16 ~Compromising Posisitons~

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"Okay, so we have 3 buses. Two for the crew and one for the band," Mr. Switzer explained to Josh on the phone.

"What about the photographers?" Josh asked.

"Well I was thinking they'd ride with the crew to give you guys more space, but it would be easier if they rode with you because the crew had no room on the buses even without the two extra people."

"I don't see why they couldn't," Josh told Mr. Switzer.

"Great, the bus leaves at 10 p.m. Let them know."

***

"I think we're ready to hit the road!" Josh said.

"Hey, thanks again for letting us ride with you guys, Josh," Bella said, stepping onto the bus.

Jake got onto the bus and sat down on the empty sofa, not making eye contact or acknowledging anyone. He had on sunglasses and his rancher hat. He rested against the arm of the sofa, putting his head in his arms.

"What's wrong with him?" Jenna whispered to Josh.

"I don't know. He's been going out every night, coming home completely hammered. I wouldn't be surprised if he's drunk right now... I've just started to ignore it. He will shape up when it's showtime don't worry," Josh explained.

"You know I can hear you right?" Jake said, glancing up in their general direction before taking a swig of the flask in his hand and putting his head back in his arms.

Bella placed her bags down and made herself comfy, plopping herself on the other couch across from Jake, telling herself to ignore him and the state he was in. It's just business, Bella, don't get involved. She thought.

The bus pulled out of the lot and they were on their way to Connecticut.

"So, is everyone excited?" Sam asked, trying to ease the tension that was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

"What do the other guys have that I don't, Bella?" Jake blurted out looking at Bella helplessly with big eyes.

It was silent. Josh and Sammy looked at each other with confusion. Jake leaned to sit on the edge of his seat.

"I'm sorry, what?" Bella said in embarrassment squinting her eyes at him.

"Is everything ok?" Josh stepped in.

Jake got up and stormed off to the back of the bus.

"I'm sorry about that. I'm not sure where it came from," Bella apologized on his behalf.

"Oh, don't worry about it... I hope you two work things out," Sammy said with concern.

"I'm just gonna get ready for bed, I want this day to be over and done with already," Bella said.

She went to the back of the bus where the bathroom was. She walked in shutting the door behind her. As she splashed cold water on her face, she looked up at herself in the mirror. How could she turn him down? He was everything she dreamed of in a man. She knew deep down what the reason was. She was afraid of commitment. She was scared that if she got a man, she would lose him just as fast. Heartbreak was too much for her to handle. She experienced it once and would never want to feel that again.

She finished washing up, changed into some comfy clothes, and climbed into the first bunk she saw.

She fell asleep to the chatter of the band and Sammy's music playing in the distance. "Beggin'" by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons was echoing down the hall and into the sleeping chambers.

Jenna was enjoying the company of the boys but began to worry about Jake, who was still in the other part of the bus, alone.

"I will be right back," she said, getting up and walking to the back of the bus. She walked in to see Jake with his head back, taking a generous swig from a bottle of Jack Daniel's. "Jake?" Jenna said, cautiously knocking on the door.

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