by Ruby Rowe
“I’m sorry. It’s too soon.”
As he stares at me, his gaze seems sincere and apologetic. If I hadn’t met Zain, I’d probably be stupid enough to fall for Ken’s manipulation.
But Z made me see my worth. I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m going to ensure it’s not the life that’s standing in front of me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Zain
As soon as our gig is finished in Tallahassee, Florida, I board the crew’s bus. I need to party. Olivia blew me off again last night, saying she’d had a stressful day and needed to think. What in the hell does that mean?
I told her I wasn’t giving up, and I’m not, but if space is what she needs, I’ll give her some. Pete gave me shit about us staying in hotels so often, so I agreed to cut back on this leg of the tour. That put me here, on our crew’s bus since my bandmates are fucking bores. I get what they went through with Nathan, but they could afford to have some fun.
“Why didn’t we bring some bangin’ chicks on the bus with us?” Toby asks as he chills on the couch in the back lounge. Nash is sitting next to him while I’m at the small table, cutting blow on a mirror.
Most of the guys on the bus are drinking and smokin’ weed, but I like to stick with coke at night to prolong the euphoria I feel while performing. It’s a rush I never want to end. When I know I have no choice but to sleep, I stop the blow and rip the bong or take sedatives.
“When’s the last time you even got laid?” Toby continues. I’m trying to ignore his questioning since it requires I either lie or tell him about Olivia.
The rush I felt every time I was near her was equally as potent as a bump of blow. Even imagining her smile and curves kicks my heart rate into overdrive.
Not wanting to chase a rush I can’t have, I snort my lines instead. The numbness on my tongue and throat from the drip are the prelude to how fantastic I’m going to feel in a matter of seconds.
“I had some action while I was home. How about you?” I ask, hoping to put the attention back on him.
“I wish. I only get pussy when you have parties, and you haven’t had any lately.”
I rub my nose. “Sorry, man. I’ll throw a rager in Miami. We get some days off then.”
“Miami women are hot as fuck. I can’t wait.” He grips the front of his blond hair. Suddenly feeling like I’m back on stage, I jump up and stand at the bunk door.
“Turn the music up!” I yell toward the common area. In seconds, “Unleashed” by Killswitch Engage is filling my ears, and I envision myself on a mountain top with my guitar and a million fans screaming from as far as the eye can see. The sun setting behind them is a blinding orange hue... I smack my hands on the wood above the doorway, drumming the heavy beat.
“Bro, your phone’s going off,” Toby shouts. “Olivia…,” he adds after reading the screen. I forgot I’d tossed it on the couch next to him.
“I need you to both get out,” I say as I grab it.
“Way to kill my buzz,” Toby replies. “What happened to bros before hoes?”
“Sorry. I need to take this–alone.” Shit, I missed her call.
Stumbling to the door, Toby looks back and smirks.
“I see why you’ve been playing it straight on the road lately. You’ve got one chick riding your dick. That’s cool, man.”
“Get out, you wasted fucktard, and close the door behind you.”
As soon as Nash follows his drunk ass out, I call Olivia.
“Hello,” she says.
“Hey, I didn’t think you’d be calling tonight.”
“Is it a bad time?”
“Nope. I’m partying with the crew on their bus.” She’s silent. “Are you there?”
“Yeah.”
“What’s on your mind, Butterfly?”
“Nothing. It’s none of my business.”
“No, tell me.”
“I couldn’t help but wonder if you have girls on the bus with you.”
I laugh. “No, and my friend Toby was whining about it only seconds ago. I keep holding out for one woman.”
“Really?”
“Yes, babe. You’re worth it.”
“Don’t give up on me. Yesterday, I got Ken to admit on tape that he had an affair with Aaron and about how he blackmailed me. I don’t know what I’m going to do with the evidence yet, but it’s more than I had before. I want to think this through to be sure it can’t backfire on me.”
“You’ve got the ass-muncher by the ballsack, baby. This can all be done with.”
“Are you high?”
“I did some lines, so now I feel like Jesus Fucking Christ. Do you want to be Mary?”
“Is that blow?”
“It’s the chalk that draws your dreams and brings them to life for a measly fifteen to thirty minutes.” I sling my head back and laugh.
“Do you do that all the time?”
I hear the concern in her voice.
Oh, fuck.
“We like to party on the road. It’s nothing. When I get your hot ass on this bus, you’ll see what I mean.”
“With my luck, I’d snort it once and die. Everything about you, Zain Richie, enthralls me yet scares the shit out of me at the same time.”
I plop down on the couch and rub a hand through my crazy hair.
“Nooo, Butterfly. Don’t be afraid of me. I’d never hurt you.”
“I’m worried about my heart more than anything.”
“Don’t be. Shit, I wish you were here. I want to touch you and taste you. I’ve got to make you laugh so I can hear it and see your pretty smile.”
“I like when you’re extra sweet.”
“Well, I am Jesus and all.”
“You’re arrogant enough without the help of drugs.”
“You love my confidence.”
“I love your charm. I have to go and get some beauty sleep.”
“Last time you said that, it was because you were meeting me. Do I have competition?”
“No, an ex-fiancé and a rock star are complicated enough.”
“Don’t give up on me, either.”
“I won’t, and sweet dreams, Z.”
***
In a haze, I stagger to the front of the bus. I got back on mine at a rest stop early this morning. I pour a cup of coffee and sit on the couch. Not thinking about how hot my drink is, I swallow a Percocet with it.
“Shit!” I pinch my burning tongue.
“Rough night?” Faith asks with a smirk. She sits on the couch across from me in her pajama pants and a tight tank. She tugs on the top of it to pull it over her escaping tits.
“Put those away.”
Her smirk deepens. “What’s wrong? Do they make you miss a certain pair?”
They do make me miss Olivia’s, but I’m not telling Faith that.
“No, I just don’t want to see Pete’s pecker get hard at the table.”
“Shut up, Richie,” he spouts.
“Dude, when do you ever get any pussy?” I ask.
“I have my ways when you’re partying like a cliché.”
Tripp passes by us and asks Harry how much longer it’ll be before we reach the Tampa airport.
“Why isn’t Apple taking a car to the venue?” I ask.
“We’re picking her up and stopping to eat first.” Tripp looks me over. “Take a shower. You stink.”
“Good fucking morning to you, too.” I take a sniff of my pits. Damn, I do need a shower. Grabbing my toiletry bag from my bunk, I take a quick one, dress and go back to the common area to pour some whiskey in another cup of coffee.
After the bus rolls to a stop at airport arrivals, Harry and Tripp exit. I take my usual spot on the couch and look at my phone, hoping I have a text from Olivia. If I hadn’t been jacked-up on blow, I never would’ve told her about it. I may have sealed my fate, ruining my chance with her.
The bus door opens, and I hear footsteps. I lift my head to say hi to Apple, and that’s when I see she’s not alone. The woman beh
ind her appears as Apple steps to the side.
“Holy shit,” I say.
Smiling sheepishly, Olivia gives me a slight wave.
“Hi,” she murmurs.
On my feet in a flash, I set my cup down and hug her.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” I whisper in her ear.
“Is it OK that I am?”
“More than OK.” I let her go, and after giving her a whopping grin, I step in front of Apple, grab her face and smack a wet kiss on her cheek.
“Thank you, Banana.”
“You’re welcome, but I only gave her a nudge.” Looking at Olivia, she smiles. “My new friend made the choice to come all on her own.”
Olivia
Taking hold of my carry-on bag and my hand, Zain says, “Everyone, this is Olivia. Olivia, this is everyone. We’ll do introductions later because right now I have to touch my girl.”
My eyes round and skin flushes. “Zain,” I whisper.
“It’s cool,” he replies as he pulls me behind him. “They expect as much.” Embarrassed, I stare straight ahead as we enter a room lined with bunk beds.
Z stops long enough to shove my bag into one of them before he pulls me by the hand again. We walk into a cozy room at the back of the bus, and he shuts the door behind us.
I notice the built-in couch that lines two walls, along with a small table, but that’s all I see before Zain secures me in his arms and glides his nose up my neck.
“You smell like you, which is flowery and amazing. You’re really here, but for some reason, I’m finding it hard to believe.”
“Maybe because I didn’t tell you I was coming.”
Cupping my cheeks, he kisses me. It’s deep and intense, like him, and any worries I had that it may not feel the same as before, vanish in an instant.
I hum against his mouth from how aroused I am and from how right his touch feels. His cock hardens against my body, and I long to feel it inside me.
“Damn, I want to go hold you captive in my bunk, but it feels impolite when you boarded less than five minutes ago.”
I giggle since Zain’s still as honest as ever. Groaning, he pulls me even closer by the waist.
“I can’t tell you how badly I’ve wanted to hear that sound. Let’s sit and talk before I drag you to my bunk. Tell me how Apple got you here.”
“We do need to discuss that.” Sitting right against me on the couch, he laces our fingers together. It’s sweet that he doesn’t mind showing me how he feels.
“Apple asked me to design clothes for her on the road. It seems you mentioned what I said about her even after I told you not to.”
“Sorry about that. I was only explaining how cool you were, and it came out. I swear I didn’t know she was going to contact you.”
“Her idea was actually perfect because it gave me an excuse to tell Ken and my parents for why I was leaving. Apple said if the media pries, we’ll tell them I’m her designer.”
“That’s fucking brilliant. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it.”
“Apple said that, too, but listen; we have to be careful. No one can discover the truth.”
Zain’s mouth droops. “Is it because you’re back with Ken?”
“No, but I had to make him believe it would happen eventually. As soon as I make sure he can’t trap me, I’ll tell him and my parents that it’s over for good. In the meantime, do you promise not to touch me in public?”
“Damn, that’s going to be hard.”
“Zain, you can’t. I’m not saying that because I’m worried about Ken’s feelings. It’s only to protect my family. There are high expectations for a congressman’s daughter, so I can’t be seen supposedly cheating on Ken with a famous musician.”
He nods. “I understand. I’ll only put my hands and mouth all over you in private.”
“You’re adorable.”
“No, that’s you.” Slipping his hand in my hair, he brings my lips to his. This kiss is slower and softer, as if Zain’s cherishing his chance to be with me.
He tugs on my body, so I straddle his lap, and while we make out, I do my best to forget that there are other people on the bus. I’m so glad I decided to come. I feel like anything is possible when I’m with Z.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Apple
“I can’t tell if the look Tripp keeps giving me is one of anger or lust,” I say to Olivia as she sits next to me on the couch in the green room after the show in Tampa. I tug on my schoolgirl skirt, trying to get it over my knees, but no such luck. The sucker is short.
“Maybe a little of both,” Liv replies more as a question.
“I guarantee he’s pissed that other guys are seeing me dressed this way, but he has to think I look hot.”
“For sure.”
“Thank you for helping me put the outfit together. I’ve been wanting to wear this skirt for him for a while now.”
“It was no big deal. With Faith loaning us items, it was easy to come up with something.” She giggles. “She has quite the slutty selection.”
“That she does.”
“Shit, I’m not saying you look slutty. That’s not what I meant.”
“I know.” I laugh. “I agree about Faith’s clothes, and I’m kind of going for that look tonight. Tripp’s been wound up tightly for weeks–no, years. I’m hoping this will help him blow off some steam.”
“I think you’ll be successful.”
“What did you think of the show?”
“It was incredible. Since most Borrowed Faith songs are heavy rock, I’ve only ever listened to the ones played on the radio. I had no idea the band was so talented, especially individually.”
Individually... That means their solo acts stood out to her, which is great, but there’s still a disconnect amongst the band. I do think the members have started trusting each other a touch more since I joined them on the road, but they have a long way to go.
“Wow, Zain gets a lot of attention,” Olivia says with her eyes glued to him while he signs autographs and takes photos with fans. She’s been staring at him ever since he walked in and flashed her one of his mesmerizing grins.
“Z built a huge following while in his previous band,” I reply. “It was mainly because the other members weren’t all that talented or lively. People have treated him as if he’s this solo pop star, but now that he’s with a strong band, the fanfare is dying down some. Girls aren’t chasing him to the buses like before.
“Even though it’s hard to watch sometimes, I love that the band has a meet and greet system in place for after the shows. They’re not snobs to their fans, and that helps their reputation. Tripp struggles with social anxiety, yet even he does his best to show his appreciation.”
“I can’t imagine having that kind of attention.” Sighing, Olivia turns her body away from Zain and toward me. “I should stop staring at him before someone notices. It’s hard, though. Z’s beyond attractive, and his charisma is a magnet board.”
She shakes her head. “Lord, I have the biggest crush on him. Let’s talk about something else. How do I go about getting my sewing machine? I could have my brother ship it to me, but I would need an address.”
“I’m glad you brought that up. I was thinking we could order a new one. I’m sure it’ll be difficult sewing on the bus, so I want to make it as easy for you as possible. Pick one out, and since we’ll be in Miami for a few days, I’ll have it shipped there with whatever other supplies you need.”
“I can’t let you do that.”
“Think of the machine as a bonus, and don’t go picking out a cheap one all because I’m paying. I’m happy to do this.” I grin. “I’m finally going to have my own income. A song I wrote is being produced, and I’m also getting paid for an article I’m doing for my father’s upcoming eMagazine. Well, that’s if the band ever lets me finish my interviews. I’m running out of time.
“Knowing how hard Tripp has worked to get where he is today makes me want to do the same. I need him to be p
roud of me. I’ve been lucky not to want for anything because of my dad, but it’s time I earn a living.”
“I understand. My mom and dad have never let me hold a paying job. I’ve done tons of volunteer work, but I don’t like being dependent on my parents and my ex. I have to thank you again for this opportunity. Fashion is my passion.”
“Hey, there’s your slogan for your new business.” We both laugh, and I already love that Olivia’s here. I like Faith, but we don’t have a lot in common, and she’s super busy with her job so we don’t talk a great deal.
Tripp steps in front of us, so Olivia and I become quiet. I stare up at my broody guy while he stares back. His eyes flit to Olivia’s, and taking the hint, she stands.
“I think I’ll get a drink.” After she scurries away, Tripp sits in her spot. He grazes his fingers up my thigh while I inhale his scent of sweat and cedar. The combo is quite the turn-on.
“Is this the kind of outfits you plan on having Olivia make for you?”
“No, and she didn’t make this one. Part of it belongs to Faith, and my skirt is the one I wore at boarding school. I thought I’d surprise you, so I changed right after you went on stage.”
“That means the crew got to see you in it before I did, and I’m sure they loved every damn second of it. Your smooth stomach’s showing, and that skirt barely covers your ass. The ass that belongs to me.”
I roll my eyes. “I only wore this for you. Admit that it’s hot, and thank me later.”
“Oh, I plan to thank you. Like right now, against a wall somewhere.” Grabbing my hand, Tripp pulls me away from the couch and out the door of the green room.
Oh, shit. He wasn’t kidding.
Tripp
“Fuck, that felt fantastic,” I say through choppy breaths. Tired from drumming, my arms shake as I hold Apple against a concrete wall in the venue. We’re inside one of the doorways to the nosebleed seats, but there were still people up here not long ago.
We could get caught, but this woman does crazy things to me. I feel like a rabid animal when she’s around, especially when she’s dressed like this. “I should spank your ass for having only a thong under your skirt.”
