CHAPTER EIGHT #2
After the show, we all head back to the bus, tired but buzzing from the night.
Cody has his arm slung around the brunette, their bodies swaying slightly as they walk, her laughter melting into his.
Grady, Jasper, and Elias climb onto the bus first, and just as Cody’s girl, Daya, is about to follow, he holds up a hand, flashing a charming wink.
“I’ll be right behind you, babe.”
Then, before I can even register what is happening, Cody turns, grabs my shoulders, and leans in close to speak quietly.
Or, at least, his version of quiet which is still very loud and dramatic.
“Ramona, I hate to be this guy,” he starts, voice pitched in that pleading tone that means I am about to be asked for a favor.
“But… could I use the back room tonight?”
I blink. “What?”
He exhales, gripping my shoulders a little tighter.
“Daya is really into me, and, well… it’s been a while since I, uh…” He trails off, clearly trying to phrase this delicately. Then, finally, with absolute seriousness, “sang in a duet. I’ve been a solo artist for too long.”
I nearly choke. “Cody, what the actual fuck—”
He presses his hands together. Begging. “Please?”
I groan, shoving him back playfully, though I can’t stop the laugh that bubbles up.
“Jesus, I did not need that mental image.”
He just shrugs, completely unapologetic, eyes still locked on mine like a hopeful puppy.
“Yes, you can have it,” I finally sigh. “I’ll crash in your bunk tonight.”
Before I can take another breath, he whoops in victory, plants a kiss on my cheek, and bolts onto the bus like a man who has just been granted VIP access to paradise.
By the time I step onto the bus, Cody and Daya are already making their way to the back room, whispering and giggling like teenagers sneaking around past curfew.
I playfully roll my eyes.
Vernon is still at the table, flipping through a book, completely unfazed by the situation, while the rest of the guys have already disappeared into their bunks.
“Mind if I use your shower real quick?” I ask.
Vernon nods, not even looking up from his book.
After scrubbing away the night, I emerge in an oversized band tee and a pair of biker shorts, my damp hair still slightly dripping as I pad toward the bunk area.
That’s when I realize…I have no idea which bunk is Cody’s. I hesitate, glancing at the four closed curtains.
Fuck.
I really don’t want to wake anyone up, but unless I feel like sleeping on the floor, I have to figure it out.
I slowly pull back the curtain of the first bunk. Jasper. Dead asleep, a book resting on his chest.
Okay, next.
I peek into the bunk above him. Grady. Sleeping like a goddamn vampire, arms perfectly crossed.
Noted for later teasing purposes.
Two bunks left. One is empty. The other has Elias.
I take a deep breath and decide to go with my gut instinct. For some reason, he just feels like a top-bunk kind of guy. So I go for the bottom one.
Slowly, carefully, I pull back the curtain…
…and immediately lock eyes with Elias.
Wide awake. Amber gaze glowing in the dim light.
Fuck x2.
I freeze, heat prickling up my neck.
“Oh. I’m sorry.” My voice comes out small, suddenly hyperaware of how close we are. How dark the space is. How he is looking at me.
“I was trying to find Cody’s bunk. I didn’t mean to—”
He shifts out of the small space before I can finish.
When he stands, we are so close I can feel his body heat, my breath catching slightly. He is almost a foot taller than me.
His scent is warm, a mix of clean soap and something inherently him, and it lingers in the air between us.
“You can have mine. I’ll take the top.”
“Oh, you don’t have to—”
And just like that, he is climbing into the top bunk, the movement effortless, like he’s done it a thousand times before.
“Goodnight, Ramona.”
My name in his voice sends something strange down my spine.
I swallow. “Goodnight.”
I slip into the bunk, heart still dancing at the interaction, and tell myself to just go to sleep.
Easier said than done.
I wake to the unmistakable sound of laughter filtering through the bus, Cody’s loud, carefree chuckles mixing with the more melodic giggle of what I assume is Daya.
As my groggy mind adjusts to consciousness, the events of the night before come flooding back—specifically, the sounds I had desperately tried to block out while attempting to sleep.
Judging by the sheer enthusiasm of their.
.. activities, the pair had an exceptionally good time.
Unfortunately for me, that mental image is now permanently burned into my brain, never to be erased.
Thankfully, I had the foresight to pack earplugs, saving myself from the full brunt of their late-night symphony. Still, even with the muffled barrier, I had heard just enough to know that I would never be loaning Cody the room again.
Through the haze of sleep, I crack one eye open just in time to see Cody guiding Daya down the center of the bus, his hands playfully resting on her hips as they move in sync.
They step off together, and within moments, I hear the low hum of a car engine starting before it disappears into the morning.
A second later, he hops back onto the bus, his energy at an all-time high, practically buzzing with satisfaction.
His exuberance is painfully evident as he makes a direct beeline for my bunk, crouching down so we are eye-level.
“Thanks again, Ramona, I really needed that,” he says, voice laced with unmistakable smugness.
I scrunch my nose slightly, already regretting my generosity. “No problem, but next time, you’re getting a hotel.”
He lets out an amused chuckle before his face shifts into something more thoughtful, brows knitting together as he glances at my surroundings. His gaze flicks over the space for a moment before his expression twisted with confusion.
“Wait—why are you in Elias’s bunk?”
I hesitate, swinging my legs over the edge and planting my feet on the cool floor before answering. “I didn’t know which one was yours, so I, uh, accidentally disturbed him trying to find it. He offered to switch.”
Cody narrows his eyes, studying me with suspicion.
“You’re lying.”
I huff, crossing my arms.
“Cody, why on earth would I lie about that?”
He shakes his head slowly, as if trying to piece together a puzzle that doesn’t quite fit.
“Elias has never given up his bunk to anyone. It’s, like... sacred to him.”
That small revelation sends my thoughts spiraling. He had given it up so easily—had barely hesitated before switching with me. He is usually so particular about his space, so guarded. But he had done it without protest. Why?
I force a casual shrug, masking the sudden flurry of questions racing through my mind. “He just offered.”
Cody leans back on his heels, staring at me with something akin to awe.
“Are you a wizard?” he asks, completely serious.
I snort, rolling my eyes as I push past him toward the kitchenette.
“Maybe…” I say over my shoulder.
I grab a cup of coffee and turn back to Cody, who’s now lounging at the table.
“Is it safe to go back into my room, or should I call in a hazmat team?” I ask, sipping from my paper cup.
“I stripped the sheets and put on fresh ones—I’m not a savage, Ramona,” he replies, feigning offense. “Well… I am, but only in the best, most consensual ways.” He pulls his tongue ring slowly between his teeth and wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.
I groan.
“God, please stop gifting me these mental images. I can’t unsee them.”
He just laughs, completely unapologetic.
The bus starts with a rumble as I slip into the back room and grab the book I’ve been reading, returning to the table where Cody’s now idly strumming his guitar.
Grady is still passed out in his bunk, Vernon’s behind his closed door, and Jasper is up front with Elias.
The low hum of the road beneath us blends with the soft notes he plucks, creating a strangely peaceful atmosphere.
I settle beside him and flip open to where I left off, my eyes scanning the page. The music beside me pauses.
“What are you reading?” Cody asks, suddenly curious. He sets the guitar down next to him. “Looks like my kind of book.”
“It’s called Quicksilver,” I say, holding it up. “Romantasy. My favorite genre.”
I hand it to him so he can read the back cover. He skims it quickly, eyes lighting up like a kid finding a new toy.
“Oh! I’ve heard about this one! It sounds so good.”
“You read romantasy?” I ask, taken aback.
“Yeah, dude. I may look like a badass rockstar, but I’m a sappy romantic at heart,” he says, placing a hand on his chest.
“Wow, okay, I never would have guessed,” I say, awestruck.
“I’m full of surprises, Hendrix…”
“I see that,” I say with a chuckle. “Can’t wait to learn more.”
His smile is bright.
“Hey, can I borrow this when you are done?”
“Actually,” I say, grinning, “you can take it now. I’ve already read it once.”
He accepts it immediately, like I’ve just handed him something sacred.
“Sweet! Oh my god—can we start a book club?”
The smile that spreads across my face is instant.
“Abso-fucking-lutely! But fair warning: I get really into my books. Like, full meltdown levels of obsession. No judgment allowed.”
He snorts. “Dude. Have you met me?”
“Touché,” I laugh, nudging his shoulder with mine.
“I’ll grab another book while you read this one, and we can rotate. Oh! We’ll discuss after each one like actual intellectuals. And I already know who your favorite character’s gonna be…”
Carrion Swift. He’s basically the fantasy version of Cody.
I laugh again, warmth blooming in my chest.
“Thanks, Hendrix.”
“Anytime, Book Club President.”
The past week has been a whirlwind between traveling, slinging merch, and stealing moments behind my camera lens. I haven’t had much time to breathe, let alone check in with my parents.