by Anne Mercier
The pretty blonde shakes her head. “No, you are. I'm on a tour bus with a bunch of famous people who are, for all intents and purposes, strangers to me yet friendlier than my own family.“
“Well,“ Ethan begins, “your family sucks ass and we are fucking awesome.“
Jesse lifts a brow.
“What?“ I ask.
He smirks. “I think this is the most Ethan's spoken in…forever. Same with Kennedy for that matter. Normally our bus is quiet on tour no matter who we're touring with. We usually segregate by band and then we all do our own thing. I get bored as fuck fast, usually write music, play video games or poker, get drunk, and fuck strangers.“
“I think they like having us along,“ I say with a grin. “
This is going to be a hell of a tour,“ Jesse murmurs.
Everyone looks at him, small smiles playing about their lips.
“Fuck yeah it is!“ Xander shouts. “BFD! BFD! BFD!“ he chants.
“He's lost his fucking mind already,“ Kennedy shakes his head.
“Nah. I'm just excited. This is already cool as hell. I've got people to dance with and sing with and coerce Kennedy with,“ Xander announces, sending me a wink and I can't stop my giggle. “And now we've got Misty who, if my sniffer is telling me correctly, has made an incredible dinner that's about ready and it's going to fill me with tasty goodness.“
“Tasty goodness,“ I murmur. “Do we have any Diet Dr. Pepper?“
“Uh, just a few cans,“ Trace murmurs, then opens a cabinet where there are three cases.
“Aww, babe. You're so good to me,“ I hug Jesse and kiss his lips while the guys make pussy whipped faces.
“I don't even care that you all are being assholes. I'm getting loved on by my woman and you're all feckless until tomorrow night,“ Jesse grins..
“Fuck off,“ Jace murmurs and gives Jesse the finger with the verbal curse.
“Oh, I don't know,“ Trace contemplates. “I'm thinking that later I might help Meggie out with her wetness problem and we can scratch each other's itch.“
Meggie eyes him up and down. “You'll do.“
“You bet I will, Red.“
She sends him a wink and Misty announces it's time to eat. Jesse gets me set up before Misty hands him his own tray she set aside.
“Thanks,“ he tells her and she nods.
“I figured they would eat your portion.“
“They would have,“ he nods.
“Come join us, Misty,“ I call out. “You're family now.“
Everyone murmurs their agreement and Misty carries her plate of food to join us.
“Stop!“ Misty says firmly.
“What's wrong?“ Ethan asks.
“Nothing's wrong other than we haven't said grace and given thanks.“
“Huh,“ Xander mutters. “Let's give thanks.“ He bows his head and folds his hands.
We all follow suit as Misty gives us a look. She murmurs a short prayer of thanks for the food and new friends and we all finish the prayer with a unified, “Amen.“
Misty looks up. “Thank you.“
“We're always up for something new and giving thanks can only be a positive change,“ Cage tells her with a smile. Sera leans over to kiss his cheek but he turns his head at the last minute catching her lips. She grins and he winks. Those two. I'd like to know what's going on there. I'm not one to push my sister, but I think it's time I did.
Suddenly Sera sits up straight, she goes pale, deathly white, then races to the bathroom.
“Jesus, Cage. Make a girl sick with a kiss why don't ya,“ Meggie teases.
“I'm going to check on her.“
Jesse nods and helps me remove the tray. I knock on the bathroom door and hear her retching.
“Sera? Are you alright?“
“Uh-uh,“ she grunts.
“Can I come in?“
“Uh-huh,“ she gets out between heaves. Gah. I enter the bathroom and immediately wet a washcloth with cool water and grab a hair tie. I bundle her hair as best as I can with only a couple fingers but she reaches up and quickly puts it up in a bun before she gags some more. I wipe her forehead with the washcloth.
“Aww, sissy. You think it's something you ate?“
She gasps for breath after flushing the toilet. “Must be. This is going to suck so bad. You all are going to hear me sick all night. I should go on the other bus.“
“No, you should not. You'll stay here. The others can go on the other buses to rest tonight. They can switch over when we stop to fuel up.“
I touch her forehead and she's not hot though she's sweating. I can understand that. The nausea and vomiting and whatever else is wracking her body is wreaking havoc.
She nods and I press the cool cloth along her cheeks and around to the back of her neck.
“I'm so hot right now, Luce. My stomach is flip flopping all over the place.“
“What did you eat that I didn't?“ I ask.
She doesn't get to answer before she starts vomiting again. Poor Sera. It's going to be a long night for her.
I open the bathroom door and look at Jesse.
“Babe, is there any 7UP or Sprite?“
He nods and moves to get up but Cage steps up. “I'll get it.“ Jesse inclines his head.
Cage hands me the soda and a glass. “Is she alright?“
“Not right now but she will be. I think she ate something that was bad.“
“Damn,“ he rubs a hand along the back of his neck. He looks so worried. “I can stay with her if you want to eat.“
“I'm not really hungry, but you're welcome to stay with her. Small sips of this for her. When we stop for fuel, we'll need to pick up some vitamin water.“
He nods. “Can do.“
Sera groans and my heart aches. There's nothing worse than nausea and vomiting.
“How's she doing?“ Damian asks when I step into the lounge area.
“Not so good. Nausea, vomiting, sweats.“
He nods. “At least it's not coming out both ends at once.“
“Amen to that,“ Ethan agrees.
I sit back in the chair and take the ibuprofen set out on the tray. The throb is gone but the ache is still there and snausage fingers haven't changed much.
“Sera's going to stay here with us. Anyone who's afraid of getting whatever it is she's got should likely stay on another bus tonight,“ I announce and no one says anything.
I look at my plate of food and notice the enchiladas have been cut up into tiny bites and I look to Jesse who grins and winks.
“Thanks, love.“
His eyes sparkle at the endearment. “You're welcome.“
I use my right hand because eating left-handed has the food falling all over the place instead of landing in my mouth.
“Oh my God, Misty! This is so amazingly delicious.“
She blushes. “Thank you. I'm so glad you like it.“
“Oh, no,“ I correct. “I don't just like it, I love it. I'm so glad we found you.“
“We?“ Ben asks. “I think I found her.“
“Hmm. Maybe.“
“When we stop to fuel, will there be time to stop at a grocery store to pick up some items? I'd like to make Sera some chicken noodle soup,“ Misty asks.
I look to Damian.
“There should be time. I'll have one of the roadies run you over in the van,“ Damian replies.
“Nah,“ Ben tells him. “I'll take her.“
Damian nods.
I look to Jesse who shrugs.
Sera and Cage come out of the bathroom and Meggie makes the sign of the cross with her fingers. Sera flips her off.
“Ugh, I hate puking,“ Sera complains.
“The worst,“ I agree.
“She just sipped some of this soda, so likely she'll end up back in there shortly. If anyone needs to use the restroom, do it now,“ Cage announces.
Xander leads the parade.
“Luce,“ Cage begins. I raise my brows in question. “I got a call
earlier from Jim Price.“
“What? The Jim Price of Price Productions?“ I gape.
Cage nods. “He was asking if you'd be interested in recording a duet with Lucian Cordero.“
I sit there, mouth hanging open, while Sera and Meggie go on about how hot Lucian is.
“Cupcake, close your mouth,“ Jesse chuckles but it sounds strained. I look over to him and he's smiling but it isn't quite meeting his eyes. I lift a brow in question and he just shakes his head.
I look to Cage. “Yeah, yeah, of course. Just me? Or the band?“
“The band. Apparently Lucian heard your album and thinks you'd collaborate well.“
“Well. Huh. Wow,“ I murmur.
“Wicked,“ Trace says. “I've met Lucian. He's a cool dude. It'll be a good collab.“
“Yeah?“ I ask.
Trace nods. “For sure. You'll like him.“
“What's not to like?“ Meggie asks. “Tall, dark, and fuckable.“
I roll my eyes.
“Oh, that's right, you're married,“ Meggie teases. “But I'm not,“ she sing-songs.
I grin. “Nice, very nice.“
“Whore,“ Jace chides with a snicker.
“I'll remind you of that when we collab with a female and you're all up in her vagina,“ Meggie teases.
“Gah,“ I curl my lip and Meggie laughs.
“I'm all for vagina,“ Jace says with a serious nod.
“Oh my God. Is it time for my pain meds yet? There is no way I can handle this conversation not stoned,“ I sigh.
“Nope,“ Jesse tells me. “Soon.“
“Not soon enough,“ I mumble. Cage chuckles and pulls Sera into his side. Frowning, I look over my sister. She looks so pale and rather green if I'm honest. I wish there was something I could do for her.
“Stop looking at me, Lucy,“ Sera scolds.
I flip her off. “I can stare if I want to.“
“Lord,“ Ben mutters. “What are we, twelve?“
“Aww, Benny,“ I tease.
“Fuck. Don't start that—“
“What's wrong, Benny?“ I move over to where he's sitting on the sofa and climb into his lap. “What's happening little bro, Benny?“
He's trying so hard to scowl, nearly loses it, but then notices Xander grinning like a loon. “What the fuck are you laughing at?“
Xander snickers. “Nothing much, Benny.“
“Dude, don't make me kick your ass.“
“You could try,“ Xander tells him, puffing up his chest.
“You know I could take you,“ Ben sneers.
“This from the man who called the rest of us ‘twelve' twice today,“ Sera admonishes.
Ben just grunts. “I'd flip you off but you're ill. I can't be rude to the sick.“
“Whatever,“ Sera tells him and gives him a two-bird salute.
Ben laughs.
“See? It's so nice when Benny laughs,“ I taunt, knowing I'm pushing my luck now.
Jesse comes up behind me, wraps his hands around my waist, and lifts me from Ben's lap.
“What?“ I ask.
“Just trying to stop my wife and my brother from getting aggravated with one another.“
“Well. Benny wouldn't get aggravated with me, would you Benny?“ I ask.
Ben deadpans and lifts a brow.
“Seriously? But you're my big bro. My only big bro. You should love your little sister.“
“Oh, I do,“ he tells me, “but I'm like all other big brothers.“
“Meaning?“ I ask.
“Meaning,“ Kennedy sighs, “all big brothers get annoyed with their little sisters when they're teased and pushed past their limit.“
“Hmm.“ I guess I did push a bit too far. “Sorry if I pushed. I just like calling you Benny.“
Ben runs a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. I know he wants me to stop calling him Benny but I know he doesn't want to hurt my feelings. Ah yes, Lucy manipulation at its finest. I'm not ashamed to admit this.
“It's alright. Just… limit it,“ he adds.
I nod and smile widely. Kennedy, Ethan, Xander, Jesse, Trace, and Jace all shake their heads. I sit up higher in Jesse's lap, lifting my chin, grinning silly. I win!
I WATCH JESSE pace outside the bus. We arrived in Denver a couple hours ago. We're a week into the tour and things are going along pretty well. Granted it's only been a week, but no one's gotten into an argument yet. Yet. It's coming. I have no doubt.
The majority of the fans are actually supporting me in what happened with the whole fight incident. Not my proudest moment yet unavoidable. The male fans thought it was “hot“ which caused me to roll my eyes and I rolled them again when all the guys here on the bus agreed. For real?
“Who's the hubby talking to?“ Ben asks interrupting my musings.
“Your sister.“
His brows furrow. “Which one?“
“I don't know. He didn't say. Just ‘hey sis'.“
“Ah, that's Janalee. He calls Jeni ‘brat'.“
“I see. He looks upset,“ I murmur, biting on my thumbnail.
“That he does,“ Ben agrees.
“I wonder what's going on.“
“We'll find out soon enough.“ Ben takes a seat.
“What's up?“ Damian asks.
“I'm not sure yet.“
He nods.
“Where is everyone?“ I ask.
“Cage was, uh, meeting someone,“ he hedges, glancing quickly to and from Sera. “The rest of the guys went wandering.“
“Hmm.“ I wonder where Cage went. Sera's over lying on the sofa resting, still not one hundred percent recovered from whatever went through a few of us and the road crew. Not everyone got sick, but the ones that did, it was brutal.
“Sound check in an hour,“ Meggie tells us as she climbs on the bus. “Your hubbles is a bit agitated out there.“
“What's he talking about?“
“Just yelling something about having to meet someone and how it'll fuck up his sound check,“ Meggie elaborates.
“Oh fuck,“ Ben says.
“Oh boy.“
Jesse climbs onto the bus, walks over to me and gives me a soft kiss. “Looks like we're going to be one person heavier when we pull out of Denver.“
“What's going on?“ Ben asks.
“Apparently Janalee had it out with mom and dad and, being the fuckers they are, they told her to get out. You know Jana. She won't hesitate to bail out,“ Jesse murmurs, running a hand through his hair again.
Ben nods.
“Well, I'm sure we can fit one more, right Damian?“ I ask.
“Sure, I don't see why not. We've got five fucking buses after all.“ Damian gives Jesse a look.
Jesse shrugs. “Seems like it's a good thing since we're going to , now, be two people heavier with Misty and Janalee, and we're only a week into the tour. In another couple weeks, we'll have yet another person on board.“
“Who's that?“ Meggie asks.
“The Blush Baby. Nicole,“ Jesse answers.
“Actually,“ Damian begins, giving me a look (shit), “we'll be four people heavier.“
“Four?“ both Jesse and I say at the same time.
Damian nods. “Yeah. Nicole, the doc, his brother, and the nurse.“
“Well, shit,“ Xander says as he gets on the bus. “Think the nurse will wear one of those short white dresses with the buttons down the front, white thigh highs, and heels?“
I snort. “Not likely.“
Xander tsks. “Burst my bubble, why don't ya.“
Meggie leans forward, “Pop.“
“Harsh.“
She shrugs.
“So what's going on with your sister, babe?“ I ask.
“I've got to pick her up at the airport this afternoon. We should flip sound checks otherwise I'll be missing ours,“ he tells me, pacing again.
“No worries, right Damian?“ I give him a pointed look.
“No problem, man. I'll just let everyone know. Ea
sy enough,“ Damian says, then salutes, and walks off the bus.
“Is your sister okay?“
“Yeah, she's fine. Our parents are pricks. She just needs somewhere to go.“
“Where's Jeni?“ Ben asks.
“Staying at Casa Falling Down,“ Jesse tells him.
“What did the old man do this time?“ Ben asks.
“What didn't he do? He fucking gambled away the rent, he's in debt to a loan shark, and they threatened the girls if he doesn't pay up.“
“That can't be good,“ I say. “Maybe you should have your other sister come with us too.“
“Nah,“ he says. “She's safe. You know our place is as safe as Fort Knox.“
I nod. “That's true, but if you remember in Die Hard with a Vengeance they broke into Fort Knox. Nothing is fool proof.“
“It'll be alright. I've got security on alert.“ He wraps his arms around me, pulling me into his chest. I hug him back, knowing he needs the warmth and connection.
“I'm not paying their shit this time,“ Ben announces.
“Me neither. I told them last time they were on their own. When you give your parents a million and they piss it away in six years' time, it's pathetic. Then you turn around and bail them out how many times?“ Jesse asks.
“Five. Fifty grand was the cheapest,“ Ben answers, anger darkening his blue eyes.
Jesse sighs. “It's not just him. It's her too.“
“I'm sorry, baby,“ I rub his back.
“You know they're going to fuck them up if not kill them, right?“ Xander asks, leaning forward, elbows on his knees. This is the most serious I've ever seen him.
“I know it,“ Jesse replies. “I can't anymore. I won't.“
Xander nods.
Ben sighs. “It's only been seven months since last time. How much do they owe?“
“Five hundred grand,“ Jesse seethes.
“Jesus Christ. What the fuck did they spend it on?“ Xander asks.
“Drugs likely. Playing the big shots with their friends. Only this time, their friends are going to see that they're frauds.“ Ben gets up and grabs a beer from the fridge. It's only ten in the morning but I'm not going to say a word.
I look over and see Sera blinking up at us from across the room. I smile a small smile.
“How're you feeling, sunshine?“
She grunts. “I've been better.“
“Nibble on those cracker things Misty left for you. She left some ginger ale too. She is seriously amazing,“ I announce.
