27. Chelsi
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
chelsi
Wringing my hands, I pace inside Jake’s bus, nervous as hell as I wait for Alex to be done for the evening.
Supposedly, bus call is in twenty minutes, meaning he has to be done by then.
It wouldn’t surprise me if he were the last person on the bus, making sure everyone else is accounted for before leaving. That’s the kind of man he is.
“Are you okay?” Kate asks with her legs pulled to her chest, her arms wrapped around them as she relaxes in a pair of satin pajamas. Ones I’m sure will be on the floor as soon as Jake walks on the bus.
I stop momentarily. “Totally fine. Why?”
“Um…because you’re usually chill, and you’ve been anything but that tonight. Also, why haven’t you changed into something more comfortable? I can’t believe you’re still wearing concert attire. I get out of that shit the moment I’m back on the bus. First thing that comes off is my bra.”
I chuckle, placing one hand on my hip. “You used to do the same thing when you’d get home from work in Chicago. One foot in the door, one bra flung across the room.”
“It wasn’t that bad. I usually waited until I was at least in my bedroom before doing any flinging.” A wry grin grows across her face. “Back to my earlier question. What’s going on?” Her eyes narrow, like she knows I’m up to something and is desperate to figure out what it is.
How do I walk the line between not lying while also not telling her the full truth? It’s still way too early for Kate to know anything about what’s brewing between Alex and me. Jake definitely can’t know yet. I can’t handle hearing an “I told you so” if things work out.
My heart flutters. The mere thought of a future with Alex is exhilarating and terrifying. There’s so much I don’t know about him yet. So much I want to learn. So much I want to do.
And all of it involves him.
Shit. I’m in deep.
The tour bus engine starts up, sending a wave of panic coursing through my veins. “Is it time to leave already? Jake’s not on the bus.”
Kate laughs. “Don’t worry, Chelsi. They’re definitely not leaving without my husband. He’s kinda key to this whole shebang.”
Starting to pace once again, I jump when the bus door flings open, and Jake walks up the stairs.
“Hey, sweetheart.” Jake crosses the small space and pulls Kate into his arms. “I’ve missed you.”
“It’s been like thirty minutes,” she murmurs, burying her head into his chest.
“Way too long, in my opinion,” he replies in the deep raspy tone that makes countless women adore him. He kisses her with pure abandon, like there’s no one else around them. As if they’re about to get naked any minute.
God, they’re adorable and gross at the same time.
“Get a room, you two!” I exclaim, pretending to cover my eyes to avoid watching them make out.
Jake smirks. “The bus is kinda our room, Chelsi. You might want to wear your noise-cancelling headphones. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long night.
” He drags the tip of his nose up Kate’s neck, eliciting a shiver from her.
It wouldn’t surprise me if she’s dripping wet for him already.
That man can just look at her and my best friend is raring to go.
“About that—I was thinking about hanging out on the band bus,” I reply, looking at the floor, not willing to make eye contact with either of them.
“Excuse me? You’re going to do what?” Kate asks, a hint of panic in her tone.
“Hang out with the band. It’s not a big deal. I thought it might be fun to get to know them better.” Pressing my lips together, I lift my head and meet her gaze.
Jake groans, dragging a hand down his face. “Please tell my wife this has nothing to do with Jimmy. Otherwise, she’s going to be freaking the fuck out, and then I won’t enjoy my evening.”
“Not planning on sleeping with Jimmy tonight,” I reply confidently, choosing not to poke the bear and send Kate into an unnecessary spiral on the first night of tour. Plus, I don’t think I could pretend to be interested in him anymore, not after what I’m feeling for Alex.
Jake’s brow furrows. “Or any night, right?”
I wave my hand at him dismissively and roll my eyes. “I don’t plan on sleeping with anyone tonight. It’s my life’s goal to never be desperate enough to crawl into Jimmy’s bed.”
“So, you’re just going to talk. With the guys…in the band. And nothing’s going to happen.” Kate chews on her lower lip, appraising me like she’s not sure whether I’m telling the truth or not, but part of her wants to believe me.
A knock raps three times on the door. “Five minutes,” Max shouts from outside.
“I guess I should be heading over there. Enjoy your night. Feel free to fuck like bunnies wherever you want.” I flash them a grin and make a quick exit, before Kate can interrogate me with more questions about exactly who I want to chat with.
Questions I’m sure she’ll pummel me with tomorrow morning.
I take two steps off the bus and run smack into a burly chest, enveloped in a woodsy leather scent that I would know anywhere.
“Just the woman I was coming to find,” Alex says in a deep voice that reverberates through my bones and ignites a fire between my thighs. “Ready to have a relaxing night?”
I nod, raking my eyes over the dark jeans hugging his muscular thighs, the simple gray T-shirt stretched across his chest, his damp hair, and the two-day stubble I’m begging to touch.
He takes a step back, holding out his hand. “Let’s get you on the bus.”
I glance around the empty space between the band bus and Jake’s. “Where is everyone else?” I ask, slightly nervous about how it will look for everyone to see me with Alex. It won’t take long until someone opens their big mouth and tells Kate and Jake about us spending time together.
Alex grins mischievously. “I may have supplied them with a very nice bottle of whiskey in the green room and said I would text them when it’s time to leave.
Thought we could get comfortable in the back of the bus and shut the door before the rest of them get on.
” He pauses, taking my hand in his and lacing our fingers together.
“I don’t want to hide whatever this is from everyone…
I just… I want a night to ourselves. A chance to get to know each other before the rest of the group starts asking God-knows-how-many questions. ”
I chuckle, taking a step forward and removing all the distance between us until our chests are touching again. “That’s what I want, too.”
“All right,” he replies, pressing a kiss to our joined hands.
Hot damn. I’m screwed. Figuratively, not literally.
I mean…not yet. I’m not planning on sleeping with him tonight, even though I’ve thought about it extensively.
Alex doesn’t say another word as he leads us onto the band bus.
It’s a completely different setup and vibe than Jake’s.
More masculine, with numerous leather seats upfront, enough for everyone to have plenty of space to relax.
A massive TV on the wall, with two smaller ones on the opposite side.
A double row of condo bunks that provide sleeping space for the band and Alex.
Or, I guess, fucking space if you’re Jimmy.
Once we reach the back lounge, I grab a seat on the L-shaped leather built-in couch, tucking my legs underneath me. Alex presses a button on the wall, closing the door. He fires off a quick message before sitting beside me.
“Do you want something to drink? I had the mini fridge stocked with a few drinks I know you like. There might also be a charcuterie board in there if you’re hungry. Or whatever passes for one at the local grocery store.”
Surprise colors my face at the level of effort he’s making to spend time with me. It’s not something I’ve experienced with any man I’ve dated before—assuming that’s what we’re doing.
What are we doing? What am I doing?
I swallow and clasp my hands together on my lap. “You didn’t have to go to all of this trouble so we can talk. I’m pretty low maintenance, once you get to know me.” I glance at my floor, worrying he has the wrong impression of who I am.
His fingers gently touch the bottom of my chin, lifting it until our eyes meet.
“I know I didn’t have to do any of this.
I wanted to, though. Spending time with you is important to me, so I’m going to do everything in my power to show you how you deserve to be treated.
What you can expect when you’re with me. ”
Alex removes his hand from my face. I immediately miss his touch and the warmth of his skin.
“Okay,” I whisper, forcing myself to take a deep breath and allow the tension in my muscles to relax. “I’m never going to turn down an offer for meat and cheese.”
“Your wish is my command.” He stands, reaching into the fridge to pull out a smorgasbord of food and drink options.
In the background, I hear muffled sounds of Jimmy, Shane, Zac, and Max on the bus.
“What’s going on back there?” Jimmy shouts, getting closer to the door. “Why is this door shut?” He pounds on the door a few times.
“Back off, Jimmy,” Alex barks, glaring at the closed door. “If you open it, I’m going to make it impossible for you to get laid this entire tour. Revoke your ability to grant anyone a backstage pass. You’ll spend the next five months getting to know your right hand really well.”
Jimmy laughs. “Joke’s on you: We’re already on the best of terms.”
“I’m serious, Jimmy.” Alex’s stare at the door intensifies like he might kick Jimmy’s ass if he interrupts us.
“Fine. But I’m only walking away because of the ladies. It’s cruel to deprive beautiful women of what I can offer this summer. Downright fucking mean.”
I burst out laughing, covering my mouth to muffle the noise.
All the frustration melts from Alex’s face as he looks at me and smiles. “I wish I could understand what goes on in that man’s head, but he’s just…”
“Fucking Jimmy,” I suggest, chuckling again.
“Yes, fucking Jimmy,” he agrees, taking a seat next to me, so close my bare leg brushes against his jeans.
He locks eyes with me, melting away any reservations I have about being with him. It doesn’t make any sense, but I know deep in my soul that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. I don’t know what the future might look like; however, I’m really excited to find out.