by Maya Hughes
“We’ll we’re glad to have you on the tour.” Caden slung his arm around her shoulder and squeezed her to his chest. He mussed her hair for good measure before releasing her. She blew her hair out of her face. A shadow fell over the table and everyone looked up. The pair from the night before stood at the end of their booth, grimaces on their faces.
“Five minutes,” shouted a stocky man with a long beard and ponytail standing in the center of the diner.
“It’s time to head out,” said Owen, staring at her. She shifted uncomfortably in the booth. It squeaked under her. The guys looked from Owen to her.
“What’s your deal, man?” Caden said, pushing his way out of the booth, forcing Owen to take a step back.
“Nothing, ready to get on the road and get to the venue,” Owen said.
“We’ve got plenty of time. Lighten up.” Caden threw his arm around Owen’s shoulder, which Owen promptly shrugged off.
“That means you two too. The tour waits for no one. Not even pretty little ladies.” He stared down at Keira.
“We’re good, Owen. Don’t forget, we have our own bus. No need to let us hold you up.” Eric motioned for her hand and she put hers in his as they scooted out of the booth. Grayson came out first, bumping into Lyx.
“Can you move? What the hell is wrong with you two?” Grayson said, moving around them. Eric still holding onto her hand, pulled her to his side and put his arm around her waist. Owen’s eyes zeroed in on his hand placement and he smirked.
“I didn’t know part of your new label package came with a ride along groupie. Maybe we’ll have to work that into our new contract,” he said, grinning at Lyx.
“Would certainly make those long drives a lot more enjoyable,” Lyx said, grabbing his crotch. Keira stepped forward out of Eric’s grasp.
“Maybe if you two weren’t such assholes you wouldn’t have any trouble attracting someone who would be willing to go on tour with you. What the hell is your problem? You’re both,” she said, jabbing her finger at the two of them, poking them in the chest. “being such colossal dicks. I’ve been around you for maybe fifteen minutes and I can’t wait until we’re off your tour and on Eric’s.”
Owen’s head snapped up and his eyes bulged. “You’re getting your own tour?”
Eric stepped forward and pulled Keira back against him, his hand resting on her hip.
“Yeah, starts in a couple of weeks, we only have until Philly with you guys and then we’re heading out.”
Owen’s eyes narrowed and he abruptly turned around and stormed out of the diner, pushing the door open so hard the jingling bells attached to it flew off the door onto the asphalt outside. Lyx jogged after Owen and everyone else stood there wondering what the hell just happened.
“What was that?” Keira said. Grayson and Caden exchanged looks and shrugged. She peered up at Eric who shrugged too. Everyone began filing out of the diner and she and Eric climbed into their bus. They stretched out in the living area at the front of the bus and the driver slid into his seat. They pulled away from the diner, both lost in thought.
After a few minutes on the road, Eric went back to the bunks and pulled out his guitar. She sat mesmerized as he tuned it and began playing a few songs. In complete fangirl mode, she jumped up realizing this was exactly the type of thing she should be taking pictures of. Bracing herself as she walked down the rocking bus hallway to the bedroom, she spotted her bag and opened it. She grabbed her camera and laptop out of her bag and stumbled back to the booth.
He smiled at her as she held her camera on her lap, her butterflies back fluttering with a vengeance as he began humming a tune. His fingers plucked the strings and moved quickly across the fretboard, driving a rhythm she wouldn’t have thought possible with an acoustic guitar. Smacking the body of the guitar, he peeked at her through his eyelashes and winked at her. He knew exactly what he was doing and if her panties were any indication right then, this tour would test her restraint like nothing else ever had.
17
The next few days were a flurry of activity between traveling from one show to another, the crew setting up the stages, sound checks, trying out her cameras and taking tons of pictures, which had yet to be approved by the label. And now a new facet of being on tour with a rising star. Interviews. Eric had five set up for today taking place backstage at the arena.
Armed with her camera bag, Keira found a perch close enough to the action, but far enough away to not be in the mix. Despite the level of control and ease Eric displayed up on stage in these one on one interviews, his leg tapped up and down and he usually held the guitar in front of him, like a shield. He was so nervous and it only made him cuter, she thought staring at him through the viewfinder of her camera.
“And Keira is a new addition to the tour,” he said, waving her over. She froze and glanced down at herself. Jeans and a tour t-shirt weren’t exactly out to impress attire. He waved her over again and she put down her bag and tentatively walked over. The reporter and their photographer stared at her as she walked from her perch over to Eric’s side. He motioned to the empty chair beside him and she sat begrudgingly.
“What’s up?” she said, trying to sound casual.
“I was telling the Daily Star about your phenomenal talent,” he said, grinning at her, his leg tapping against the leg of the chair.
“You were?” she squeaked.
“Yes, she’ll be with me for the rest of this tour and then joining me on my solo tour.”
“That must be exciting,” the reporter said, turning to Keira.
“It really is. It’s an amazing opportunity and I can’t wait for Eric’s fans to see what I have in store for them,” she said, pasting on a smile and attempting to be a normal person. What should she do with the hands? Where did they go? Why did everything feel so awkward? And now they’re looking at her, aren’t they? They are totally looking at her not knowing what the hell to do with her hands. Eric gripped one of her hands and put his over hers resting both their hands on her knee. The reporter zeroed in on their hands, but relief washed through her that she didn’t have to worry about what to do with her hands anymore.
“So how did you two meet?” Her head snapped up at that question. Is that a normal question?
“We met at a friend’s going away party. Keira showed me some of her artwork and I was blown away.”
“And then I threw up on him.” Her face flushed. Why did she said that?
“You threw up on him?” the reporter said, eyes wide.
“I had a terrible case of food poisoning and Eric was nice enough to take care of me and make sure that I didn’t take a turn for the worst.”
“Aww, that was really sweet,” the reporter said. Eric rubbed the back of his neck and nodded. “So that explains those pictures circulating a little while ago.” He nodded again. What pictures?
“It was. I was super grateful for him taking care of me and then the next day he came to me about the tour offer. I thought it was a great opportunity. There weren’t many options for the summer and I thought it would be fun.”
“Has it been?”
“Definitely. I’m learning a lot about being on tour and taking lots of behind the scenes pictures for fans, I’m excited to finally get them into their hands.”
“What do you think, Eric? How’s it been having Keira on tour with you?”
“It’s been great. The bus can get lonely when you’re there all alone, so it’s been fun having Keira around and her pictures are excellent. I can’t wait for fans to get a chance to see them too.”
The nervous energy flowed off Keira in waves. He thought he had it bad when it came to these things. She seemed like she could jump out of her skin at any moment. He wanted to get some coverage about her photography and make sure that people at the shows knew that she was the person behind the pictures of his shows. In the back of his mind, he replayed what the studio exec said about playing up his time with Keira, but he pushed that aside. He hadn’t introduced her becaus
e of that, but it wouldn’t hurt to keep the label happy. He hadn’t heard much from Smith since they went on tour.
The tour planning was taking shape with dates already booked down the east coast and the European dates almost firmly set. He’d go to the recording studio during the break between tours and record the final song. They could slap it onto the album and release it in only a couple weeks. The reporter staring at him expectantly clued him into the fact that he’d completely zoned out.
“Sorry, what was that?” he said, clearing his throat.
“I asked how it feels to be a headliner of your own tour?”
“I don’t know how it feels yet. I’m still here supporting Uncharted.” The door at the bottom of the stage steps banged against the wall as it was thrown open. Owen climbed the stairs and froze when he saw the four of them sitting on the stage. He grumbled and banged around for a while, grabbed one of his guitars before storming back down the stairs and out the stage door. Everyone jumped as it slammed so loud against the wall that the lights overhead rattled.
“He gets really angry when he has to come back on stage for his favorite guitar,” Eric said, covering. He didn’t know what the hell was wrong with Owen these days. Before he’d gone to LA things had been cool, relaxed and fun, since he returned Owen was a ball of piss and vinegar. He’d been pleasantly surprised when Uncharted hadn’t had any diva behavior like he’d encountered with other headliners on smaller tours, but it seemed that had only been a temporary reprieve. He was making up for lost time now. He hoped that bug up his ass died soon.
18
Standing backstage after the show, Keira took a few pictures before tucking her camera in her bag. She enjoyed watching the shows. It felt like she had the best seat in the house from her stage-side perches. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Eric wander close to the stage’s edge. The past week had been a testament to her restraint. Even though someone got sheets for the bunks outside and put all the equipment under the bus, somehow they still ended up in the same bed every night. She’d lay awake for what seemed like hours, willing herself not to touch him night after night, but in the morning, she always woke up in his arms.
She lifted her hand to wave him over when she saw he wasn’t alone. There was a girl right behind him. The girl flung her hair over her bare shoulder and Keira saw red. She had on a black sequin tube top, if it could even be called that. It was pretty much the size of an Ace bandage and wrapped around her boobs, but at least those were completely covered. Her leather skirt barely covered her ass cheeks. A vein in her neck throbbed as the girl ran her finger down the center of Eric’s chest and he just let her. Without a second thought, she stormed over to the pair and stood next to Eric, pushing his shoulder back gently and angling herself a bit in front of him.
“Eric, I need you back on the bus,” she said, keeping her eyes laser focused on the black clad woman in front of her. Up close, her pancaked makeup made Keira want to barf. Could it be any thicker? She swore that if she raked a nail down her face there would be an inch-deep trail.
“Hey, Keira. Why?”
“I just do,” she said, adamant.
“Why Keira?” the woman said, sweetly. “What’s the matter? Can’t handle a little friendly competition?” she said smirking and Keira wanted to claw her eyes out.
“Competition?” Eric said, sounding completely lost. How could he be so dense and what was with him letting some random woman touch him?
“There is no competition, so don’t you worry,” she said, keeping her eyes on Keira.
“Honey, come on let’s go,” shouted Lyx from behind them. The guys from Uncharted came pouring out of their dressing room. A cloud of smoke broke free of the room and beer bottles clanked and crashed as all the guys and some additional ladies made their way down the hallway toward the tour buses.
“Exactly, there isn’t, sweetheart. I wasn’t after your man, but if I were, trust me, he’d be mine,” she said, sauntering off.
“Honey, let’s go or you lose your spot on the bus,” he called.
“Coming, Lyx!” she said, before scampering off to join the rest of Uncharted. Now the red flush that filled her face wasn’t out of anger.
“You were jealous,” Eric said, finally catching on. Why did he have to catch on now?
“No, I wasn’t,” she said, shaking her head. Nope. Nope. Nope. Totally not jealous. The hallway was completely deserted and the quiet that followed the crashing of Uncharted’s departure made each word ring in her ears.
“You totally were. You thought she was hitting on me and you came to stake your claim.”
“No,” she said, attempting to walk away. Eric caught her around the waist, pulling her close to him.
“If I had known that was all I needed to do to get your attention I would have done it ages ago,” he breathed against her neck. A shiver traveled down her spine and her heart raced as his hot breath caressed her skin.
“I wasn’t jealous, I was just trying to stop you from falling into bed with a diseased groupie. A bed I happen to sleep in,” she said, unable to move, frozen by what his touch and voice did to her.
“It’s okay, Keira. It’s okay to be jealous.” His hand rubbing along the inside of her wrist. She shuddered against him.
“I’m not,” even to herself it sounded completely insincere.
“Just say the word and you can have anything you want,” he said, his lips brushing against her neck as he trailed kisses from her shoulder to her jaw, making her break out in goosebumps. Her pulse pounded and she felt her pussy throb in anticipation of just what she wanted. Wanted with him. He stopped his kisses and she closed her eyes ready for more. After a couple of seconds, she opened her eyes and stood in the hallway completely alone with Eric’s back to her as he strode to catch up with the rest of the guys from Uncharted.
A combination of embarrassment and anger bubbled up at the fact that he’d completely set her up. Get her worked up and then run off to do who knows what with those women who’d been with the band. Gathering up her stuff, she shoved her laminate into her bag and stormed out of the venue. Security moved out of her way as she blew through the restricted area and wrenched the door to their bus open and stomped into the living area.
Pacing, she didn’t know what to do. Every fiber in her being said to run over to Uncharted’s bus and show Eric just how little she cared about him and the other part of her wanted to curl up in the bedroom and cry. Why couldn’t she just go for it? What was the harm? How about being the ride along piece of ass everyone already thinks she is? Or not having anyone take anything she does seriously because she’s Eric Newcastle’s girlfriend or worse, groupie. Lights shined over the parking lot as the crew rushed to get everything broken down and packed away now that the show had finished. After an hour, she couldn’t take it anymore. Digging in her bag for her phone, she grabbed it and sent a text.
Keira: Sometimes you really just want to punch a guy in the dick.
Izzy: The totally platonic guy that you’re being completely professional with?
Keira: Shut up.
Izzy: Stop being a baby. If you want him, go for it. If you don’t, then shut up and get over it.
Keira: You’re supposed to be on my side, you know. That’s what sisters are for.
Izzy: And here I thought that sisters were made for calling you on your shit and telling you when to get your head out of your ass.
Keira: You’re not helping.
Izzy: That’s only because you don’t like my advice.
Keira: I don’t even know why I sent you a message.
Izzy: You sent me a message because you know I won’t let you blow smoke and I’ll tell it to you straight.
The phone vibrated in her hand. She begrudgingly accepted the call.
“Yes,” she huffed.
“Do you like him?”
“Yes,” she said, flinging herself back onto the couch, covering her eyes with her arm.
“Then you need to make a decision. I
’m sure he’s wondering what the hell is going on in your head right now. If you’ve given him the ‘we’re professional’ talk, then you can’t be pissed off that he’s going along with your wishes. If you want him, you’re going to have to make the first move because maybe he’s not a pushy dick and will actually listen to the things you say.”
“How am I supposed to tell him that I like him when he’s probably over in the other bus getting a blow job from some groupie as we speak.”
“You’ll have to make that decision when the time comes. Maybe ask him when he gets back, or go over there and claim your man, if you’re so worried about it.”
“I don’t think I can do that,” she groaned.
“Then you have to live with the consequences.”
“I really hate you sometimes. You’re supposed to tell me that I’m awesome and I deserve someone better and he’s a dick and I should go kick him in the nuts.”
“Have you ever known me to give you that advice when you’re the one being stupid? Ever?”
“No,” she said, glumly.
“But you are awesome, you’re just terrible at confrontation and letting people know what you want. Which is probably why people love you and hate me,” she said, chuckling.
“Probably.”
“Hey,” Izzy griped.
“I can tell it like it is just like you can.”
“Only with me. So, when are you coming to visit?”
“Not sure yet, maybe in a few weeks. I don’t know how the whole tour thing is going to go.”
“Always looking for an excuse not to visit your dear old sister. Amy is going to get a complex thinking her only aunt doesn’t want to see her.”
“We can video chat soon. But I don’t want to tell her I can visit and then I can’t. I’ll let you know as soon as I know.” The bus door swung open and someone clomped up the steps. Eric’s head popped up at the top of the stairs. “Okay, Izzy, I’ve got to go,” she said, sitting up.
