It seems the gods were against us as we were busy busy busy from leaving the airport, straight to hotel only to dump our bags and head straight to the arena. If I didn't know better if would swear that Jared knew and was deliberately keeping us busy with no spare time at all. He's kept me pretty close to his side which is normal I guess. With being so busy I'm always with him. Or doing something for him. The only plus side is he's calmed down with shannon and seems to believe him when he says there's nothing going on between us. It's true to a point, we haven't met up or talked since the plane kiss but that doesn't mean it won't happen just as soon as we can get some privacy. The first few gigs go without any hitches and Jareds getting into the touring zone thank God. He's calming down and the friction of the past few months with him and shannon has almost gone completely. We have quite a few days break to travel to the next round of gigs but this lot are by tour bus. If you thought getting this lot onto a plane was hard you ain't seen nothing yet...
"6 buses guys. Band including Stevie and Jamie on one, me, shayla, joie, on next with 3 staff for social media coverage. We will have the tech stuff so you can work on route. Samuel, Kyle, everyone else divide up between the other buses. Equipment shared amongst them rest in the trucks as usual. Let's go guys. I want this running smoothly." A rousing chorus of "yes m'ams" echoed around the arena to which i gave the usual one fingered salute to them all before giggling all the way to my bus. We literally are the cliche as in we are like a family. Everyone works so closely and depends on everyone doing their bit that we can't help but become close without trying. It's nice though. When you are away from your own family and friends you need the support.
Kyle hollers to me to wait up. He comes skating over flipping his board up and catching it . I swear him and Samuel get more like teenagers every day. But he's all floppy blonde hair, man bun and cute smile and gets away with it.
"What's up hunni" I ask him while i pack up the paperwork for the next gigs. I swear he's blushing as he puts his hand out in front of me. " I don't know why , I don't want to know why either but the shanman asked me to give you this once Jared was away. Now shannons my boy, HES my boss so I'm doing him a favour. Your my friend Jess so I'm not telling anyone he asked me to do this cos although it's kinda cute, I don't want to start aggro with Jay. Not since everything is settling down now between those two okay . This is a one off."
I'm sure I must be scarlet by now as i stand with my mouth open . Kyle hands me a folded note and disappears as quick as he arrived and I stick it in my pocket and carry on with work as best I can being as flustered as I am at this moment.
Thankfully I am actually kept busy as I have a few unexpected phone calls come through and then it's full on packing up the buses. I'm actually on the bus packing clothes away in the back by myself and I pulled my locker key out for my drawer and the note fell out. I quickly glance around and noone is there so I jump onto my bunk to open it. I feel like a schoolgirl all giddy getting a note from the hot guy in class.
(Note reads)
"Hey little bit. Just had to let you know I'm missing you like crazy. Please don't think anything has changed from the plane. I still want to chat to you. I'm going crazy here but we need to be so careful. As soon as its safe I'm getting you alone beautiful . Just be careful who you talk to and watch Jay, he's being super nosy and watching us all the time. Miss you Jess....
Shannon xxx
I'm overwhelmed and kinda shocked that he could be so sweet. Also that he cares as much to make sure I know he still cares. I feel the tears in my eyes but I hear movement outside the bus and shove the note back in my pocket as I jump out the bunk
"Jess..you here?" Jared shouts from the front...."oh je-eees".
"Mmmhhhmm" I mumble and pop my head out. He advances up the bus but stops when he sees me. "Hey Jess what's wrong, are you ok" he asks, genuinely concerned. I nod that I'm fine but he comes up anyway. "I'm fine Jay what do you need ". He stops dead in front of me and I forget sometimes how tall he is compared to shannon which makes him a giant next to me. He seems genuinely concerned after me and doesn't drop it. " you seem upset are you sure you are ok. Has someone upset you Jess, do you need me to sort this out. "
I giggle . "What" he says genuinely offended. " nothing, just ......thank you jared . It's amazing to know you all look out for me here. My night in shining armour or in your case shiny Gucci!!!!" Now he's laughing as he pulls me in for a platonic hug . "Watch it cheeky." He mumbles against my hair as he gives me a quick peck on the head and pushes me out to wipe the tears away that were forming after I read shans note. "As long as you are okay. Family looks after family and I'm here if you need me okay." I nod and hug him back. " what did you need anyway bossman"
He leans back against the bunks and I can see his brain going overtime as he tries to remember. " ah fuck it"he swears. "I totally forgot now!" He turns to leave and makes it to the pantry area of the bus when it comes back to him - " aaaah I remember. There's a problem with the hotels for the next leg. I got an email. Less rooms left than they thought so we gotta divide some folk into groups and they will stick some fold out cots in the rooms okay. Can you buddy up the ones that need to and of course try and give the girls the single rooms. They don't need these sweaty drunk jocks bunking in with them after a gig and after party lol".
"Sure thing I will get on with it right now jay" ....." and thanks for just now. I have a few personal things I'm dealing with. Nothing major and it won't affect my work..so please don't worry. But thanks for the hug. It means a lot to know you guys have my back". He smiles and waves as he jumps the full steps of the bus. I swear that guys gets younger and fitter every day. Quiet decends on the bus as I set about the lists for the hotel rooms. I email back and forth with the hotel and when it's sorted I lie back exhausted and before I know it ive drifted off to sleep. I waken up to the gentle rumble of the bus moving and I sit up with such a start, panicking that I crack my head on the bunk above. I swear these things are like coffins. " goddamn it" I cry out forgetting where I am. Before I know it I have 5 pairs of concerned eyes looking in at me through the curtain.
It may be the bump on my head but I swear they belong to Jay, shan, joie, shayla and emma. This confuses me even further than the bump on my head. I feel a trickle down my face and realise I'm bleeding and I fall back against the pillow at the sight of it........tbc
