Skylar
My jaw nearly hits the floor as I walk up the stairs of the sleek, black tour bus.
Holy crap.
Storm whistles. “We get to ride on the fancy bus this time.”
I’ll say.
“Guess this is Vic the prick’s way of showing his appreciation for all the money we make him,” Memphis mutters.
Phoenix nods. “About damn time.”
I look around, taking in our new living accommodations. The kitchenette has a small stove top opposite the sink, a microwave, a fridge, and a decent-sized half-booth table. Adjacent to it is a small lounge area with a flat-screen television.
Brushing past me, Josh opens the fridge. “Who wants a beer?”
It’s not even noon.
Side-stepping him, Storm opens the sliding door. “I’m gonna go exploring.”
I sidle up to my boyfriend. “Do you really have to drink right now? We haven’t even been on the bus for five minutes.”
“There’s another lounge and a bedroom in the back,” Storm yells.
“Dibs,” Memphis and Phoenix exclaim at the same time.
Blue eyes narrowing, Phoenix jabs his thumb into his sternum. “Lead singer.”
Not one to back down from a challenge, Memphis smacks his chest. “Lead guitarist.”
Wheeling his luggage behind him, Chandler moseys up the steps. “Manager.” Nose in the air, he strides past us. “I’m the one who has to deal with all your bullshit and wipe your entitled asses. The bedroom is daddy’s.”
Phoenix cups a hand over his mouth as Chandler closes the sliding door behind him. “That’s creepy.”
Using the counter as a bottle opener, Josh pops off the top of his beer. Guess I lost that battle.
“Creepy is that dude’s middle name.”
I shrug. “I think he’s nice.”
At least to me he is.
Josh makes a face. “I know you have daddy issues, but do us all a favor and stop sticking up for that douche.”
The only issue I have right now is him.
Reaching over, Phoenix messes with Josh’s hair. “And that’s why your middle name is—”
“Junkie?” Memphis bites out.
I wince. That was a low blow.
Then again, Memphis cuts straight to the bone.
Scrunching his face, Phoenix opens the sliding door. “Let’s go check out where we’ll be sleeping.”
I take in the small bathroom and the six bunks stacked in sets of three on opposite sides.
Grabbing my hand, Josh leads me to the middle bunk on the right. “Skylar and I will take this one.”
I’m debating vying for my own because they’re small enough as it is when Phoenix shakes his head. “Nah. No one wants a show while you two are banging.” He points to the bunk below. “Bottom and keep that curtain closed.”
Memphis tosses his backpack on the top bunk. “This one’s mine.”
Josh plops down on our new bed and yanks me onto his lap. “Come on, bro. Take the bunk across from us and watch. It will be like old times.”
If looks could kill, Josh would be six feet under.
“Fuck off.”
Waggling his brows, Storm sprawls out on the bunk in question. “I don’t mind watching.”
“Come on, babe,” Josh whispers as his hand wanders inside my sleep shorts. “I’ll be quick.”
I have no doubt. However, his stamina isn’t the problem.
“We’re on a bus full of people.”
Josh might have no problem screwing me in front of anyone and everyone, but these are his bandmates and friends.
Even though they like me, and we get along great—well, aside from one person—I don’t want them to get the wrong impression.
Being known as the school slut was bad enough. I’d be positively mortified if these guys ever thought of me in the same light.
Rolling on top of me, he nuzzles my neck. “Relax. Everyone’s sleeping.”
I jolt when a deafening rumble envelops the bus.
“No, we’re not,” Phoenix says.
“What the fuck is that?” Memphis grunts.
Rubbing his eyes, Storm sits up and yawns. “Maybe there’s a problem with the bus.”
“Shit.” Phoenix hops out of his bunk. “It sounds like it’s coming from the back. I’m gonna go check.”
The rear sliding door opens, and the rumbling gets louder.
I push Josh, who’s still trying to cop a feel, off me. “Seriously, what the hell is that?”
A moment later, Phoenix returns…shaking with laughter.
“Holy shit.” He bites his fist. “It’s Chandler.”
“Is he okay? Does he need medical attention?”
That only makes Phoenix laugh harder.
“Christ,” Memphis mutters. “He sounds like a dying moose.”
Phoenix climbs back into his bunk. “More like a congested pig being put through a garbage disposal.”
Rolling over, Storm fluffs his pillow. “We should put that thing out of its misery and shoot it.”
“Or put a pillow over his face,” Phoenix suggests as the snoring rises several decibels.
“Yo, Storm,” Memphis calls out.
“Yo.”
“Got a ball gag?”
“Nah,” he says with a sigh. “Forgot them at home.”
Damn. So much for that.
I hear shuffling on the top bunk…and then, “Fuck this shit. I’m putting in earbuds.”
“Good idea.”
A half hour later, I’m finally drifting off to sleep…until Josh slips his hand under my shirt and squeezes my boob. “We should have gone bigger.”
Shooting him a dirty look, I shove his hand away. “I wish certain things were bigger, too.”
Across from us, Storm snickers. “Burn.”
A sharp pinch to my thigh makes me squeal.
“Do you have to be such a bitch and embarrass me all the time?” Josh hisses in my ear.
“You started it.”
Just like he always does.
He might not pick on my breasts like he used to, but he’s moved on to other parts of my body.
Like the dimple on my ass. The cellulite on my thighs. The stretch marks on my hips. The roll that appears on my stomach whenever I’m sitting.
I’m trying hard not to let it get to me, but it’s easier said than done.
Every time I look in the mirror, there’s always something new to hyperfocus on.
Something ugly.
“I was only joking.” Grabbing my face, he forces me to look at him. “I love you. You know that, right?”
“Yeah.”
But sometimes his love makes me hate myself.