He twists the cap off a cold beer, grinning. “Bet your ass.”
“There’s four of us, not forty. We don’t need even half this stuff.”
“Dude, everyone who plays arenas like this has a list of demands. The venues expect it. It’s all part of the lifestyle.”
I snort.
“What’s the use of making it to the top if you don’t enjoy the view while you’re there?” He shrugs. “And it’s not like I asked for fresh caviar and bottles of Dom.”
“Fish eggs and a champagne headache — sounds more like a criminal sentence than the lifestyle of the rich and famous.” I grab a water from the fridge and twist off the cap. “You nervous?”
“Me?Nah.” His easy grin can’t quite cover the fear in his eyes. “Can’t rattle a drummer.”
“‘Cause your brains are already scrambled from all that stick-pounding?”
He shoves me good-naturedly. “Why do you ask? Areyounervous?”
“Fuck yeah,” I say, swallowing a sip. “‘Causemybrain is still in tact.”
“You sure about that?” Aiden interjects, catching the tail-end of our conversation as he walks out of the bathroom. His dark eyes sweep the room, lingering a heartbeat too long on the couch where Carly and Felicity are caught up in hushed discussion. His voice drops. “When the fuck did she get here?”
“Carly?” My brows lift. “Today, I think.”
“I’ll rephrase.Whythe fuck is she here?”
“I assume Felicity invited her to tag along on the road, at least for a little while.”
“This is a tour, not a slumber party.” His whisper is gruff, but low enough to keep the girls from overhearing. “The bus is going to be crowded enough without her taking up a bunk. She’s deadweight we don’t need.”
I blink, stunned by the threads of anger in his tone. Aiden is one of the most even-keeled guys I’ve ever met. He doesn’t rattle easily. And yet, something about this pixie-like blonde girl’s presence has him undeniably rattled.
Lincoln scoffs. “I for one donotmind her tagging along. I’ve wanted in on that action since the first time we played at The Nightingale.”
Aiden’s glower is so dark, I think for a moment he might do something insane, like throw a punch. While Linc and I have had our fair share of scuffles over the years, I can’t recall a time Aiden ever lifted so much as a finger against either of us.
Thankfully, he manages to get himself under control. Turning on one heel, he stalks out of the suite muttering something about finding Francesca before the show.
Lincoln pauses, a cocktail shrimp halfway to his mouth. “What’s his problem?”
“Hell if I know,” I murmur, my eyes sliding from the doorway to the couch and back.
“Honestly…” Lincoln shoves another shrimp between his lips and swallows. “Forget the physical space limitations; we’ve got an awful lot of emotional baggage to fit on one tour bus.”
I sigh. “I’m going to get changed. Try not to choke on a shrimp, while I’m gone.”
His laughter chases me as I disappear into the adjacent dressing room.
Chapter Thirteen
felicity
Standing in the dark,I listen to their voices rumbling like thunder in the distance. The cheers started as soon as the lights went down and they’re crescendoing louder with each passing moment. Lincoln and Aiden are already out on stage, invisible in the pitch black as they wait for Ryder and me to step out of the wings.
What are you waiting for?I ask myself.Go! Get out there.
But my feet refuse to move.
Taking a deep breath, I smooth my hands over the outfit I changed into only moments ago — an obscenely expensive dress made by some chic LA designer Francesca knows. After seeing the number on the price tag, I wanted to hate it on principle… but I made the fatal mistake of trying it on first. As soon as I pulled the garment over my head and saw how it looked in the mirror, all my righteous indignation went right out the window.