“Oh, shit. H-hey, Braxton,” he said, looking alarmed. “I’m really sorry about this. I was supposed to have this done before you got back, but—”
“It’s fine,” I reassured before he could finish. “What’s going on? Where are you taking my stuff?”
The roadie’s blue eyes widened even further at my question. I think his name was either Alan or Alex. Unfortunately, I hadn’t been around long enough to be sure. He was cute even with his greasy blond hair that clearly hadn’t been washed in a while.
“You didn’t know? I was told to move your things to the second bus.” Suddenly realizing this was our first conversation, he stuck out his hand. “I’m Alex.”
“Braxton,” I offered while shaking his hand.
“Yeah, I know,” he teased with the beginnings of a blush blooming on his cheeks. “Everyone knows who you are.”
“Oh, yeah?” I tried my best to sound excited. Any other time I would have been.
“Yeah, you’re pretty awesome.”
I could tell he wanted to say more but was trying to play it cool. Perhaps he sensed that I wasn’t in the mood to be praised after being discarded like yesterday’s trash. Either way, I was grateful. My guard only worked when my back was against the wall. Alex, on the other hand, was nice. I was afraid I’d end up crying on his shoulder if he said too much. I bet he wouldn’t find me so awesome then.
“Thanks,” I said, giving him a smile that felt real. “Do you know why I’m being moved? Sorry, no one told me.”
“Houston thought you’d be more comfortable on another bus.” Thankfully, Alex didn’t pry. Spilling my guts is what got me in this position, so I wasn’t about to do it again. “Should I wait until he’s back or…?” Alex let the question hang in the air.
“No. It’s fine. I guess he just forgot to tell me,” I lied. That pedantic, priggish pile of pig shit hadn’t forgotten a damn thing, and neither would I. For now, I breathed in and out through my nose, forcing my anger to wait its turn.
Nodding, Alex lifted my bags from the ground. When I tried to help, he waved me off. “This way.”
I followed him to the bus parked behind Bound’s bus. When I boarded, I expected to see it occupied and maybe a little crowded. Instead, it was a ghost town.
“Where is everyone?” I questioned while looking around and waiting for someone to appear.
“They were all split up and moved around. This baby’s all yours.”
This time around, it was hard not to react.
Was separating themselves from me really that dire? They’d actually vacated an entire bus so that they wouldn’t have to share a space with me anymore.
I had privacy now, but I wasn’t grateful for it. I was angry enough to scream and afraid of how alone I’d be by the end of the tour. There would be nothing to distract me from my thoughts and the fear of what was happening hundreds and soon to be thousands of miles away.
No company is better than bad company.
Still, I felt terrible for the crew, who were probably feeling cramped before Bound decided to kick me off their island. There was a vast difference between Bound’s bus and this one. The most noticeable was the twelve narrow bunks compared to the band’s spacious four. This bus also didn’t have the slide-out feature that doubled the interior’s size when the bus wasn’t in motion. Everything here was standard with a straight out of the factory design, not that I cared. I’d be more than comfortable here with no one to share the space. My problem was the real reason I’d been moved, and it wasn’t for my comfort.
I’d been exiled.
I could feel the invisible branding of a familiar scarlet letter on my chest even now.
“Is this okay?” Alex asked after I’d been silent for too long. “If not, I can let Houston or Xavier know.” His expression didn’t match his offer, though. Alex looked like he’d rather swallow rusty nails than play the messenger. The crew was happy and well-treated by the guys, but it didn’t change the fact that they were intimidating. It was a natural thing for them.
“This is fine. I’m just worried everyone will think I’m a diva or something.” Thanks for that, Houston. “If they want to come back, I really don’t mind sharing.”
“They don’t think that. Houston made it clear he wanted you to have the privacy.”
I bet he did. He managed to cast me aside while looking like the gallant hero. I hated him even more than before.
“I see.”
Smiling, Alex made for the exit. “If you need anything, I’ll be around!” he shouted before disappearing into the dark. The drivers were set up in hotels for the night, so I was utterly alone until morning.