Believed (My Misery Muse)

by Betzold, Brei

  “She’s not that bad,” I said trying to defend her.

  X glared at me. “She has a banana slicer, that she likes to use on hot dogs while staring at me when I piss her off.” He shivered. “She’s not right in the head.”

  I giggled. “She only does that because she keeps finding you having sex in her kitchen.”

  “Only twice,” he mumbled.

  “Hold on,” Keaton said looking over at X, “you’ve had sex in her kitchen?”

  X grinned. “Once was with her maid, the other time was with…” he trailed off and looked at Eli. “…never mind.”

  I started laughing, “Come on, X,” I taunted.

  “Shut up, Jules,” Eli growled.

  We got two buggies, one for each bus and we took off to shop. I was excited to get some real food in the bus. We also needed some staple items like coffee.

  I stood back as Thatcher and X took off down the aisles and I shook my head. “This is not going to end well.”

  “Probably not,” Keaton murmured.

  Sam

  I climbed on the bus and stopped. It was quiet, too quiet. I walked through the main room into the bunkroom not finding anyone. I opened the door into the back room and found it empty. I pulled out my cell and ran through my latest texts wondering if something had happened. Surely if something had happened to Jules they would have contacted me, right?

  I pulled up Seth’s number and hit dial.

  “Yeah?”

  “Where is everyone?”

  “Walmart.”

  “Walmart?”

  “Yep, Jules wanted to get out, so X, Eli, Thatcher, Keaton, and Jules went to Walmart.”

  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “Why would X go out like that when we’re on tour?”

  “He said he was going incognito, though knowing X I have no idea what that means.”

  “How’d they get there?”

  “One of security drove them in one of the SUVs.”

  At least they were smart enough to take security, I thought.

  “How long ago did they leave?” I growled.

  “X called me about an hour ago to let me know.”

  “Why didn’t he call me?”

  Seth remained silent then quietly. “You know why.”

  “I didn’t mean to.”

  “Yeah, I know you had your reasons, but she needed to get away from you, man. So they took her out. You know X is not going to let anything happen to her, not that I’m all that worried about him tracking her here. I’m more worried about when we go home.”

  I gritted my teeth. “Do you know something I don’t?”

  “Nope, just that he and Cris got into it. He rambled off some shit but Cris isn’t talking.”

  “Neither is Max,” I grumbled.

  “She has four guys with her two of which are famous, nobody will try anything.”

  I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I know.”

  “Alright, I need to take care of some things, talk to you later.”

  “Yeah, bye.”

  I put my phone down and rubbed the palms into my eyes trying to alleviate some of the pressure building there. I was worried about what was going on with Jules’ ex. I also wasn’t ready for Tucson.

  Chapter 27

  Jules

  We left the guys from Warped Mortality and headed to our bus, bags in hand. It was fun getting out and messing around for a few hours. Luckily, X and Eli had only been spotted twice, both times they got away with a picture and autograph, then we moved on. Thatcher seemed to be excited about the prospect of fans spotting them out and about town. Keaton though didn’t seem as thrilled about that possibility. I shrugged and told him to suck it up, it’s part and parcel of his chosen career.

  We lugged everything on the bus and immediately went to work putting everything away. We picked up some entertainment while we were there as well. That got tossed into the lounge, for now. After everything was put away, the guys took off so they could start getting ready for the show. I had opted to hang out in the bus, so one of the security guards was hanging around outside.

  Eli had requested chili for dinner, so I had called Devi for a recipe. She swore that I’d be able to make it since it was simple. I decided to give it a shot, so I got to work chopping the veggies I needed while browning the ground beef. After I had everything in the pot, I left it there to simmer then went to work on some entertainment.

  We thought a game of assassins would be fun, I was volunteered to write everyone’s names on a slip of paper then put them in a hat. We’d be drawing names after both bands were finished tonight. Then the games started. I opened up the ten Nerf guns we purchased and divvied up bullets so we all started out with an equal number.

  Since we were having a three-day stint in a hotel when we reached Tucson, it should be an interesting game. I typed up the rules we had agreed on earlier like no playing during travel time, no shooting someone on stage, and a few safety guidelines that I insisted upon. I printed them up and put a gun, bullets, and the rules into individual Ziploc bags.

  I stood back and admired all I had accomplished. This game was going to be with just the members of the bands. I’d be keeping track of who was knocked out, then when only half the people remained we’d re-assign targets. I was looking forward to this; sitting around with nothing to do for days on end was beginning to drive me crazy. I decided to make a pot of coffee and read until everyone congregated later.

  A few hours later, what sounded like a herd of elephants climbed onto the bus. I ignored everyone engrossed in “What’s Left of Me” by Amanda Maxlyn. I was swiping tears away while trying to focus on the words when someone sat down beside me.

  “Jules?”

  I held up a finger shushing whoever was trying to interrupt me. There was no way I was putting this down until I finished the chapter, and this little impromptu meeting had better not last long. I had to finish this book tonight.

  I finished the chapter and put my Kindle down then wiped my eyes. I looked up and found everyone staring at me.

  “What?”

  “You okay, Sugar?” X asked.

  “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

  “You were crying,” he said slowly.

  I shrugged. “Great book.”

  X, Eli, and Seth rolled their eyes. “Okay let’s get this started, I have plans tonight,” I said standing up.

  “Plans?” Thatcher asked.

  “Yep, I have to finish this book a.s.a.p., so let’s do this fast. We are playing assassins,” I told them and grabbed some Ziploc bags. “Anyone who doesn’t want to play, say so now. If not game on boys and girls,” I started passing out bags. “After everyone has a bag we’ll draw names, the rules are included in your bag, as well as a Nerf gun. Everyone’s is the same so do not lose your gun; you will not get a replacement. You may steal a gun from someone else if you lose yours. You may not have more than one gun in your possession at any time. Everyone will have twenty bullets; make them count because unless you start collecting ammo you find that’s all you get. Be honest, if you’re out, fess up and take it like a man. Come find me when you’re out with your slip of paper and the time you were taken out. When you assassinate your target, take their target, and continue hunting until last man is standing. If you get your own name let me know and we will fix the situation. Any questions?”

  Seth grinned. “This is awesome, Jules.”

  “No playing during travel time, no shooting people who are on stage. If someone is working you leave them be. Instruments in hand is a no go, you see me working on my sketchbook, you’re out of luck. Too many high priced items floating around to take a chance on damage. On the same side, you go around carrying your instrument as a shield all the time I will remove you from the game. If someone is sleeping let them sleep it’s hard enough to get a couple hours as it is, having to be worried about a game on top of that is not kosher and stay the hell out of the way of the roadies. Do we understand? If you break the rul
es you are out.”

  “What if we find a gun lying around?” Klein, the other guitarist of Warped Morality asked.

  “Leave it, if you lose your gun, shame on you.”

  “Can we team up?” Crawl, the drummer from Warped Morality asked.

  “Sure, just don’t come to me when your partner shoots you in the back.”

  “Any other questions?” I looked around. “Okay, boys and girls, let’s choose names, if you pick your own name put it back in the hat and redraw. If I find out you’re cherry picking you get kicked out, got it?”

  Everyone agreed and I started handing out names. I picked the last name, glanced down at the sliver of paper, and smiled evilly.

  “Oh and there are prizes for the winners.” I grinned “And the losers, game on, bitches,” I called and watched everyone scatter.

  I curled back up on the couch and went back to reading my book.

  Sam

  “Ian.”

  “Yes, Sam.”

  “I need you to make sure everything is ready for the after-party in Tucson. Also make sure someone goes through the house in L.A. to air it out.”

  “Got it,” he said entering info into his tablet. “Anything else?”

  “Not that I can think of.”

  “Your schedule in L.A. is booked,” Ian told me. “You have meetings with different people at the label, also a lawyer and P.R. person.”

  “Oh, the mechanic we use for the tour bus is in L.A., can you see if we can get an appointment to have it looked over while we’re there. Just a standard tune up.”

  “Do you know the name?”

  I scrolled through my phone and found the company’s name and phone number and gave it to him. I tried to think if there was anything else I had forgotten that I needed to get done.

  “That’s all I can think of,” I told Ian.

  He nodded. “The show in Tucson is tomorrow night, then Warped Morality has their first photo shoot the following day. And you guys have an interview the same day.”

  “It’s on my calendar.”

  “The photographer said if you guys wanted to stop by they had time to get some new publicity shots of you as well.”

  I rocked back on my heels thinking if we needed new shots but then again it never hurt to have new material. “Schedule it.”

  “That’s all I can think of that’s pressing,” Ian said scrolling through his tablet.

  “Thanks, we leave in an hour,” I told him then climbed back on the bus.

  Jules was back on the couch engrossed in her book. I had no idea where X and Eli had taken off to, and in all honesty, I didn’t want to know. Seth was flipping through channels on the TV while eating something.

  “Jules made dinner,” Seth said when I walked up.

  “She did?” I asked surprised.

  “Chili, it’s pretty good too.”

  I went over and got a bowl then joined Seth at the booth.

  “Ready for a break?” he asked.

  “Yeah, only we aren’t getting much of one. We have interviews and a photo shoot.”

  “Eh, our time off is never real time off.”

  I heard Jules sniffle and I turned to look over my shoulder, she was wiping tears away again.

  “I will never understand why women read books they know will make them cry,” I grumbled.

  Seth snorted. “I’ve learned to stay quiet and not ask questions. If they want to talk about it, then they will. It’s safer to let them be, Devi once threw a shoe at my head when I interrupted her reading.”

  “How’s she doing?”

  “Miserable, and she has no problem letting me know it’s all my fault every time we talk,” Seth said with a grin.

  “You two really done this time?”

  He looked down at his food. “Yeah, we’re done” he murmured. “This pregnancy is different than the others, its taking a lot out of her.”

  “Well, it is twins.”

  “It’s not just that, Cait isn’t even a year old yet and now she’s pregnant again. It’s taking a toll. She’s also had a few complications she hasn’t had before.”

  “Anything serious?”

  “Not right now,” he said vaguely. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Though when we get back we’re going to the doctors to find out what we’re having.”

  “You excited?”

  He scoffed, “Of course.”

  I looked back over at Jules. “You’re a lucky man.”

  “I know, Devi reminds me daily.”

  Chapter 28

  Jules

  I readjusted the phone between my neck and shoulder while keeping an eye on my surroundings. We had arrived at the hotel in Tucson a few hours ago and the game had turned vicious.

  “So he told you he didn’t want anything with you?”

  “No,” I huffed, “he didn’t have to.”

  She made a noise in the back of her throat. “So you’re assuming?”

  “You know what they say about people who assume,” I quipped.

  “Yes, and you are an ass.”

  “I saw it in his eyes,” I said quietly.

  Ash was quiet for a moment. “His eyes?”

  “Yep.”

  “You’re going by something you think you saw in his eyes?”

  “Oh, I didn’t imagine it.”

  “Okay, so what did you not imagine?”

  “He wants me,” I told her, “but he doesn’t want to want me. He is not going to do anything about it.”

  “You got all of that from a look in his eyes?” She asked dubiously.

  “You know that cliché eyes are a window into the soul?”

  “Yeah.”

  “It’s a cliché for a reason.”

  Ash groaned. “Jules, I love you, but you are a fucking idiot.”

  “That’s probably a fair assessment.”

  “You say you saw that he wanted you in his eyes, just that he doesn’t want to want you, right?”

  “Yep.”

  “So then don’t give him a fucking choice,” she paused. “Sorry Jaks, I’ll put a dollar in the swear jar.”

  I giggled. “Jaks is a taskmaster.”

  “You have no idea,” she moaned. “Now back to you being an idiot, don’t give him a choice. He wants you, anyone with eyes can see that, all you have to do is take it.”

  “And pray tell how do you suppose I do that?”

  “Seduce him.”

  “Won’t work.”

  “Why not, he’s a guy.”

  “True, but this is me.”

  “Ah I see your point.”

  “Thanks,” I muttered. My head popped up when I heard a distinct voice. “Ash,” I whispered, “hold on a sec.”

  “Why are you…” but I shoved my phone in my pocket then ducked behind a potted plant.

  I pulled my Nerf gun from the back of my pants and waited. I watched as Keaton walked past while Lana followed behind bitching about something. When she passed I turned, aimed, and shot her in the back of the head.

  “What the?” She gasped and spun around.

  I stood up and grinned at her shocked face. “Your target, please?”

  She scowled at me then stomped over. “That’s not fair.”

  “Why not?”

  “You shot me in the back!” she yelled.

  “No, I shot you in the head.”

  She growled and looked over at Keaton who was standing there grinning. “Tell her it wasn’t fair.”

  “It was within the rules,” he answered. “Give her your target.”

  She dug in her pocket and flicked her target at me before storming down the hallway.

  “That was kind of scary,” he murmured watching her go down the hall.

  “Her temper tantrum?”

  “No, your ninja skills.”

  I shrugged. “Gotta go,” I checked the corner quickly then took off towards my room. I pulled the phone back out of my pocket. “Sorry Ash.”

  “What was that?”
r />   “Had to shoot someone.”

  “I don’t even want to know, hold on, Devi wants to talk to you.”

  “Jules.”

  “Devi.”

  “There is an after-party tonight.”

  “Okay and?”

  “You’re going,” she said in a voice that said I didn’t have a choice.

  “I don’t have anything to wear,” I said attempting to get out of this even though I knew it was futile.

  “Already took care of it, you should have a dress sometime before you leave,” then she hung up on me.

  I crossed my eyes at the phone. “You’re going” I mimicked. I did not have a good feeling about whatever she had planned, and I knew she was planning something.

  I walked onto the elevator and waited for the doors to close before looking at my new target. I giggled; he was going to be a challenge.

  I walked into the suite I was sharing with Seth and Sam. Across the hall, there was an identical suite that X, Eli, and Ian were staying in. This one wasn’t as gaudy or large as the suite in Vegas, which made me happy.

  “I understand,” Seth said into his cell sounding exasperated. “Gotta go.”

  He eyed me as I walked into the room. “Are you about to shoot me?” I asked looking for a way to dodge past him and lock myself in my room.

  “No, but you may want to shoot me.”

  I put my hands on my hips. “What does she want?”

  “I am told to bring you someplace and if you resist at any point then I am given permission to knock you out and drag you behind by your hair.”

  I cocked my head and looked at him. “Your wife is seriously scary.”

  “Trust me, I know.”

  “Where am I going?”

  “I know better than to tell you that, you’ll run.”

  I groaned and let my head flop back on my shoulders so I was staring at the ceiling. “I hate that woman some days.”

  “Let’s get this over with,” he muttered grabbing my hand and clasping it tightly.

  “That much of a flight risk?”

  “Oh yeah.”

  Sam

  “Dad’s not doing well,” my brother said as soon as I answered my phone.