Rave (Monsters of Metal #3)

Chapter 1

Joseline

Rockstar dick can’t be good enough to warrant living on one of these…

A sleek black tour bus looms in front of me. It’s one of the only vehicles in the event center parking lot.

How the hell does anyone fit their entire life in a tin can on wheels?

I’d be lucky to cram my wardrobe inside, much less the rest of my belongings, but Niki Porter—my best friend and sole reason I flew across the country to be here—hasn’t complained. Not even once.

I swap the pale yellow gift bag filled with baby clothes and accessories to my other hand and rap my knuckles on the bus door, nearly vibrating with excitement. Weeks of planning, a several-hour long plane ride, and an Uber after checking in at the hotel finally landed me here.

Niki and I haven’t seen each other in person since she joined her rockstar boyfriend on tour, and video chatting just isn’t the same. Nearly a year is a long time to go without seeing your favorite person on the planet; I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited to see anyone.

If Rhage didn’t tour year round, this wouldn’t be an issue in the first place.

The skinny jeans and low-cut shirt I’m wearing feel appropriate for visiting a rockstar’s tour bus, but I wish I’d opted for something a little more comfortable. At least the flats I chose this morning are decent; my feet aren’t screaming… yet.

I would have been here days ago, but I was wrapping up a two-week notice at my old corporate job. In case this life on the road thing doesn’t work out, I have a backup plan. Fingers crossed I can make freelance marketing work full-time, though, because corporate America is not for me.

A minute passes and no one answers.

Maybe she’s asleep, or maybe she’s in the shower.

Maybe she’s trying to get the place in some semblance of order.

I wouldn’t care if the whole bus was a wreck, or if it smelled like her gross, sweaty lead singer boyfriend, Sebastian. Nothing matters aside from seeing her and making up for lost time.

Knocking again, impatience bubbles under my skin. She told me to come to the bus, that she’d be waiting for me. I crane my neck to check the sign in front of the convention center.

Maverick Hall.

Yep, I’m in the right place. This has to be it.

As I reach for the cell phone tucked in my back pocket, the tour bus door swings open abruptly. A smile spreads across my face, and I lift the gift bag in my hand in offering, expecting to see Niki’s familiar blue eyes staring back at me. Instead, one of the band members is standing there.

Judging by the horned black mask covering his entire head, it’s Tobias, the drummer.

The first time I went to a Rhage concert with Niki, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d seen pictures of their dapper demon disguises online, so I knew they wore masks to conceal their identities. That was half of their appeal; the band members were mysterious, dripping in sex appeal.

They’re always dressed to the nines in perfectly-pressed suits when they’re on stage or in music videos, so when my eyes fall to Tobias’ turtleneck and sweatpants combo, it’s a little off-putting. He’s even wearing gloves to hide his hands. In the middle of the day. On his tour bus.

Weird.

These guys really don’t mess around about keeping their identities a secret.

When my eyes crawl back up his massive form that occupies most of the doorway, I find a pair of bright, golden eyes glaring at me through the holes in his mask.

“It’s about fucking time.” His deep voice rattles through me.

My lips part, and I blink at him as my thoughts try to catch up. What the hell is he talking about?

“I’m… sorry?” I cock my head to the side. “My Uber literally just dropped me off.”

“Obviously I’ve already changed, so this photoshoot isn’t happening.

Next time, maybe don’t be three hours late to your gig.

” He crosses his arms over his chest, and I can’t help but notice the way his thick biceps flex.

My eyes snap back to his. “I’ve already contacted your office. You should have been notified.”

He moves to close the door, but I throw up a hand as understanding sets in.

“Wait! Wait, there’s obviously been some confusion. I’m not your photographer.”

His eyes narrow on me. “Then why are you wasting my time?”

Wow. What a dick.

Tobias doesn’t give me time to respond before barreling on. “We’re not currently signing autographs—”

“But that’s not why—”

“—If you want something signed, you can see us at the meet and greet like everyone else.”

At being ignored, my jaw tenses. “I’m not here for your autograph. I’m here because—”

“Listen,” he holds up a hand to cut me off, “I’m sure you have a riveting story; they all do. But, quite frankly, I’m not in the mood for a guilt trip.” He reaches for the door again. “Apologies.”

“Would you just listen to me, asshole?” I ask, raising my voice. I’m determined to drown out whatever retort he has.

He tsks his tongue behind the mask and shakes his head. “Being a bitch isn’t going to get you anywhere with me, sweetheart.”

“Excuse me?” He can’t be fucking serious. Este pinche culero. “You and the rest of this band can suck my fat ass. I’m not here for you; I’m here for Niki.”

We glare at one another, neither of us moving. I almost expect him to slam the door in my face as the tension between us thickens, making it harder to breathe. Seconds drag by, and my skin begins to crawl beneath the weight of his gaze.

I don’t fear men, and I’m rarely intimidated by them.

But something about the power radiating from Tobias, even when I can’t see a single inch of his skin, makes me uneasy.

Like staring a serial killer in the eyes, I can tell there’s something dark lurking in him.

It might not even be hovering far beneath the surface.

Finally, after an agonizing wait, he rolls his eyes. “They’re on the other bus.”

“Thank y—”

The door slams in my face, leaving me staring at my reflection in the glossy black exterior.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I mutter, without moving from the spot.

I have half a mind to bang on the door until he opens it again so I can rip him a new one, but I shake my head and march off. He isn’t worth my time, and he’d probably enjoy the fight.

Rounding the end of the bus, I spot an almost identical one parked a few feet away that I hadn’t seen when my Uber pulled up.

Whoops.

Wish I’d known that before I had to deal with Grumpy McFuckface back there.

Trying not to waste another second of my thoughts on Tobias, I hurry over and knock eagerly on the other bus. Now that I know I’m in the right spot, my pulse kicks up a smidge, and I bounce on the balls of my feet.

Seconds later, the door swings open, and I find myself staring up at Niki’s smiling face.