Assured (Soul Serenade #2) (18 page)

“I didn’t think you were ever coming back,” Logan says as soon as we walk onto the bus. Looking around, I see the four of them sitting around the table playing cards.

“Didn’t know we needed to be.”

“Well, we were getting worried. You’ve been gone a long time.”

Kacen laughs. “Baby, we told you she was fine. She was with Cole.”

Cole, who is standing behind me, gently runs his fingers up my spine. It’s like he’s trying to tell me that he agrees with Kacen.

“You should have just texted me.”

“I did.” She sighs. “You didn’t answer your damn phone.”

I reach around to retrieve my phone from my back pocket, but Cole beats me to it. He slides it out and gently lays it in my palm, his fingers trailing over mine. I try not to shudder at the contact. I bring my arm back around and tap the button and, sure enough, I have four missed calls from Logan. “Sorry, I didn’t hear it. Or feel it. We were riding go-karts, so my ass was vibrating the entire time. Didn’t know it was my phone,” I explain.

“We called you too, man,” Kacen says to Cole.

“Turned it off,” his gruff voice pipes up from behind me.

“Why would you do that?” Logan questions him. The guys just look at him, all wearing smirks.

“Day off” is his half-ass reply.

“Well, now that everyone’s here, can we eat? I’m starving,” Gavin pleads.

“We just ate,” Cole says.

“Well, that leaves us. You all ready to head out?” Tristan asks.

“You sure you don’t want to come with?” Logan asks me.

“I’m worn out. We walked all over the city and road go-karts for hours. I’m ready to just relax. Besides, we roll out early in the morning, right?”

“Yeah,” Kacen answers. “It’s about a six-hour drive, so we’ll probably head out around five or so. I doubt any of us will even be up.”

“That’s still hard to get used to.”

“I agree. You wake up, look out the window and see highway. It’s different for sure,” Logan agrees. “Cole?”

He again runs his hands up my spine. They can’t see what he’s doing, and I have to fight against reacting. He’s been touchy-feely all day, as have I, but it was just us. With them. . . .

“I’m beat. This one kicked my ass today.”

I turn to look at him, a grin tipping my lips. A chorus of “You were beat by a chick,” “Way to go, Stacy,” “Dude,” and something about being whipped are all thrown out at once.

“She’s good. Didn’t even lift in the corners.”

“Damn, girl!” Tristan stands, heads toward me, and Cole throws his arm over my shoulders. For some reason, this causes Tristan to grin like a fool.

“She’s a tiny thing,” he says softly, his eyes holding mine.

“Riiight,” Gavin says, standing. “Let’s go before I die of starvation.”

With a quick wave, they’re out the door and it’s just the two of us yet again.

“Watch a movie with me?” I ask as soon as the door closes, not ready for my time with her to end. I’ve loved every fucking minute of today.

“You can watch whatever,” she says, placing her hand over her mouth to hide her yawn. “I’ll probably just fall asleep, but I’ll sit with you for a while.”

Victory! I kick off my shoes and stretch out on the couch. The way I see it, we have at least a couple hours before everyone gets back, so I’ll lie with her until she falls asleep. I’m not even going to try to seduce her; we’ve had a long day, not to mention holding her sounds really fucking good right now.

I pat the couch in front of me; she hesitates for a few seconds before kicking off her own shoes and lying down. I pull the throw blanket off the back, something that was never on a bus of ours in the past. Not until the girls came along. In the past, our assistants traveled with the crew. Not this time.

I pull the blanket over us and reach for the remote. I turn on some movie, no idea what it is. It doesn’t matter, though, because neither one of us are going to be watching it. She won’t last ten minutes, and I’d rather watch her. Shocking, but true.

I set the remote on the floor and wrap my arm around her. She’s using the other as a pillow.

“I had fun today,” she says sleepily.

“Me too,” I reply, keeping my voice soft and low.

“Did you let me win?”

I chuckle. “No, sweets. I didn’t let you win. You’re kind of badass.”

“Hmmm.”

My hand caresses the small of her back. I slip my fingers underneath her shirt, needing to feel her skin. It’s a need I can’t explain.

“I like this.”

“What?” Her voice is getting softer.

“You, in my arms.” I liked every fucking second of our time together today, and every day before that.

“Me too. This is my favorite.” She’s completely relaxed, lying in my arms.

“You’re my favorite.” It’s the same thought that has been running through my mind lately. She’s different. She’s a blast to be around, beautiful, sexy, smart—she’s the entire fucking package. She’s a damn unicorn and she’s in my arms right now.

“Hmmm.”

That’s her reply. I kiss the top of her head and relax into the couch, which is surprisingly comfortable considering. It has to be her. It’s all her. Every day I wake up, it’s her; before I fall asleep, it’s her. On stage, events, hanging with the guys . . . it’s all her.

I tighten my hold on her as realization kicks in. I want to try with her. I want to try to be her more. It’s something I’ve never wanted, never imagined I would ever want. Now that it’s here in my arms, it’s easy to see.

She’s everything.

My mind races with the possibilities. I remember the pang of envy I felt at Kacen and Logan’s wedding. She could be my someone. I want her to be. There’s something about the tightening in my chest at just the thought of her that tells me this is right. Now I just have to convince her that it’s more.

My past follows me, but even she admitted that this tour is not what she expected. And it hasn’t been the usual, that’s for sure. I know my reasoning, not sure about Gavin and Tristan. I know I’m a man consumed.

She’s all I see.

Now, I just have to figure out how to prove to her that she’s not like the rest.

“Shh, leave them be,” I hear Logan scolding my bandmates.

We fell asleep again and once again are busted. I slow smile pulls at my lips.

“That fucker’s awake,” Tristan whines.

I open my eyes to find the four of them standing over us. Bringing my index finger to my lips, I reiterate what Logan was saying, telling them to be quiet. Kacen is grinning like a fool, Tristan looks confused, and Gavin’s phone has his attention.

“You got her?” Kacen asks.

I wrap my arm back around her and meet his stare. No words are exchanged, but he knows. He’s been there—hell, he
is
there. I know he can see it. I’m not leaving this fucking couch as long as she’s in my arms.

He nods, and then, reaching over, he turns the light over the table off and heads back toward the bedroom. Tristan and Gavin follow blindly, like they don’t understand what’s happening.

They’ve never seen me like this, but they’re smart guys. They have to know what this means.

Closing my eyes, I listen as they all get settled in for the night. After a few minutes of silence, I shift so Stacy is lying on top of me. My arm is asleep.

She moves to find a comfortable position, her eyes never opening. I hold her close and allow my own eyes to close.

It takes hours for sleep to claim me again; I don’t want to miss a minute of this. I want this girl like nothing ever before, and I don’t know that I can convince her of that. I will put everything I am into showing her she’s more.

Until then, while she’s sleeping, I’ll bask in the fact that she’s where she is. Next to me, her head resting on my heart. My arms holding her close.

It feels like a dream, having her with me like this. It’s new, and already I’m addicted. She’s my drug of choice.

“Spill.” My best friend is standing in front of the small table on the bus, hands on her hips, small baby bump front and center, giving me the look. You know, the one that says, “Do not deny your pregnant hormonal best friend or there will be hell to pay.”