Chapter 56
ELLIE
I’m watching in awe from the side of the stage as Travis sings his heart out. His voice is finally back to its beautiful, raspy melody. My ears are about to orgasm just listening to him.
He’s having fun tonight, too, I can tell.
Something about the way he’s moving around more freely, as if he’s taking it all in, like when the tour first started.
It’s amazing to see, not to mention turning me on.
He’s so fucking hot on stage. I mean, he always is.
I’ve never once found him unattractive, but when he’s bouncing around the stage, he’s a force.
Sweat drips down the side of his face, his hair flying as he moves. He left the “hawk” in its natural state again tonight, and it’s working for him. It’s getting longer, and when it’s not sticking straight up, it falls over his forehead in that sexy way that makes my fingers itch to yank on it.
Mine and every other girl in this place.
He walks to the front of the stage, reaching his hand out as he sings. The girls on the barricade go crazy, stretching their arms as far as they can, hoping to touch him, but of course, they can’t. I roll my eyes, but I get it. Everyone wants a piece of him.
His head turns sideways, and his eyes find mine.
I straighten, tempted to glance behind me to see who he’s looking at, but it’s me. He walks closer, not off the stage, but enough that I can see his eyes more clearly. His chin lifts, grinning, and I’m forced to bite my lip.
Then the lyrics invade my ears and take my breath away.
Pick me apart, put me together
Still, I won't be any better
Without you, there’s only half me
Just wait and see
I’ll shatter your glass house, break your walls
Piece by piece
You’ll come back around
This time, I won’t let you down
Just wait and see
Without you, there’s only half me
My heart thunders, my ears are ringing, and I stand completely still. Too afraid to move or breathe and break this feeling filtering through me.
Travis’s gaze doesn’t waver from mine. My eyes burn, but I refuse to blink. I don’t want to miss anything.
You can fight it
But there’d be no use
Which one of us will lose?
I can go another round
This time, I won’t let you down
Wait and see
It’ll be me
A small smile curves his lips. He walks backward, toward center stage, not breaking eye contact for a second as he finishes the song. He’s a blurry mess as tears fight to escape.
Is he serenading me in front of thousands of people and his bandmates?
Shit, his bandmates.
I scan the stage, checking to see if any of the others are staring at me, too.
Thankfully, they’re not. They’re lost in their own worlds as they play.
I let out a breath. I’ve heard those lyrics before.
I watch them rehearse, but hearing them like this has my heart fluttering.
Fear gnaws at the back of my mind, but I do my best to shove it away. I want to enjoy this moment.
The rest of the set, he’s his normal, cocky self. Playing for the crowd and riling up the girls in front. Saying flirty things to them between songs. I don’t mind it. It’s who he is, and it’s what attracted me to him the very first time I saw him perform. And I wouldn’t change a damn thing.
Once the set wraps up, I wait for the guys in the greenroom, pulling out my phone to check my messages.
Travis’s parents have yet to return my calls, and I’ve called three times, each time leaving a more aggressive message.
What’s their deal? He’s their only child.
How could they not want to see this? He’s fucking magic on stage. Don’t they know what they’re missing?
Liv:
Still no word from Travis’s parents?
Ellie:
No. I’m getting annoyed. They’re retired. How the hell are they too busy to return a phone call?
Liv:
Want me to try?
Ellie:
No, that’s ok. I’m going to keep harassing them. Might even add them to some car warranty websites.
Liv:
LOL. Keep me posted. Love you <3
Ellie:
Love you too!
I tuck my phone away as the guys stroll into the room.
My eyes immediately land on Travis to see if he’s going to be weird, but he just smiles at me, using his shirt to wipe the sweat from his head.
My eyes fall to his exposed stomach, glistening and perfectly decorated in ink, and his shirt rises higher, almost as if he knows I’m staring.
I follow his happy trail. My mouth waters to lick the sweat from there all the way down—“Ellie.”
“Huh?” My head snaps up at someone’s voice. Travis is wearing a massive shit-eating grin, but it’s Tanner who was calling me. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Do you have the room keys?”
“Sorry, yes.” I slide them from my pocket, giving Tanner his and Liam’s, then hand Penn his and Travis’s. “Six more shows,” I remind them, though I’m sure they know. “Soak it up, boys, you’re doing great.”
“Thanks,” they all say, moving to the door.
I shake my head. They are so not your typical rock stars. I guarantee they’ll be in bed within the hour. This last stretch is going to be a doozy. Six shows in ten days.
Everyone exits the room except Travis. When I turn to him, he’s watching me, hands on his hips as his chest heaves from performing for the last two and a half hours. His black T-shirt is drenched in sweat and clinging to his chest, showing off his nipple piercings.
“Gettin’ your fill?”
My grin is devilish, but don’t lift my head.
I finish my slow perusal of his body and fight the urge to mount him like a fucking deer.
His hand comes down to adjust himself. My eyes trail back up, and when they land on his face, his smirk matches mine.
His gaze is heated in a way that makes my thighs clench together.
“You hungry?”
Letting my eyes blatantly fall to his dick, I say, “I could eat.”
He groans. “Goddammit, May, are you trying to kill me?”
I frown, playing innocent. “What do you mean?”
He laughs, shaking his head and grabbing his hat off the sofa. Spinning it around, he puts it on.
I falter.
Oh no. Not the hat. Not the backward hat. That might be better than the mohawk. The way the front of his hair pushes through the hole, looking all messy and hot. And sweaty. Shitballs, this is not boding well for me.
“You gonna make it?” Travis’s voice is laced with amusement.
“What do you mean?”
“There’s only six shows left. Can you hold out that long?”
I scoff even though my vagina is shaking her head. Not gonna last.
“Of course I can. You’re not that irresistible.”
He throws his arm over my shoulders, ushering us toward the exit. “Oh, Ellie May,” he tsks. “We both know that’s not true. I bet if I pushed you up against one of these walls right now and slid my hand down those hot little pants, I’d find your pussy soaked. Begging me to fuck her right here.”
Absolutely. “No.”
He stops, eyes shining in amusement as they scan my face. I start to walk ahead, but he grabs my arm and shoves me against the wall.
Oh, sweet Jesus.
He drops his forehead to mine and stares down at me, his mouth hovering over mine. I can taste the mint on his breath, and I want to devour him. I lick my lips, my body humming in anticipation.
I don’t even care if people are walking by, but I’m pretty sure they’re not. It’d only be security guards anyway. They’ve probably seen worse.
His nose skates along my cheek, tickling my skin and sending goosebumps dancing on my arms. I arch back against the wall, pressing my hips into his, seeking friction.
His lips skim along my ear, and he moans into it as he thrusts into me. Fuck.
My skin burns with need. I grip the bottom of his shirt, not caring that it’s sweat-soaked, and yank him closer. His hands stay firmly planted on the wall above me, even as I rub myself over his jeans. The ache between my legs intensifies as I grind my pussy into his hardness.
Then he chuckles, and I freeze, slowly lifting my eyes to his.
“Seems you think I’m pretty irresistible right now since you’re dry fucking my dick.” His tone is so smug that he may as well have poured ice water over my head.
I shove his chest, and he steps back, not bothering to hide his victorious smile. Ignoring him, I smooth a hand over my clothes, straighten my shoulders, and walk down the hall.
His laugh carries after me before his footsteps.
“Ok, boys, I know you’re tired, but I need you to put on your happy faces. There are a lot of eager fans waiting to meet you.”
“Tanner doesn’t have a happy face,” Travis teases. “Maybe we should leave him on the bus.”
“Eat shit, Travis,” Tanner quips, making Travis laugh.
“Boys,” I scold. “Just pretend for one hour, that’s all you have to do.”
They follow me off the bus and inside the venue they’re set to play tonight. We’re here early for a meet and greet with fans, which, despite their piss-poor attitudes, I know they secretly like. Their eyes light up when they do this.
I’m giddy, watching from the sidelines as they interact with people, signing merch, occasionally taking pictures, shaking hands, and even giving out a few hugs.
They’ve built a large fan base of girls, because who wouldn’t be into a group of hot bad boys?
But there are several guys here, too. That’s who they seem the most at ease around, probably because all the girlies want to maul them.
“I heard he picks a girl from the crowd and sleeps with them after every show. I’m running straight to the front when the doors open.”
My head spins around. Two freshly bleached blondes stand in line, staring at Travis, eating him up with their eyes, sneaky smirks on their painted lips.
“How are you going to get him to notice you?” the other asks.
She gestures to her full chest. “I’m going to flash him.”
My laughter has their heads jerk my way. I start coughing, trying to cover up the fact that I was listening, and they go back to their conversation, keeping their voices hushed. My ears are on alert. I’m nosey as hell.