Chapter 52
ELLIE
I’m up before my alarm. We have a busy day, and I already feel behind. I take a quick shower and throw on one of my favorite pantsuits. It’s all burgundy with high-waisted pants, and the top is a little vest that shows off a sliver of cleavage and a tiny bit of stomach. Sexy but not too much.
The matching jacket goes on next, then I quickly dry my hair.
A quick dab of makeup on my lashes, cheeks, and lips, and I’m ready to go.
Thankful for the distraction of my to-do list. The last week has been emotional to say the least. Letting Travis wipe my tears away wasn’t my finest moment.
I’d rather swear off donuts for a year than let a man get me down.
I mean, maybe. A year is a long time. But it’s almost a relief.
It feels like a barrier breached between us.
Maybe we can get through the rest of this tour without ripping each other’s heads off and our hearts intact.
I head next door to the café to order a muffin and coffee. I have a few minutes before I need to meet with the guys, so I’m going to check another task off my list.
Dropping my breakfast on the table, I open my messages.
Liam’s brother, Seth, confirmed he’d be at the show.
Liv has everything set up for Katie. That means all that’s left to do is convince Travis’s parents.
I had to get their number from Penn because my internet sleuthing wasn’t successful.
He didn’t even ask what it was for, thank goodness, but I’d already concocted a lie in case he did.
The same lie I told Travis, hoping he never followed up on the “meet the band” segment I’m not doing.
Sipping my coffee only makes me more jittery. I’m nervous. I don’t normally get nervous, but what if they say no? I’m afraid of what I might say. Why do you suck? I hope an alligator bites your finger off.
I shake the bad juju from my head and hit call.
It rings and rings, my heart pounding harder the longer it does. When the call goes to voicemail, my shoulders slump. I use my best customer service voice and leave an extra sweet and vague message asking them to please return my call.
My feet are aching, and it’s not even show time yet. I’ve run around all day making sure everything went smoothly for the guys. They breezed through the interview they had and seemed to really hit it off with the hosts. There was even talk of having them on their podcast once they’re home.
After that, I had to run interference with the merch vendors because they only had one area set up.
One! In a place this size. That’s unheard of.
There are always multiple merch stands. That’s something Calvin should’ve dealt with, but if I left everything up to him, half this shit wouldn’t get done.
And once I was in the trenches with vendors, I kept getting pulled in every direction by venue managers and staff asking me a million questions that, once again, should’ve been for Calvin. I don’t mind it. I want everything perfect, but I haven’t had a minute to sit down or eat since this morning.
My phone pings from my back pocket, and I use it as an excuse to exit the venue for the first time since I arrived. It’s a beautiful 65-degree day, and a minute in the sun will give me the serotonin boost I need to keep going.
Travis:
Where are you? We got food
My stomach growls at the thought.
Ellie:
At the venue. I’ll eat later.
There’s still so much to do. I haven’t even taken any photos or videos for content. I pocket my phone, tilting my face to the sun for one more second, then head inside.
I’m buried in my screen backstage when the smell of cheese wafts through the air. I sniff, looking up, and my head rears back at the sight of Travis towering over me, holding a takeout container and a drink.
“You stopped answering my texts.”
“I’ve been swamped.”
Travis drops next to me, placing the food in my lap. “Chili cheese fries and an orange cream soda.”
I snatch the cup, slurping the goodness down and groaning. My shoulders shimmy from the delicious sugary taste. Travis is watching me with a strange expression.
I take another sip. “What?”
“You’ve never made that sound when you swallowed me down your throat. Does that taste better than me?”
I choke, and soda shoots out of my nose, right across Travis’s jaw. My hand flies to my mouth, trying to keep the rest of the drink inside as I cough, instead of showering him with it.
He isn’t fazed by my spit on his face, he simply uses his shirt to wipe it off. “Well?”
I clear my throat. “Well, what?”
“What tastes better? The drink or me?”
I laugh. “You’re too much.”
You. Definitely you.
I open my cheese fries, grinning when I see all the toppings—extra cheese, bacon, jalapenos, and sour cream. He does know me. I grab the fork tucked inside and start eating.
“That’s not an answer. If you’re not nice, I won’t let you taste me again.”
“Stop!” I say through a mouthful of fries, eyes darting around to make sure no one’s nearby.
He shrugs. “Just sayin’.”
I shake my head, a smile tugging at my lips. I continue eating while he watches me. When I’m done, he pulls something from his pocket.
“I got you something.”
“Oh?” I wondered when he was going to give me the keychain. I’m not sure why he didn’t give it to me sooner, but I thought maybe he was waiting for my birthday or something.
“Well, two somethings. I know you probably saw it already, but I had this made for you.” He dangles the keychain in front of my face before dropping it in my hand.
“I’m sorry I ruined the surprise. This was really sweet of you to do. Thank you.” A flicker of something rolls through my stomach as I stare at the keychain. The sweet side of Travis could be very dangerous for hearts…my heart.
“Welcome. Now, close your eyes and hold out your hand.”
I sit up straighter. “Ok.” Excitement thrums through me as I do what he says, and a second later, something lands in my palm. I open my eyes and find a colorful beaded bracelet, nothing fancy, but so adorable. I immediately put it on my wrist and notice the charm hanging off.
A donut.
My gaze lifts to Travis, who stares hopefully at me, waiting for my reaction, but the words are stuck in my throat as my heart melts to my stomach. My eyes bounce between his, and the feeling I’ve been trying to squash—hope—rears its head as his light blue eyes bore into mine.
To anyone else, this might be a silly gesture, it’s probably a child’s bracelet after all, but to me, it’s perfect. He saw it and thought of me.
“I love it. I love both of them, but this”—I hold up my wrist—“is the best gift anyone’s ever given me.”
He scoffs. “Don’t lie to me, May. It’s nothing.”
I shake my head. “No, it’s perfect,” I tell him, my tone firm. Then I grab his face and plant a kiss on his cheek. “I’m never going to take it off. Well, except when I shower.”
He chuckles. “I can hold it for you. While you shower, I mean. While I watch you shower.” I push his shoulder, and he falls over dramatically. “I better get back.”
“Thanks for feeding me.”
He stands. “If you’re hungry for dessert…” He grabs himself over his jeans and squeezes. Instantly, my insides fill with heat. Jesus, he’s flirty today. If he’s trying to butter me up with gifts and lewd gestures so that I’ll give in and say to hell with the rules, he’s getting damn close.
I hold out my hand, and he tugs me to my feet. “Sorry, I’m stuffed.”
“I could stuff you with something.”
My head rolls back with a groan. I walked right into that one. “Good Lord, go!” He laughs, backing away, staring at me until he reaches the steps. He tips his chin, turns, and walks away, leaving me staring after him with all these feelings fluttering around inside me.
My heels clack against the floor as I head to the band’s greenroom. TripleKill is performing now, and this place is loud. The sounds of their heavy guitar riffs and screams vibrate the walls.
This might be my favorite venue ever now. It’s big and modern, with checkered floors and sleek light fixtures. Everything is top of the line. It’s packed, too, and it’s twice the size of other venues they’ve played. They sold over five thousand tickets tonight. A new record.
Calvin is outside the door, on the phone. When he sees me, he spins, stepping farther away. He’s so strange. Like I give a shit who he’s talking to.
My feet freeze, déjà vu hitting me. This isn’t the first time he’s been shady. My brows lower, pieces clicking together in my head. The greenroom door opens, and Travis pops out. He doesn’t see me as he heads toward Calvin.
My blood pressure spikes. Calvin’s the one getting Travis drugs. Motherfucking Calvin. How did I not see this sooner? It’s the only obvious explanation, and he’s doing it again. That’s why he’s being secretive. Travis isn’t quitting like he said.
Calvin is finished once Tanner and Penn find out about this.
I should march in there and rat him out now, send his ass back to wherever he came from.
Instead, I spin on my heel and walk back to the lobby.
I was going to wish Travis good luck. His voice isn’t fully healed, but he’s singing anyway, but now, I’m not wishing him shit.