Secret Love (Hunter Hayes Fanfiction)

That Was Awkward

"Great show tonight, guys! That was phenomenal! Now get back to the bus before those girls block the entrance!" Ned patted each band member on the back as they followed his suggestion. In turn, they each passed through the backstage area, laying down their instruments and flying out the doors.

Hunter couldn't wait to get a shower. As much fun as he had performing, there really was nothing as wonderful as cleaning up and relaxing after it was over. He entered the bus ahead of the other guys, and immediately grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and headed for the tiny shower.

When he finished his shower and his water, he decide he should go to bed. He was exhausted. He lay in his bunk for a while, listening as the others got ready for bed, and then hearing them start to drift into heavy breathing and fits of snoring. Still he couldn't find sleep. He was still too hyped up after that performance, and the bus's gentle rocking was not yet there to lull him into it.

With a sigh, Hunter climbed out of his bunk and went into the living area. He plopped down on the sofa and stared at the small tv. Nope, he thought, knowing the remote was hiding in a drawer somewhere under the couch, it's too late for tv.

Then why are you still awake, Hunter?

"I don't know," he answered aloud. What was he waiting for?

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"All, right, guys, I think that's the last of it!" A cry of happiness rose through the air by the trailer they'd just finished stuffing to maximum capacity. Bethany took a huge breath. I made it. I got through the first night and nothing broke or went terribly wrong. I think I can do this again. She smiled at the backstage workers, most of whom she'd already met and liked. Darryl, of course, was the exception. Anyone who called her "mama" was not to be tolerated. 

Finally free to take the earpiece off, she massaged away the little creases it had left around the back of her head. Goodness, was she tired. She trudged toward the tour bus, and lifted one heavy foot after another on the small stairs. For the first time since she'd been told she would be living on this bus, she wasn't terrified about living with a bunch of boys she hardly knew. She didn't care about anything except finding a hot shower and cool sheets. She was ready to be dreaming already. 

She stopped paying attention to where she was going the second she stepped on the  bus. She couldn't keep her eyes open, so she basically sleep-walked through the driver's cavity. I'll just sit down on the couch for a minute, and then I'll go take a shower. Yeah, that sounds good.

She felt her way slowly towards the couch, not even awake enough to turn on a light. She found the leather seat with her fingertips and began to trace it to the corner, where she'd sat that morning. Before she got there, though, something snagged her foot and her eyes shot open and she fell. Hard. 

"Ouch!" 

Bethany froze. She hadn't said that. She pressed her hands into the couch, hoping to push herself up and find out who had made that noise, but it wasn't the soft leather beneath her hands. It felt suspiciously like flannel-covered skin.

Oh, my God, I landed on a person! "I'm so sorry, are you all right?" Bethany quickly righted herself, thanking the Lord that it was too dark for him to see her raging blush. 

She heard the boy sit up also, and in a flash of light from a pair of headlights outside, she recognized him as Hunter. Her face turned an even brighter shade of red. It would be him wouldn't it? My luck is horrible today.

He laughed quickly, but he sounded exhausted. He no doubt was, so what was he doing out here on the sofa instead of in his bunk? "I'm all right. You startled me, though. I must have fallen asleep." He yawned. Bethany screamed at herself. Seriously, Beth, you clumsy nut! You fell on him while he was ASLEEP! You never wake up a star when he's asleep. You could get fired!

Okay, she probably wouldn't get fired, but she was far too embarrassed to think about that just now.

"Are you just getting in?" Hunter asked, glancing at his glowing watch and wondering about the late hour.

Bethany nodded, then realized he couldn't see her and said aloud, "Yes. It was my first night so it took a while for them to get everything in the trailer. The way they were used to was not at all efficient. In fact, I think it's the cause of your missing piano key. I should be able to fix that tomorrow, but for now I wanted to make sure you don't lose any more."

"Whoa. You can fix a piano?"

She nodded again. Stop nodding, you idiot. It's too dark for that. Speak! "Yes. I took a few classes on instrument repair. I know how to fix most of the common problems you see in the instruments you guys use."

Hunter nodded this time. Seriously, Hunt? Don't be a chicken. Just say something!

"Something," he replied. Did I just say that? What was that?

Bethany waited for more. Hunter was too busy trying to keep from beating his head against the wall to give her anything else to go on. 

"Um...what?" she asked. 

Think of something, Hunter! Think! "I mean, that's really something." He cleared his throat. That didn't sound too terrible, right? That sounded like a normal person thing to say.

"Oh, okay. Um, thanks, I guess." Bethany shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Well, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to fall all over you or anything." 

"It's fine. Don't worry about it."

"I mean, I'm sure you get that all the time. Girls falling all over you." She wanted to hit herself for saying that. "I mean...nevermind. I'm just going to get out of your way. I'll, uh," she stood as she spoke, bouncing off the kitchen counter on her way down the tiny hallway, "I'll see you in the morning."

"Yeah, see you." 

She turned and headed purposefully toward the miniature bathroom in the back, her head down and her cheeks still flaming. Bethany, you are such a spaz! God, why are you so stupid? He's going to think you're an idiot! She closed the door to the bathroom quietly and climbed into the shower to wash away her embarrassment.

Hunter was really confused about what had just happened. Was that as awkward for her as it had been for him? For some reason, he couldn't seem to talk to her like he would any normal person. What was wrong with him?

Come on, Hunter, could you have been any less cool? She's going to think you're socially impaired! He banged his head against the wall behind him and hoped that he'd get a chance to redeem himself...and soon. 

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