I woke back up to the feeling of my brow being stroked. It was actually rather soothing and probably would relax me enough to go back to sleep if it wasn't intensely sore where the stroking was. My eyes fluttered until they were met with the beautiful hazel orbs ive been wanting to stare into for the last week or so. I try to lean up to him but I'm shooed back down.
I realise he's not alone and catch on pretty quick as I hear Jared speak next..."Hey Jess, you ok there. You gave us all a fright there. That was some crack on the head and then the second you saw the blood you just keeled over. Thank God shannon was heading back from the bathroom and managed to catch you in time or you could have more than just a sore head to deal with.
(Shannon)"yeah little bit. Falling from the middle bunk would be definately a lot sorer than just a bump to the head. Although it is a cracker of a bump...Jay you got that ice pack man, this is starting to swell. Jess you are going to have a bruise like you went five rounds in a ring. Do you feel sick or dizzy?" He puts the ice pack on and I wince at the contact. I can see he's visually hurting watching me like this and all I want is his big bear arms around me to make me feel better but there's an audience so tough luck for me. "Shit sorry little bit " he says voice trembling. I reassure him I'm okay and try to sit up. His strong hand at my back feels warm and comforting and as I get up I feel kinda woozy and stumble, thankfully into his warm hard chest. He holds me up as any of them would although I feel his calloused thumb graze my neck as he helps me to sit beside Jared so as to not stir any suspicious with Jay. (J)" u ok little one." "Yeah or at least I will be lol. Once the bus stops spinning. Oh yeah and as for that. Why is the bus moving already and why are us 6 on it instead of the way it was planned . That confused the hell out of me when I woke up"
They all laughed simultaneously and i was still none the wiser. (J) "You had fallen asleep after I had been in chatting to you about the hotels. There was a problem with two of the buses. One had some technical issue that needs the computer at the garage to identify it and the other had two flats which we need to wait on tyres coming in. So shayla and joie organised extra trucks to take all the equipment and Sammy and the guys took a train to get ahead of us and set up at the next venue. The buses will meet up with them on the way. We figured we needed to stay with you guys to keep organised and if everyone is split up then we have less chance of being hounded by fans if they think we are elsewhere." Jared got up to fill the kettle and shannon took his place to give Stevie a seat with joie.
I'm still a bit woozy but ive got shayla on one side and shannon on the other sitting in at the table which helps. I nod to jared so he knows i understand . I feel shannons body heat against me as we are pretty cramped in the seat and his hand rests on my knee. It both calms me and excites me at the same time. Noone can see and the fact Jay is right nearby us it's kinda risky but he doesn't suspect a thing. " guys I'm really glad you are here and helped me. Thanks for everything but I'm so tired. I just need to sleep if that's okay." I say as I lean into shayla. She kisses my temple before getting up. "No sweetie, you need to stay awake. You have had quite a knock to the head. We are gonna take it in turns to watch u tonight okay."
"God no guys I will be fine. U need your sleep, we all still have jobs to do. I wont hear of it"
Jared gives me that look and I know there's no point arguing. "Little bit is quite right. We do have jobs to do and it is half eleven at night so shayla and joie and Stevie go to bed and stay there. Jess won't be much use for a day or two, no offence little one, so you guys can do your usual plus hers. It's all organised already anyway you know how super prepared she is" and they all laugh and agree with him. I have the cheek to blush and they laugh again. "Hey" Jared says " it's an admirable quality to have. Shannon was heading for a shower before all this so he can do that and get his head down for a few hours and then I can swap with him so I'm fresh for my Interviews scheduled for the morning. Is that okay brother?"
"Fine by me" he smiles as he highfives Jay and says goodnight to the gang that head off to bed. He goes to his bunk and grabs his washkit and pjs and as he disappears into the bathroom Jared plonks me a cup of hot lemon and mint tea down on the table. "Drink up little one you need to hydrate. I have some cream for you to bring out the bruising and some pain killers. Don't argue with the boss. " he laughs as he tenderly applies the cream . It stings like fuck and I'm not gonna lie. The tears nip my eyes and I see him pale visually in front of me. "Oh god im so sorry Jess I should've let the pain meds kick in can you forgive me?"
"There's nothing to forgive Jay. Thank you for everything" I reach over the bench and snuggle into him. He's so skinny my arms fit all round but he's still a safe place for me. I've grown so close to this bunch of misfits that they are just my family and each one of them has a different special role in my life . Jay is my boss which makes him a fatherly figure to me. He keeps me safe and makes sure I'm okay and I have my utmost trust and faith in him in everything. We sit like that for ages just chatting about everything and nothing, about the tour, about each other, drinking our tea and before we realise it it's 2 am and Jared is yawning and trying to hide it very unsuccessfully. " you know Mr Oscar winner your not the best actor when your tired hmmm" I giggle and he blushes and agrees. " Jess I'm ok just a bit sleepy. I'm gonna go give shan a nudge and I can rest before the interviews. First ones at 9am. Your tired too. I think a small sleep would be okay as long as shannon watches you. You seem a bit better now. See you in the morning sweetie "
I bid him goodnight and stare out into the blackness through the window. Streetlights and the occasional office light still on flicker but otherwise there's nothing. An eery calmness as the country sleeps. I hear the quiet mutterings of the brothers and hear Jared thank shannon for doing this. If only he knew...
