“Sometimes you’re fucking gross,” she mutters, nose wrinkling.
I shrug again, still chewing. “Gotta keep my brand alive.”
But then her tone softens. “But for real… Do you want to talk about it? Do we need todosomething?”
Jodie comes over and, with her nose also scrunched in distaste, shoves some of the mess aside before sitting down on the edge of the table.
“Missy’s right,” she says. “She explained what happened and it’s up to you if you want us to pursue this. I know these party shots are a regular occurrence with the crew, but just say the word, and we’ll see if we can find out who exactly spiked the drinks. Get some footage from the club or something. Kick the culprit off this tour.”
“What’s the point?” I sigh. “It’s probably already out of my system, that shit worksfast. And you’re right, I should’ve recognized the shots for what they are. Shit, I’veseenpeople use them before on this tour. I don’t think we need to do anything. Besides… it’s only a couple more days before the tour is over.”
“Yes, we’ll go to LA, prepare for our own tour, without Six of Hearts,” Jodie agrees. “Pick our own crew members.”
“Yeah… That’s true,” Missy says, almost sounding sad.
I wince. Shit… Bowie.“I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry—”
She nudges me gently with her shoulder. “No worries. We knew it was temporary.”
“Lamar will be there in LA…”
She sighs, quiet and tired. “I know…”
“You gonna be okay?”
She gives me a classic roll of her eyes. “Christ.Of course.I’m a big girl. I can handle Lam.”
I snort softly, but there’s a beat of silence between us. Oh, I know she can handlehim. It’s the other way around that has me worried.
“Okay,” Jodie goes on when we stay silent. “So… I’m glad you’re doing okay, as good as can be in this situation. Ididtalkto the label, though. They’ll understand that if you’re not feeling well and if you don’t want to do the duet tonight—”
I wave her off before she can finish. “Nah. I’ll do it. It’ll be fine. I can handle one extra song. I’ve been doing it for months already.”
She nods. “I know you can. But I have to warn you… The crowd can get rowdier than usual, there are pictures again of you and Mick.”
Of course there fucking are.
I let out a slow breath before stuffing my face with chips again. I just can’t escape the fucker. He’s everywhere. Always waiting for the perfect moment to ruin something. I don’t even want to know what the pictures look like, since Iknowthey’re suggestive. Shit, if I recall it correctly, I could feel his fucking erection grinding against my ass.
I shudder. Even though I took the damn shot myself, was the one that made contact withhim, thinking that he was Tyler, that shit still isn’t right with me.
But I don’t know what to do about his relentlessness, other than just endure it for this final stretch.
Fourmore days.Twomore shows. And then, hopefully, I’ll never have to be anywhere near him again.
“I’ll see if we can do something about that, but since the pics are already out there... you know,” Jodie says, before standing up and tapping me on the shoulder. “I’ll leave you to it and head to the stadium for setup. If you need anything, just holler.”
I give her a grateful smile before she leaves the bus, letting the door open.
“Well, at least you hadsomefun last night,” Missy drawls, settling better on the couch. “I mean… Itlookedlike fun.”
“Oh no, I can’tthink about that. My head still hurts.”
Missy smirks. “And your ass, I suppose?”
“Oh my fuckingGod,” I chuckle on a groan, rubbing my face in mortification.
Right on cue, Asher hops on the bus. “Did someone say ass?”
