The bus brakes woke me up the next morning. Lifting my head from the arm of the couch, I stretched a little. Ash was still asleep on my stomach and I didn’t want to disturb him. Looking out the window, I saw a hotel. Running a hand over Ash’s hair, I yawned.
“Hey Bella.” Jinxx said sleepily, rubbing his eyes. I looked over my shoulder at him.
“Hey Jinxxy. How’d you sleep?”
“Probably better than you.” He chuckled, sitting on the couch across from me.
I looked down at Ash, smiling.
“It’s actually not a bad way to sleep.” I sighed.
Feeling his stare on my face, I glance up at him.
“What?” I inquired.
“You love him.” Jinxx stated simply, making me blush.
“W-well yeah. I mean… he’s my best friend.”
I couldn’t look him in the eye. I’d spent years making sure it wasn’t obvious. Hell, I’d even gone on dates and brought guys home to make Ash jealous. Nothing had ever happened with any of them, of course.
“Bella, come on. You forget that I’m more perceptive than the others are. It’s obvious that you like Ash in more than a friendship way.”
Fucking hell.
“Dammit Jinxx.” I sighed, my fingers tangling in Ash’s hair.
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to say anything to him. Or anyone.” He chuckled, kissing the top of my head before he went back to his bunk.
I tried to go back to sleep, but it didn’t really feel possible. Unconsciously, Ash squeezed me, mumbling in his sleep. Even after all this time, I couldn’t get over just how gorgeous he is. Sometimes, it broke my heart. Especially on those frequent mornings when I helped a random girl into an Uber. Every time I came home to one of them stumbling out my door, I wanted to scream and cry.
Ash moved again, starting to wake up, and I quickly swiped under my eyes so he wouldn’t see me cry.
“Morning angel.” He mumbled, voice husky from sleep.
“Hey. You sleep ok?” I asked him, carefully combing the knots I’d created out of his hair.
“Better than I have since before tour started.” He muttered into my stomach.
Before I could say anything, everyone came out from the bunks and dog piled on us.
“GOOD MORNING!!!” CC sang, hugging my head.
At that moment, Yanni walked in. Taking in the sight of my eyes appearing between CC’s arms, and Ash’s feet sticking out from under everyone else, he sighed and shook his head.
“I don’t even want to know. But here’s key cards for rooms. Divide them amongst yourselves.” I swear I heard him mutter something about us being the weirdest group of people he’d ever met.
Inna jumped off the pile, pulling her phone out to take a picture. Giggling, she said “Say cheese!”
Everyone got off of us and Ash was able to breathe.
“There’s 4 key cards here. So, who’s bunking with who?” Jinxx asked, dropping his stuff on the other couch.
“Jake and Inna obviously get their own room. Andy will most likely bunk with Yanni. Which leaves you with CC. Because I’m not letting any of you sleep in the same room as Bella without me.” Ash replied, grinning.
I looked at him. Since when was he protective when the guys were around? Jinxx cocked an eyebrow at him.
“Uh…anyway. I’m gonna go for a run. I’ll call when I get back and figure out where everyone is.” I said, jumping up and heading for the bathroom. Locking the door and taking a deep breath, I changed into capri leggings and my sports bra. Luckily, my braids had made it through the night, so I didn’t have to do anything to my hair.
Jogging off the bus and stretching, I popped my headphones in and took off. My pace was slow, but that’s how I enjoyed it. I didn’t just run to keep in shape. I ran to get away from everything. It was just me, my music and the pavement. Although, when I was away from home, I set a destination in the GPS.
Honestly, I was still rattled from what Jinxx had said this morning. And how Ashley had been so defensive. He was never like that with the band. I didn’t understand what his deal was. Normally, I adored the fact that he was there to defend me. But jumping down Jinxx’s throat like that was uncalled for.
I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that, I didn’t see the guy standing in front of me until I ran into his elbow. Pain exploded through my jaw, and I ended up on the ground, flat assed. The guy was kneeling next to me, asking me something. I pulled an earbud out of one ear and said
“What?”
“Shit, are you ok? I’m so sorry! I should’ve looked behind me before I swung.”
“Nah, dude. I’m fine.” I said, gently probing my bottom lip. It was swollen and tender, and there was a shallow slice running down a good size of it.
“Shit. Should I call 911?” the guy asked, frantic, as he saw the cut.
“I’m good. I swear, it’s fine. Just a shallow cut and I honestly should have just looked where I was going. I got lost in my own head, is all.” I got off the ground and decided it was probably time to end my run. I left the guy on the sidewalk and called an uber, heading back to the hotel.
10 minutes later, I got out of the car to find Yanni standing by the bus. He took one look at my face and swore.
“What the fuck happened?”
“I’m fine. Went for a run and got distracted. Ran into a guy’s elbow while he was stretching. I really don’t want to talk about it.” I explained, going past him to get my stuff.
He exhaled loudly. “Ash has your stuff. Room 202.”
Fuck. If Ash saw this…my day was going to go out the window. Lucky for me, Yanni had an extra key card and mentioned that Ash had gone in search of coffee. I made my way into the hotel, occasionally wiping little bits of blood from my lip. Scanning my way into the room, I headed straight for the shower. If I could get myself cleaned up, I’d feel a little better.
20 minutes later, I was standing by the bed, my open suitcase in front of me. I couldn’t decide on a shirt. Hearing the lock on the door beep, I grabbed the first one I saw, which happened to be my Rapunzel tank.
“How was your run?” Ash asked as he walked in, dropping stuff on the table behind me.
“It was fine.” I mumbled, hoping he wouldn’t get too close.
I felt him behind me, trying to get me to look at him. I turned my face the other way.
“Bella. Why won’t you look at me?” he asked, putting his hand under my chin. Despite my attempt at fighting it, he turned my face around so he could see. Immediately, his eyes went to the cut on my lip.
“What the fuck happened?” he demanded.
“I ran into someone’s elbow…” I whispered. I didn’t want to look at him, because it was so embarrassing.
“Seriously? That’s all it was?” Now he was laughing at me. My cheeks burned scarlet as I blushed.
“Thank you so much for your sympathy.” I said as I punched him in the arm.
“Ow! I’m sorry!” he replied, rubbing his shoulder as he continued to laugh.
A minute later, he was cupping my face. Which was normal. Also normal was the way my heart was pounding. I looked into his eyes, seeing pain and love in them. Too bad it wasn’t the same kind of love I felt for him.
“Jesus Christ, angel. I thought someone had hit you. Scared me shitless for a minute.” He murmured, resting his forehead on mine. I sighed.
“I’m sorry. I just didn’t- “I started to say but was cut off by the sudden feel of his lips on mine.
