We both look over and Garrett stands there with a shocked look on his face. "Shit, man, I didn't know Dahlia was home."
River and I look at each other, laughing uncontrollably and Garrett rushes to close the door, leaving it open a crack to say, "Nix is ready to go. How much longer do you need?"
River collapses next to me and throws his arm over his forehead. "Give me five minutes."
I roll onto my side and rest my head on my hand. "Where are you going?"
"We're going. Sorry I got distracted and forgot to mention it. Ellie wants to introduce the band to some of the setup crew and wants us to play a few songs for them, to 'get them in the zone,' as she put it. She's arranged for all of us to meet at Smitten's tonight. I guess she has a limo coming to pick us up."
"Of course she does."
"She does bother you," he says, leaning over to kiss the bare spot on my stomach where my shirt has lifted.
"Well, it's more like her giant boobs bother me."
He laughs and looks up at me. "Didn't really notice her boobs," he says, pulling my shirt up the rest of the way, exposing my bra. He runs his tongue up my stomach to my chest and once he lifts my bra he says, "I only notice yours." He nips my shoulder before locking his mouth around my nipple. With a quick flick of his tongue, he licks me and it instantly hardens.
My fists clutch the sheets as my back arches. "I want you."
Just as his hands fly to the button of my jeans, there's a pounding on the door. "Come on, Loverboy, get the Muse and let's go," Xander shouts.
Sighing, River mutters, "Fuck," under his breath and then yells, "Go without me."
"Not happening. I'm coming in, so you better be decent," Xander warns and I quickly pull my shirt down as he opens the door.
I'm sitting up on my elbows as River once again throws his arm over his forehead. He doesn't even look at Xander when he says, "Seriously Xander, don't you have anywhere else to be than up my ass?"
Xander approaches the bed and jerks River's arm, making him sit up. They stare at each other and Xander narrows his eyes when he says, "I'll be more than up your ass if you don't get your head in the game, bro. I've had enough of your shit. Now let's go, the limo's waiting." He doesn't wait for a response; he just turns and walks away, slamming the door behind him.
***
Smitten's is packed when we walk in. I hear the song "Done" playing and look over to the band. I haven't seen them before but everyone's mouthing the words and dancing. They really have the crowd entertained.
River laces his fingers in mine and weaves his way through the crowd. I immediately notice the archway in the back leading to the poolroom is covered in plastic. I tap him on the shoulder and point to the construction. "What's going on over there?"
Chuckling, he informs me, "Smitty is remodeling the old poolroom. Turning it into a state-of-the – art billiards room, I guess."
Once we reach the bar, he orders us two beers and one glass with ice. While we're waiting he leans against the bar and seems to stare off into space. I'm starting to get more concerned about the stress this tour is causing him. Once our drinks arrive, he pours my beer into the glass and hands it to me. Then he says into my ear, "Sorry about earlier. I promise to finish what I started later."
I can't resist tracing the letters on his Ramones T-shirt when I tell him, "Way to get a girl all hot and bothered and leave her hanging."
"Dahlia! There you are," Bell shouts from behind me.
When I turn in her direction I notice she's wearing the birthday present I gave her, a Love Quotes scarf. It complements her black jeans and white-lace top perfectly. I smile and tug on the scarf, "Hi, Bell. How was your date?"
"Amazing. It's work that's killing me. Xander has me jumping hoops for this tour now that he knows I have another job. With both jobs, I feel like I don't have enough time for a boyfriend right now."
"If you really like him, tell him that. I'm sure he'll understand."
River pulls me back against him and Bell appears to suddenly realize it's her brother behind me. "Nice cover-up you and Xander pulled on Mom about the eye, but she saw right through it, you know."
Xander approaches us, motioning for River to follow him.
"I better see what he wants," he says to both of us and kisses me before walking off. I watch what looks to be a heated conversation. Bell notices, too, and bites her bottom lip before saying, "What's going on with those two?"
"I think River is just stressed over the tour."
"I guess."
Xander leaves River standing there. River once again looks stressed as he runs his hands through his hair and follows Xander to the table full of young guys all staring at Ellie, who has once again removed her jacket.