17
I STRETCHED AND TUCKER’S arms coiled tighter around my stomach. I smiled, kissing him lightly on his forehead. He grinned as he slowly opened his eyes.
“I love waking up with you in my arms.”
“Good, because this could get awkward if you didn’t.”
He laughed, placing a kiss on the tip of my nose.
“Gross,” Eric called from his bunk, and Tucker and I both laughed.
“Good morning, Eric,” I called out.
“What’s good about it?”
“I’m going to make pancakes.” I listened as he slid out of his bunk and made his way into the tiny kitchen. Tucker frowned.
“What’s wrong?”
“I didn’t want to let go of you yet.” He squeezed me again, and I peppered a trail of kisses up his neck. “Now I refuse to let go of you.”
I pushed against his chest to break free from his grip.
“Come on. I’m hungry.”
He reluctantly let his arms go slack and I slid out of the bunk, holding my hand out to him. He took it and stood up with a groan. I glanced down over the rough skin of his knuckles that had been busted and swollen from his fight with Eric. He pulled his hand back and ran it over his hair.
“I’m fine.”
I rolled my eyes but walked to the front of the bus to prepare breakfast. I cringed when I saw Eric’s face. His lip was not nearly as swollen, and where it had busted open had healed closed, leaving a thin red line. His eye was another story. It had darkened into deep purples and blues.
“You look rough,” Tucker called out from behind me as his hands fell onto my hips. I bent over to grab the ready-made batter from the fridge.
“I think it suits me. Chicks dig it.”
I shook my head as I listened to them talk as if last night hadn’t happened. I was glad that there was no tension in the bus. I had no clue what they talked about, but it seemed that they had worked out most of their problems.
It felt good to cook, even though it was something simple and most of the work was already done for me. I never learned how to cook homemade meals, anyway, so this was the best alternative. I let my mind drift to what it would be like in the future, standing over a stove in my own home. I wondered if Tucker would be around or off with the band traveling the world.
“Smells great,” Chris said with a groan as he made his way to the front of the bus. He shoved Eric over so he could sit at the table. Terry followed suit, squeezing in on Tucker’s side. Everyone was happy and chatting. I loved days like these; it made everything else worth it.
I stacked the pancakes on a plate, refusing to feed anyone until I had made enough for them to eat at the same time.
After dishing out a stack for everyone, I gave them their plates and leaned back against the counter to eat my own pancakes as I watched them.
“We need this every morning,” Terry proclaimed with his mouth full of food.
“I want to try to make beignets.” I shoved a bite in my mouth.
“What fancy kind of shit is that?” Eric asked.
“Weird donut things with powdered sugar on them. I had them when I visited my dad. So good.”
“Bring some home with you next time,” Chris chimed in.
“All right. I’d like to see him again. It didn’t feel like we had much time together . . . and I let so much go unsaid. . . .”
I looked up to see Tucker’s eyes on me, but I couldn’t read his expression. I finished my last bite of food and turned to wash my plate in the sink as Donna came out of her room in the back of the bus.
“I made pancakes.” I used my chin to motion to her plate on the counter. She made a disgusted face, turning up her nose.
“Coffee is the only breakfast I need.” She squeezed by me and began to make a pot. The bus was so small she had to put her arm against mine to do it, and I wanted to pull away, but I was trying to keep the peace.
“Good to see you all sitting here in one piece. Almost one piece.”
Eric laughed at her and I rolled my eyes since my back was to them all.
“I was going to have a meeting over breakfast, but this will do.”
“What’s up?” Tucker asked. I turned to face the table. Donna glanced at me like she wanted to ask me to go kick rocks, but she didn’t say anything.
“The awards show is approaching, and the tour is now heading to the East Coast, as you know. We have several shows along the way, but mostly we will be stopping only to sleep and eat. I need to know you are all committed to making this work. This is a big deal for Damaged and could really propel your careers.”
The guys looked around at each other as they all nodded.
“What happened yesterday can’t happen again.” She glanced over at me, and I wanted to scream that it hadn’t been my fault, but that was a can of worms we didn’t need to reopen. Instead, I pulled my lower lip between my teeth and kept my mouth shut.
She glanced down at her watch to check the time.
“If you want to get out and stretch, do so now. We will be driving through the day today. Limited stops because of time constraints.”
The guys groaned at the thought of being locked in the bus all day, and I couldn’t blame them. It was hard enough getting them all to get along, but locking them in together was asking for trouble.
They stood from their seats and began to talk about the upcoming shows. I grabbed their plates and began to wash them, also wanting to be able to get off the bus for a few minutes before we were on the road again. Tucker kissed me on the cheek and headed for the door.
“If you give me a second, I’ll come with you.” I used the back of my soapy hand to brush my hair from my face. He held up his cell phone.
“I’m just gonna call Dorris and see how she is feeling.”
I nodded, focusing back on the dishes and not Donna who was still standing next to me. One by one they left the bus, leaving us alone.
“Things like yesterday are going to happen.”
“Tucker and Eric worked out their issues. And Tuck and I are fine.”
“I meant the shoot. There will be more, and he will always have women hanging all over him. It comes with the territory.”
“I am aware of that.” I turned to look her in the eye. “But it’s between Tucker and me. You manage his band, not my relationship.”
I walked around her, not wanting to give her a chance to respond, and headed outside. I held my hand over my eyes to shield them from the sun as I looked for Tucker. He was a few yards away. He glanced over at me as he took his phone from his ear and began walking toward me.
“How is she?” I asked as I got closer to him.
“Good as can be expected.” He shrugged but didn’t elaborate. “I have an idea.”
“Uh-oh.” He chuckled at my response.
“Let’s ride today. I hardly ever get to use my bike, and I am dying to spend some time alone with you. Maybe we could get a room along the way when the driver stops for sleep.” He flung his arm around my neck and pulled me toward him as we walked, kissing the side of my head.
“That sounds like heaven.”
“Good. I can’t take a full day of those guys and Donna.”
I laughed as we stepped inside a small gas station. The rest of the band was inside loading up on candy,
