Lark nodded and dragged Perry down next to her. “Yeah, we’ve been learning them for the last three days. Grant is one of those creepy guys who can bake a song into his brain after playing it twice. I sort of hate him.”
/> “Well, I guess we’re having a bit of an adventure then.” Ian dragged me closer. “This should be fun.”
I wasn’t sure I believed him, but he did seem a little lighter. More like the teasing Ian I was used to. Maybe a new start was just what he needed.
“Rolling out in five,” Benny hollered from the front.
“Buckle up, Magic. Welcome to your first tour bus.”
I patted my camera bag. “Mind if I take some shots of you guys?”
Lark sat up straighter. “I gotta fix my face first.”
“Why?” I unzipped my bag. “You’re gorgeous.”
“Aww, thank you. But I just finished a workout. I look like a hag.”
If she was a hag, what the hell did I look like? I’d been in a car half the morning with Ian for his stop at Roman’s, crawling around taking pictures there, not to mention up most of the night working.
At least we’d managed a moment or two of…recreation on the way to Roman’s place.
Ian sat down on the bench seat across from the girls. “Care to tell me that story then, Perry?”
“Oh, right. Well, I used to be in a band. The Alternates.” She shrugged and wrinkled her nose. “I didn’t pick the name. I came in late after they used me in the studio. Band broke up because the two leads were too busy banging or fighting to actually write songs. One too many fights and not enough making up.”
“Sounds like a lot of drama.” Ian crossed his arms.
“Too much. I prefer to just play and get on with it, you know?”
Ian made a noncommittal grunt.
“Anyway. Sabrina gave me a shout and here I am.”
“And we did some studio work for a Christmas album up in New York.” Larkin dragged over her huge purse and tucked it between the two of them. “So, when Sabrina was looking for a bass player, she hooked a girl up.” She pulled out a stick of gum. “Want?”
Perry took one and peeked into Lark’s purse. “What do you have in here?”
“I could literally make a getaway with this thing.” Lark dug out a huge pouch. “Now this is where the magic is.”
The two girls chattered about makeup and I took a few candids. The girls were naturals at mugging for the camera. Grant gave me a big ol’ peace sign and went back to murdering zombies. Ian watched me with hooded eyes. I tried to ignore him as I moved around the cabin of the bus.
Benny was such a smooth driver, I barely felt like we were moving.
After an hour of pictures, we all got bored. Ian was dozing on the couch. The boy could blink out faster than anyone I knew. He was king of the catnaps. I pulled out my phone and snapped a personal picture and blushed when Lark caught me.
“Did I mention you guys are cute?”
I rolled my eyes. “Several times.”
“I mean, I don’t know him, but you guys look good together. He watches you.” She wagged her perfect eyebrows. “It’s hot. You guys probably have like epic fucks.”
I blinked. I was used to all sorts of conversation from living at J Town. Not to mention my time at the orchard at home. Being around workers and family who didn’t have censor buttons meant I was used to candid chats, but I’d never really participated. I mean, it wasn’t like I didn’t date. I’d had relationships…ish. I’d just been more interested in getting to Los Angeles than getting attached to any guys from my small town.
“Come on. I mean, look at him.”
I arrowed a gaze at her.
Lark smiled hugely. “No worries there, girl. I don’t poach. Besides, I kinda like ’em a little more Latino, ya know?”