Chapter 8
Joseline
Working Rhage’s social media accounts into my schedule isn't difficult, and tagging myself as the photographer turns out to be a stroke of genius. I gained so many followers after posting the initial set of images.
Maybe this was a good idea after all…
Instead of making me fight through another airport, Niki invites me to ride on their tour bus to the next venue. We spend the ten-hour drive to Colorado watching chick flicks while Sebastian hides out in their bedroom, and before I know it, I’m checking into my new hotel room.
It’s elegant, much nicer than the last one, with contemporary decor and a stunning marble shower. Perfect for new selfies.
Then, I spend the next couple of days settling into my new routine of working and keeping Niki company. Admittedly, this lifestyle is super relaxing, albeit a little boring, but I try not to complain. At least I haven’t seen Tobias since the last venue, and that’s something worth celebrating.
The day before Rhage’s next concert, I pick up some fresh donuts from a bakery near my hotel and head to Niki’s. After a long morning of replying to emails and setting up scheduled posts, I’m in need of a treat.
I decide to walk the few blocks rather than call for an Uber; it’s a decent day with a crisp breeze, and I can use the exercise to work off the sweets I’m about to eat. That’s exactly how it works.
When I get to the tour bus, I have to stop myself from just barging in the way I would at Niki’s old apartment, and I knock instead.
“Come in.” I barely hear her call over the cars driving down the nearby street, but I slip inside and snap the door closed behind me.
“Guess who brought snacks?” I sing-song as I make my way onto the bus.
Niki is in the kitchen washing dishes, bracing herself on the counter with her arms, sweat beading her forehead. My pulse picks up a little.
“Girl, what are you doing?” I drop the bag of pastries on the tiny dining table and hurry over, worried she’ll collapse at any second.
“Cleaning.” She blows a rogue hair out of her face. “I’m so tired of being cooped up in this bus. It’s the only thing I feel like doing.”
I open my mouth to ask if Sebastian is here, but of course he’s not. There’s no way he’d be letting her do this if he was.
“Well, I’m here now,” I assure her with a forced grin. “Why don’t you take a break, and then I’ll help you do some things if you want?” I leave off the desperate please that wants to follow, hoping she’ll agree without me having to beg.
Her lips purse and she turns off the water, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel.
“Yeah, okay,” she mutters, waddling across the bus toward the bag of donuts. “What did you bring me?”
She plops into the seat and grabs the bag, peeling it open before I’ve even caught up.
“Oh yum!” Her eyes grow wide as she pulls one out of the bag and inhales it deeply.
“Much better than cleaning, right?” I ask, grabbing one for myself.
“Definitely.”
We snack in silence, and I try not to acknowledge the awkwardness creeping in. We didn’t address the fact that Sebastian stayed hidden the whole trip here, or the fact that he’s once again gone. Considering all the time I’ve spent on their tour bus, I’ve only seen him for a couple of minutes.
But I told Niki I’d stop worrying.
Just a few more weeks…
“Oo!” Niki jumps suddenly, and my heart slams into my throat.
“What is it?” I look her over, panic lighting up my veins. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
She winces and nods, waving a hand at me. “I’m fine. The baby just kicked something… felt important.”
I exhale a nervous chuckle, not entirely convinced.
“They’ve been pretty active all day, flipping and turning,” she explains, rubbing tentative fingers over her belly. Pausing, rubbing again. Suddenly, her face lights up. “Do you want to feel it?”
Is that even a question?
I scramble out of my seat and around the table, squatting next to her and waiting for instructions. She snatches my hand and places it on her soft belly, moving it a bit before freezing.
I wait, my pulse pounding in my ears, until I feel a flutter beneath my fingers. With a squeak, my eyes dart to hers, and emotion wells in me. My best friend, my favorite human, made a tiny version of herself, and I’m getting to feel them for the first time.
“Oh my gosh,” I whisper, giggling when the baby moves again. “Does it feel like an alien’s inside you?”
She nods and laughs. “Like it’s trying to tear its way out.”
“Lo siento, bebe. You have to stay in there and cook a little longer.” I poke her in the stomach for good measure and stand. “No early arrivals.”
Niki nods in agreement. “Exactly. We don’t need any…” Her words trail off, her eyes pinching together like she’s contemplating something.
I wait for her to finish her sentence, thinking she must have forgotten what she was going to say, but then the color drains from her face. My heart bottoms out as her eyes unfocus, and I grip her arm.
“Niki?”
She doesn’t respond, just blinks several times as she stares at the table in front of her.
“Niki, what’s wrong?” I put a hand on her back, rubbing softly. I know I can’t carry her if she passes out, which seems like a good possibility at this moment, and the kitchen table is not the best place for that. “Come on, Nik, let’s get you to the recliner.”
It’s the closest comfortable thing; I don’t know if she’ll make it to the bed. But I need to get her feet up.
She nods slightly, but doesn’t make an effort to move. Her eyes flutter and she sways in the seat, making my heart drop into my stomach.
Shit.
“Nope, nope, nope.” I throw her arm over my shoulders and grab her around the waist, hauling her out of the seat. “Come on. It’s just a few steps. That floor is gonna feel a lot worse than the recliner.”
“Th-thank you,” she stammers, her voice barely a whisper.
Heart hammering in my throat, I slowly guide her over to the recliner, hoping with everything in me that we make it. Every step is slow and wobbly. When we’re close enough, she crashes onto the plush cushions and closes her eyes, taking deep breaths.
“Niki, talk to me,” I urge, keeping a hand on her arm like it’ll somehow keep her grounded. “What do you need? Do you want some water?”
With her eyes closed, she shakes her head side to side. “Can you bring me my phone?”
I open my mouth to argue, but I know better. Besides, she’s probably going to call Sebastian.
Where the hell is he? Shouldn’t he be back by now?
I don’t know what kind of true love bullshit they have going on, but it’s a little sus how she gets super fainty any time he’s gone for too long, but seems to perk back up as soon as he’s near. I hurry back to the kitchenette and snatch her phone off the counter.
She swipes a finger over the screen, blinking rapidly like she’s trying to keep her eyes open, and the phone clatters to the floor.
“Shit,” she whispers, and my heart sinks further.
I drop to my knees and retrieve the cell, swiping through the phone to find Sebastian’s number for her. “Do you want me to call him?”
“Yeah.” She sounds out of breath. “Just ask him how long he’ll be…”
My insides twisting into a pretzel of nerves, I punch the call button, bringing it to my ear. If he doesn’t answer, I might break down and call for an ambulance just in case. They can at least check her vitals and make sure she’s okay.
I wait a second, and my stomach plummets when a ringtone erupts from the back of the bus, where their room is.
Hijo de puta.
Sebastian didn’t take his phone.