by Ruby Rowe
“That’s not what this is. She’s going to be with us for the next few days.”
“What the fuck?” Shaking her head, Faith scowls at Emma. “Sorry, sugar, but this bus is crowded enough.”
“Aiden can have a guest if he wants,” Pete replies.
“Are you fine with this?” she asks me as she crosses her arms.
I look at Pete since I really don’t want to talk about this subject in front of him, but it appears I don’t have a choice. Why did Faith drag me into this? I only stuck around to watch this shitshow unfold.
“I’m cool with it. Emma’s the one who rounded up all the drugs and got them out of the suite the night Apple overdosed. She risked a lot for us, having them in her possession.”
“Well, it didn’t benefit me in the least. I wasn’t even there.”
“Right. And why weren’t you there, Faith?” Aiden asks snidely since she was with Asher that night.
Jumping to her feet, she shoves a finger in Aiden’s face.
“Trust me when I say that you don’t want to start playing games with me.”
Emma widens her eyes, and pulling her hand free from Aiden’s grip, she takes a step back.
“This was a bad idea. I should go.” Before she can turn around, he grabs her hand again.
“No, you’re staying, and Faith’s going to stop acting like a childish bitch and apologize.”
Gripping her hips, she sneers, “Think again, asshole.”
“Hey, what’s going on?” Tripp asks as he and Apple enter the common area.
“Aiden wants this chick to sleep on the bus with him. What do you two think about it?”
“I have Apple with me, so I can’t say shit about him bringing Emma on the road.”
“This isn’t the same thing as Apple being here and you know it.”
“Um, I have to agree with Faith on this one,” Apple says meekly.
Every set of eyes bounces to hers before Tripp says, “What the hell?”
Yeah, I’m thinking the same thing. What the hell, Kiwi?
“Why do you have an issue with this?” Aiden asks her.
“I’m sorry, but the bus is getting crowded, and aren’t you breaking one of the band’s rules?”
“Thanks, Apple,” Aiden replies rudely before he looks at Faith. “There are more yes votes than no, so Emma stays, and you’re gonna be nice to her for as long as she’s here.”
“I don’t have to do shit.” Stomping toward the bunk door, Faith points a finger in Tripp’s face. “This is your fucking fault, and you know damn well what I mean by that.” She shoves between him and Apple, and I hear the sound of her boots stomping down the aisle.
Damn, that escalated quickly.
Apple’s eyes become watery. “Aiden, I’m sorry.”
“Save it, Apple. I expected a little more kindness from you.”
Tripp’s eyes widen before he barrels toward Aiden, so I hurry to my feet and jump between them. Dammit, my bourbon’s spilling all over me. I was supposed to be enjoying this drama from the sidelines.
“You don’t speak to Apple like that ever again,” Tripp sneers as I block him from getting to Aiden.
“Seriously, I think I should go,” Emma says.
“Tripp, come on,” I say. “Don’t make the girl feel less welcome than she already does.”
Exhaling a sharp breath, he looks down at me before he looks over my head.
“Emma, I have no issue with you staying on the bus. Sorry if I scared you.”
Before she can reply, Tripp leaves the room with Apple following behind.
Pete shakes his head and mutters, “This band’s never going to make it.”
I hate to admit it, but he may be right.
Apple
After sitting next to Tripp in the back lounge, I gaze at him, waiting for him to speak. He stares straight ahead several seconds before turning his head to look at me.
“Are you that afraid of Faith?”
“No,” I reply.
“Then why did you side with her? I’m not buying your reason that the bus is too crowded. You’d never make someone feel like they don’t belong.”
“I’m afraid you won’t believe me if I tell you my reason.”
“After what we’ve gone through, you should know I’d believe about anything at this point.”
I grip the edge of the couch. “I’ll tell you, but you’re not going to like what I have to say.”
“I need your honesty, Apple. Always.”
“You know how Nathan was talking to me the night I ended up in the hospital? Well, he told me that you and me getting together wasn’t the only thing that needed to happen for him to find peace and get out of what he called purgatory.”
“What else did he say?”
“Faith and Aiden were supposed to end up together, and Zain was supposed to meet his person, but neither happened because of your brother dying.”
Shaking his head, Tripp looks away.
“That makes no sense. Nathan lost control and overdosed because he found out Faith and Aiden had been seeing each other behind his back.”
“He said he would’ve met his wife in rehab if he had lived. That’s probably why he wouldn’t have minded if Faith and Aiden were together.”
“He never would’ve approved.”
Opening up one of Tripp’s fisted hands, I lace our fingers together.
“Sweetie, I understand why you forbade Aiden and Faith from being together, but it wasn’t your place to do it.”
“Nate couldn’t cope with the fact that Faith loved someone else. That’s why he took so many drugs that night. He was only trying to numb the pain. Giving Faith and Aiden my blessing would be the ultimate betrayal to my brother. I couldn’t do it then, and I won’t do it now.”
“Is it true he used to sleep around on her?”
Turning his head farther away from me, Tripp swallows.
“He only did that shit when he was fucked-up. He worshipped Faith.”
I pull on his chin, giving him no choice but to look at me.
“Trust and honesty are of the utmost importance to you. Regardless of how much you love Nathan and don’t want to acknowledge his flaws, you have to know deep down that what he was doing to Faith was wrong.
“She didn’t deserve it, and it makes sense that she would seek comfort elsewhere. Aiden’s kind and trustworthy, and they were together every day. It’s understandable how it happened. Faith wears this tough armor, but she’s a good person with a huge heart beneath it. She feels pain like the rest of us.”
“None of that matters. My brother didn’t want them together, so I won’t betray his wishes. Unless he tells me himself to allow it, I’ll never say it’s all right, and even then, it would be hard as hell to watch.”
“What if Nathan can’t tell you himself? Are you going to risk him ending up somewhere worse for all of eternity?”
“That’s not fair.”
“I’m telling you right now that Nathan was adamant that Faith and Aiden end up together. If you trust me, you’ll believe it. It was so hard for me to say what I did to Emma and Aiden, but it was more important that I helped your brother.”
“Maybe Aiden’s supposed to spend time with this chick. If what you’re saying about Nathan is true, maybe Emma’s here to make Faith jealous.”
I sigh. “You may be right, but I didn’t have time to consider it. I went with my gut, and it seldom steers me wrong.”
Bringing my hand up, Tripp kisses it, and his turmoil is evident in his intense blue eyes from the way he squints them.
“I do trust you, but if Nathan wants Aiden and Faith together, he’ll find a way to tell me himself like when he found a way to tell me to fight for you.”
“Then know that I’m going to honor what he said to me. I’m going to fight for Aiden and Faith, and I hope you can accept that.”
He smirks. “When you stand your ground, it turns me on.”
“When you say I turn you on, I get tur
ned on.” I nod toward the door. “Your bunk or mine?”
“My bunk. All the girly shit in yours prevents me from spreading your legs.” Gripping my hair, he yanks on it, pulling my head back. He skims his lips up my neck to my ear, and I gasp as he blows on it.
“I need plenty of room to fuck you hard, angel … to make you come at least twice. I may let you boss me outside of the bunks, but it’s never happening in them.” He darts his tongue out to twirl it along the shell of my ear. “You’re mine, Apple, and I won’t let you forget it.”
CHAPTER SIX
Olivia
Blair comes down on her knees before falling over onto her hip against the concrete. At least I think that’s what I see in my peripheral as my racket connects with the ball. Crap, she’s going to be pissed at me.
I immediately spin around, not worried that we’re going to lose our tennis match against Octavia and her bitch of a mother as soon as one of them returns the ball.
“Blair, I’m so sorry.” I reach for her hand to pull her up, but she rolls from her side to her butt and brings her knees up to examine the scrapes left on them.
“You should’ve told me you wanted to play singles today.”
“That’s not it.”
Looking up, she squints from the sun and glowers.
“That was my ball–again.”
“I know. I’m in an aggressive mood this morning. I apologize.”
“That was an entertaining win,” Octavia says as she and her mom stroll to our side of the court. I look at her, passing on the glower I received from Blair.
“Congratulations on your win. I thought it was more important to make sure my friend was OK.”
“You shouldn’t have stolen her ball, but you always are looking for an excuse to justify our win. How about a rematch soon to prove once and for all that we’re better?” She gives her mother, Constance, a sly grin before flinging her head to the side as if she’s tossing back her auburn hair.
It’s already off your face, bitch, in that ponytail I’d like to cut off.
“Not anytime soon since I’m over your attitude,” Blair spouts.
Constance rolls her eyes. “We get it. Your feelings are hurt. Let us know when your scraped knees are all better.”
They stride away, and Blair is on her feet in seconds, holding up her middle fingers toward their backs.
“Hey, this was my fault,” I say. “They’re just being their bitchy selves. Come on. Let’s shower and grab lunch. If you’re up for it afterward, we’ll go shopping, where I’ll buy you a present and grovel.”
She looks down at me since I’m a few inches shorter than her five-feet-eight frame. Raising my eyebrows, I grin stupidly, hoping she’ll see I’m trying hard to make this right.
“OK, but we’re talking about your violent tendencies while at lunch.”
Waving my hand toward her, I say, “Oh, please. I only behave this way about once every quarter.”
“And that’s four times a year too many.”
“I think after what happened this weekend, I deserve a free pass.”
Blair grabs her racket off the ground. “You get a free pass to body check Ken, not me. You’re lucky I love you so much.”
“That I am, and I may not have body checked Ken, but I did punch him in the nose.” I hold up my blue knuckles that are still sore. It’s a wonder I could even hold my racket today.
Giving me a smile, she replies, “Oh, I can’t wait to hear about this.” Narrowing her gaze on my shoulder, she adds, “Don’t move. There’s a butterfly on you.”
Gradually, I turn my head and strain to see the pale blue wings just before they disappear from sight.
“That’s odd. A butterfly landed on me at the engagement party.”
“Maybe it’s a sign that it’s time for you to fly away and leave the nest.” Blair imitates a bird flapping its wings.
“I guess a butterfly is better than bird shit on my shoulder.”
Laughing, she hooks her arm around my neck.
“Let’s go. That workout left me starving.”
***
“I can’t believe my mother isn’t here,” I say, glancing around the dining room of the country club. “I finally returned her call this morning, and she wasn’t happy. I told her I’d be over tomorrow, but I figured she’d hunt me down before then.”
“Gwendolyn’s going to interrogate you big time.”
“I know. She’s drilled Landon twice already, so I have to show her our stories match.”
Having shoved her fork into her salad, Blair holds it there and stares at me.
“Does this mean you’re not going to tell your parents about Ken and Aaron?”
I glance around the busy room again. “Shhh... No one can find out about that.”
She shakes her head. “I should’ve known you’d protect his sorry ass.”
“Protecting his ass and staying with him are two different things.”
“Are you leaving him then?”
Laying my fork down, I cross my arms, feeling the need to protect myself from the unknown future.
“I am, but I haven’t told him yet. We’ll have to agree on the reason we’re ending things, and then we’ll break the news to our parents. I know what Ken did was deplorable, but I won’t out him to the world. I wouldn’t want someone doing that to Landon.”
Taking a bite of her salad, she ponders the situation. The little V-shaped wrinkle that forms right above her nose always gives away her deep thinking.
“He’s getting off too easily, but I guess your plan is acceptable. You don’t deserve the humiliation the truth would bring. Hell, the wrath from your parents about the breakup will be bad enough.”
“True, but after the dust settles, my mother will be occupied with finding me a new man. Knowing her, she’ll be scouting another future presidential candidate.”
Reaching across the table, Blair grasps my hand.
“I’m proud of you. I hate to admit it, but I was certain you’d stay with him.”
“I considered it, but then this guy I met made me realize what a waste of my life that would be.”
“Your brother and I have been telling you this for years. Who in the world got through to you?”
I shrug. “I don’t really know him. We’ve only talked on the phone once and texted a few times the last couple of days. It’s nothing.” Heat rolls along my skin, so I look away. The fact that the mere thought of Z makes me feel this way is unexpected and embarrassing.
“You’re blushing. That means there’s more to it, and I want to hear every detail.”
“I only plan to speak to him one more time, and that’s to apologize for being rude to him last night, so there’s nothing to discuss.”
“You’re even trying to hide a smile. Spill it, Liv.”
“Fine, he lives on a bus and travels around to God only knows where. He’s twenty-four and goes by the letter Z. He thinks his job is awesome, but I don’t know what job that is, and he believes I need to live a little. Actually, he thinks I need to live a lot and not allow others to dictate my life. There. That’s all I know.”
I can’t hide my smile any longer. “Oh, and he loves French fries. He’s funny, too, in this sarcastic, flirty way, but I think we’d bicker a lot if we spent time together because he’s someone who’d really challenge me, you know? He wants me to be adventurous, and that’s not like me at all.”
Covering her mouth with her napkin, Blair snickers.
“Oh, my God. You’re falling for a vagrant.”
“Shut up. I don’t even know the guy. I dialed the wrong number the other night, and he happened to answer.”
“Gwendolyn would have a stroke if she knew you were talking to a strange drifter.”
“She’s not going to find out. The news about Ken and me will likely be enough to land her in the ER.”
I think about how Blair, Landon and I often call my mother by her first name. There’s something about the sound of it that suits her
personality so well. We can’t resist.
“If this man convinced you to leave Ken, then I think you should continue chatting with him, but don’t meet him in person unless you take someone with you. What if he kidnapped and assaulted you on his bus?”
“Thanks for the visual, but I doubt that’s his plan. He hasn’t even implied that he wants to meet me in person, and after how rude I was to him last night, I’ll be lucky if he replies to my text.”
Kicking my foot under the table, Blair grins.
“You’ll be lucky if he replies, which means you’re hoping he will.”
“Stop. It was a figure of speech. Besides, I imagine someone like him would be repulsed by my lifestyle. It’s no wonder he’s telling me to get away from it for a while. He’d find it pretentious and confining. I envy how free he sounds.”
“I can’t believe you’re worried about what he’d think of your life when he’s living like a homeless person.”
“At least he doesn’t sound like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Let’s face it; we’re surrounded by a lot of wolves.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Apple
“It’s time to fucking celebrate!” Zain shouts from the chair he’s standing on in his suite. I cover one ear as the people in the room cheer.
“Borrowed Faith’s single ‘Lay It Down’ hit gold today. Along with our new album, it’s projected to go platinum in no time. Many of you in this room deserve credit for its quick success.
“I want to thank Pete and our crew, but most importantly, I want to give a special thanks to Tripp, Faith, and Aiden for giving me the privilege to be a part of this incredible band. I’m damn lucky to play alongside such talented musicians. Cheers, motherfuckers!”
“You’d think he was accepting a Grammy,” Tripp mutters in my ear as the guests surrounding us roar again.
“Be nice.” I hold my champagne flute against my mouth, and wrapping his fingers around it, Tripp brings it down to my lap.
“I don’t think you should drink.”
