The Second Tour of 44West

ch. 10 - the last time

Rion

~ Tour Departure Day ~

--

"I think that's everything." I said, stepping off of the large bus to double check everything on the clipboard in my hand. We had all of our luggage with street clothes and show clothes, and all of the instruments and electrical equipment were in the show bus along with all of the stage pieces.

"Want me to double check?" Breaker asked, so I handed him the clipboard along with the pen I was holding.

"Wouldn't hurt to get some fresh eyes on everything."

He nodded as he disappeared towards the show bus.

I noticed Montoya was talking with the bus driver and Robbie, so I went over to make sure everything was going to schedule since we were about to be in a bus for fifteen hours and needed to leave soon.

"Break is double checking everything now, but I'm fairly sure we're good and are ready to go." I said, directing my voice to Montoya who looked at me with a slightly frustrated expression. "What's going on?"

Sighing and running his hand over his face, he turned his body to face me. "The numb nuts over at the luxury bus rentals fucked up. The bus meant for Milo Greene only has two bunks, and Marlana and Graham already left in it."

"Why did they leave? Weren't we meant to all leave at the same time?" I asked, super confused, already feeling annoyed that something went wrong and we haven't even left the office lot yet.

"Yes, but we were told the bus company was sending another one, so they took off. But they aren't because apparently there aren't any others left."

"Okay," I started, still not catching on to why Robbie wasn't with his band. "Robbie," I started, turning to face him and gaining his attention. "Why didn't you just take the couch on that bus? There are only three of you."

"Yeah, but then where would Lizzie sleep?" He responded like it was the most obvious question.

Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth is coming on tour?" I asked, with a mix of annoyance and interest... probably more interested than I should be. But, I couldn't deny that there was a little excitement buried in there, too.

"Of course, Rion. She wants to be there to support."

Man, this guy was nice, but he was dense as hell sometimes.

"Oh, okay." I said in a much chipper voice, trying to sound much more normal. "Did she go with you on your last tour?"

"No, actually, but for whatever reason, she wanted to come on this one. I'm not complaining!" He replied, clapping me on my shoulder and walking away. I followed him with my eyes when I saw Elizabeth appear from behind our bus, a huge bag on her shoulder.

Why did she look so good? She was in sweats and a hoodie with her hair in a messy bun. There was literally no reason for her to look good in that. She made eye contact with me, her steps faltering slightly as she then climbed the stairs to my bus.

Wait a second.

"Montoya, what's going on?"

"Derek, Sam, Carson, and Breaker are going to take the big bus, you are riding with Robbie and his fiancé in the three bed bus."

Oh, you've absolutely got to be shitting me.

"What?" I asked, with my hand pinching the bridge of my nose and my eyes closed. The universe thinks it's one funny son of a bitch, huh? "Just out of curiosity, why me?"