Catching Feelings

2

"Bobbi we are going to move you to Justin's bus, I just think it would be easier for everyone that way...are you okay with that?" I stare at the phone for a split second before answering Scooter.
"Uh... yea sure that's fine." I can't believe he is serious with this right now.I only have been working with Justin for a month, and already he's throwing me on a bus with a bunch of guys. Three to be exact Justin, Alfred, and Kenny.
He progresses "Are you sure you are okay with this? I know it's quite an adjustment."
"Yeah it's cool Scooter, I'll be fine. Are the guys okay with it?"
"Yeah they were more than happy when I told them." He laughs a little. "Okay then, well pack up your things and next venue you can hop to the other bus."
I hang up the phone and throw it down in my bunk. Ugh... I'm not extremely crazy about the idea of living on a bus with a bunch of guys but I do love the job. I'm sure Justin will keep me plenty entertained with his ridiculous flirting, plus Kenny, and Fredo are close to my age so it shouldn't be too bad. So now that I've talked myself into thinking that this is a good thing I start getting my stuff together.
Hours later I'm standing on the side of the stage watching Justin wrap up his show. He's amazing when he performs, the kid really has talent. I can see why all these girls go crazy for him. I'm so exhausted, however, that when the lights go out, instead of going backstage to hang out I head straight for the bus.
I find Fredo sitting at the table behind his laptop. "Hey I thought you were backstage."
He looks up at me "I came on the bus early, I think I'm catching a cold."
I sit down across from him "Yuck that sucks...they say shots of whiskey will cure that!" We both laugh.
"That actually doesn't sound like a bad idea..." He says stroking his chin with a grin.
"Are we allowed to do that though? I mean with Justin on the bus...I wouldn't want Scooter getting pissed at me...it's only been a month."
He waves me off "It's cool...trust me, if Scooter knew half the shit that went on, on this bus.." He stops himself before he can continue.
Fuck what have I gotten myself into?
"Let me text Kenny and see if he can make this happen...it's not like we can just jump in the car and head to the nearest liquor store." He jumps up and walks toward the back of the bus.
Moments later he returns "We are good to go, better watch you don't get too drunk though newbie." He snickers and pats me on the shoulder.
I laugh "Oh yea, what's that supposed to mean?"
He just shakes his head and I can tell he isn't going to say anything more. "Well I'm gonna go change before this little party starts."
I change into a pair of black cotton shorts and a white t shirt...what I wear to sleep most nights. This should be okay, I mean the shorts are short but I've seen worse. I pull my hair into a messy bun and make my way back to the front of the bus, where I find Justin and Fredo sitting on the couch whispering to each other...shit here we go.
***
I'm sitting on the couch on the bus leaning in close to Fredo so Bobbi doesn't overhear us "Wonder what she's changing into?"
He squints at me "What?"
I continue as if he hasn't even spoken "Doesn't matter anyway, she looks insanely hot in anything..."
I watch him roll his eyes and bury his face in his hands with annoyance "Would you just shut up about Bobbi already? Shit!"
"I'm tellin' you bro, now that she's on the bus with me she's mine in a week...tops." I whisper, adjusting my hat casually as if the deal is already sealed.
He laughs too loudly, but she'll never know what he's laughing about so I'm not worried "You're out of your damn mind Justin...she's not some fan who's gonna fall at your feet. Plus she's in her twenties! Give it up."
I wave him off "First, let's be real here, they all fall at my feet Fredo." He rolls his eyes for the second time but I ignore him and continues "Second, I don't care how old she is...doesn't matter."
He interjects "Yeah I doubt she would agree with that. And another thing..."
He's cut off by me hissing a 'shhh' when I hear her coming. "Hey Bobbi girl!" I smile, patting the place beside me on the couch. She chooses to sit in the chair instead...oh well, temporary setback.
I let my eyes trail over her slowly without apology. She looks amazing...her tiny shorts display her legs perfectly and leave me thinking about how easily I could slip my hand beneath them if she'd let me. My gaze scans over the quick bun her hair has been pulled into and the wispy strands that have fallen from it to frame her face delicately...sexy as hell.
She claps her hands in a 'let's go' fashion. "Where's Kenny? I'm ready for a drink."
"He'll be here any second, I just texted him." I move to the edge of the couch to get a little closer to her and focus my attention on her completely "I like your hair that way..." I say in the raspy quiet tone that works every time.
This time is no different, her cheeks grow pink as she looks down, toying with a little curl by her neck "Oh...I just...it's just a bun...but thanks."
I smile inwardly, I've successfully caused her to stutter...always a good sign. We watch each other much longer than we need to until the bus door bursts open. I turn to find Kenny in the doorway holding up two bottles of liquor victoriously.
He makes his way over to the cabinets and pulls out four glasses "Who needs a drink? I know I do."
Bobbi holds up her hand "Me!" with Alfredo and I quickly following suit.
Kenny eyes me "Where's Scooter?"
I shrug "I don't know...but he's not here."
"Yeah well, go easy tonight in case he pops in." He worries way too much about Scooter discovering what goes down when we're alone on this bus...and even more about what happens when we're not alone on this bus. Especially when I'm busy being 'not alone' in my bedroom in the back with the door closed.
"Okay Boss, whatever you say." I agree, giving Bobbi a 'can you believe this guy' look.
She gives me a polite nod, playing along, and turns to Kenny "So what's your poison tonight Hamilton?"
He inspects the bottles "Looks like Jim Beam and Jack. Which one do you want?"
"Hmmm," she thinks for a moment "Let's start with Jack."
"Jack for me too." I tell him, without looking up as I scroll through my phone.
Fredo decides on Jim Beam as Bobbi nudges me with her foot "Great show tonight J..." She's recently started calling me that now and then and I love it. "You killed it!"
I abandon my phone in a flash, her attention instantly becomes my number one priority anytime she's in the room. "Yeah? Which song did you like best?"
"Runaway Love." She answers much too quickly and then looks embarrassed.
I give her a knowing smile and run my tongue over my lips "You like the song or the chair dance Bobbi girl?" I've noticed that for some reason it seems to get to her when I call her that.
She gives me a flirty smile, answering my question without saying a word.
I lean in even closer and drop my voice so that only she can hear me "You know...I could..."
She quickly cuts me off and turns to Fredo, shutting me down "Get some good shots of the show tonight?"
He takes a drink of his whiskey "Yeah...some really good ones I think!"
"Awesome!" She holds her glass out to him, and he clinks his against it.
An hour and several drinks later it's become pretty clear that we'reall more than a little buzzed.Bobbi most of all judging by the way she's relishing my attention and even flirting back occasionally.
I give Fredo an 'I told you so' look, but he just shakes his head.
"God Justin," she complains shifting around in her seat "You'd think you would have some decent chairs on this bus...this one is uncomfortable as hell."
Before I have the chance to stop myself, or I guess maybe before I give her the chance to stop me, I grab her hand and pull her out of her seat and into my lap. "There...that's better isn't it?"
She slides right off and settles into the space next to me on the couch that I originally offered her "Yeah...much better."
I'm not giving up though and settle for grabbing her legs and draping them over my lap. She doesn't attempt to move them and I have to fight hard against the desire to trail my fingertips along the insides of her thighs.
Kenny and Fredo watch the entire exchange with surprised and slightly uncomfortable expressions, but thankfully, she doesn't seem to notice.
She stays put for the rest of the night, falling asleep before the rest of us. I find myself staring at her, watching her chest gently rise and fall with each breath...her lips curving into a tiny smile now and then.
"I wonder what she's dreaming about?" I say quietly, more to myself than to Kenny or Fredo.
Kenny responds anyway "You need to watch it Justin...she's dangerous territory kid...dangerous territory."
I continue to watch her, wondering how he could be so blind...nothing about her could ever be anything but right. Tonight, I'm more sure of that than I've ever been.