24. Hotel Day
TWENTY-FOUR
HOTEL DAY
L ily
I wake up the next morning, tangled in the sheets with Jax’s arm draped protectively over me. The memories of last night play on repeat in my mind, making my heart race and my cheeks flush. Gently, I slide out of his grasp, careful not to wake him, and quietly dress before heading to the main area of the bus.
The rest of the guys are already up, lounging around and discussing the day’s plans. There’s an excitement in the air that I haven’t seen in a while.
“Good morning,” I murmur, heading straight for the coffeepot.
"Morning, Lily," Dylan greets me with a smile. His short brown hair is tousled, and his green eyes shine with enthusiasm. He doesn’t say anything about Jax or last night, surprising me with something else entirely. “Today’s hotel day."
"Hotel day?" I ask, curious.
"Yeah, it’s a day built into the tour schedule where we get to stay at a hotel and take a break from the bus," Enzo explains, his dark eyes gleaming with excitement. "A little luxury to recharge."
I remember seeing something about hotel days in the schedule, but honestly hadn’t given it much thought. The idea of a hotel room, a soft bed, and some time to myself sounds amazing. "That sounds perfect," I admit.
“Better pack your bag. We’ll be there soon,” Marcus adds.
I nod, gulping down my coffee quickly and placing my mug in the sink. Then I return to the bunks to throw a few things into my duffle. I just finish as I feel the bus rumbling to a slow stop beneath me.
The guys whoop, and their enthusiasm is contagious. I find myself crowding near the small window with them, taking in the luxurious building in front of us. It’s a high rise with at least twenty floors. The outside made entirely of reflective black panels. I haven’t even made it inside and I’m already impressed.
We exit the bus and head straight into the entrance. Security guards stand outside, but thankfully there are no crazed fans or paparazzi nearby, so we make it through the doors without incident. The luxury of the lobby hits me immediately. Hardwood floors, sleek modern lighting, and unique furniture create an atmosphere of class. It’s a far cry from the bus and despite feeling out of place, I’m excited to sleep in a real bed. The band is equally thrilled, though they seem to be more excited about the room service.
We ride up the elevator together to the top floor and walk into a suite made up of several rooms with king-sized beds piled high with fluffy white pillows and a living room with a sofa bed. I can’t wait until later when I get to wrap myself up in the luxurious looking bedding. After exploring the rooms, I find a brochure for the spa on a table in the main sitting area.
"I think I’m going to check out the spa," I say, feeling the need to unwind and clear my head. So much has happened in just over a week. I’m beginning to feel like I am in over my head, and I need some time away from the guys to organize my thoughts.
"Enjoy yourself, Lily. You deserve it," Marcus states. "We’ll catch up with you later."
“Thanks, don’t get into any trouble,” I say sternly.
Dylan just laughs and winks at me. The rest of the guys don’t bother to respond.
Shaking my head, I wander down to the hotel spa, hoping to find some peace and quiet to think. The spa is an oasis of tranquility, with soft music and the scent of essential oils filling the air. The calming atmosphere puts me at ease immediately. I book a foot soak and sink into one of the plush chairs, letting the warm water and gentle bubbles relax me.
The attendant is attentive without being demanding, offering me a selection of herbal teas. I choose a chamomile blend, hoping it will help settle my restless thoughts. As I sit there, sipping the tea, my mind wanders to the complicated situation I’ve found myself in.
Being semi-involved with four men at the same time is exhilarating, but it’s also overwhelming. I can’t deny the connections I’m forming with each of them, but I know this can’t go on forever. I need to figure out what I want—and if it’s even possible to get what I want. Or if I’m just going to end up being hurt by the situation.
"Mind if I join you, dear?" a soft voice pulls me from my thoughts. I look up to see an elderly woman, emanating grace while dressed in a silk robe, smiling kindly at me.
"Not at all," I reply, gesturing to the chair beside me.
She settles into the chair with a content sigh, dipping her feet into the warm water. "There’s nothing quite like a good foot soak to clear the mind, is there?"
I smile. "Definitely."
“My name is Alma,” she states.
“Lily,” I return.
We sit in companionable silence for a few moments before she speaks again. "You seem troubled, dear. Anything you’d like to talk about?"
I hesitate. Should I reveal the details of my complicated situation to a stranger? Probably not. She doesn’t speak again or press for more. But something about her presence is comforting adding to the relaxation provided by the foot bath, and before I know it, I’m telling her everything. "I’m kind of involved with four men at the same time," I confess, feeling my cheeks heat. "And they’re all in the same band."
Alma chuckles softly. "Ah, the complexities of the heart. Seems lucky to find so many people to care about all in one place. Sounds like quite the adventure."
"It is," I admit. "But it’s also confusing. I don’t know if I can keep this up or if it’s fair to any of us."
She looks thoughtful. "Life is too short, my dear. If you have feelings for these men, you owe it to yourself—and them—to explore those feelings. Don’t let fear stop you from following your heart. If everyone knows the situation and everyone consents, none of you are doing anything wrong."
Her words hit me hard. "But what if it doesn’t work out?"
"Then you’ll know you tried," she says gently. "Regret is a heavy burden. It’s better to live fully and take chances than to look back and wonder ‘what if?’"
I nod, her wisdom sinking in. "Thank you."
She pats my hand. "You’re welcome, dear. Trust your heart. It usually knows the way."
We continue our foot soak in silence, but my mind is buzzing with newfound clarity. Maybe she’s right. Maybe I need to embrace this wild, unpredictable journey that I’ve found myself on and see where it leads.
The attendant returns, offering a scrub and a short massage. By the time I finish, I feel like a different person. I hug Alma, and she pats my shoulder fondly before I head to the lockers attached to the spa.
I take a long, hot shower, letting the water wash away my doubts and fears. When I leave the spa, I feel a renewed sense of calm. If the guys are willing to move forward with this dynamic that has been building on the bus, then I’m open to it, too. I head back to the band’s suite, ready to enjoy the rest of our hotel day with them.
I find the guys sprawled out, looking relaxed.
Even Jax, who is normally the moodiest of the bunch. His green eyes light up when he sees me, and he smiles warmly. "Hey, Lily."
"Hey," I reply, feeling a flutter in my chest. "I was thinking... how about we all hang out tonight? Just us, no distractions." I glance around the room, including the rest of the guys in my look.
Enzo grins. "Sounds like a plan."
"A night without distractions? We’ll see about that,” Dylan adds.
I laugh. “Let me change first,” I reply, then head into a room with some fresh clothes, ready to see what the rest of the night brings.