Chapter 8
8
C laire followed Lonnie out to the bus, with Jake behind her, and Sean pulling up the rear. Once they were inside, Lonnie said he needed to get back to the arena to deal with a few more things, but assured Claire she’d be in good hands with Sean who remained standing outside the bus door while they waited for the rest of the guys.
The bus was just like she remembered. It was a newer and slightly larger version than the buses they rode on in the past, but it felt the same otherwise.
There was a main seating area with a few small couches and a television mounted on the wall. Next was a small table and a mini kitchen. A door led to a small bathroom with the hallway of bunk beds being next. There were six bunk beds on each side stacked three high, leaving more than enough room for anyone on the bus who would like to sleep.
Past the bunks was a door to another bathroom and then another seating area with comfortable looking couches and another large television. Claire could tell this was where the guys spent most of their time. There was a video game console with several games and remotes sitting near the TV. She walked over to a couch and sat down, taking a fluffy blanket off the back of the couch and spreading it over her legs.
Jake’s scent immediately washed over her, and Claire knew this must be where Jake usually sat.
“I took your spot, huh?” she asked.
Jake smiled softly. “We don’t have spots.”
Memories of her time with the guys flashed through her mind. Toward the end, before she had left the tour, she used to always steal Jake’s seat to tease him. When they were alone, he would just pick her up and set her on his lap. It usually ended with them making out and then quickly scrambling away from each other when someone else would enter.
They only got bolder and bolder until they eventually got drunk one night and had sex.
“I’ve been on tour with you before, remember?”
He chuckled and sat down on the opposite end of the small couch. “I’m fine sitting over here.”
She pulled her lip between her teeth and clasped her hands together tightly. She knew Jake asked her to come out here so they could talk before everyone else joined them, but her heart was racing. Being alone with Jake wasn’t easy. She could see herself falling back into bad habits with him.
But had it really been bad? Aside from them having to hide their relationship from her brother, everything had been great… until suddenly, it wasn’t.
“I’m really glad you’re here,” Jake said, pulling her from her thoughts.
He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, staring down at the floor.
“I am too,” she said.
“Claire, I don’t want things to be weird between us, but I also don’t want to lie to you. I never got over what happened. I never got over you leaving.”
Her heart twinged. “It was for the best.”
“Was it?” The flash of pain that crossed his face before suddenly vanishing had her wondering if she imagined it.
“You were busy with the tour, and I was a distraction.”
He reached out as if to take her hand, but pulled away before they could touch.
“You were never a distraction.”
“Felt that way,” she whispered.
Jake looked as if he wanted to say something, but commotion coming from the front of the bus had them both turning toward the entrance to the room where the rest of the guys walked in.
Ben walked over and dropped a kiss on the top of Claire’s head before sitting down on the couch next to her.
“Did you see the show at all?”
She shook her head. “Not yet. I want to wait until I’m a little better to do that.”
He nodded. “Probably for the best.”
Liam turned on the gaming console as the bus rolled out of the arena parking lot. Once they hit the freeway, the ride smoothed out while Liam, Theo, Will, and Ben played a racing game. Claire watched as the group ribbed each other, Jake included, despite him not playing.
She missed this. Missed the dynamic of being around the guys and their easygoing nature. Missed feeling safe and not having to watch her back or be conscientious of their moods.
Jake lightly brushed her leg with his hand, startling her out of her thoughts. “You okay?”
Tears sprang to her eyes. “Yeah, I’m good. Just happy to be here.”
God, what’s wrong with me? Stop it.
But she knew what was wrong with her. Her hormones were out of control.
“I’m happy you’re here too,” he said softly.
Claire glanced at Ben, who was nearest to them, but he was engrossed in the game and didn’t pay them any attention.
“I missed you,” he said so quietly that she almost wondered if she had imagined it.
Ben whooping loudly had her flinching back and Jake straightening up in his seat away from her.
“Did you see that? Boom! You all suck!” Ben said. He stood up and did a dance in place as his character on the screen celebrated the win.
“Another round,” Theo called. “You’re going down.”
“You wish, pretty boy.”
Claire giggled at their antics and looked over at Jake, who was watching her with a small smile on his face. It reminded her exactly what she had left behind all those years ago.