Chapter 5
Nathan and all the other guys walked over and Siva began “We all talked it over and we decided to let you guys come along with us for the next few days if you would like.” The girls looked at each other and decided silently they would go even though they didn’t want to bother them that if that was a concern they wouldn’t have offered in the first place. They all talked and since the guys had a little extra time before they had to leave for the next gig we would all ride in the bus back home to grab our things and head on the road with them. They had ended up back home grabbed some bags and back on the bus it was. As Casey was sitting there by the window watching cars pass them by she couldn’t believe that she was currently on The Wanted’s tour bus. How crazy is that? She knew she would have to call her boss and let him know she wouldn’t be in the rest of the week it seemed. She knew that normally he wouldn’t mind considering she had never missed a day of work in three years but it was the deciding week of who got the partnership. She was a little scared but she knew she would never have chosen different because this was like a dream being with one of her favorite bands in the world. When they stopped for a break she made the call. “Mr. Gotlieb, I’m sorry to call and bother you but I wanted to let you know that I will not be in for the remainder of the week as long as you don’t need me.” She waited for the hammer to be dropped. “No that’s fine Casey you have been working your butt off around here for three years and you did such a wonderful job on your presentation Monday. You take the rest of the week easy and come Monday we will let you know who got partner.” What?
She thought to herself. “Sir I thought that the decision would be made Friday?” “Well the board and I have decided to take the weekend to hash it over since we picked up that huge marketing case last week and have all been preparing for the upcoming trial.” Casey felt relieved but still apprehensive as she hung up. Jay walked over to her and said “Is everything okay?” “Yes, for the most part.” He handed her a Coke and smiled. “Thank you, you didn’t have to buy me anything.” “You have a hard time people doing nice things for you don’t you?” He said jokingly. “Actually, I do.” “I have to tell you something in case you haven’t noticed, I like you. I think you are really fascinating from what I know of you so far.” Casey looked puzzled. She knew she had talked a little with him but knew she never really had too deep of a conversation with him. “How….?”
“Brandi told me a few things. Nothing that you would get mad about her telling me she told me to tell you that ha-ha.” Of course Brandi would. Oh well she did what she knew she couldn’t at first. She could never really get close to any guy because it would always end badly and in heartache. “We should get back on the bus.” Casey changed the subject. She turned around and headed to the bus and sat down. Brandi was sitting on the other end of the bus with Nathan and her legs were draped over his. He was lightly holding her hand caressing the skin on the back of her hand as Brandi slept. If it had been any other regular guy she wouldn’t have trusted him with her best friend but the fact that he was Nathan and he seemed so tender and cute with her she knew instinctively that she could trust him. She only wished she had that kind of same radar with herself and the guys she went after. She sat in silence as she drank her Coke. Suddenly Nathan was sitting beside her and she looked up and noticed Brandi still asleep covered up with a blanket and a pillow snuggled under her head. “Hey” Nathan said nonchalantly. “Hey.” She replied. “I really care about her you know. We have been talking about everything we can since we met. She captivates me in ways no other girl has.” Casey smiled. “I’m glad because she’s like a sister to me and I don’t want her hurt again.” “I couldn’t hurt her. Even after less than a day there’s something different about her. Is it forever? I don’t know but I will cherish every moment.” Casey just smiled contently at him.
“Now what about you and Jay?” She looked at him questionably. “What do you mean?” Nathan looked at her not fooled one bit by her trying to pretend she didn’t know what he was talking about. “I mean why are you fighting your feelings for him so much?” “What feelings?”
“Please, the way he looks at you and you look back at him. You two like each other but even though he told you he likes you, you didn’t say anything back and now he’s in the back sulking.”
Casey looked up wondering if maybe he was just messing around. “He’s sulking?”
“Yes he is. When I went to get a pillow and blanket for Brandi he was back there playing sad music and not saying anything. That is very un-Jay like.”
“Honestly, I don’t see what he could see in me. Of all the girls out there why me?”
“Why not you? Casey you are pretty cool and Brandi talks about you a lot and you and Jay seem like such a good match.” He sighed and began again. “I’m not saying marry the man but just at least tell him how you feel because he deserved that at least.” Casey knew he was right as she smiled and he walked back to Brandi and cuddled with her.
She knew what she had to do. She got up and walked to the back where she found Jay laying listening to sad music like Nathan had said. “Hey.” She said. Jay looked startled but aid hey back. “Look I guess I owe you an explanation of why I sort of shrugged off your confession earlier.” He looked down and said “you don’t owe me anything; it is okay if you don’t like me.”
“I do owe you at least that. Jay I do like you. I just don’t understand why you would like me in return.” He began to speak but she stopped him before she lost her nerve. “I have never really been the girl the guys wanted romantically. They either just wanted sex or nothing to do with me at all. I got used to that and I just feel like since you are you that you could do better.” Jay paused but took her hand in his. “Casey, that is absurd you are amazing. You seem like such an amazing person and I want to get to know you. You have to let me though.” She knew he was right. If there was any chance for them that she would have to let him in at least a little so he could really see her and what she was about. She looked at him and smiled. He then leaned in and kissed her. Not the little peck on the cheek or the quick kiss on the lips, no it was lingering and wonderful. She felt his tongue massaging hers and she felt his tongue run slowly across her bottom lip and she nibbled his back in return. He wrapped his arms around her and brought her on top of him in his bunk as they made out for the next hour.
