I turn to Darren and he shrugs, offering a little insight. “The officers took their reports. They arrested Eric after he ...” He shakes his head.
Good.I hope Eric rots in jail. I’ll make a call to our lawyers tomorrow and get them to push for the harshest penalty.
“Bedo said to keep this bus locked down until he comes back. So ... I’m sorry, Trent. You should probably go.”
“Me?” I sputter and then glance back to Lexi.
She still won’t meet my gaze.
“I’m not leaving. Not until I make this right.”
Her chin snaps up and her eyes narrow. “What exactly are you gonna do, Trent?” Her anger drips from the accusation that I can’t do a damn thing. I’m too late. Her eyes are ablaze and the corners pinch with her glare.
I might be too late, but something like this isn’t happening again. Not if I can help it. “You’re switching buses. Pack your shit,” I say.
She steps back, her brows pull together, and she shakes her head. “What? No. I’m not leaving this tour because some asshat got a little handsy.”
So damn stubborn. Lucky I am too. “You’re not leaving. You’ve been upgraded.”
Her hands go to her hips and she lifts an eyebrow.
“You’re on our bus now.”
“Says who?”
“Says, me. Now, pack your bag. Or don’t, and I’ll have someone do it for you. You’re sure as hell not staying here anymore.”
“I don’t get a say? You dictate to me now? The rest of the band and crew on board with this?” Her sassy fire is back and bastard that I am, it excites me that she’s not cowering or scared, that she’s still Lexi. It’s the only evidence I have that Eric didn’t break her, not in an irreparable way.
“I don’t care what they think. Now, you gonna pack or should Darren do it?”
“I can pack my own damn bag,” she grinds out through clenched teeth.
“Good. See you on board.” I smile and turn before she changes her mind, or takes a shot at my junk. She’s pissed. More than pissed. But I’ll take the anger. I’d rather her direct it at me; at least then I can be useful, help her get mad and over what this scumbag did to her.
“Bring her over when she’s ready,” I order Darren on my way out. He nods.
I know this is the right decision, and even if the guys don’t like it at first, they’ll come around. They’ll agree it’s the best way to keep her safe. Because though we might all party a little too hard and sleep with a lot of women, not one of us condones taking a woman’s choice away.
I step outside the bus and glance up to take in the night sky, it’s expansiveness filled with tiny sparkling stars. Letting go of the guilt I hold inside, I release it into the universe on an exhale. I head back to my bus but Ace, one of the drivers for Big Betty, catches my gaze as he walks from where two police cars drive off.
“Hey, Trent.” He offers me a handshake and I return it.
“Were you here when that all went down with Lexi and Eric?”
“Yeah.” He shakes his head. “Just in time, too. I just turned in my report. I found that fucker pinning her to the floor. He wasn’t gonna stop, man. If I hadn’t heard her scream ... Man, I don’t think I would’ve gone in there. And no one would’ve stopped him ...”
“But you did, Ace. You did. That’s all that counts.” I blow out another forced breath as I take in the severity of his words, choosing my next ones carefully. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do if—”
“I know, man. I know.” Ace nods back to Big Betty and I turn. “She’s leaving?”
“No.” I shake my head. A little chuckle escapes my lips when I spy her slinging a bag over one shoulder with a guitar in the other hand while Darren follows behind with a larger bag. “She’s moving buses. It’s safer.”
“Damn.” Ace shakes his head, returning my laugh. “I’m gonna miss that firecracker. You guys luck out with that move. She’s funny as hell once she lets her guard down. You just look out for her. Don’t let anyone mess with her.” His warning stirs every bit of protectiveness inside. I know without a doubt there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to keep her safe. It might be irrational since I hardly know her, but it’s something I don’t need to explain or evaluate. When it comes to Lexi Marx, I’m all in.
