Bedding the Band

Chapter Three: Bare Bun Bonanza

OLIVIA

Until I saw the message from Walker on my phone when I rolled out of bed, I was certain I'd dreamed up the whole thing.

A shriek blows through my lips as I run around my tiny living room, waving my arms and screaming like a banshee. It's real. I'm going on tour with The Eclipsed.

Once I catch my breath, I fire off a text to Megan. She'd disappeared into the bathroom last night, and, by the time she came back out, we barely had time to mingle at the afterparty before coming home.

I was drunk on the idea of joining the band, and Megan fully supported the idea.

"Grab life by the balls, girlfriend," I read her text out loud and snort-laugh. I will. No worries about that.

I'm not going to miss my one chance to find out the truth about why the band broke up. Maybe I'll be the one to break open the greatest mystery in rock and roll this century. Their fans—myself included—need to know the truth.

And my boss is breathing down my neck about a new headline in relation to the band. "The raunchier the better" were his exact words.

That thought puts a sour taste in my mouth. It feels like betrayal to have that in the back of my mind as I prepare to head out.

I push it aside as best I can and focus on the real reason I agreed to tag along.

It's a dream come true to spend time with them in real life. They have no idea the shit they helped me get through. They might never know, but that's beside the point.

Their music kept me not only sane but alive when my life turned to shit and I started to self-harm to deal with the pain. Seeing them in action last night proved that they're really back for another shot at rock and roll stardom.

I drag on a pair of comfy jeans with holes along the thighs and find my favorite boots, band t-shirt, and leather jacket. Their tour will take us across the US, so I pack for every kind of weather before dragging my ass down to the bus stop and haul myself over to the hotel.

The message on my phone is seared into my memory. The Riverside Hotel on Eighth Street. Walker had promised to meet me in the lobby.

My foot jiggles up and down as the hotel comes into view. Will the tension from last night have followed them into today? What was that all about anyway?

They should be happy, not snarking and glaring like they can't stand the sight of each other.

A tiny voice in the back of my mind says that I can fix that. I tighten my grip on the strap of my one bag and hug it close to my chest. It's a ridiculous idea.

What can I do?

I know what I can't do. I can't stand aside and watch them implode. They deserve better than that, and I'll do whatever I can to keep them from falling apart.

Cars cruise past, and the hiss of the air brakes sends me onto my feet in a lurching step. I grab the seat ahead of me and work my way to the front. Warm sunlight hits the top of my head as I emerge and jog across the sidewalk.

People stroll through the spinning door, and I palm it while dragging my bag to my side. It almost gets stuck, and I experience a moment of panic until the door pushes back and I can snatch the bag close.

Walker is easy to spot, his tall frame and rugged rocker look standing out amid the business suits.

He stands with his arms crossed and sunglasses on even though he's inside. His head swivels my way and a smile breaks out. "Thought you might've changed your mind?"