Page 64 of Killer Notes
Hoots and hollers from the guys echo off the gigantic tents and between the touring buses.
“Enough of that shit. We have a schedule to go over,” Dean says seriously. “And Tobias, we’re having words later.”
I grunt in acknowledgement, before John suggests, “Let’s get back on the bus.”
We pile inside and find our places, Danny sitting next to me. Then we listen to Dean’s strategy for today through our Sunday departure.
Ron gets on the bus twenty minutes later with a not-too-happy look on his face.
“What’s wrong?” Callum asks.
“The deed is done. She’s gone. And I don’t want her back on this bus, so if she has her stuff in here, someone get it and put it outside,” Ron says with disgust.
Dean points to one of the guys and they go to retrieve Laney’s things.
“Was it hard?” Danny asks, a glint of worry in his voice.
“Nothing I couldn’t handle. Now what did I miss?”
While Dean reprises the details for Ron, my eyes drop to Danny’s open hand. I desperately want to take it, but out of respect for my boss, and because I’m still on the job, I don’t.
A look of disappointment crosses Danny’s face, but I know he understands why I don’t take his offered hand.
“As much as she’s annoying, I’ll make sure she has a ride home. Or at least to her car,” Dean explains.
“Thank you. I don’t want her to be stranded with no way back.” Danny’s genuine smile is so sweet that I want to kiss him.
“Tobias. A word?” Dean grates out.
I stiffen for a second before I stand. “Be right back.”
“Okay.”
I follow Dean outside and to the other side of the bus. He turns on me with furrowed brows. “Am I going to have to send you home?”
His words are like a whip, the hard crack of his voice striking me. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying, I need your head in the game. Focused.”
“I am.”
“Not from where I was standing, Tobias. You two look like love sick fools. So I’m asking you, should I send your ass home? Or are you going to do your job, and I don’t mean by fucking your man.”
Wait. Did he just call Danny my man?
I straighten to my full height, and look Dean dead in the eyes. “I will do what I have to do to keep Danny safe. Even if I have to eat a bullet. Got me?”
Danny might have claimed me. But it’s my turn to convey to Dean that the singer means everything to me. I might not know where this relationship is going, but for now, Danny’s mine. And I protect what is mine. The entire crew knows it. And now so does Dean.
“Then enough with the fucking googly eyes bullshit.”
“Really? Googly eyes?” I chuff out.
“Are you two done? Ron’s about to take the guys to see the stage,” John declares.
“Fine,” Dean says. “But I think it’s best now if we split up. Tobias, you and John stay with the band for the entirety of the festival. You go where they go, no matter what.”
“Got it,” John and I say at the same time.