friendship bracelet.

"Don't you want to see her?" I said.

Ryker lifted a brow. "Doesn't matter what I want."

"Listen, I know that I'm younger, and we don't know each other well . I 'm probably the last person who should be giving relationship advice . But can I give you some?"

"Can I stop you?" he said.

"No."

"Didn't think so."

"You're in love with London."

He grunted.

"You should say something, show her what's in your heart before it's too late. You might always regret it if you don't."

Ryker's eyes settled on me then. "I take it you've already told my brother what's in your heart?"

My face must've given me away because he nodded.

"That's what I thought."

"I didn't mention love, but I'm sure he knows," I said.

"Hard to know without the words."

I hated to admit it, but he had a point. Ryker tilted his head, studying me.

"Are you waiting for him to say it first? Because I don't think Felix will. Nothing against you. We weren't raised to say stuff like that ."

"No, I just…" I frowned, thinking over that last part . "What do you mean ?"

"Thanks, Aurora," he said instead of answering.

I gave him a nod then mumbled, "Sure."

Strangely, I was the one who walked away feeling like I had unfinished business. How did he do that? Ryker turned the tables so seamlessly with just a few words. He was wrong, of course. His situation with London was completely different than the one between Felix and me. Hardly any similarities. And yet…I couldn't totally discount his suggestion.

Also, what the what?

If I understood him correctly, Ryker seemed to be implying their family didn't say I love you.

How could that be?

My mind was whirling as I walked along the sidewalk, entering a beautiful park about half a mile away. The cozy bench I found there situated amongst the trees was calling my name. As I sat and got comfortable, I opened my computer. The HERS fan event should be ending soon. I knew I wouldn't have much time, but I wanted to try and update my tour diary. Between practice, concert stops, figuring out my emotional state, and making my confession to Felix, I'd gotten a little lax. But that was okay. I had a moment to myself, and I was determined to make the most of it.

I wasn't sure how much time passed.

I just kept typing until I'd emptied everything out of my brain.

When I finally sat back, the sky was approaching the twilight hour. Pink, purple, and blue hues faded into one another making everything look kind of magical. I breathed in the fresh park air and smiled at the beauty of the world.

"Thinking about me?"

Startled slightly but trying not to let it show, I turned toward the deep, familiar voice.

"When did you get here?" I asked.

"Few minutes ago." Felix gestured to my laptop. "Or were you writing about me again?"

I shut the lid—mainly because 1) I had written a good bit about him but didn't want him to see and 2) I was enjoying this a little too much—then turned to face him fully. "What makes you think it had anything to do with you?"

"You're smiling, and I'm your boyfriend. I figured there was a good chance."

"Fake boyfriend," I corrected.

"Boyfriend," he said back.

And I couldn't help the small smile that appeared on my face.

"See? There's that smile again, princess."

I bit my lip to stop, but Felix pouted which made me laugh outright. "Okay, so I may have been thinking about you. A little bit," I said.

"Only a little?"

"I had a lot to do . Between trying to comfort London, talking to your brother—who's in major denial by the way—and taking notes about everything that's happened on the tour, I hardly had a moment to spare."

Felix shook his head. "Huh. Well, that doesn't seem fair."

"What doesn't?"

"I thought about you all day."

Sparks of happiness. Everywhere. That was what his words did to me.

Clearing my throat, going for nonchalant, I said, "You did?"

"Yeah. Sent you a few texts too."

Reaching for my phone, flipping it over, I saw that I did indeed have four texts, all from Felix.

"Sorry," I said and meant it. "I put my phone on silent, so I could concentrate."

Reading through the messages, I felt the sparks increase tenfold.

Felix: Hey, just checking in.

Felix: Someone asked me to sign a Ferora t-shirt. Didn't even know they made those.

Felix: Princess?

Felix: I guess you're busy. Miss you.

He frowned at my joyful expression. " You don't have to read those."

"Already did," I said. "And there's a good chance I'll do it again."

Felix ran a hand along the back of his neck. "Kind of wish I hadn't sent them now."

"Why?"

"Because while I was signing autographs and answering the same questions over and over, you were here. Not thinking about me."

My jaw dropped. "Are you really upset?"

"No," he muttered.

But there was a definite surliness to his look that hadn't been there before . With a sigh, I placed my computer on the bench next to me and closed the space between us. He stared at m e as I stared at him.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Nothing," I said—then leaned forward and placed a kiss on his lips. He prolonged it by following me as I sat back. "I missed you too, Felix."

He met my gaze and gave a slow smile . " I knew it."

I thought he was going to kiss me again. It looked like he wanted to. But a moment later, my phone lit up, and Felix's pinged as well.

Izzy had sent us a text. There were only four words, but I didn't know what to make of it.

" Midnight train to GA," I read aloud. "What does that mean?"

Felix chuckled.

"It means we're heading home." Seeing my look of confusion, he added, "The next stop. It must be—"

"Honeycomb, Georgia," I said. "I memorized the tour schedule, remember?"

He shook his head. "I don't know how you keep it straight."

"I don't understand how you're okay not knowing. Doesn't it make you anxious? "

"I go with the flow. Plus, between Taylor, Izzy, Essie, and the guys, I know we'll end up where we need to be."

They were a family, I realized. Maybe not all by blood but through circumstance and life. And the music that brought them together .

"Your face got all dreamy just now," Felix said. " Good thoughts?"

I shrugged. " It must be awesome . To have so many people you trust and love around you. Makes me miss my family."

"Yeah well, some families are better than others."

Was that anger or animosity I sensed in his tone?

I couldn't be sure.

Whatever it was, it didn't sound like the feeling was directed at me.

"Anyway," Felix said, "Honeycomb's where most of us are from originally . My mom moved to North Carolina after the divorce. I went with her. But Honeycomb was where it all started. T he rest is history."

Another text came through before I could ask any of the many questions running through my mind.

It said: All aboard in 5, or Essie says you can find your own way to Georgia.

Felix and I didn't waste another second. HERS's driver was serious about timeliness. At a gas station stop last week, she'd given us clear instructions to be back by 12:00 pm . Santino was only a few minutes late—he'd been chatting up the pretty gas station attendant—but Essie started pulling away at noon on the dot. Which left him running frantically to catch up as we on the bus watched.

It was funny.

But it also put the fear in everyone.

No one doubted her promise to leave us stranded, so Felix and I walked quickly. His legs were longer than mine, but he kept pace with me.

I panted a laugh. "Thanks for not leaving me behind."

"What?" he said.

"My thighs are burning, and you could've easily reached the bus by now. We've only got a couple minutes. Just saying, I appreciate you."

As we came within sight of the bus, though, he paused. Felix jerked to a stop so suddenly I didn't realize until I'd gone a few extra steps. Backtracking, I stared up at him.

"What's up?" I asked.

"You know, I'd never do that, right?" he said.

"Do…what?"

"Abandon you. I'm not like that."

I laughed, but he didn't. "Yeah, I know, Felix."

"Good," he said and took my hand.

We stepped on the bus with seconds to spare. Essie gave me a nod and off we went. But the tension never fully left Felix's eyes.

#

The next morning, I was making a bowl of cereal. Felix passed by me in the little kitchen area. I went to return the milk but bumped into him.

"Sorry," I said quietly, hoping not to wake anyone.

It had been a long night of driving, but at some point, we finally made it to our destination. The sun was just beginning to rise. Even with the air conditioning, Georgia's summer heat warmed the space.

"No problem," Felix said.

He didn't move back.

I looked up, feeling my heart rate accelerate at his closeness.

"Want some milk?" I asked.

"No, I'm good."

I swallowed as he leaned in.

Felix put his lips beside my ear and whispered, "Morning, princess."

"Morning," I said softly, closing my eyes and breathing him in.

It was another perfect moment.

Unfortunately, that shattered a second later when we heard arguing . It sounded close too. Like maybe they were right outside.

"What's that noise?" Hayden asked, getting up from his bunk and stretching.

"Don't know," Santio said with a yawn. " But it's too early to be that loud."

"So loud," London echoed.

As the volume increased, we could somewhat make out voices.

"Is that…Essie?"

We scrambled over to the window and peered outside. London was right. It was Essie and another person. Looked like she was having a face-off with a man . I didn't recognize him, but the others seemed to.

"Is that…?" Hayden trailed off.

"Yeah," Santino said and thew a nervous glance at Felix. "It's been a minute, but I think so ."

"What are they saying?" Elliot asked.

Hayden put a finger to his lips, went to the front of the bus, and used the lever there to crack open the door. Suddenly, we could hear exactly what was being said.

"You have to let me on," the man said.

"I don't have to do anything," Essie replied. "It's my bus."

"Ah, come on."

"No."

"But I want to see my boys," he said.

I saw Felix freeze beside me.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

Felix acted like it was nothing. "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

But his eyes were fixed on the scene in front of us. As Ryker stood from his bunk, I noticed his stiff posture as well. The scowl he wore would've scared anyone within a five-mile radius.

"You can't stop me," the man said again, and I noticed the slightest slur in his words. He tried to take a step closer but stumbled into the side of the bus . "My sons will want to see me."

"Not so sure about that," Essie mumbled.

He straightened. "Excuse me?"

"Listen," she said, not moving an inch, still guarding the door, "you're drunk. Like I said, this is my bus, and those are my boys while they're on it. I'm not letting you on. Go sleep it off."

The man glared at her then turned his bleary eyes on the window.

The glass was tinted. No one could see in, but the passengers could clearly see outside . And what we saw was getting uglier by the second .

"Ryker, Felix, get out here," he yelled and banged his fist against the side of the bus . "Come out and see your old man."

Essie told him to "Stop that," but he kept right on. We were standing close enough that I felt Felix stiffen further.

"I'll wait all day if I have to."

"You think he means it?" Ryker asked.

Felix gave a jerky shrug. "He's stubborn enough."

"We better go out then."

With that, Felix left my side as he and Ryker walked to the front of the bus to greet their father. Although, "greet" was probably the wrong word.

Deal with.

Handle.

Manage.

They were more accurate.

Turned out Mr. Cordova was persistent, and as dark clouds moved in eclipsing the sun, I had the strangest feeling. T oday's forecast called for sunshine and clear skies. But it looked like a storm was coming .