“So, he’s guilty by association?”
He sighs. “He’s also the record exec who had the final say in dropping my band from the label. He chose to believe the tabloids and his asshole brother instead of me.”
I vaguely remember some of the headlines I read during my Google search. “How did the press get wind of the situation anyway?”
“Levi. He hates me just as much as I hate him. He was there when I –” Latson catches himself, his mouth forming a thin line. “Levi twisted the truth and took it to people who would listen. Then, my dad got involved and wanted custody of Oliver.” Latson grimaces. “So, yes. Caleb getting under my skin is an understatement. He ended my career.”
The more I learn about Latson’s past the more I think Audrey ended his career. Everything he’s dealt with has stemmed from her decisions. I keep my mouth shut, though. Bad mouthing his dead sister is probably not the best idea.
Instead, I crawl over to his side and hover above him. “People are shitty and I hate that you’ve been hurt.”
“I hate that we’re talking about this.” He sits up straight and reaches for me. “I have one more night with you. Let’s not ruin it by talking about my past.”
I agree and end up in his lap. “No parties after the show tonight either,” I add. “Just us.”
He smiles. “Just us. On a date.”
I shoot him a curious look.
“I thought we could sight-see, if you’re up for it,” he says. “How much of L.A. have you visited since you’ve been out here?”
“Lemme think.” I set my finger against my chin in pretend thought. “Barely any.”
“Good. After you play we’re headed to see the Hollywood sign.”
“Yeah?” I can’t stop my grin.
“And then we can go wherever we want. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is close. I’d take you shopping on Rodeo Drive, but I think most stores will be closed by then.”
Talk about expensive. “I don’t need anything from Rodeo Drive.” I set my hand against Latson’s cheek. “I have everything I need right here.”
He lowers his gaze to my mouth. “Where have you been all my life?”
“Where have you been all of mine?”
He gives me my favorite lopsided dimple smile before kissing me senseless. We may only have the next twenty-four hours together, but we’re going to make them count.
~~~~
“Let me help you with that, darlin’.”
“Thanks, Beau.”
I hand our driver my guitar case as I haul myself up the steps of the tour bus. I keep my acoustic with me between cities because it gives me something to do besides watch movies and sleep.
“Y’all alone? Where are the boys?”
“They’re on their way. You know how it is.”
The fifty-nine-year-old ex-bull rider scowls at me. “If I told you once I told you a thousand times. Stop walkin’ your tail out to the bus in the dark after shows. You hear me? It’s not safe.”
I reach up and playfully flick the brim of his Stetson. Beau has become a surrogate father of sorts. “You want to talk about safe? How can you watch the road wearing this thing? I can barely see your eyes.”
“Are you sassin’ me?”
“Don’t I always?”
He hands me my guitar case with an exasperated sigh, and I grin. “Frowning like that with give you wrinkles,” I warn him. “You need to keep that face pretty for the ladies.”
He chuckles. “There’s only one lady I’m interested in seein’ and she’s at our next stop.”
“Then I’ll go get comfortable.” I adjust my backpack on my shoulder. “We can’t be late for your date in Dallas.”
He winks at me before I wander back to my bunk. The bus sleeps eight, and my “room” is below Roxanne’s. When I first boarded the tour bus in L.A., my immediate thought was it looked like a motorhome on steroids. The front lounge holds opposing couches, a small table, a mounted flat screen, and a kitchenette. Our bunks are located in the middle of the bus, and another small lounge, along with the bathroom, resides in the back.
Pulling the curtain to my bunk aside, I toss my things on my bed. It’s hard to believe I left Los Angeles three weeks ago. We just played Denver, and in an hour we’ll be headed south to Texas. Time is flying, but I’m enjoying it. My only regret is I haven’t seen Latson since the first show. We talk daily, and I’ve been waiting for him to surprise me again. I have to remind myself that he said his visits would be few and far between.
Before I get comfy in my sweats for the long ride, I grab my phone and send him a message: Bye bye Rocky Mountain High. Hello Lone Star State.
He responds quickly. Say hi to the Cowboys cheerleaders for me ;)
I scoff. In your dreams.
Footsteps and greetings to Beau at the front of the bus make me look up. The guys are here.
“I need a beer,” Drew says, stopping at the mini fridge. He opens the door and pulls out a Miller Light.
“Me, too,” Paul says as he plops down on the couch. Dean joins him and adds, “Me, three.”
“Jen?” Drew holds the refrigerator door open. “You want one?”
“Sure,” I say and catch the can Drew tosses me. It’s Angry Orchard, my new favorite. “Thanks.”
As quickly as Paul sat, he stands and looks around. “Where’s the remote? I know there’s a game happening somewhere.”
Dean pulls the control from beneath his butt and turns on the TV. It looks like it’s going to be another typical night on the bus. Beer and baseball until everyone gets tired and crawls into their bunks. Not that I’m complaining. I’m glad the guys save the parties for hotels, when we stay a few nights in one city.
Popping the top to my can, I ask, “Where’s Roxanne?”
The boys look at one another and shrug. “I thought she was with you,” Dean says, looking toward the back of the bus.
“Nope.” I lift the curtain to her bunk. “She’s not here.”
“Well, your guess is as good as mine.” He turns back to the television. Paul’s found ESPN and they’re recapping a Detroit Tigers game from earlier today. Go team, I silently think in support of my home state.
I set my drink down and open my backpack, locating the cozy clothes I left out of my suitcase. I walk to the bathroom and change, then brush my teeth and wash my face. I pull my hair back in a loose pony. It takes almost thirteen hours to get from Denver to Dallas, and that’s if we don’t stop. When I fall asleep tonight, I want to crash without having to wake up and wiggle out of tight jeans.
Just as I settle in my bunk with my guitar across my lap, I hear Roxanne’s excited voice from the front of the bus. I lean to the side and stick out my head to see what’s going on.
“Just make yourself comfortable; we have plenty of room,” she gushes. “Boys. Ariel will be joining us for our drive. Please try not to be rude.”
My eyes widen as I see Ariel standing behind Rox. She’s hanging on to a small rolling suitcase with one hand and a large Coach purse, more like a duffle, with the other.
“There’s no need to lecture the guys,” Ariel says. “They know me and I know all of them. We’re like family.”
Dean leans forward in his seat. “What’s going on? Is everything all right?”
Ariel rolls her eyes. “Just some dancer drama that I don’t care to be a part of.”
“Then kick them the fuck off your bus,” Paul says with a wave of his beer. “That’ll show ‘em. Not that I care you’re here.” He grins. “If we have to be family, we can we be distant cousins by marriage and share a bunk.”
Ariel laughs and Roxanne glares at Paul before turning to our guest with a forced smile. “Anyway,” she says, “we have three available beds. Two next to Jen and I, and one next to dipshit over there.” She jerks her thumb in Paul’s direction. “Take your pick.”
“Thank you so much,” Ariel says as she starts to follow Rox toward me. “I couldn’t take the bitching anymore. My moods haven’t been the best lately. If I stay, it will only make things worse.”
Roxanne nods with empathy. When the two of them make it to me, Ariel smiles. “Hello again. I hope you don’t mind me crashing your party.”
I shake my head. “Not at all. It’s your tour.”
Ariel selects the bottom bunk directly behind mine. She lifts her suitcase on to the bed and then peeks around the corner. “I was hoping we’d get a chance to talk. You know, get to know one another.”