Chapter 7
Joseline
I’m exhausted by the end of the meet and greet.
My feet are killing me, my thighs are burning, and I don’t feel like calling an Uber.
I just want to curl into the fetal position, but none of the benches in the venue will do.
Besides, they’re ushering people out of the building so they can lock up for the night.
I have to leave.
The closest place to crash is Niki’s tour bus, which suddenly sounds like a dream. I pull out my phone as I drag myself to the exit and shoot her a text, hoping she’s still awake.
Me: Mind if I crash with you tonight?
She answers right after.
Niki: Of course not. Come on.
A tiny sigh of relief escapes me as I step out into the night, the cool air kissing my heated skin.
It’s a welcome relief after the sweltering auditorium.
My feet hurt more with every step, like they know just how close I am to kicking off these boots, and I hobble to Niki’s bus as quickly as I can.
Unsurprisingly, she’s curled up in her faithful recliner when I slip inside.
“Hey, how’d it go?” A sleepy smile curves her mouth. “Did you have fun?”
“I haven’t sweat that much in a while,” I laugh, crashing onto the couch. I hurriedly unzip my boots and kick them off, moving them out of the way. “But I didn’t pass out or face plant, so I’m calling it a win.”
She nods approvingly. “I bet you got some amazing shots.”
“Tons.” I grin widely, a few images in particular coming to mind as I tuck my camera bag out of the way. “I’ll get started editing early tomorrow and see if I can’t get some posts circulating. The meet and greet was fun, but…”
My thoughts trail off as I remember the way Tobias looked at me before leaving. I thought he was going to the bathroom or something until one of the twins said he didn’t feel well.
That was fucking bullshit.
I don’t believe that’s why he left, but I can’t prove it. And I can’t say that I care. The vibes are much better without his asshole energy bringing everyone down.
“But what?” Niki asks, cocking her head to the side.
It’s not worth mentioning. I know it’s not.
Still, the words burn up my throat.
“Tobias left before the meet and greet even started.” My brows furrow in disbelief. “I was pretty sure he hated me, but now I have no doubt.”
Niki shakes her head, clearly unconvinced. “I’m sure that’s not why he left, Jos. Just ignore him; I told you, he’s prickly.”
“He’s a fucking dick.” I scowl, sitting back on the couch. “Everyone else is great.”
I mean that. The rest of the band is a delight to be around, but their drummer is insufferable.
The tour bus door opens and Sebastian steps in, still dressed in his concert suit and mask. He has to be burning up after wearing it for so long, but he makes no move to disrobe. His vibrant red eyes fall to me first, then to Niki.
If he's surprised to see me, he doesn't show it.
“You're still up, my love?”
The way her eyes light up is too sweet. Barf.
“I had a nap,” she assures him. “Jos is going to crash on the couch, if that's ok.”
Again, his gaze tracks to me, and an uneasy shiver rolls up my spine at his red eyes. I know they have to be contacts, but they look so real.
“Of course,” he says, heading for the recliner. He offers Niki a hand. “Come, let's get you to bed.”
The way he pulls her up and into his arms warms my heart and eviscerates any lingering doubt I had about his intentions. He's so clearly in love with her.
“There are blankets and a pillow in the trundle.” Niki’s attention returns to me. “Just let me know if you need more.”
“Thanks. Keep the banging to a minimum, please,” I joke, making a face. “Some of us need some sleep.”
Niki throws her head back and laughs. “You don't have to worry about that.” She rubs her stomach. “I'm gonna be asleep before my head hits the pillow.”
I begin to wonder if I'll get lucky and glimpse Sebastian's face when he takes off the mask to sleep, but as soon as they're in the bedroom, the door clicks closed.
Damn.
At this rate, the baby will be born before I know what its father looks like. It's weird.
More than weird; it's bizarre.
But as odd as it is, I try to trust Niki’s judgement. If she thinks his identity is dangerous enough that I shouldn't know it, so be it.
Even if my curiosity is killing me.
I pull out the drawer under the sofa and find several perfectly folded fluffy blankets and a memory foam pillow. After a little trial and error, I flip off the overhead lights, leaving only tiny emergency ones along the floor. Then I snuggle up on the couch and close my eyes.
My body is exhausted from chasing after the band all night, squatting and kneeling more than I have in the past year, but my mind won't shut off.
It's racing with images from tonight and the absolute rush I got from being on stage. Watching the opening bands perform, joking around with the twins on the way to the stage, the way Tobias’ eyes bore into mine when I took his picture.
The absolute god-tier image I captured of him when the light hit.
Tobias…
He's such an asshole, and I can't stand the thought of him, much less his smug ass attitude. I hate everything about him.
Yet, here I am, unable to get him off my mind as I try to sleep.
I grumble and roll over, desperately grasping for anything else to occupy my mind. The fact that I didn't bring pajamas to sleep in, the stiff cushions beneath me that I’m sure will have me regretting sleeping here tomorrow, the chorus that's been stuck in my head since the concert started…
Anything to take my mind off of Rhage’s asshat drummer.
At some point I fall into dreamless sleep, but it only feels like an hour or two before movement in the kitchen wakes me up. With a groan, I pry my eyes open to see Niki making a bowl of cereal.
“Morning,” she giggles. “I hope the couch wasn’t too uncomfortable.”
I move and pain shoots through my lower back, but I don’t mention it. I’m just glad they didn’t make me go all the way back to my hotel last night.
“It was fine,” I lie, hauling myself off the couch to stretch. My joints creak and crack, and I shake my head. I’m only twenty-six. I’m too young for this shit.
“Want some?” Niki gestures to the bowl in her hands, but I politely decline. My stomach is growling, but I want something with bacon. Maybe a sandwich…
The bedroom door swings open slowly, and I freeze, my eyes jumping toward the doorway.
For the briefest moment, I expect Sebastian to meander out in his pajamas, face on full display as he makes himself some coffee or something, but what I find surprises me yet again.
He’s covered head to toe, wearing a similar skull mask to the one he wore on stage last night.
I blink and reach for my phone, which is wedged between the couch cushions, and check the time.
It’s seven in the morning.
And this man is already in his full fucking getup, every inch of him hidden.
Uneasiness settles in my stomach. Last night when I was exhausted after the concert, I gave him the benefit of the doubt. But this… something doesn’t sit right about it.
He sidles up behind Niki at the counter and wraps his arms around her, leaning down to talk directly into her ear. However, the space is so small that I don’t even have to strain to hear his raspy words.
“I’m headed to that meeting,” he says, squeezing her close. “If you need anything, call me.”
“I will.” She smiles and turns to cuddle into his chest.
He nods in my direction as he passes and disappears without another word. As Niki makes her way over to the recliner with her bowl of cereal, I chew the inside of my cheek, fighting with my own thoughts.
“What’s wrong?” she asks.
I realize I’ve just been standing in the middle of the tour bus, staring off into space.
“It’s…” I debate telling her it’s nothing.
I don’t want to stress her out or make things awkward.
I don’t want to insinuate that I don’t trust him.
But I can’t shake the feeling of wrongness that’s settled in my stomach.
Finally, after another moment of indecision, I decide to ask the question that’s burning the tip of my tongue. “Does he ever take that mask off?”
“Yes,” she answers, shoving a bite of cereal into her mouth.
I wait for her to elaborate, but she doesn’t.
“Niki…” I sigh.
“Do you trust me?” she interrupts.
“Of course, I do. You know that,” I say, trying to mask the irritation in my voice. “But do you trust me? I get that their identities are secret but this is… weird.”
She eats in silence, refusing to meet my eyes again. “I know it’s odd, but I promise everything will make sense soon, Jos.”
I try to be understanding, I really do, but a hint of annoyance only adds to my uneasiness. I want answers, to be in the know. I want her to trust me with whatever information they’re hiding. Whatever it is, I’ll take it to my grave.
I just want to know.
“Are they serial killers or something? Felons on the run?” I rack my brain, trying to come up with more possibilities. “Are they in witness protection?”
“No, it’s not like that.” She finishes her cereal and takes her dishes back to the kitchen, quickly washing them and setting them aside to dry.
When she wheels around to face me, I can see the fear in her eyes, and a pit settles in my stomach.
“I trust you with my life, Joseline, but their identities… a lot is riding on them. It’s not safe for you to know yet. ”
My throat tightens as we stare at one another, a chill crawling up my spine.
Not safe for me? What about their identities could possibly put me in danger?
The cartel? Kingpin drug lords? Maybe they’re serial killers after all.
“I’m trying to be understanding,” I admit softly. “I just have no idea what’s going on…”
“I know.” She crosses the space slowly and takes my hand, squeezing it in hers. “I promise, very soon, I’ll tell you everything. Just hang in there a little longer, please.”
I breathe in a deep breath and blow it out slowly, grappling with uncertainty.
“Are you safe?” I ask, dropping my voice to a whisper. “Are we safe?”
I hate asking the words, but I know the answer will help settle some of my nerves. Hopefully dull some of my impatience.
She nods enthusiastically. “Very, I promise.”
At her words, some of the tension in my chest relaxes, and I blow out another deep breath. Her reassurance did the trick, even though I’m still dying to know what secrets they’re hiding.
“You promise I’ll get to see what your boyfriend looks like before the baby gets here?” I joke, repeating my thought from last night.
She laughs and nods, pulling me in for a hug. “Definitely. Just give them a few more weeks.”
Weeks?
She’s got to be fucking joking.
But when she pulls back, there’s nothing but sincerity in her eyes.
Mierda.
“Fine,” I grumble, heading for the couch to put my boots back on. I really should have brought flats to change into. “I’m going to head to my hotel and shower, then work on these pictures. Will you be alright by yourself?”
She shoots me a look and purses her lips. “You and Sebastian worry too much. I’ll be fine.”
“Alright, but if you need anything—”
“—I’ll call you.”