“Goddammit,” Lee murmured, then shouted, “Emmy!”
Hell’s body shook and when he nipped my palm, I accidentally smacked his face. My whispering turned frantic. “Oh God. I’m so sorry.” He kept laughing and I immediately smoothed the place I hit. “I didn’t mean to.”
When we heard Lee coming down the hall, we both stilled. He knocked on the bathroom door. “Emmy?” Obviously, I didn’t answer, and Lee thumped on the outside of Hell’s cubby. “You seen Emmy?”
Hell looked right into my eyes and uttered a tickled, “What, you think she’s in here with me or some shit?”
“Fuck!”
At his heated response, Hell and I both made faces of amused surprise. Lee was getting pissed. I suddenly didn’t want to come out. Maybe Hell would let me bunk in his cubby for the rest of the tour. He could bring me bits of food so I didn’t starve. Lee would never find me.
Ping.
Uh oh.
Another moment passed then my cell phone chimed in my pocket for a second time. Hell and I both looked down at it, and Lee laughed out loud. “Oh, ho, ho. I got you now.” My phone repeatedly chimed loudly and I could hear Lee opening up every bunk. “You’re in here somewhere, kid, and God help you when I find ya.”
Ping.
In a moment of panic, I dropped the game console and scrambled to retrieve my cell but the second I grabbed it, Hell hissed, “Don’t take it out, cover it!”
Ping.
Lee climbed into the cubby beside us and let out a singsong, “Someone’s in trouble.”
Ping.
It was too late. The phone was out of my pocket and in my hand when…
Ping.
That was loud.
Really loud.
And Lee heard it. “You’re fucking dead, Hell!”
Hell figuratively threw me under the bus when he let out a bout of laughter. I tried to cover his mouth but he pulled away from me and I smacked at his back.
That was when the curtain opened and Lee peered in, his murderous eyes beaming in on me.
“Uh,” I stated weakly with a smile. “Someone’s in here?”
Lee reached in and pulled me out in one swift move. I squeaked and then I was being lifted. He held me bridal style, walking me back down the aisle.
How ironic.
“Lee,” I tried to reason with him. “I admit it was childish but I didn’t even know about that stupid game until you showed it to me and now I’m addicted. So, really—” I was evidently no good at reasoning. “—this is your fault.”
He walked me to the sofa and dumped me unceremoniously. I landed on my stomach with an oomph and my hair fell over my face.
He sounded like a father who was severely disappointed in his daughter. “What do you have to say for yourself, kid?”
Using my fingers, I parted my hair and peeked up at him. I bit my lip and muttered a quiet, “I have a problem?”
His nose bunched in annoyance and he waved me off, walking away with his Nintendo Switch. I turned to my left and Noah sat by me, grinning. “Hi.”
I smiled in return. “Hi.”
“I’m bored.” From the table, Connor strummed out a pretty tune on his guitar. “Hey, Emmy, wanna fuc—”
He didn’t even need to say it this time. “No.”
“Ah, you’re no fun,” murmured Connor.
Noah chuckled to himself, and I felt so at home it hurt.
Chapter Nine
Leap of Faith.
Emmy
New York was different than what I imagined it would be. It certainly was a concrete jungle. The guys had a show last night and another tonight. Madison Square Garden was the venue and it never got old, seeing old fans but new faces, singing along to Left Turn’s songs.
The guys were spending the afternoon doing promo at a local radio station. Although it was normally interviews and the same ten questions being asked in different ways, today was different. Left Turn were doing acoustic covers of some of their songs.
It was early and I sat on the sofa in the penthouse suite with Hell sitting between my legs. I was braiding his hair in the new style he liked. Two days ago, he’s shaved the sides of his hair down to the scalp, leaving the top long. I called this look Modern Viking.
Lee sat on the sofa opposite us painting his nails black while Noah lay next to me in his boxers, watching the news, his head resting against my thigh. Every now and then, Noah would reach under my thigh, wrapping a strong arm around it, using me as a pillow.
It should have felt uncomfortable, the closeness with these men, but it didn’t. It felt natural as breathing the cool morning air.
So, when Connor came through the front door around 9:00 a.m., throwing off his sunglasses with an overly loud, “Good morning!” I didn’t need to wonder where he was all night. The hickey under his left ear told me exactly where he’d been.
Lee muttered a husky, “Shut the fuck up.”
And Connor glared. “What’s up your ass?”
Carefully, I continued to braid Hell’s hair. “He’s sick.”
Lee frowned and his voice strained. “I’m not sick.”
“He’s sick,” confirmed Noah, readjusting himself on my leg.
“And he’s in a mood too,” Hell muttered sleepily, thoroughly enjoying the feeling of having his hair played with. Lee flipped Hell the bird, and even though I was sure Hell couldn’t see it, he laughed. “Piss off.”
Lee opened his mouth to argue but all that came out was a throaty cough. And, finishing up Hell’s hair, I sighed. “I’m calling a doctor.”
“I don’t need a doctor,” Lee rattled out through a cough.
Connor was already undressing, pulling off his socks then dropping his drawers. “Jesus. You sound like shit.”
Noah looked up at me and we exchanged a look. He nodded and gently patting Hell’s shoulders, I stood and went into Noah’s room to make the call. When I returned, I announced, “The doctor will be here in an hour.”
Lee glared at me and his response was throaty. “Fuck.”
Lee did not like doctors. I knew this so I would stay with him during his visit but his acting like a big baby wouldn’t fly. I turned to him slowly. “What did you just say?”
He continued to glare but said nothing.
And I raised a brow. “No? Nothing?” He remained silent and I muttered, “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
For some unknown reason, everyone seemed to be on edge this morning and when I lifted my hand to my mouth, biting my nails, Noah looked up at me. “Stop.”
But I didn’t listen to him. They were my damn nails and I’d do whatever the heck I liked with them. I chewed on the skin at the side of my thumb and he sighed, reaching up to grasp my hand. When I scowled down at him, his eyes softened. “Stop it.”
I felt like a jerk. With a deep exhale, I moved to stand, talking as I went. “Lee, you’re staying home with me. While the guys are out doing promo, you’re going to rest.” And when I saw him open his mouth to argue, I closed my eyes and lifted my head in silent prayer. “And I swear to God if you have something to say about that, I’m going to scream.” My voice came out tired as I ran a hand down my face, suddenly weary. “So, please… don’t.”
Connor coming out of the bathroom and squeezing the side of my boob while making a beep sound was the last straw.
I started to hyperventilate before walking away, towards the entrance of the suite.
“Where are you going?” called Hell.
But I didn’t respond. I just kept walking.
The door to the suite opened and I heard, “Emmy?” Noah sounded apprehensive.
I could barely keep my eyes open. Blinking slowly, I spun to him and whispered, “Sorry.”
His brows knitted. “Are you feeling okay?” He stepped forward, putting a hand to my head. “You look a little flushed.”
I decided to be honest. “I don’t like confrontation.” I was so tired tha
t I began to ramble. “Once, a girl at school yelled at me and I puked on her shoes.” I closed my eyes, leaning against the wall and hugging myself. “She made me pay for them.” I yawned delicately, covering my mouth. “And I did.”
“What?” He sounded so confused.
My head was swimming and my voice turned quiet. What were we talking about? I tried to keep my eyes open but it was proving difficult. “I don’t know.”
Noah sighed. “Okay.” He led me back to the suite. “C’mon. You need some sleep.”
I don’t know much about what happened after that but when a knock at the door sounded, Lee and I were sleeping on the sofa, top to toe, and somebody had covered us with a blanket. While Lee remained asleep, I stood, stretched, then went to the door.
A young woman stood there. “House call?”
Hmm. She looked too young to be a doctor. Perhaps it was the smatter of freckles across her nose that made her look so childlike.
I cleared my throat. “Yes. Please.” I held open the door, blinking away sleep. “He’s on the sofa.” I followed her in. “Thank you for coming.”
Before she sat on the coffee table, directly across from Lee, she smiled at me. “Don’t mention it.” Then she jerked her chin to the sleeping man. “I’m a fan.”
Somehow, that made me anxious. She must’ve seen this because she laughed good-naturedly. “Oh, geez. Don’t look at me like that. I swear I’m an actual doctor.” At my sheepish look, she smiled. “What’s your name?”
“Emily.” I moved to shake her hand.
She pumped my hand twice before letting it fall. “I’m Doctor Knox. Please, call me Xola.”
Whoa. Cool name.
“My dad was born in Ecuador. He always liked it. Suffice it to say I spent my entire childhood never being able to have a personalized keychain or license plate for my bedroom door.” She grinned and her eyes sparkled.
Oh. Did I say that out loud?
She leaned in to the prone man on the sofa. “Lee? I need you to sit up for me.” When he didn’t stir, she frowned, putting a hand to his forehead. “He’s warm.” She twisted to me. “How long has he been like this?”
“Just this morning. He seemed fine last night. He’s been irritable.”
When a knock at the door sounded, I frowned but went over to it. I checked the peephole and when I saw who stood there, I smiled, throwing the door open.
The Vixens all spoke at once.
Beth wrapped her arms around me, giving me a quick squeeze. “Hey, Emmy.”
“You look like shit, babe.” Thanks, Cherry.
Ettie frowned. “We heard Lee’s sick.”
“Yeah.” Pearl sounded worried. “He’s not gonna miss tonight’s show, is he?”
I let out a long sigh. “I don’t know what’s going on. The doctor’s here, checking on him.” I moved to the side and let out a soft yawn. “Come on in.”
The Vixens stepped in and when the doctor saw them, her face changed. She shot up, her hands covering her mouth. “Oh my God.” She spoke through her hands. “You’re The Ultra Violet Vixens.”
The Vixens politely greeted the doctor.
“Guys, this is Xola.”
When Beth saw Lee, she let out a little sound of sadness. “Oh no.” She walked over to the sofa, sitting by his head and lifting it onto her lap. “Lee, honey?”
He opened his eyes and squinted up at Beth. He smiled softly and mumbled something.
Beth’s nose bunched in confusion and she leaned down. “Sorry, honey, I didn’t catch that.”
His mouth moved again and when she heard what he said, she shot up with a scowl, dumping his head back onto the sofa. She shook her head at him, disappointed, then murmured, “Asshole.”
His entire body shook with silent laughter, leaving us all to wonder what Lee had actually said to teeny little Beth.
Beth looked to Xola. “Give him some damn pills. He’s fine.”
“Actually—” Xola looked down at a grinning Lee. “—I was thinking more a shot.”
Lee’s grin fell and he shook his head, trying to speak but all that came out were little rasps and wheezes. And Beth couldn’t contain herself. She laughed openly before smirking at Lee. “Well, isn’t this just instant karma?” Chuckling, she told us, “He’s petrified of needles.”
He glared at her, as I asked, “How do you know that?”
Beth sat on the arm of the sofa, and explained, “Noah, Lee, and I all went to the same high school and every time he needed a shot…” She held up her arm, whistled, and slowly lowered it. “Down he went, like a ton of bricks. It was common knowledge at school. Even got to see it myself once.” She tipped her head back, cackling, “It was hilarious.”
To my surprise, Lee lifted his foot and pushed Beth off of the couch. She fell to the floor laughing, clearly happy at managing to get a reaction from the frustrated man.
Xola moved to sit in front of Lee. “A shot will work faster. You’ll be back to yourself in half the time.”
But Lee shook his head fervently.
From behind the sofa, Beth leaned over, wrapping her arms around Lee. She pressed her lips to his cheek before whispering something into his ear.
He seemed to consider whatever she said but once again shook his head.
She tried again, speaking quietly, and when Lee’s brows rose, I wondered what the hell she was saying.
Lee paused. After a moment, he rolled his eyes and nodded, sighing.
Beth stood, sending a cunning smile to Xola. “He’ll have the shot.” When Lee rose from the sofa, holding a cushion to his crotch, my brows narrowed. He waggled his brows before he walked into his room. Not a moment later, Beth followed.
Xola stood there, looking as confused as the rest of us, until Beth called out, “He’s ready.”
I couldn’t help but notice the pretty doctor stop just within the open doorway. With wide eyes, she gradually closed the door behind her, and I sent my confused gaze to Cherry.
She snuffled out a laugh. “You have no idea what Beth would do to make sure this tour isn’t cancelled.”
What does that mean?
My brain worked slowly and when I finally caught on, my mouth gaped. “Are you telling me…?”
What was she telling me?
Ettie went through the fridge, taking out an energy drink and popping the top. “She’s not having sex with him.” She sipped her drink.
Oh, thank God.
I went to the kitchen and filled a glass of water, taking a long sip.
From the sofa, Pearl flipped through the channels. “Although, she probably is blowing him.”
Water shot out of my nose.
I coughed and coughed then gagged before coughing some more.
Cherry burst into laughter. Ettie rubbed at my back until I got myself under control. Pearl shrugged, keeping her eyes on the television. “Or she’s helping him rub one out. All I know is that either way, Lee’s gonna feel much happier after Beth does what she does.”
The doctor left the room, unable to meet my eyes. Her cheeks were unusually flushed. “Okay.” When she walked over to her bag, she pulled out an orange cylinder of pills. My expression questioned what Xola had seen. She spoke quietly but again averted her gaze. “I’m not judging. Whatever works, you know? Besides… rock stars,” she uttered in way of understanding. She handed me the pills. “Two in the morning, every day till finished.” She made a stern face. “Until finished. Not until he decides he feels better, okay?”
I walked the doctor out and when I returned, Beth stepped out of Lee’s bedroom, using her fingertips to gently wipe at her lip line. She smiled widely before bowing. As she rose, she stated, “And the tour lives.” Beth moved to the empty space by Pearl on the sofa and sat. “God, he has a nice cock.” Ugh. My mind was not prepared for that statement. She then added a wistful sounding, “Always has.”
At that, I made a sound of disgruntlement. “Ew… Beth.” When sh
e blinked innocently, I muttered, “I do not need to know this,” before quickly adding, “He’s like my brother.” A quick pause followed. “Nope.” I shuddered before groaning, “I did not need to know that.”
The Vixens snickered at my unconcealed misery.
The jerks.
Not a moment later, Cherry stood. “Yo. Wanna get outta here a while?” She checked her watch. “We’ve still got hours before pre-show shit.”
I wouldn’t mind getting out a while.
Hopefully, today would only get better from here.
I was wrong.
Oh God, was I wrong.
As I sat in the suite with tears streaking my cheeks, I paced, waiting for the guys to get back from the show. Wringing my hands together, my heart raced, a staccato drumbeat in my chest. And still, I waited.
“Why, Emily?” I muttered to myself. “Why?”
I made a mistake and the guys were mad at me.
The thought brought a fresh stream of tears down my face. Sniffling, I swiped at my cheeks with shaking hands.
Am I fired?
My stomach twisted.
It was a likely outcome. I couldn’t think about it. If I did, I’d faint dead away.
As I sat quietly on the edge of the sofa as far away from the door as possible, my knee bobbed rapidly, a sure sign of my restlessness.
Noises outside the room sounded and I stilled, standing as the door opened. The guys filed in, watching me closely and they wore matching expressions of displeasure.
I felt like I would just die.
The first friends I had in, well, ever, and they were furious with me.
I couldn’t begin to explain the feelings that went through me if I tried. My chest was a gaping hole.
My face crumpled. “Noah—”
But he cut me off with a wave of his hand. He spoke quietly, in deceptive composure. “You’re going to sit and when I’ve calmed down, we’re going to have a talk.” His lips thin, he didn’t even look at me. “Okay?”
All I could do was nod. My throat was too tight to utter even the slightest of a reply.
So, I sat on the sofa and watched as each man went to his room. They weren’t making this easy on me. I felt it was part of my punishment. Taking their time, they each showered then retreated to their rooms.
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