“You okay?” Zack asks, cocking his head at me. He uses his finger and circles his face. “You’re a bit pale about here.”
I swallow. “Totally.”
“I can only imagine what she’s going to do to you,” Joey says as he walks back into the bathroom to get dressed.
Aaron chokes on the giant gulp he’s taken, and my eyes snap to him. His gaze drifts to Danny behind me, and he walks over to squeeze his shoulder. “I’m sure she’ll take it easy on you.”
“Jesus Christ,” Danny says under his breath as he rubs his hand over his face. Our eyes lock and the air in my lungs catches before it exits my mouth. He looks just as nervous as me, and it’s hilarious for all the nights we’ve spent alone with one another.
But we weren’t a couple then.
Joey’s blow drying his hair when Aaron and Zack leave for their day. Aaron winks at me on the way out, and I pretend I missed it because I’m so invested in what I’m doing on the computer. Danny’s too busy blowing off a zombie’s head to care, but I feel him tense when the hair dryer shuts off, and Joey comes back into the room.
“Alright, kids, stay out of trouble and remember– get your asses off this bus by one,” he says as he grabs his cell phone from the table and heads off the bus.
I stare at my computer for a second longer before shutting it. The sounds of dying zombies reverberate around us as I stare at the white apple. The sound missing is Danny hitting the various buttons on the remote controller. He presses exit and the horrible noises I’ve become accustomed to over the months cease. Danny takes a deep breath and lets it out through his nose.
“We’ve been waiting weeks to be alone.” He laughs, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”
I smile as I glance over at him. “I imagine playing on stage for thousands of people is a lot more nerve racking than being alone with me for a few hours.”
Danny reaches forward, tucking my hair behind my ear and letting his thumb run over my chin.
“I’m not afraid of screwing up with them,” he says, his voice low.
My heart seems to stop as I move the laptop to the side of me and tilt my head up, so our lips are inches away from each other.
“I think I’m a little less important.”
He shakes his head, cutting me off. “Nothing is more important than you, Sky.”
I lean up, and our lips brush over one another. Danny’s hands cup my face as he tilts it and his lips trail over the skin of my neck, causing my breath to come out in a whoosh. As I wrap my arms around him, his hands slip down my back, pulling me into his lap, and his kisses come back up to my mouth. I find myself pulling his lip into my mouth, letting it slip slowly out and his head tips back. His body reacts as I shift in his lap, wrapping my legs around his waist and kiss his erratically pulsing vein in his neck. My hands drop to the buttons of his short-sleeve collared shirt, loosening them until his bare chest and stomach show and my lips trail to his collarbone and then the top of his shoulder where his tattoos stop as I push the shirt off. Then our mouths find one another again before he pulls away, his pulse hammering against my palm against his neck as he presses his forehead into mine.
“What do you want?” he whispers, swallowing hard as his eyes rush back and forth over mine.
I close my eyes, inhaling, as I struggle to find the words that capture the fog inside my brain and the intense tightness in my chest. Danny’s thumbs run over my cheeks as I take a shaky breath and then open my eyes.
“To know what it feels like when you love the person you’re with,” I reply and my body trembles against him as his lips part.
“Are you sure that’s what you want?” he asks, his hands dropping to my waist, so his thumbs tuck underneath the thin cotton of my shirt and graze my skin.
“Only if that’s what you want,” I say, and my voice is barely audible.
Danny’s eyes crush shut, and his lips find mine before drifting to my ear. “For more years than I care to count.”
Chapter 26
We’re stuck on the tour bus for two days after Pennsylvania as we trek to Clarkston, Michigan. Joey’s been moping around the bus not saying anything to anyone, and I’m wondering if his pink hair is the end of the world to him. Danny and I have caught some private moments in the back, but it’s nothing compared to the hours we spent alone on the bus and then walking around Hershey Park with his arm around my shoulders because that was the least suspicious if one of the guys saw us. I glance over at Danny, and he winks at me from across the table. I pull my lips into my mouth to keep from smiling and Aaron promptly rolls his eyes at me. I look down the hallway to the bunks where Joey’s currently reading some book on astronomy.
“Does he hate the pink hair that much?” I ask Zack, who’s sitting practically on top of me as he plays a video game. This time, it’s not zombies but some post-apocalyptic military game. I’m pretty sure I prefer the zombie game because it’s not real looking people being blown to bits.
“Has nothing to do with that,” Zack replies, glancing over at me. “For someone who just got laid, he sure is a pain in the ass every time he sees Meredith.”
“Gross,” I say, sticking my tongue out and Aaron raises an eyebrow looking between Danny and me as if he knows we did the very same thing. I stare back down the hall to my brother’s bunk. “Shouldn’t he be happy about that?”
“You’d think so,” Aaron replies, elbowing Danny, who looks over at him and blinks a few times.
“Just because you’re bigger than me doesn’t me I can’t kick your ass,” Danny mouths to him, and I laugh under my breath, covering it up with a cough. I’m honestly not sure who’d win.
Aaron goes to reach his arm around Danny’s neck, and Danny knocks him away before pushing him off the bench seat. Aaron falls onto the floor, trying to grab something but has zero luck. His breath comes out in a whoosh as he lands, cursing.
“What’s going on in there?” Joey hollers as he sits up in his bunk.
“We’re talking about how you’re sucking the life out of us with your I miss Meredith inside your head shit,” Zack says as he puts his controller down since Danny’s no longer playing because he’s too busy wrestling Aaron on the floor. They’re both grunting and laughing, so I’m pretty sure nothing bad is going to happen.
Joey walks over and looks down at them with his arms crossed. “And what’s up with these two?”
Zack shrugs as he sits back, putting an arm over my shoulder. “Lover’s spat, I’d imagine.”
“Usually,” I say pointing at my brother and him; “that’s you two.”
The door to the tour bus opens and Paul and Ethan enter, deep in conversation about the set. They’re so used to the band’s shenanigans that they don’t react to Danny and Aaron’s tangled mass at Joey’s feet.
“Set’s done. We should go do the soundcheck, and make sure you guys are good with the lights.” Ethan says as Aaron and Danny finally stop fighting. “Place is a monstrosity. Biggest you’ve played in yet.”
I grab my camera and follow the guys into the venue. Ethan was not kidding. It’s a fifteen thousand seat amphitheater, and I’m struck by the fact the show has sold out. Apparently, Michigan loves it’s pop-punk because the venue in Grand Rapids has too. The guys are playing with a popular band from the nineties, which might have something to do with it, but crap. Fifteen thousand people are going to see them play tonight.
“Five years ago we were playing for fifteen people in a VFW,” Danny says as I follow him up onto the stage. The guys sit on the edge with their legs hanging off as they stare across the massive room.
“And now this,” Joey says, sweeping his arms out. “Who would’ve thought.”
I take a picture from behind as they lean back on their palms and then move so you can see each of their amazed faces in the frame.
“And a world tour next year,” I add, and Danny turns, reaching his hand up to me. He moves over, so I’m pulled between him and my brother.
“And we couldn’t do it without you,” Joey says as he puts his arm around my shoulders. He looks at me from the corner of his eyes. “I will get you to sing live with me someday.”
I laugh.
“Not anytime soon.” I copy his movement, signaling the massive amount of seats. “And certainly not at something like this.”
“We haven’t even heard her sing,” Zack points out. “So I think you’re stretching it, man.”
“She’s good,” Joey replies. “She just needs to figure that out for herself and let the song lead the way.”
I glance over at Danny, and he’s smiling at me– all scruff, beautiful white teeth, and sparkling eyes.
“Let’s start with the single on the record where no one but you fools and a producer who’s going to laugh his ass off can hear me,” I reply as they begin to stand.
“Thirty days, fifteen more concerts before we’re in Cali recording,” Joey says as he holds his hand out to help me up. “Then you’ll be eating your words.”
“Or Aaron will help her kick both of your asses,” Zack says as he grabs his guitar off the stand and drops the strap over his shoulder.
“What shall we play, boys?” Joey asks as he picks up his guitar.
“Requests from the pretty lady?” Zack says, winking over at me, and I jump off the stage and turn with my camera.
“The Police — Don’t Stand So Close,” I reply, and the guys nod, each tuning up their instrument in a not so nice sounding combination of guitar, bass, and drums. Once they have them set, they start to play, and I sit back for my personal concert of whatever songs I want. I’ve yet to name one they couldn’t do.
After soundcheck they meet with the band they’re opening for. The guys are starstruck at first and then settle in to talk about band life before heading off to live it. There’s a meet and greet I’ve set up with some of the Killers and then we’re heading onstage. Capturing the guys as they play for a crowd is even more satisfying than my personal concert. Their stage presence is unique and undeniable. The crowd hangs on their every word, and I know that many of them aren’t just here for the headliner. Tonight is particularly insane, from Aaron walking around on his hands to the silly string Danny somehow produces from behind and sprays all over Joey’s back. Zack eventually ends up shirtless in some bra that’s been thrown on the stage, which is then followed by each of the guys also stripping down and putting on bras.
I catch Danny winking at me as Joey clasps the back of the bra on him and I know it’s going to be an instant hit on social media. Then again, I might be partial to him shirtless, anyway. Aaron strips off his shirt and some girl yells at the top of her lungs exactly what she’d like to do to him, which causes him to blush, raise an eyebrow and look at me. It’s captured perfectly in my camera frame, polka-dot bra and all. The guys come off stage sweaty and immediately tackle me into a disgusting hug. I’d complain if I weren’t just as nasty as them.
“I don’t think it gets any better than this,” Joey says as we head back onto the tour bus to shower, or at least, that’s what I plan to do. With them, it’s always questionable and half the time when I get out they’re all asleep in various positions across the bus.
“That’s what you say about every concert,” Aaron points out as he sticks his head in the fridge, pulling out bottles of water and throwing them at each of us. “But I think I agree.”
“Ditto,” Zack says before chugging his water and then cursing because it’s cold. He pinches his brow. “Although, I wonder what we’ll say when we’re in Germany.”
“Freaking Germany,” Danny says, sitting next to me and putting his arm around my shoulders.
I take the opportunity to lean back into him. “I’m looking forward to Ireland…do you think we’ll go there?”
“We can always make sure we schedule a stop over there,” Joey says, winking at me. “Boss.”
We laugh, and then finish drinking our waters. Aaron throws us another round and then goes to the back, coming out with the guitar he always keeps on the bus.
“Haven’t had enough?” Zack asks, his forehead creasing.
“I’m feeling inspired, don’t you guys want to write?” Aaron replies, and Joey nods, grabbing his notebook off the table.
“Totally,” Danny says, and I smile, closing my eyes slightly.
The guys’ talking turns to background noise, and I’m only slightly aware of the tapping of fingers on my arm as I drift off to sleep.
Chapter 27
The Grand Rapids concert is almost as insane as the Clarkston one minus about five thousand fans, but the venue is still massive at nearly eleven thousand seats. After two days of intense concerts one day after the other and late nights writing music for their new album, the guys are toast. It’s eleven AM, and they’re all still asleep, including Danny. I can’t talk because I just rolled out of bed and took a quick shower before pouring out the coffee that’s preset to brew at seven.
I’m pretty sure it’s burned, and even though I also know the guys would still happily drink it, I’m not. I set into the routine with my cup, reading through fan mail, looking through social media and reviewing the day’s schedule. The band has an interview with an alternative music magazine at one, so that means I need to get their asses up.
I heave a sigh and tip my head back to see Danny hovering over me. He leans down and kisses me.
“Good Morning, Beautiful,” he says as he pulls away, yawning and goes to the coffee pot. “We have how many days before the next one?”
“You have an interview with a magazine today at one and then a two-day break, which I’m sure you’ll be using to work on new stuff,” I reply as he grabs the bagels and cocks his head at me. I nod, and he pulls two out of the bag.
“You’re probably right. We may have a month in Cali, but we need time to get shit really refined before going into the studio. Honestly, the last album, I had one day to record all the drum tracks. Twelve hours straight of drumming my ass off. I think I lost ten pounds that day,” Danny says as he slathers on the cream cheese. I narrow my eyes, and he bites into the slice before moving onto mine and being much less generous. He takes a seat across from me and hands me my bagel. “It’s nice that this album isn’t going to be like that, but still, procrastinating just means we won’t have the quality we want no matter what we do.”
“Speaking of procrastinating,” I reply, turning in my chair and using my fingers to whistle.
Zack falls out of bed cursing. He stands, rubbing his butt. “What did you have to do that for?”
“The coffee didn’t wake you guys up, so I didn’t know what to do,” I reply, looking around him to see Joey climbing out of his bunk. I glance over to Aaron’s to see his curtain is still pulled shut. “He can sleep through a hurricane, huh?”
Joey’s brow furrows. “Usually he’s the hurricane we’re all sleeping through. I don’t hear snoring.”
He pulls the curtain aside to reveal an empty bunk.
“Shit,” I say standing. My voice pitches as I go to grab my cell phone to text Aaron. “Did someone kidnap Aaron? He did come in here after the concert last night, didn’t he?”
“Calm down,” Joey says, putting his hands on my shoulders. “Every once and a while he sneaks out — no biggie.”
I look down at my cell phone. “It is when we need to be at an interview in an hour, and it’s going to take Jordan half that to get there.”
Just as I’m about to go into full panic mode the door to the bus opens and Aaron saunters in looking like he just went for a run except for the guilty way his lips twitch when I narrow my eyes at him.
“Where were you?” I ask.
He throws his hands up. “I’m fine, Mom. Just went for a run.”
I roll my eyes, flopping on Danny’s bunk as Aaron looks through his drawer beneath it for some clean clothes. I point to the tattoo right under his collarbone that’s showing. “You know those can cause blood clots that go right to your brain.”
“Tattoos?” Aaron asks, fluttering his eyelashes at me as he leans around and stares at the owl on my arm and shoulder. “Pretty sure that didn’t kill you.”
I press my finger into the round mark hidden beneath the ink. “Not what I’m talking about.”
The guys are all too busy eating to pay attention to us. Aaron sits down next to me.
“Caught me,” he says, tilting his head. “Am I in trouble?”
I close my eyes and inhale. The whole thing just feels weird; Aaron getting hickeys from some random girl.
“No, just text me next time, okay? We could’ve left without you.”
He leans over and kisses my cheek. “Of course, sis.”
I prefer him calling me sis to mom and it reminds me I do have a reason to be protective. If he was Joey I wouldn’t just let it go, and I know I can’t with him. He goes to stand and I put my hand on his knee so he doesn’t. “One more thing…was it some random hook-up?”
“It never is,” he replies, squeezing my hand before standing.
A part of me wishes he’d tell me more because I don’t get how it can’t be. The guys didn’t seem all that surprised he disappeared but we’ve been on tour for almost two and a half months and he’s never done it before. I wonder if it’s just a Michigan thing. I watch his back as he goes into the bathroom and Danny raises an eyebrow at me in question. Zack seems like the type to screw around, but Aaron doesn’t and that bothers me. I chew my lip as I wonder how much I really know about him, and what other secrets he’s keeping.
If we’re all keeping secrets.
When Aaron gets out of the shower I’m in the same spot, and he heaves a sigh before sitting down next to me again. He pulls his cell phone out and shows me a picture of him kissing a pretty blonde girl on one cheek while a toddler, about two or so, kisses her other cheek and she smiles wide.
“Erika,” he says, nodding to the picture. “That’s her son Gabe.”
My mouth drops open and he shakes his head. “Not mine.”
“Is she from around here?” I ask.
Out of Beat (Boys of Fallout Book 1) Page 14
