“You’re a lifesaver.” Austin kisses the top of my head, his hand squeezing my shoulder.
My body does nothing. No goosebumps. No racing pulse. No shiver of lust. Nada. It’s the first time since meeting Austin that I haven’t had some sort of physical reaction to his overtly affectionate ways.
It’s because you’re in love with a certain drummer.
No. That isn’t true.
But isn’t it?
Lord, help me if I’ve gone and fallen head over heels after a few make out sessions and dirty texts. Back in Destin I did a lot more with Hunter Anderson, but felt nowhere near the way I do when I’m with Leighton.
Maybe it’s lust? Sure, I really like him, but I can’t be in love yet.Can I?
My heart knows the truth, even though my mind tries to argue. It’s the least sensible thing I’ve gone and done since joining this tour. Might even be a mistake. But I can’t seem to care, and what’s the point? It’s not as if I can go and fall out of love.
“Hey.” Leighton catches my stare across the table. “Thank you for breakfast.” It might be my imagination, but I swear he’s thanking me for more than the food.
I try to play it cool, but my face has other ideas. A grin spreads across my lips. “I’m glad you liked it.” I’d be embarrassed except for the fact he’s smiling back the same way. My heart stutters and does a little flip. Yeah, I’m really into him. Stupidly so. The way I feel about Leighton transcends anything I’ve felt before. Is it love? It sure as heck feels that way. Does he feel the same? I won’t have the nerve to ask. But that’s okay, because right now this feels absolutely perfect.
26
Leighton
“Fuck,Lex. I said I was sorry.” Trent holds the phone away from his ear, and groans as he bangs his head back against the wall. “I know. I should have called you right away. I wasn’t hiding this. We just found out yesterday.” He scrubs his free hand over his face. “Yeah, I know exactly how you feel because I’m fucking proud of you, too. Just get on the damn plane tomorrow, okay? I miss you so fucking much.”
He continues to get an earful. I can assume it’s from not calling his girlfriend the second we found out about the feature inRolling Stoneyesterday. Some entertainment channel broke the news this morning, and ever since, everyone’s phones have been ringing off the hook. Between this and our appearance on Jimmy Fallon tomorrow, my nerves are shot.
This is a big fucking deal. We’re on the precipice of greatness, and I can’t help but wonder whether I’ll get to be a part of it all. The next ten shows are already sold out and we have a call later with our team at Off Track Records to negotiate additional shows. The potential to add another six months to this tour is unreal. That kind of momentum grows and flourishes into a lifetime career. Will they invite me along for the ride? My role still feels temporary and unstable. After the deal I made with my uncle, I doubt that’ll ever change.
“Someone’s in the dog house,” Austin says as soon as Trent ends his call.
“Fuck, she’s pissed.” He pushes the longer strands of his hair from his face.
Sean shakes his head and lets loose a chuckle. “You need to make that right before she gets to New York.”
Austin nods. “The stupid love thing you two have is a lot to handle, but fighting? Way worse.”
Trent rubs his temples and curses under his breath.
My phone buzzes and my stomach fills with dread at the sight of the incoming text.Speak of the devil. He’s getting ridiculous, careless even, between all the calls and texts. His desperation brings a variable I can’t control or manipulate. I don’t want to read his message, but I don’t really have a choice. Ignoring only makes it worse.
The Devil: Don’t go to the interview today.
I glance around, the guys already getting dressed in the outfits Stu and Kelli delivered this morning. As inconspicuously as I can, I tilt my screen away from anyone who might see.
Me: How exactly do I explain my sudden absence?
The Devil: You’re smart. Figure it out. If you go, I can’t protect you.
Shit.This isn’t at all how I thought I’d spend today. Now I need to wrangle my way out of this interview. If it were any other publicity event, I could probably claim exhaustion and get away with it, but this is fuckingRolling Stonemagazine. There’s no logical explanation other than the truth for missing out on this.
Shit.
I know what I have to do. It’s disgusting and gross, but I don’t have many alternatives. Fuck. I should have taken more drama classes with as much acting as I’m doing. I conjure an image of dog shit in my mind and then think about shoving it in my mouth.Gag!That does the trick. I bolt from my chair and sprint across the bus to dry heave into the kitchen garbage can.
“The fuck?” Austin says.
“You okay, brother?” Trent appraises me with apprehension.
