Ivy watches me but doesn't say anything.
"What?" I ask her.
"Your brother has been going out of his way to avoid you, yes, but not Dallas. You know he asked me the other day to stay with you backstage, while they were performing, so you weren't alone?"
"What when?" I'm confused, why would he do that?
"A week or so ago."
That was after our night at the bar, and when he started ignoring me.
"It doesn't make sense," I say more to myself.
"Oh, honey, guys don't make sense. My guess is if your brother was all up in arms, Dallas is trying to prove to him he's worthy of you, before he makes a move. He’s going to want your brother on his side for your sake, for his sake, and the sake of the band. He and Landon go their separate ways, and then everyone here is out of a job."
I sigh. I know she’s right to an extent.
"Then, why ignore me altogether and push me away? Why not talk to me instead? I'd have understood that."
"I don't know. You need to talk to him about that."
I nod and finish my drink and signal for another one.
"Maybe, you should slow down on the drinks. I've never seen you drink so much."
"We have an off day tomorrow, and I plan to spend it in bed. Watch some Hallmark movies, or read some kinky romance books, and ignore everything for a day."
"Dom and I plan to head out and explore a bit, and you’re welcome to join us." Ivy offers.
"Nah, I don't want to be your third wheel. It’ll just remind me of everything I can't have, because my brother prefers I be alone and miserable."
Ivy's face goes soft, and I look down into my drink, because I don't want to see pity or God knows what else there. It is what it is. I will move on after the tour and find another causal relationship. Preferably one that doesn't propose after three months.
The concert wraps up, and I roll my eyes. Ivy knows the basics of what’s going on with Dallas, Landon, and me, but she doesn't push, and that's why I like her. I don't want to talk about this anymore, and she doesn't force me, too.
I brace myself, because I know the guys will be here soon. Then, Ivy will be with her sexy husband, and I will need to decide my best course of action. I should get up and let Dom and Ivy walk me to the bus, but I'm frozen in place, when Dallas walks into the room. Why does he have to be devastatingly handsome?
When they enter the room, Ivy leaps into Dom's arms, and they head off to the bus just like every night. I'm so happy for them, but I want that, and it seems like Landon is making damn sure I'm not going to get it. Fuck him.
When I look over at them, that same girl is flirting with Landon again, and he's soaking it up. I can't stand her, and even more so after talking to some people on the tour with us the last few days. When my brother busts out laughing, good ole liquid courage mixed with some truth serum hits me and mixes with my anger that I've been stewing on for a week now. I'm up and across the room pushing people out of the way, until I'm standing right in front of the girl, whose name is some flower I can't remember right now.
"Hello, Landon," I say, as sweetly as I can.
He cocks his head to the side and studies me. "Austin."
"Oh, you do remember me. Huh, never would have known."
"What are you talking about?" He asks.
"You asked me to do this tour remember?"
"Of course, I remember." He shifts on his feet, looking a bit annoyed.
I'm proud of myself for resisting the urge to punch him in the face just like Dallas taught me. Let him explain a black eye to the press.
"Then why have you been ignoring me for the last week?"
His eyes go wide for a fraction of a second. "I haven't been ignoring you."
"Come on, Landon, when was the last time we lied to each other? Other people have even noticed you’ve been going out of your way to avoid me."
"Well, if you treat him like this, I can understand why." Flower girl says, and I turn to her.
"Oh, and you need to stay away from my brother. You aren't good enough for him. He doesn't need some whore like you. I'm not allowed to date anyone, then neither can he. He wants to stick his nose in where it doesn't belong, then I will, too." I look back at Landon. "What happened to that sweet girl at the charity you wanted to ask out? Oh, now I get why she said no, because you wanted to whore it up on tour. Good job. I'll make sure she knows that, too. I hope she’s dating someone else by the time the tour is over for her sake." When I finish my rant, the entire room is silent, and Landon's eyes are wide.
The next thing I know, Dallas is in front of me.
"Come on, let's head back to the bus." Dallas tries to take my hand, but I yank it away.
"Oh, now you want to talk to me. Fuck off. Both of you." I turn to leave, but in one quick motion, Dallas grabs my arm, flips me over his shoulder, and starts walking.
"What the hell are you doing? Put me down, asshole!" I start beating as hard as I can on his back, but I'm easily distracted by his ass, which is right in front of my face.
"I’ll set you down, when we get to my dressing room. Looks like we need to have a chat."
"You
