Chapter 3
THREE
MOTLEY
The sun was barely shining, and we were all huddled together around the tour bus, half awake and grumpy.
I don’t think anyone really got any sleep after the events of last night.
Crew members were loading our equipment and instruments that Ducky had hauled over from the storage we kept them in.
Despite everyone else barely being alive, Ducky was spry as could be.
“Alright!” He clapped his hands and patted one of the crew member’s arms. “Time to load up!”
Carmen was holding her son, still asleep, and her nanny was standing next to her. They both yawned, and I couldn’t help but do the same. “Where are we going, Ducky?” Carmen asked.
Kash’s voice shot out from behind us. “Camping.” I looked back at Kash and noticed he was alone with just his bags. He seemed drained.
Carmen made a face. “I’m sorry, did you say camping ?” She looked back at Ducky, who nodded. “Camping? Like…pitched tents and campfires?”
Ducky grinned. “What better way to escape the public while getting some rest and recovery! Now, load up!” Carmen and her nanny shrugged, handing some of their bags off to the crew before loading onto the bus. Kash brushed a crew member aside and loaded his own, obviously in a mood.
I know those photos must have shaken him up, but man, he’s moody today.
I followed suit, handing my own bags off, and followed Kash onto the tour bus.
Thankfully, the bus was comfortable and spacious.
It had a private bedroom and a few basic built-in beds along with a mini kitchen, full bathroom, and anything else you’d really need for a long trip with so many people.
Carmen and her boy took the bedroom, rightfully so, and Kash plopped down on the small couch.
Ducky took the driver’s seat, and I sat across from Kash.
The crew knocked on the side of the bus, telling Ducky we were ready to go.
Ducky put the bus into gear and looked back at us. “Get comfy, boys. It’s going to be a long ride!” He pulled the bus from the motel parking lot and drove onto the single lane road.
Carmen’s nanny made a small snack before disappearing into the bedroom, closing the door behind her.
Kash remained on the couch, sunken, with a dark cloud overhead.
I watched him for sometime, wondering what was going on in his pretty little head.
“Stare any harder and you’re gonna put holes in my head,” he grumbled.
My body stiffened. I guess I wasn’t being exactly secretive.
His dark eyes looked up through his messy black hair. “Got something on your mind?”
I leaned forward and rested my arms on my knees. “I could ask you the same thing.”
Kash mirrored me, and we sat about a foot away from each other. He flashed me a sarcastic smile. “Nothing.”
Liar.
I guess I need to ask something else. “Where’s Twila?” His smile dropped. “Is she not joining us?”
Kash blew his hair from his face. “Twila decided to fly home for a bit. I guess last night really shook her up, and she wanted to focus on playing her guitar or something. I don’t fucking know.”
Interesting.
“Will she be rejoining us later, wherever we’re going? Or maybe at our next show?”
Kash groaned. “Enough talking about all this bullshit! Just sit back and enjoy the ride, Motley. Didn’t you hear?
We’re going camping!” He slapped his hands together and leaned back.
Something was definitely eating at him, but I knew Kash.
He wasn’t going to say shit if he didn’t want to.
I leaned back myself and looked out at the road, watching the sun rise higher in the sky.
Three rockstars out camping. Oh, this was going to be a disaster, I already fucking know.