My surroundings became calmer as I dropped my sketchbook and took in the view of the lake again. It had really put me at ease. I was able to let some stuff go and I’d even forgotten about Gage and Penelope’s little shindig on the bus.
But then a crackle came from behind me. My head whipped toward the sound and I waited for whoever or whatever it was to step out. I hoped it wasn’t a large reptile or animal of some kind. I was deathly afraid of reptiles and if it were a large animal… well, I guess I was just dead.
The crackling happened again and I didn’t look away. I then saw a black tennis shoe step out first. My eyes traveled up the lanky length of his legs and then his FIRENINE T-shirt. I finally met his dark-brown eyes that were just as confused as mine and then gasped, taking in the purplish bruise around his right eye.
In an instant, Deed took a step back, placing his sunglasses over his eyes rapidly. “Eliza,” he said. He sounded cool, but I could tell by the bothered look on his face he was far from it.
“Deed.” I stood to my feet quickly, staring at him. “W-what happened to your eye?”
“What do you mean?” he asked as if I were an idiot.
“Deed, I’m not stupid. Let me take a look at it.”
“Um, no.”
“Deed—”
I marched toward him, but he took a step back and shook his head. “Eliza, back the hell up and mind your own fucking business, all right?”
I ignored him. “Is that why you were late to the concert last night?”
His lips remained sealed.
“Deed, I swear you can talk to me. What happened?”
His tongue ran across his dry lips as he took another step away, shaking his head. “I don’t have to explain shit to you. I didn’t mean to run into you out here anyway. I’m going back—”
“Has anyone else seen your eye?”
“No, so don’t go around the bus telling everyone about it. I’ve been blaming the sunglasses on a hangover.”
“What really happened?”
He scowled. “Even if I were to tell you, what would you do about it, Eliza?”
“I—I would tell Ben or the boys. It seems like you got jumped or purposely beaten up.”
He shrugged. “Shit happens.”
I folded my arms. “You’re being ridiculous.”
“And you’re being nosey.”
My mouth clamped shut. I couldn’t disagree and say I wasn’t.
“Look, whatever you do, don’t tell the band about it. It’s whatever.”
Before I could respond, Deed turned his back to me and took off, leaving me completely stumped. I wanted to chase after him just to find out. What could he have possibly done to get a black eye? It sort of freaked me out.
I wasn’t the kind of person who brought darkness to light. I had my own closet that I never wanted to open and memories I never wanted to relive again, so instead of chasing after Deed, I grabbed my sketchbook, slid my pencil into my satchel, and headed for the bus.
“All right, let’s go!” Ben yelled from the front door of the bus. Snickering, I crossed my legs on the couch and pretended to watch TV. I wasn’t really a TV person—plus, the entire time I’d been listening in on Gage and Penelope arguing outside. It was sort of my entertainment.
All I could make out was her being upset that she couldn’t ride with him on our bus to the next city. He’d already bought her a plane ticket to go back home. The next city stop was Orlando, Florida, and their new FireNine tour bus was waiting there. I was glad about it. I was growing tired of the boys being around… specifically Gage.
Gage stepped onto the bus with a heavy sigh. I turned slowly to look at him, but he was already looking at me. He didn’t say anything, though. Instead, he turned for the hallway and the bathroom door shut behind him.
Deed, Roy, and Montana stepped onto the bus next. Deed still wore a dark pair of sunglasses. I could feel him looking at me through them, but he didn’t say a thing. He most likely thought I was going to bring something up, but I knew better. I doubt I had it in me to mention it in front of everyone anyway.
“This is a twenty-hour ride so get ready, boys,” Ben said, the door slamming shut behind him. The boys groaned as they parted ways. Deed went for his bunk, Roy went for his room, but Montana came for the couch across from me.
“S’up, Eliza? Didn’t see you at the club last night.”
“I don’t really do clubs.” I hated repeating myself.
Montana nodded, looking at the TV. A movie with Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis was playing, and I found it kind of interesting. I wondered if it were possible to have benefits with a friend of the opposite sex. To have a guy I could mess around with whenever I’d like with no feelings involved until I was ready. It sounded like a good plan to me. No feelings, no problems. No attachments. Just fun.
Just as the thought came to mind, it seemed like luck had come my way. The door swung open and when I looked toward it, my jaw literally dropped. He had on dark-blue jeans, a tight black T-shirt, and his hair was dirty blond. A few pieces of hair hung in his light-green eyes, but his smile was contagious. As he looked at me briefly, I felt my knees lock and my body ooze with warm excitement. He had a rugged look about him because of his couple-day-old stubble, but it was sexy all the same. His jawline was firm, all man, and his nose not too pointy or too crooked. Just right.
His black camera hung from his neck. A bag was slung on his shoulder and the handle of his suitcase was locked between his fingers. I didn’t know who this guy was, but obviously Ben did because, from the kitchen, he yelled excitedly and rushed in the hot guy’s direction.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Cal!” Ben exclaimed. He ushered the phenomenal “Cal” inside and he looked around before dropping his bags in the corner.
“So where’s a guy like me supposed to sleep?” he asked Ben. “I’m not too big so I don’t need much space.” He chuckled.
Ben laughed with him. “Don’t worry. The couch is available for tonight. The boys will have their tour bus back tomorrow so the rooms will be empty for the rest of the tour. I’m so glad you’ve decided to take us up on the offer, though. A journalist like you is exactly what we need to get FireNine that extra buzz.”
A journalist? When I found out what he was, I licked my lips. He was a man who dealt with words. Check one on the list of friends with benefits material.
“I wouldn’t have missed it, Ben. I love this band’s music and to get the full effect should be fun. I’ve been looking forward to it since you contacted me about it.”
“Well, great.” Ben turned around to look at me and I looked away quickly before Cal could see me staring at him. “Eliza, come here, sweetie,” Ben insisted.
I hesitated. What I had on was rather hideous—a pair of black-and-red running shorts with a red T-shirt to match. I wasn’t dressed to impress at all and being introduced to Cal so underdressed kind of bothered me. Meeting him for the first time meant I should’ve been rocking some nice jeans and a blouse that was a bit revealing. For a guy like him, I was supposed to make him do a double take, make his jaw drop, his head spin—something.
I had to remain bold, though.
I stood slowly and made my way to Ben’s side. As I got closer, Ben wrapped his arm around my shoulders, looking at Cal, who was already looking at me. “Cal, I’d like you to meet my daughter, Eliza Smith.”
Cal’s head tilted as his eyes scanned me from head to toe. As he did, I fidgeted. Cal then took my hand and kissed the skin on top. “It’s a pleasure, really.” My cheeks caught on fire as he looked at me beneath his blond eyelashes. His green eyes were so clear yet hard as he observed every aspect of my face. I wondered if he found me attractive because he was attracting the hell out of me. “They call me Cal, but my full name is Calvin Avery.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Cal,” I said boldly, although I could feel my voice wanting to waver.
“Ben!” someone shouted from the front door of the bus. It sounded like Terri. Ben pulled his arm away from my shoulders and took a step forward with a sigh.
“I’ll be right back,” he said hurriedly.
This was one moment I didn’t want Ben to leave me alone… with Calvin Avery. A sexy Calvin Avery whom I couldn’t be so confident around. He was really something to look at. Beneath his shirt I could make out the creases that defined his upper half. Through his jeans, I knew he was carrying a rather large package. He looked like he had it all.
“So, Eliza,” he finally sighed. “What brought you on tour with a bunch of men?”
Finally blinking, I looked from Cal to Montana, who was currently lying on his back, his eyelids droopy, on the verge of falling asleep. “Ben thought it would be nice for me to come along with him this year. I had nothing else to do this summer so…” I shrugged. “I just went with it.”
Cal nodded. “Has it been fun for you so far? You seem rather… bored.” He looked around, as if we were supposed to be throwing some kind of animalistic party.
“It’s been pretty chill so far. It’ll probably pick up in Orlando.”
“Considering that we’ll be staying there for five days, it just might. It’ll give me a chance to get to know each band member personally… and maybe a few others around.” He winked and my cheeks heated as he bent down to grab his suitcase. I couldn’t believe it. Calvin Avery was flirting with me?