Ian looked around and settled onto a stool. He had arrived at the hair and makeup trailer before Suzanne and Coco, which was a first. It was usually bustling in there by the time he showed up. He looked at his watch—oh, he was way later than usual. Maybe they’d assumed he wasn’t coming … sometimes he didn’t.
The bright lights showed the sun he’d gotten the other day. He hadn’t realized he’d gotten that much. He noticed skin peeling around his right eyebrow and started pulling it. Damn. That made it worse. He looked around for lotion or something that might help.
He found lotion and squirted some—a huge glob filled his hand.
“Shit!” He jumped up and looked around for a paper towel. He didn’t see any on the counter, so he opened a couple of nearby drawers. Nothing but hair products, makeup, and pain medication.
“Ian?”
He turned around and saw Coco standing by the door.
“I got way too much.” He showed her his hand. “Thought I might find some paper towels.”
“You can wash it off in the sink.”
He nodded. “Should’ve done that in the first place,” he said.
She leaned down to shut the drawer. “Been waiting long?”
“No. First time I’ve been the only one in here, though.”
“I was a-about to lock up. Thought you weren’t coming.”
“If you could just put some junk in my hair to get it to stay—it’s getting too long and I’m out of the good stuff.”
“Sure.”
He watched her grab the hair paste. As she got closer, her hand shook, and he felt bad if he made her nervous. They’d never really talked much. He knew she was shy and usually Suzanne was available when he walked in.
She fixed his hair and studied him when she stepped back. He lifted his eyebrows and she turned around and got lotion, getting the perfect amount out and putting it above his brow.
“Thank you,” he said. He looked down. Her hands had a few painful-looking cuts. “Oh wow, doesn’t that sting your hands? What happened?”
“Got a bigger pair of scissors than what I usually cut hair with … d-didn’t work out so well for my hands.” She blinked and gave him a shy smile.
“Oh, thought you were gonna say the oven or a flat iron.” He cringed. “Scissors, ouch!”
“F-flat iron doesn’t like me much either,” she agreed.
Poor girl. She really was awkward. Surprisingly good with hair though. He stood and walked toward the door, trying to get out of there before he gave her a heart attack.
“Thanks for the hair,” he said, with a wave.
She held up a hand. “B-break a leg tonight,” she said.
He had almost reached his bus when he heard his name called. He turned around and Coco was walking toward him holding out the hair product.
“Had extra. You take it.”
His hand accidentally brushed hers when he took the container. He felt her stiffen and he quickly pulled his hand away. Her eyes were wide when she looked at him.
“That’s so thoughtful. Thank you,” he said. “I’ll make sure to replace it when I get a chance.”
“Not necessary,” she said slowly. “Haircut next time.” She gave him a big smile and walked away.
“Okay then.”
He was shaking his head when he got on the bus.
“What’s the matter?” Sparrow asked.
“I’ve met someone clumsier than you,” he teased.
She frowned and jabbed his side. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah,” he said against her lips. Before he could feel her up, she backed away. “Aw, come on, I didn’t mean it. Kiss me.”
She smiled but shook her head. “Who is it? You didn’t fall in love with their clumsy ways, did you?”
He snorted. “No, definitely not. You know Coco, hair and makeup girl?”
Sparrow scrunched her nose. “You’ve actually had a conversation with her? I’ve never heard her say a word. She’s pretty though.” She jumped when he tickled her side.
“You think so? I haven’t noticed.”
“Oh please.” She rolled her eyes.
“I’m not kidding even a little bit.”
“She’s strange, but obviously, pretty.”
“The ‘strange’ I picked up on.” He held up the hair paste. “Got this out of the deal.”
“Aw, someone’s got a crush on you…”
He tickled her harder and she fell into his neck, laughing.
“Stop,” she wheezed, “I don’t want Journey to wake up yet.”
“You didn’t tell me she was asleep.” His eyes got hazy as he reached under her shirt and tweaked her nipple. He leaned down and kissed his way up her stomach until he reached her bra. “Why aren’t we naked yet?” He unsnapped the bra and grinned up at her when it fell to the floor.
“Someone came in all distracted by clumsy girls,” she said.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He lifted her skirt and turned around to sit on the couch. “Mmm, this is gonna be good.”
“You’re supposed to be onstage in twen—ohhhh, mmm…” She grabbed his hair and held on.
“I’ve been off all day,” he said. “I just need a little taste.”
By the time they were done, he’d had more than a little.
She giggled when he pulled out of her.
“I wrecked your hair,” she said.
“I’m gonna leave it like this for the show … that way you can look at me and know that I’m still enjoying the taste of you.”
He sauntered off the bus, still buttoning his jeans, even though he was about to be late.
After the show, Ian was worn out and headed back to the bus.
“Ian, wait up!” Beckham called.
Ian turned and waited for Beckham to reach him.
“Hey, you killed it tonight, man,” Ian said.
“You think so? Thanks. I expected tonight to be hard, but it helped to get out there and let out all my frustration. Now I’m wiped out.” He put an arm around Ian’s shoulder. “I feel like I’ve learned more working with you the last few months than I have the last ten years of touring. Your musicianship ups the quality of every player out there—we all do better. I’m so glad you’re here.”
Ian squeezed Beckham’s shoulder. “Grateful you feel that way. It’s been a kick. I’m loving it. You’ve spoiled me, you know that, right? I’m not gonna want to tour without you now.”
“I’ve been so burned out. You almost make me never want to quit.”
Ian laughed. “I’d say it was meant to be then!”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something—should have long before now. Besides what happened with Sparrow spraining her foot, has Brooke given you any reason to think she’s violent? Roxie thinks she was responsible for that. What do you think?”
“I don’t trust her…”
“But do you think she hurt Sparrow on purpose?”
“I don’t know—her apology surprised me. And she’s backed off since then,” he admitted.
Beckham blew a long breath out of his nose. “Okay. I’ll try to get to the bottom of it.”
Beckham had agreed that Roxie, Chloe, and Leo should stay on Anthony’s bus when he remembered his mom was coming the next afternoon. In all the havoc, he’d completely forgotten about her visit. He was so glad he hadn’t told her about Roxie yet—relief did not even begin to cover it. That had been the cosmos finally aligning right there.
He’d sat in on the questioning of Brooke. She swore she didn’t damage Roxie’s things, said she’d never liked her but that she’d never done anything like that. By the time she was done talking, all five of them in the room had been fairly certain it wasn’t her. Just in case, Beckham and a detective friend he’d called just to scare her, made sure they put the fear of God in her to not step near Roxie or her things.