Do Me a Favour - Alex Turner

8. On the Road

The day had finally arrived for us to leave New York and head to the next tour location: Detroit. The band had invited me to join them on their tour bus instead of riding with the normal crew. I was excited but also a bit nervous about spending more time in close quarters with Alex.

When I arrived at the bus, I was taken aback by its size. It was more luxurious than I had imagined, with plush couches, a flat-screen TV, bunk beds, and even a small kitchen. It felt more like a moving apartment than a tour bus.

"Pretty nice, huh?" Nick said, catching my awed expression as he lugged his gear on board.

"Yeah, definitely not what I was expecting," I admitted, looking around.

"Welcome aboard," Jamie said with a grin, tossing his bag onto one of the couches.

I smiled, feeling more at ease. Then I noticed Alex, sitting in a corner with a book in his hands, his eyes flicking up as I entered. He closed the book, setting it aside with an expression of surprise.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, his tone sharper than I had anticipated. "Aren't you supposed to be on the crew bus?"

His words stung, and I felt my cheeks flush. "The guys invited me to join them. We've become friends," I said, trying to keep my tone even.

Alex's eyes narrowed slightly, and he looked away, picking up his book again. "Just don't get in the way," he muttered.

Anger bubbled up inside me, but I forced a smile and turned my attention back to Nick, who was oblivious to the tension. "Where should I put my stuff?" I asked him.

"Anywhere you want," Nick said, pointing to an empty bunk. "That one's free."

I stowed my bag and took a seat on one of the couches, trying to ignore Alex's presence. He was already back to reading, acting as if I wasn't even there. The rest of the band filed in, and soon we were on the road, the bus rumbling to life as it pulled away from the venue.

The trip started off uneventfully. Nick and Jamie played video games on the TV, while Matt took a nap in one of the bunks. I tried to work on my laptop, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Alex. His reaction to me being on the bus had been so dismissive, so rude.

I glanced over at him again. He was still engrossed in his book, his brow furrowed in concentration. What was it about him that made him so difficult to understand? And why did I care so much?

"You alright?" Nick asked, plopping down beside me and handing me a soda.

"Yeah, just trying to get some work done," I said, forcing a smile.

He nodded. "Alex can be a bit... prickly. Don't let it get to you."

"I'm trying," I said with a sigh. "It's just... frustrating."

Nick gave me a sympathetic look. "He's got his reasons. Maybe one day he'll let you in on them."

I doubted it, but I appreciated Nick's attempt to make me feel better. As the miles rolled by, I tried to focus on the scenery, the passing landscapes a welcome distraction. But every time I looked at Alex, the memory of our last encounter and the kiss we shared flashed in my mind.

Eventually, the monotony of the drive lulled everyone into a relaxed state. Nick and Jamie took turns napping, and Matt was engrossed in a movie on his tablet. I decided to take a break and get a drink from the small kitchen at the back of the bus.

As I stood there, pouring myself a glass of water, I felt a presence behind me. I turned to see Alex, his book in hand, waiting for his turn at the sink. Our eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still.