“How are you feeling?” Her questions makes it seem as if my sickness wasn’t self-induced.
“I’m okay,” I cringe, praying she didn’t hear me vomiting in the bathroom earlier. The tour bus is large in size, but at the end of the day, it’s still a bus.
“I bet.” She rubs my arm in a soothing manner. “Food poisoning is terrible.”
My confused eyes dance between hers. “Food poisoning?”
“Yeah, food poisoning. I’m just glad you refused to share your meal, or I would have been hugging the toilet with you.” This confession doesn’t come from Jenni. It came from Slater, who’s smirking at me from behind his magazine.
“You and me both. Although I’m sure it won’t be too much longer before my bowl-hugging starts all over again.” After pulling a face like she’s about to be sick, Jenni saunters away.
When I walk past Slater, I bump him with my knee, wordlessly thanking him for saving me from an extremely embarrassing situation.
* * *
I spend the next hour staring at a darkened sky while trying to work out the events of last night. I remember playing the drinking card game with the road crew. I have vague memories of being carried over Slater’s shoulder, but other than that, the rest of my night is a blur.
I knew the road crew was cheating from the very beginning. I was just upset Slater goaded me about going to a strip club, I no longer cared. I wanted to break free from the dull, depressing life I’ve been living the past two years. I guess I should thank Slater for not just looking after me while I was sick, but for also stopping me from making a huge mistake.
Sonny’s interests in me have been as obvious as the sun hanging in the sky. I’ve explained to him on many occasions that the spark of attraction will never be reciprocated. He just has a hard time understanding the word “no.” His pursuit has been relentless, and last night, he caught me in a moment of weakness.
It’s lucky Slater came by when he did, or who knows whose bed I may have woken in this morning. The thought alone makes me cringe. Not just at Sonny, but myself as well. I’m not a child, but last night I certainly acted like one.
When my gaze shifts away from the window, I spot Emily’s concerned face. She doesn’t say anything; her eyes just dance over my face. Remorse washes over me when tears well in her eyes. I’m just about to ask if she’s okay, but Noah beats me to her. He pulls her onto his lap, his concern doubling when she burrows her head into the crook of his neck so she can sob without witnesses.
After locking my eyes with Marcus, I jerk my chin to Emily, wordlessly asking if he knows what’s going on. He shakes his head, as clueless as me. Wanting to give Noah and Emily privacy, I return to the room at the back of the bus, passing Jenni on the way by. She’s standing near a set of bunk beds Maddie and Jasper are sleeping on. She rubs my arm reassuringly before nudging her head to the door at the end of the aisle. “I think he’s asleep.”
I knock softly to confirm her suspicions. When I don’t get a reply, I hesitantly open it. As Jenni suspected, Slater is sprawled on the bed, the rhythm of his breaths showing he’s asleep. He’s lying on his stomach, wearing nothing but a pair of jeans. One pillow is cradled under his chest, and his head is resting on another. Although he’s just as deserving as privacy as Emily and Noah, I quietly slip into the room and close the door behind me. He comforted me when I needed it, so shouldn’t I do the same?
After tiptoeing to the other side of the room, I slip between the sheets, where I spend the next several minutes watching him sleep. Because he’s removed his shirt, I can take in the differences I missed last time. He’s added even more tattoos to his already vast collection, and his body is bulkier with a healthy smattering of muscles, but by looking at him, I could forget the last two years happened. The guy sleeping next to me is the same man I fell instantly in love with. The same man I still love.
Bus brakes squeaking interrupts his peaceful slumber. When he sluggishly opens his eyes, he catches my stalker watch. He seems surprised I’m lying next to him, but doesn’t say anything. He just lifts his head off the pillow so he can study my face without anything in the way.
“How are you feeling?”
I wait for him to stop scrubbing his tired eyes before answering, “I’m good.”
Smirking, he rolls onto his hip, mimicking my position to perfection.
“Although, I’m never drinking bourboneveragain.”
He chuckles a breathy laugh that sets my pulse racing. “I don’t think I’ll touch it again either.”
When he gags, I slap him on his chest, mortified he saw me like that, while also loving his playful banter.God, I’ve missed his laugh.
Once he finishes chuckling, his face takes on a more serious appearance. “What do you remember about last night?”
I bare teeth while cringing. “To be honest, I don’t recall much.”
“So you don’t remember declaring your undying love to me?”
I freeze as my pupils widen. I’ve always been a talkative, affectionate drunk, but I thought I was sick enough last night that my ramblings would have been kept to a bare minimum. Furthermore, although I’d never deny loving him, I hate that he had to hear it while I was drunk.
Slater’s shoulders shake, and his eyes get a cheeky sparkle as his lips curve upwards. When I spot the whites of his teeth, I punch him in the bicep. He releases the chuckle he’s struggling to hold in. He’s always been a stirrer, but I’m usually all over his pranks, so I’m shocked I just fell for the oldest one in the book.
When three brief taps hit the bedroom door, our heads crank to the side in sync.
“Slater, we’re in San Francisco.” Even with needing to project her voice through a door, Jenni’s nerves can’t be missed. “Umm…. is Kylie still in there with you?”
