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"Angel," The corner of the towel that was around my waist was now in her hands. "It's supposed to be a surprise!"
My hands rushed to my cheeks. "I don't know if I have the patience to wait until tonight."
"Think of it as letting Jake concentrate on the interviews. Besides, I like playing stalkery fan-girl and I want to have my friend to myself a little longer. Will you let me? Once he knows you're here, this tour is going to be all about you two and I'll be back to third-wheel."
Looking at her pouty face, I totally caved.
Avery rewarded my loyalty with the first shower. Probably so she didn't have to witness my meltdown when I looked through the bags she packed for me. Nothing cute or sexy; only black jeans and t-shirts. To her credit, she did pack a lot of silk underthings and my favorite lacey bra that I stole from her.
"That's my bag." Avery wrapped herself in the last dry towel. "Yours is on the other side of the bed, on the floor." She plucked a short round bottle from the counter and began moisturizing.
I was already frustrated and sweating. "What if they leave?" The contents of my duffle bag flopped onto the bed. I was sifting through the assortment of denim. Blue, black, acid washed cut-offs . . . "Yes!" My favorite pair of faded Levis; men's, with a button-fly. They were tight, but there was still room for my butt. They hung low on my hips. I slipped into them, feeling the soft material mold itself to me.
"Wear this, too." Avery extended a finger, on which rested a long black tank top. It had the bands initials stenciled on the front in red puffy paint. I liked it because the curve of the letters made my boobs look bigger.
"Thanks." I grabbed and tossed it on and got busy on hair and makeup.
Avery watched and critiqued, humming to Soundgarden blasting from the local rock station. The fact that it came in so clearly made me question the usability of the radio in the car since we were short of music nearly the whole way. We listened with hope at hearing the deejay announce anything to do with Analog Controller.
"There." I tucked a strand of hair back into the knot that was Avery's sloppy bun. We each stared into the mirror, examining one another with approval.
"You're flawless, but natural." Avery added, "Like you're not expecting to run into anyone. But he'll be happy when you do."
We both smiled.
The local radio station was still playing. I turned it up all the way after they mentioned Anemic Psycho's show at The Mystic Muse. It was the first time I heard the tour mentioned on the radio. Then again, Tempe had a bigger scene. I wanted to bust into Analog's room and find my man to tell him, but I promised my friend I'd wait.
"We drove nearly three-hundred miles to see this band." Avery mused with a wry look. "Better be worth it."
"Only a little while longer," I was practically hopping with anticipation. "I want Jake to sleep with us, in our room. Is that cool?"
"Since when have I turned down a chance at having a hot guy in my room?"
Avery waggled her eyebrows and I laughed.
33
-Angel
By sunset, the movie I'd been watching was rolling credits and I was out of patience. I shot up and off the bed, dusting the popcorn crumbs from my shirt. Avery was in the bathroom, changing or primping-I'm not sure which. Instead of fighting with her for the one sink, I went to the window and peeked out at the parking lot.
The van was gone.
"They left!"
Avery's head poked out from the bathroom doorway. She was simultaneously raking one brush through her hair and another over her teeth. "They . . . for . . . club. Has . . ."
I moved closer. "They went to the club?"
She spit foamy white into the motel sink. "Doors open in two hours and they have sound checks."
The thought got me even more pumped. "Sound check!" I checked my hair, brushed my teeth, and combed my top for lint. "Let's jam."
I was almost regretting the stop we made to get burgers when Avery pointed to the long, curving line on the front sidewalk. "It's getting so long."
I didn't want to wait in it, but it was a great sign!
The Narc passed, slowing into the back parking lot where there were still a few open spaces. As we pulled into the back lot, I spied the tail end of a trailer hitched to a beat up white van.
